1257: John Russ, Chef/Owner of Clementine

1257: John Russ, Chef/Owner of Clementine

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee March 2, 2026 Duration: 2:13:50

John Russ and Kim Beechner join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 30th, 2026 at 11AM EST. 

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Chef John Russ is the chef-owner of Clementine, a celebrated neighborhood restaurant in San Antonio known for its seasonally driven menus and warm, family-centered hospitality. A New Orleans native and 2023 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Texas, Russ trained at Delgado Culinary and refined his craft in fine dining kitchens at the Ritz-Carlton and The Capella Group before putting down roots in San Antonio in 2012. Alongside his wife and pastry chef, Elise, he launched a series of pop-up dinners that evolved into the Clementine restaurant group, where the couple has helped reshape the city's culinary landscape with their acclaimed "Feed Me" tasting experience and thoughtful approach to service and work–life balance. Beyond the stove, Russ advocates for better food sourcing, sustainability, and commonsense immigration reform within the restaurant industry, working with state and national organizations while mentoring the next generation of chefs.

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Today's sponsors:

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Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

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Let's make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

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US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

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Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.clementine-sa.com
  • Instagram: @clementine.sanantonio
  • Email: hello@clementine-sa.com

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Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
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