Moses Hernandez Speaker Sheet

Raw Truths from the Kitchen to Life: Stories of Resilience, Recovery, and Growth


Imagine…

**“Tonight’s speaker is Moses Hernandez — a chef with nearly 30 years in the kitchen trenches, an author whose raw memoirs are already finding their way into schools, libraries and recovery programs . He is also an artist whose canvas and custom sneaker work is becoming a visual extension of his story.

He’s lived addiction, grief, obesity, and survival — and come out the other side eight years sober and 140 pounds lighter. His father died from heroin addiction; Moses himself nearly drowned in alcohol. Today, he’s not just alive, he’s thriving: painting, writing, speaking, and using his voice to heal others.

Moses blends hip-hop rhythm, culinary grit, and artistic vision into a message that resonates with students, chefs, and communities alike. He reminds us all: the power isn’t in perfection — it’s in the message. Please welcome, Moses Hernandez.”**

Testimonials
“I'm glad you see now that you survived to help those less fortunate.” — Chef of 60 years, graduate from the first class of
the CIA in Hyde Park, NY, and father to an addicted son
“I wish our students could digest your words like they digest your delicious entrees” — High School Principal

“Some people cook. Chef Moses restores.
In the heat and clang of a school kitchen, he builds a daily ritual of dignity—knife steady, eyes kind, smile easy, standard high. After service, he tells the truth the way truth wants to be told: unfiltered, accountable, hopeful. He feeds bodies; he also feeds courage.
I’ve come to know Chef Moe through our work at Regis High School. He leads with a full heart and a clear spine, passing along the quiet disciplines that keep a team standing: show up, own your mistakes, protect your people, serve the community.”-Freddy Tavares Executive Vice President and General Counsel at New York Historical Society.

About Moses

Moses Hernandez is a chef, author, and speaker with nearly 30 years in professional kitchens. From culinary school to
hospitals, private schools, and convents, he has lived the grind, the pressure, and the fire of the industry.
But behind the chef’s coat was a battle: addiction, obesity, grief, and recovery. Through resilience, creativity, and honesty, Moses transformed his story into books (Raw Truths from a Chef’s Life, The Raw Journey), workshops, and talks that move
beyond food — into the heart of healing, purpose, and growth.
Armed with both lived experience and formal education, Moses blends academic grounding with raw truth. His dual perspective as both practitioner and professional gives him a unique edge in connecting with students, educators, and leaders.
Today, he shares his journey to inspire chefs, students, recovery communities, and leaders to face their struggles, embrace their creativity and find the lessons hidden in the fire.

TOPICS & PROGRAMS OFFERED

1. Mental Health in the Kitchen

Real conversations on burnout, addiction, identity, and resilience — delivered with honesty, humility, and the lived experience of a chef who rebuilt his life.

2. Leadership That Heals Instead of Hurts

How to run a kitchen or team with discipline, dignity, and humanity — drawing from 27 years in food service and institutional leadership.

3. Recovery, Reinvention & The Raw Journey

A storytelling-heavy keynote about sobriety, shame, personal transformation, and the hidden battles behind the meal.

4. Culinary Life Lessons for the Next Generation

A mentorship-style talk based on Raw Lessons, The Raw Legacy, and your “Jewels” philosophy — perfect for schools, culinary programs, and youth groups.

5. Creativity as Survival: Art, Writing & Hip-Hop in the Kitchen

How painting, writing, and music became lifelines — and how chefs can build expressive outlets to stay grounded and sane.


6. Purpose, Service & Using Your Story to Heal Others


A keynote for corporate, academic, and community groups about turning pain into purpose and work into service.


IMPACT & REACH

Global Presence

  • Books distributed across US, UK, EU, Australia, India, Malaysia/Southeast Asia, and more.

  • Listed within California, Missouri, and New Jersey corrections bookstore systems, enabling access for incarcerated readers.

  • Stocked in public libraries, independent bookstores, and school libraries nationwide, including:
    Mid-Hudson System • Jersey City Public Library • Bergenfield Library • McNally Jackson • Powell’s • The Last Bookstore • Parnassus Books • Literati • Prairie Lights • Women & Children First • Elliot Bay • Books & Books Miami • Kramers DC • ThriftBooks, and more.


Search Engine & Algorithm Authority

  • Ranks top 3 for major search queries:

    • “chef addiction book”

    • “chef recovery book”

    • “culinary addiction book”

  • Google’s AI summaries list Moses as a leading voice in chef mental health and addiction recovery.

  • Speaker sheet and book links appear directly in Google AI carousels.

  • Website receives 250+ monthly organic visits without paid ads — driven solely by brand momentum and growing industry interest.


Industry Recognition

  • Featured in an upcoming Burnt Chef Project blog (global hospitality mental health organization).

  • Elior North America publicly praises Chef Moe as “world-class talent,” a mentor, and a chef whose leadership is reshaping kitchen culture.

  • Engagement from culinary corporate leaders, mental health advocates, and educational institutions continues to rise.


Speaking & Media Growth

  • Sober Strong Podcast appearance hit 5,000+ views in 10 days, now surpassing 6,500, with nearly 200 comments.

  • Invited into global resilience networks filled with international experts.

  • Frequent outreach from culinary schools, independent programs, and mental health organizations for talks, workshops, and collaborations.


Creative Influence Across Mediums

  • Author of six published books, used in education, training, and recovery programs.

  • Creator of Raw Visuals: 100 Pieces from a Chef’s Journey — nearly 100 original artworks.

  • Developing a hip-hop EP blending your memoir with spoken-word storytelling.

  • Creator of Moe’s Raw Channel on YouTube, featuring readings, insights, and chef interviews.

  • Graphic storytelling project The Raw Line expanding your messages into visual storytelling.


Community Impact

  • Works used in recovery centers, support groups, community programs, and among mothers battling addiction.

  • Donated hundreds of copies across schools, libraries, and culinary programs.

  • Known for combining leadership, vulnerability, and lived experience to “feed both bodies and courage.”

  • Eight years sober, serving as a model of resilience within the chef profession.


AUDIENCES SERVED

  • Culinary programs & hospitality schools

  • Food service organizations & corporate dining groups

  • Recovery centers and mental health programs

  • Youth organizations & mentorship initiatives

  • Independent schools and universities

  • Conferences, summits, and leadership events

  • Podcasts, panels, interviews, and media outlets


Education
Johnson & Wales University
- B.S. Food Service Management 5/2003
- A.S. Culinary Arts 5/2001


Booking Info
- Email: chefmoewrites@gmail.com
- LinkedIn: Moses Hernandez
- Website: chefmoewrites.com