Yes, Chef! star Christopher Morales opens up about career challenges and recovery journey

Christopher Morales, a contestant from Yes, Chef!, made an appearance on The Hashtag Show podcast, which aired on June 5, 2025.

In the discussion, he talked about the challenging life of a chef, the personal costs involved, and how his experiences have molded him.

Morales explained that being a chef involves more than cooking; it means sacrificing family time, giving up a social life, and enduring both physical and mental strain.

"If you have a kid or if you want a social life, don’t be a chef. There’s no room for that," he stated, after the host shared he had left his cooking career to pursue journalism to better provide for his family.

Morales also discussed his time on Yes, Chef! and how the show helped him improve both at his job and his personal life. He spoke about his past struggles with alcohol and anger, and how sobriety allowed him to gain a clearer perspective.

From running restaurants at a young age to appearing on national TV, Morales shared the highs and lows of kitchen life.

Regarding his future plans, he expressed a desire to focus on forming relationships and working to become a better individual.

Yes, Chef! star Christopher Morales shares the hidden side of the job

 

 

 

 

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On the podcast, Morales talked about how most people misunderstand what it really means to be a chef. “Being a chef nowadays is very rarely cooking,” he said.

Instead, his job often involves planning menus, managing inventory, leading kitchen staff, and traveling as a private chef.

He said his packed schedule makes it hard to see his girlfriend, and that chefs usually work during holidays and dinner times when others are celebrating.

The host, who left the kitchen for journalism after having a child, related to the struggle. Morales agreed, saying, “There’s no room for that,” when talking about family life.

He also shared that he didn’t go to culinary school but learned through experience. At 20, he ran his first restaurant, which brought both confidence and pressure. Over time, he learned to manage costs, staff, and stay passionate about food.

Recovery, bonding, and what he took from Yes, Chef!

Morales described his time on Yes, Chef! as a powerful and emotional experience. He said the lack of phones and outside contact brought the contestants closer.

“We call it trauma bonding,” he shared, explaining that they got through the stress with just coffee, Red Bulls, and each other. The group remains connected and still talks daily.

While only one contestant could win the prize, Morales said most of them went into the show to gain more than just a title.

Morales shared that for him, it was about growth and making connections. “I went out there to network,” he explained, and added that he continues to focus on that now.

He also shared that he is a recovering alcoholic and said that in the past, drinking and using drugs made him angry and quick to lose his temper.

Back then, he often blamed others in the kitchen when things went wrong. After getting sober, he started taking responsibility for his actions and worked on managing his anger.

“Being on the show showed that I am vulnerable. I put it out there with millions of people that I’m in recovery,” he said.

Morales said he wants to keep growing as both a person and a chef, and Yes, Chef! helped him move forward.

Stay tuned for more updates.