In this episode of Straight To The Source, host Tawnya Bahr sits down with the bold, brutally honest, and unapologetically Italian Chef Danny Russo. From humble beginnings in Sydney’s inner west to working in some of the world’s top kitchens in London, Rome, and Marseille, Danny has carved out a remarkable career grounded in respect for produce, cultural authenticity, and culinary evolution.

Danny shares stories of his Italian heritage, the deep-rooted traditions that shaped his love of food, and how the Australian food scene has risen to global prominence. He also opens up about his work with the Russolini Group, international consulting projects in Chicago and Manhattan, and how he’s blending innovation with tradition, without the gimmicks.

Hear Danny’s refreshing perspective on:
Why Australian chefs and produce are now world leaders
His philosophy on simplicity, respect, and storytelling in food
The importance of provenance and consistency in hospitality
How technology and AI are shaping the modern kitchen
The balance between global influence and Italian soul

This raw and honest chat is packed with insight, grit, and laughs, straight from the heart of a chef who never holds back.

Subscribe for more interviews with industry leaders and changemakers.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Squizify, a digital platform that replaces old paper-based processes with modern digital solutions to help operators improve their efficiencies. To learn more, take a squiz at https://squizify.com/  

Follow Danny Russo and find out more about the Russolini Group:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therussolinigroup 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sala.dining 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-russo-25a60b30/ 

Connect with your hosts:
Tawnya Bahr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr 
Lucy Allon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon 

Find out more about Straight To The Source: https://straighttothesource.com.au

Follow Straight To The Source Food Podcast: @stts_podcast

Follow Straight To The Source: @straight_to_the_source

In this episode of Straight To The Source, host Tawnya Bahr sits down with the bold, brutally honest, and unapologetically Italian Chef Danny Russo. From humble beginnings in Sydney&rsquo;s inner west to working in some of the world&rsquo;s top kitchens in London, Rome, and Marseille, Danny has carved out a remarkable career grounded in respect for produce, cultural authenticity, and culinary evolution.
Danny shares stories of his Italian heritage, the deep-rooted traditions that shaped his love of food, and how the Australian food scene has risen to global prominence. He also opens up about his work with the Russolini Group, international consulting projects in Chicago and Manhattan, and how he&rsquo;s blending innovation with tradition, without the gimmicks.
Hear Danny&rsquo;s refreshing perspective on:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why Australian chefs and produce are now world leaders</li>
<li aria-level="1">His philosophy on simplicity, respect, and storytelling in food</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of provenance and consistency in hospitality</li>
<li aria-level="1">How technology and AI are shaping the modern kitchen</li>
<li aria-level="1">The balance between global influence and Italian soul</li>
</ul>
This raw and honest chat is packed with insight, grit, and laughs, straight from the heart of a chef who never holds back.
Subscribe for more interviews with industry leaders and changemakers.
This episode is proudly brought to you by Squizify, a digital platform that replaces old paper-based processes with modern digital solutions to help operators improve their efficiencies. To learn more, take a squiz at <a href="https://squizify.com/">https://squizify.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Follow Danny Russo and find out more about the Russolini Group:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therussolinigroup">https://www.instagram.com/therussolinigroup</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sala.dining">https://www.instagram.com/sala.dining</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-russo-25a60b30/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-russo-25a60b30/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Connect with your hosts:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Tawnya Bahr: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Lucy Allon: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Find out more about Straight To The Source: <a href="https://straighttothesource.com.au/">https://straighttothesource.com.au</a>
Follow Straight To The Source Food Podcast:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stts_podcast"> @stts_podcast</a>
Follow Straight To The Source: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight_to_the_source/">@straight_to_the_source</a>

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.

Hosted by two of Australia’s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.

With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider’s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.

From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.

Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.

Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

To stay up to date, follow Straight To The Source on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.
Hosted by two of Australia&rsquo;s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.
With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider&rsquo;s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.
From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.
Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.
Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/straight-to-the-source/id1610058270">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1FwFeGJI0wp15O9KiDn28c?si=20a9b788479446c7">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@straighttothesource7730">YouTube</a>.
To stay up to date, follow Straight To The Source on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight.to.the.source/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/straighttothesourcefoodtours">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/straight-to-the-source/">LinkedIn</a>.