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The Truth About Plastic in Your Restaurant Meals with Chef Johanna Hellrigl

Release Date: 04/22/2026

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Once Upon A Food Story

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More Episodes

Have you ever thought about what's happening behind the scenes at a restaurant before your meal arrives at the table?

Even if you prioritize organic, local, or farm-to-table, there's another layer most of us aren't seeing. The hidden ingredient? Plastic.

Johanna Hellrigl, chef, restaurateur, and sustainability advocate is on a mission to reduce invisible plastic exposure inside restaurant kitchens, from packaging to storage to the everyday tools that touch your food long before it reaches your plate.

As Johanna shares, this isn't just an environmental health issue, it's also a human health issue. And as someone who believes food should be sourced, prepared, and enjoyed with love, she sees limiting plastic as part of that same commitment.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Where plastic is hiding in restaurant kitchens and why it matters for your health
The specific conditions that make plastic exposure most harmful
How to infuse your food with good energy, even at home
One simple habit shift to reduce microplastics and chemical exposure
Ways to dine out more consciously without losing the joy of it
A powerful exercise to help you trust your intuition and take care of your health

This conversation will change the way you think about restaurant meals and give you the awareness and tools to enjoy eating out more intentionally.

Resources Mentioned:

Tiny Health Microbiome Test

Stainless steel blender container

Dr. Robynne Chutkan Gut Health Episode

The Plastic Detox

To-Go Cups

EWG Tap Water Database

Learn More about Johanna Hellrigl:

TEDx Talk: The Plastic You Eat

Website: amaresturant.bar

Instagram: @chefjohannahellrigl