More Than a Kitchen: Chefs David Reyes & Nelly Buleje

Two chefs. Two friends. One of them is getting ready to leave Florida and begin a new chapter.

Chefs David Reyes and Nelly Buleje join Walk-In Talk for a conversation about something that goes far beyond what happens on the plate: mental health in the kitchen, camaraderie, and what it really means to show up for the people beside you.

With Nelly preparing to move to North Carolina, the two friends look back at how their relationship developed through the industry, the pressures chefs often carry without talking about them, and why having people who recognize when you're not okay can matter as much as anything you learn in a kitchen.

Of course, we still cook.

Both chefs put their own spin on Crab Island Seafood Dip. David creates fried taquitos featuring Mexican Street Corn Crab Dip and shrimp, with salsa falsa, mole amarillo, salsa macha, charred corn, pickled onion and cilantro. Nelly brings his culinary perspective to a Causa à la Limeña featuring Crab Rangoon Dip, crab, avocado, pickled onion, quail egg, ají ricoto and olives.

It's part farewell, part celebration and a conversation about the friendships this industry creates—and how those relationships can continue long after two chefs stop sharing the same kitchen or the same city.

The Companies Helping Shape Hospitality

Metro Foodservice Solutions - Commercial-grade storage, transport, and workflow systems that help professional kitchens operate efficiently.

RAK Porcelain USA - Professional tableware built for performance, durability, and presentation at the highest level.

TriMark USA - North America's largest foodservice design, equipment, and supplies provider, helping operators build smarter, more efficient kitchens.

Testo North America - Precision measurement and food safety solutions designed for professional hospitality operations.

Crab Island Seafood - Florida-based manufacturer of premium seafood dips and spreads inspired by coastal flavors.

Citrus America - Commercial juicing solutions delivering consistency, speed, and quality to foodservice operators.

Cahaba Club – Growing exceptional herbs, edible flowers, and specialty produce that bring fresh flavor and vibrant presentation to our studio kitchen.

Shogun Farms - produces premium Florida wild boar through ethical sourcing, humane raising, and a natural feeding program that delivers exceptional flavor from farm to table.

Walk-In Talk Media proudly supports organizations making a measurable impact on hospitality professionals and communities across North America and beyond.

Operation BBQ Relief - Disaster response through hot meals served by culinary volunteers across the country.

Sustainable Supperclub - Community driven dining experiences focused on sustainability, food access, and social impact.

The Burnt Chef Project North America – Supporting mental health awareness and wellbeing throughout the hospitality industry.

 

Industry Events & Media Partnerships
Florida Restaurant Show - Official Media Partner delivering on-site coverage of operators, suppliers, chefs, and hospitality innovation throughout the Southeast.

 New York Restaurant Show - Official Media Partner highlighting the people, products, and stories shaping hospitality across the Northeast.

 California Restaurant Show - Official Media Partner covering West Coast hospitality innovation, culinary trends, and foodservice leadership.

 Pizza Tomorrow Summit - Official Media Partner covering the latest innovations, leadership, and growth in the pizza industry.

 U.S. Culinary Open -Official Media Partner documenting one of America's premier live culinary competitions and the chefs competing at the highest level.

 Creative Loafing Tampa Bay - Regional media partner sharing stories from the people, restaurants, and events shaping Tampa Bay's hospitality community.

About Walk-In Talk Media

Walk-In Talk Media is an industry-recognized B2B food and hospitality media company focused on chef-driven storytelling and real conversations inside the business of food.

 Through cinematic video, photography, podcasting, documentaries, and live event coverage, Walk-In Talk Media highlights the chefs, operators, brands, and organizations shaping the future of hospitality. 

From Michelin-starred chefs and independent restaurants to manufacturers, distributors, and industry associations, Walk-In Talk Media exists to tell the stories moving hospitality forward.