My next guest is Chef Santiago De La Cruz (Chef Jimmy). My Podcast is called, "Living Xtreme Hospitality - From The Back Of The House Forward." Chef Santiago is the kind of chef who rewards his staff for excellence, mentors them, and spends a lot of time in the dining room greeting his guests. Learn how an Xtreme Hospitality chef not only creates amazing dishes but drive guests experience from the back of the house forward.

It is with immense joy and anticipation that I announce our esteemed guest for the inaugural episode of "Living Xtreme Hospitality" — Russell Ybarra. Russell's journey in the restaurant industry began at the heart of his father's company, El Toro Mexican Restaurants, where he honed his skills from dishwashing to mastering every aspect of the business. In 1986, he ventured into entrepreneurship with El Matador Foods, a tortilla factory in Baytown, Texas. However, it was in 1993 that his vision truly flourished with the inception of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen. Transforming a space in Pearland that had seen four failed ventures, Russell's commitment to serving top-quality Tex-Mex at affordable prices captured the community's hearts. Over the years, Russell, alongside his devoted team and franchise partners, expanded his empire to 20 locations, including beloved concepts like Jimmy Changas, Bullritos®, The Lunch Box, and Burger Libre. With annual revenues soaring beyond 110 million dollars in 2019, Russell's dedication to his team and community remains unwavering. As the President and CEO of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen & Jimmy Changas restaurants, he understands that true success transcends mere profit margins. Join us as we delve into Russell's extraordinary journey and philosophy that places people and purpose above all else. Welcome, Russell Ybarra, to "Living Xtreme Hospitality"!