When a restaurant like Rusty’s Bistro wins seven straight Golden Spoon, Florida Trend’s award for the best Florida dining spots and #1 for ‘Best Seafood in St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area’ by USA Today; you want to know the rest of the story. We arranged to talk to Rusty’s award-winning chef John Harris while staying at the Sheraton Sand Key. We expected to hear about a love of food but instead heard a story of a love for life.
On our romantic getaway to Clearwater Beach, we walked into the Mainstay Tavern early in the afternoon. The lunch crowd was gone, and Chef John began his day at Rusty’s next door. He looked like he was in his mid-40s, with red hair tufts and freckles just like the idiomatic child next door. John’s tale was told at a table in the back.
How did you learn to cook?
The first question we asked was, “How did you become interested in cooking?” The answer was not a fat grandmother with secret family recipes, but rather a passion for skiing. Jenn’s ears perked. He was speaking in her language.
John moved to Utah after graduating from Colby College, Maine with a psychology degree. He wanted to ski at Snowbird. He worked at Keyhole Mexican Restaurant at the resort in exchange for a free ski pass and some walking money.
His vision for the critically acclaimed Cuisine Of The Sun was born from these humble beginnings. He describes his mix of Caribbean and Southwestern tastes in this way. He says they share some spice but, in the end, the food speaks for itself.
A Night with the Chefs
We asked him what training he thought was necessary to become a Chef. He was trained by Bernard Gutz who was a classically-trained German chef. His mentor stressed the importance formal culinary training.
He then told us something very cool: the Evening with Chefs of the Ryan Wells Foundation. We were fascinated. Ryan Wells, an Eagle Scout in Palm County, died after a car crash on I-75.
He was returning home after attending an elite summer culinary institute in North Miami. John has been the principal coordinator for the event since the foundation was founded in 2005. The event allows students to pursue post-secondary degrees in culinary arts who would not be able otherwise.
They raised more than $260,000 in a single night last year! Pinellas County also needs chefs with the new hotels opening in Clearwater!
Rusty’s Bistro: Chef’s favorite dish
What’s your favourite dish at Rustys? He answered without hesitation the calamari. The signature dish of Rusty’s is available at the Mainstay Tavern.
There’s so much more to it than just tentacles. The bodies of Humboldt Squid are then cut into strip steaks and tenderized. The squid are breaded with flour, egg panko and parmesan and then served in piccata fashion, with lemon and capers. He stressed the importance quality ingredients such as locally sourced produce, seafood and berries. Calamari tastes so good because of the quality ingredients.
We asked him how he liked living in St Pete rather than Salt Lake. He missed skiing but fell in love the beaches of Clearwater, and Florida Gulf Coast in general. He loves to windsurf in the bay, and he also enjoys relaxing on the beach. He is also an avid scuba-diver.
Rusty and the Golden Spoon
How does Rusty’s continue to win the Golden Spoon every year? John’s formal training in psychology was evident in his response. It’s the Russ Kimball-led management team that creates an atmosphere of family.
He mentioned the quality of meals, the empowered employees and the constant updating of the menu as a result of an excellent management team.
Our Afternoon With the Chef is Coming to a Close
We talked to John longer than we ought to have. For the rest of the day, we exchanged greetings with him whenever we saw him in the hotel lobby.
We tried his recommendation and found it to be delicious. Tastes, textures and flavors merged into a delicious symphony. The food spoke for itself.
We will. Rusty’s will be a great addition to any Gulf Coast Beach Trip, romantic activity in Orlando or romantic getaway in Florida.