December 16: Mimi Chen, Spaghettini, Pantai Inn, Michael Hung, Ted Hopson, Meathead Goldwyn

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Mimi Chen, Commis, Team USA 2019, Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition
Segment Three: Cary Hardwick, Co-Founder, Spaghettini Seal Beach Part One
Segment Four: Cary Hardwick, Co-Founder, Spaghettini Seal Beach Part Two
Segment Five: Hotelier Laurnie Durisue, Pantai Inn, La Jolla
Segment Six: Executive Chef Michael Hung, XO on Beverly, Los Angeles & Ardour Hospitality
Segment Seven: Executive Chef / Proprietor Ted Hopson, The Bellwether, Studio City
Segment Eight: Barbecue Whisperer Meathead Goldwyn, Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s properly decadent show. Keep in mind we’re with you live every Saturday morning throughout The Holidays. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

In our continuing coverage of the biannual Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and Team USA 2019’s pursuit of defending the Gold for America we’ll meet Team USA 2019’s newly selected Commis, Chef Mimi Chen formerly a Line Cook at Daniel Patterson’s highly regarded COI in San Francisco.

Next year Spaghettini in Seal Beach celebrates its 30th anniversary of success. It’s a big establishment. Unusually it’s part fine-dining and also a popular entertainment venue. It’s famous for its long-running, 5-hour Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch. Serving up the tasty history along with a Spaghettini Sparkling Wine toast is Co-Founder & Managing Partner Cary Hardwick.

Set along the shore of the magnificent La Jolla coastline, offering unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, Pantai Inn provides the ideal setting for a luxe Southern California beachfront getaway with an emphasis on personal service. The property and room décor feature an authentic Balinese motif. Proprietress Laurnie Durisue takes us on a tour of her tropical oceanfront paradise.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles on Beverly Boulevard, close to the historic Farmer’s Market and Fairfax district, XO on Beverly delivers casual cuisine featuring a California – Asian menu and international market. Featuring dishes by acclaimed chef Michael Hung/Ardour Hospitality, XO on Beverly aims to be the center of their lively neighborhood, offering fresh seasonal cuisine in a comforting and accessible manner, with top-notch service. Chef Michael Hung is our guest.

We know Chef Ted Hopson’s cuisine from his The Bellwether in Studio City. Chef Ted can currently be seen in the 10-episode reboot of Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” now reconceived as “Iron Chef Showdown.” Chef Ted fires up the burners in the “Italian Holiday Battle.” We’re in Kitchen Stadium with Chef Ted to hear about the two-stages of the unusual experience. “Whose cuisine will reign supreme”?

Last year we got a terrific response to Meathead Goldwyn’s MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. It’s a handy reference book. Goldwyn is also the founder of AmazingRibs.com, the hugely popular grilling and barbecue website known for applying the latest scientific research to America’s favorite form of cooking. In the Holiday spirit Meathead is back with us and we’re giving away a copy of MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Mimi ChenIn our continuing coverage of the biannual Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and Team USA 2019’s pursuit of defending the Gold for America we’ll meet Team USA 2019’s newly selected Commis, Chef Mimi Chen formerly a Line Cook at Daniel Patterson’s highly regarded COI in San Francisco.

On November 9th in The Palazzo Ballroom at The Venetian / Palazzo Resorts in Fabulous Las Vegas the spirited competition for the Team to proudly represent Team USA 2019 was held. Each finalist team had 5 hours and 35 minutes to prepare an exquisite meat recipe (Snake River Farms American Wagyu Whole Bone-In Rib Roast) presented on a platter as well as a Norwegian Seafood Steelhead Trout creation individually plated. Mimi was the Commis for the victorious team headed by Executive Chef Matthew Kirkley, ex-COI.

Both Chefs Matthew and Mimi will now train intensively for the next year in preparation for the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon.

Cary Hardwick of SpaghettiniNext year Spaghettini in Seal Beach celebrates its 30th anniversary of success. It’s a big establishment. Unusually it’s part fine-dining and also a popular entertainment venue. It’s famous for its long-running, 5-hour Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch.

Since 1988, this visionary partnership has created a unique blend of taste and entertainment in Southern California. Leading Southern California restaurateurs Laurie Sisneros and Cary Hardwick have realized a meeting place for L..A and Orange counties in their award-winning restaurant – Spaghettini Fine Dining and Entertainment.

Located just off the 405 Freeway at Seal Beach Blvd., Spaghettini features exceptional Northern Italian cuisine and top name entertainment.

Serving up the tasty history along with a Spaghettini Sparkling Wine toast is Co-Founder & Managing Partner Cary Hardwick.

The Spaghettini vision has fueled decades of continuous growth. As a result, this has created a staff of long term, dedicated professionals. Employees have extensive food and wine training, including hosted trips to Italy and the California wine country. Spaghettini is open for lunch and dinner, and is also the home of the Legendary Sunday Brunch. In addition to outstanding food and service, Spaghettini is committed to excellence on the entertainment side of the business.

Just out for the Holidays is Spaghettini’s 2nd cookbook, From Our House To Yours by Executive Chef Victor Avila.

…“Twenty-seven years later I’m the Executive Chef at Spaghettini and I absolutely love my job. Spaghettini is more than just a place to work, it is a family that includes not only the employees, but also our customers. For this reason our new cookbook has been a true labor of love for me. I was excited to put together recipes from many of our most popular dishes, while keeping in mind that these recipes need to feed four, not 400! They have all been thought out with the home cook in mind and I love that you will be able to enjoy a taste of Spaghettini in your own home. Enjoy!”

~ Chef Victor Avila

Laurnie DurisoeSet along the shore of the magnificent La Jolla coastline, offering unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, Pantai Inn provides the ideal setting for a luxe Southern California beachfront getaway with an emphasis on personal service. The property and room décor feature an authentic Balinese motif.

Ranked as the top hotel in La Jolla by TripAdvisor’s readers, Pantai Inn’s distinct guest accommodations blend a unique Balinese-inspired decor with luxurious comforts and contemporary conveniences. The relaxing oceanfront retreat offers lush gardens, soothing water features and an inviting courtyard and firepit to stimulate the senses. The Pantai experience is further complemented by the warmth and authenticity of the Inn’s extraordinary guest service.

Upon entering the Pantai grounds, guests are swept away by the beauty of the lush, manicured gardens and authentic Balinese statues, offering a sense of tranquility in the heart of La Jolla. The coral stoned courtyard is lined with plumeria, hibiscus-filled greenery and soothing water features while the sun shines brightly overhead. Guest accommodations provide authentic Balinese-inspired design along with custom-made furnishings and original artwork imported directly from Bali.

There is a chef-prepared deluxe breakfast each morning with a daily changing menu. It’s served in a two-level, handsomely appointed gathering room with an ocean view. A nice touch is the complimentary on-site parking, a rarity in congested La Jolla where parking is typically at a premium.

Proprietress Laurnie Durisue takes us on a tour of her tropical oceanfront paradise.

Michael HungLocated in the heart of Los Angeles on Beverly Boulevard, close to the historic Farmer’s Market and Fairfax District, XO on Beverly delivers casual cuisine featuring a California-Asian menu and international market. Featuring dishes by acclaimed chef Michael Hung Ardour Hospitality, XO on Beverly aims to be the center of their lively neighborhood, offering fresh seasonal cuisine in a comforting and accessible manner, with top-notch service.

Chef Michael Hung began his culinary career in New York City, where he dropped out of culinary school to do extended stages at acclaimed restaurants Daniel and Aquavit. Michael then followed his heart to San Francisco in 2005 and joined Traci Des Jardins’s James Beard Award-winning team at Jardiniere.  His career continued for nearly a decade in San Francisco, culminating with his appointment as Chef de Cuisine at Roland Passot’s Michelin-starred La Folie. In 2014, Michael moved to Los Angeles to open the multi-award-winning Faith & Flower.

Chef Michael Hung is our guest.

Ann Marie Verdi and Ted Hopson of the BellwetherWe know Chef Ted Hopson’s cuisine from his The Bellwether in Studio City. Chef Ted can currently be seen in the 10-episode reboot of Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” now reconceived as Iron Chef Showdown. Chef Ted fires up the burners in the “Italian Holiday Battle.”

In the first round for “The Chairman’s Challenge” he faces Detroit Chef Kate Williams with the “Secret Ingredient” being gingerbread. Then it’s on to the finals battling Iron Chef Alex Guarnascelli. The “Secret Ingredient” is The Feast of the 7 Fishes. The celebrity chef judges for “The Secret Ingredient Showdown” are Las Vegas’ Paul Bartolotta and Nancy Silverton (Mozza.)

The Bellwether is the debut restaurant and bar from Executive Chef/Owner Ted Hopson and Beverage Director/Owner Ann-Marie Verdi. The market-inspired menu aims to capitalize on the abundance of California produce in order to showcase one-of-a-kind food and drink menus that feature family style shareable dishes, unique infusion based cocktails, and a hand selected list of beer and wine.

We’re in “Iron Chef Showdown’s” Kitchen Stadium with Chef Ted to hear about the 2 parts of the unusual experience. Go Chef Ted!

Meathead GoldwynLast year we got a terrific response to Meathead Goldwyn’s MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Goldwyn is also the founder of AmazingRibs.com, the hugely popular grilling and barbecue website known for applying the latest scientific research to America’s favorite form of cooking.

Goldwyn first began his food and drink career as a soda jerk in his parents’ Sarasota restaurant where is father affectionately nicknamed him Meathead. In MEATHEAD, he reveals in full but accessible detail, the science behind the interaction of fire and food, with foolproof techniques, researched results on hardware, and 118 mouthwateringly, satisfying, and thoroughly tested recipes.

After consulting with scientists, Meathead shatters many of the myths that hang around barbecue lore, oftentimes standing in the way of perfection.

“Remember, almost anything you can cook indoors can be cooked outdoors, only better,” Meathead writes. “All it takes is the four P’s : practice, patience, persistence, and a knowledge of key cooking principles.”

In the Holiday spirit Meathead is back with us, and we’re giving away a copy of MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Be listening for your chance to win.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Mimi Chen, Commis, Team USA 2019, Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition
Segment Three: Cary Hardwick, Co-Founder, Spaghettini Seal Beach Part One
Segment Four: Cary Hardwick, Co-Founder, Spaghettini Seal Beach Part Two
Segment Five: Hotelier Laurnie Durisue, Pantai Inn, La Jolla
Segment Six: Executive Chef Michael Hung, XO on Beverly, Los Angeles & Ardour Hospitality
Segment Seven: Executive Chef / Proprietor Ted Hopson, The Bellwether, Studio City
Segment Eight: Barbecue Whisperer Meathead Goldwyn, Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling

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