A Taste of the Future: CCC Founder Deborah Keane on The Restaurant Guys Podcast

Join “The Caviar Queen” as she shares how sustainable farming, tradition, and bold innovation are redefining luxury—starting with no-kill caviar.

In this episode of The Restaurant Guys, our founder and CEO, the legendary tastemaker and trailblazer Deborah Keane — known widely as "The Caviar Queen" — joins the conversation to share her insider perspective on the evolving world of caviar. As the first woman in the U.S. to lead a sustainable, vertically integrated caviar company, Keane has spent decades shaping the future of this ancient delicacy. Now, she’s transforming the industry once again with a revolutionary no-kill method of caviar extraction that promises to redefine luxury and ethics on the plate.

From old-world traditions and murky politics to cutting-edge aquaculture and biotechnological breakthroughs, this conversation dives deep into the forces that have shaped the caviar we know today—and the humane, sustainable version we’ll soon come to expect. If you're curious about the future of fine food, you won't want to miss this one.

The Restaurant Guys Podcast is a show centered around the world of restaurants, hospitality, and culinary culture. The podcast is hosted by Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, two restaurateurs who have worked together for many years and have developed a strong partnership through their shared experiences in the industry. Their journey began in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where they launched acclaimed dining establishments and became active members of the local food scene.The origins of the podcast date back to the mid-2000s, when Mark and Francis started recording conversations with notable figures from the food and beverage industry. Their discussions range from restaurant operations and food trends to broader topics like wine, cocktails, and the art of hospitality.

Over time, the podcast has featured a diverse array of guests, including chefs, authors, and industry innovators, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant business.After taking a break for several years, the hosts revived the podcast, bringing both new interviews and select episodes from their earlier archives to a fresh audience. The show’s format blends casual conversation with professional insights, reflecting the hosts’ long-standing friendship and deep knowledge of the hospitality world. Through their engaging style and thoughtful questions, Mark and Francis continue to provide valuable perspectives for anyone interested in restaurants, food, and the people who make dining out memorable.