Chad Brauze from Sweetgreen on Mastering Recipe Management and Culinary Innovation

#99.
In this episode, Josh sits down with Chad Brauze, Culinary Director at Sweetgreen, to unpack the complex world of culinary leadership in the fast-casual space. Chad shares fascinating insights into Sweetgreen's collaborative recipe development process—from initial concept ideation to rigorous testing and market launches. Listeners will get an exclusive glimpse into how culinary teams navigate the tension between boundless creativity and real-world operational constraints, with Chad revealing the surprising data-driven approach that shapes every delicious menu decision. Chad discusses the evolution of the innovative Ripple Fry and takes listeners behind the scenes of Sweetgreen's Infinite Kitchen experience, demonstrating how principles from fine dining can elevate fast-casual offerings. Josh and Chad examine the delicate balance between flavor profiles and economic considerations, highlighting how successful culinary leadership requires both artistic sensibility and business acumen.

Links and resources 📌

Visit meez: https://www.getmeez.com

Follow meez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmeez

Follow Josh on instagram: @joshlsharkey

Visit Sweetgreen: https://www.sweetgreen.com

Follow Chad Brauze: @chadbrauze

Chapters

• 0:00 The Multifaceted Role of a Culinary Leader
• 5:45 A Day in the Life of a Culinary Head
• 10:01 Collaborative Culinary Development: Insights and Marketing
• 15:07 Balancing Creativity and Economics in Menu Development
• 20:06 The Evolution of Culinary Practices Across Brands
• 21:57 Measuring Success in Culinary Ventures
• 22:48 Building a Strong Culinary Team
• 25:23 Constraints and Creativity in Food Development
• 27:39 The Art of Collaboration in Menu Creation
• 30:32 Innovating with the Ripple Fry
• 34:52 The Future of Cooking: Infinite Kitchens and AI
• 40:32 Lessons from Fine Dining to Fast Casual