CHEF DAVE CRITCHLEY of LU BAN on Authentic Social Media — Restaurant Influencers (RI010)

Chef Dave Critchley of Lu Ban in Liverpool has leaned into his role as a community leader by talking on social media about mental health at restaurants and other important topics to him. Listen to this interview with the executive chef about the importance of mental health in hospitality, and connecting with an online audience by being himself.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN on this episode of the Restaurant Influencers podcast, sponsored by Toast (@ToastTab)? Let us know by leaving a YouTube comment below!

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CHAPTERS:
[01:45] - Chef Dave 2-Minute Drill
[05:30] - Learning to Master Chinese Food
[09:46] - Authentic Social Media
[20:14] - Finding Mentors
[33:22] - Healthy Daily Habits


Dave Critchley is a Restaurant Influencer —

The Executive Head Chef at Lu Ban Restaurant in Liverpool is responsible for creating magical moments with food. He also believes in a responsibility to use his popular social media channels to promote a healthier direction for his industry.

“I want to make it a nicer place for people to enjoy coming to work and enjoy being part of hospitality again because that’s what’s going to help us survive and move forward as an industry,” said Chef Dave on the Restaurant Influencers podcast hosted by Shawn P. Walchef of Cali BBQ Media https://calibbq.media.

• FOLLOW Chef Dave Critchley on Social Media @chefdavej

The two-time Great British Menu competitor has leaned into his role as a community pillar, and began discussing mental health on Instagram Live feeds. He believes that mental health is at the forefront of the restaurant industry returning to its pre-COVID form.

Chef Dave doesn’t only preach the importance of mental health, he has taken action to ensure he is doing his part to create the environment he believes is conducive to successful workers.

“We’re a four day working week. I think it’s been really important for us. That enables us to do all of our stuff; to have the proper rest time and downtime and also have a life outside of work,” Chef Dave explains.

His impact is felt throughout his community. He posts on social media from his heart. He leads with what he believes in, and follows that with his actions. In an age of engagement taking precedence as the ultimate marketing tool, Chef Dave values authenticity instead of Likes. Although those come too when you keep it real online.

“I’ve always tried to be true to me, and I find that people actually may come to me. They flock to me because they like me as a person.”

WHAT DID YOU LEARN from this interview? Let us know in the comments. https://restaurantinfluencers.media

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EPISODE LINKS:
• Chef Dave Critchley Online - https://www.chefdave.uk/
• Lu Ban Liverpool - www.lubanrestaurant.co.uk
• @ChefDaveJ on Instagram - https://instagram.com/chefdavej


NOMINATE A RESTAURANT INFLUENCER — Do you know someone or a restaurant who is great on social media? Let us know by emailing [email protected] or sending the @calibbqmedia team a DM on social media.


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ABOUT LU BAN RESTAURANT:
The food at Lu Ban in Liverpool is inspired by the Chinese region of Tianjin. In China the name Lu Ban is associated with invention and creativity, and dates back to 504-444 BC when Lu Ban, revered as a Chinese Deity, was a master of craft, invention and innovation.
Executive Chef Dave J. Critchley and his team develop Lu Ban dishes with an inventive culinary passion, respectful of Chinese food culture and traditions.
After starring in BBC Two’s Great British Menu for the second time in 2022, Dave hosted an exclusive evening for Lu Ban guests, recreating his inventive dishes from the show.

• Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lubanliverpool


ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS:
Welcome to the Restaurant Influencers podcast series, sponsored by Toast POS (@toasttab). Every week host Shawn P. Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with leaders in restaurant and hospitality about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling and how to show up and engage where customers are spending time online.
The weekly digital series (audio, video, writing, images) is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef and presented by Entrepreneur Media (@entrepreneur), Yelp for Business (@yelp), and Cali BBQ Media (@calibbqmedia).

• Entrepreneur Media - https://entreprenuer.com
• Yelp for Business - https://biz.yelp.com
• Cali BBQ Media - https://calibbq.media

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SPONSORED BY TOAST:
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants

Learn more at pos.toasttab.com