If Orange County had a Mount Rushmore of culinary creators, then Chef Craig Strong would undoubtedly be included. He has a lifetime of excellence and accolades behind his name, but it is his humility and kindness that stands out most. His food is familiar yet elevated - astoundingly flavorful at every turn and approachable to all. He has settled into a new life at Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach, and the response has already been immediate. He joins me in this episode to talk about the process of opening the restaurants in the hotel, building his kitchen teams, and his approach to training and balancing work and life in this jam-packed episode.The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.You can find more information at https://thebestceats.comFollow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at: https://patreon.com/thebestceats To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website: https://alicoylemusic.com To find out more about our sponsors for this episode, please visit the following:https://www.heirloompotager.comhttps://amass.com