March 10: Pic’s Peanut Butter, Susan Feniger, Portugal Wines, Brick Restaurant, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Pic Picot, Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter, Nelson, New Zealand Part One
Segment Three: Pic Picot, Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter, Nelson, New Zealand Part Two
Segment Four: Border Grill’s Susan Feniger, Simply DiVine
Segment Five: Evan Goldstein, MS, The Wines of Alentejo, Portugal
Segment Six: Executive Chef / Proprietor David Pratt, Brick Restaurant, San Clemente
Segment Seven: JC Clow, Founding Managing Partner, The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel’s “Ask the Chef”

Now a captivating preview of this Saturday’s scrumptious show. No blarney here…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… Keep in mind we’re always here with you live every Saturday morning with a fresh show.

Ever consider the delights of top quality peanut butter? The style (with no sugar) that is dense with spreadable crunch and oozing with the rich taste and aroma of freshly roasted peanuts? Kiwi Pic Picot certainly has. Since founding Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter Co. in his garage in Nelson, NZ back in 2008 he is now the best-selling (and best loved) peanut butter in New Zealand. Pic’s is now conquering California. The inspirational NZ peanut butter baron, Pic Picot, is our in-studio guest with his unlikely story.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 13th annual Simply diVine, the premier food and wine event for LGBT people and their allies, will take place on Saturday, March 24, from 6–9 p.m. Held for the first time at Hollywood Forever—one of the world’s most fascinating landmarks best known as the final resting place to more of Hollywood’s founders and stars than anywhere else on Earth—guests will sample extraordinary food and drinks from L.A.’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, wineries, distilleries, breweries, and more. All proceeds support the Center’s life-changing and life-saving programs and services. Event Co-Chair Chef Susan Feniger joins us with all the absolutely fabulous details.

For North Europeans in search of a summer trifecta of sun, sea and sand, Portugal’s southern coastline exerts an irresistible allure. Savvy International wine lovers are now following suit, on a separate voyage of discovery into the country’s hot, dry interior and the vineyards of southern Portugal’s Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) region. As with many areas of Southern Europe, wine has been made in the Alentejo for time immemorial, most of it spent in quiet obscurity. But with a winemaking revival well underway, supported by the investment of EU funds, that is fast starting to change. Evan Goldstein, MS, an authority on the wines of Portugal, is our guide to one of the most promising wine regions in southern Europe today.

Executive Chef/Proprietor David Pratt of Brick Restaurant in San Clemente likes to challenge himself. He’s been very successful since opening 6 years ago with his gourmet pizzas from the wood-burning oven with a subspecialty in multi-meat meatballs cooked in the wood-burning oven. Chef David has newly installed an eye-popping Santa Maria-style grill and the appealing farm menu has broadened to include grilled lobster, rib-eye and hangar steaks, lamb chops and whole young kitchen. We divert Chef David from working the Santa Maria grill for a chat.

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar has opened its third Southern California location at San Diego’s Westfield UTC in La Jolla. The Winery Restaurant La Jolla provides guests with the same rich experience as its Orange County locations at The District in Tustin and overlooking the marina in Newport Beach. In the coming weeks, The Winery will also open a separate 1,300-square-foot wine bar within Westfield UTC, called The Wine Bar by The Winery, meant to provide a rich experience at a casual pace, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine or tasting flight and small bite. Managing Partner JC Clow is our guide.

Our always informed Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, encores with his “Ask the Chef” series. The big Illumination Foundation Benefit, OC Chef’s Table, is set for Sunday, March 18th at Disney’s Grand Californian. Chef Andrew is again a participant in this high profile and worthy charity event. Each celebrity chef cooks with great fanfare for an exclusive table of ten. We’ll hear about it.

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

Pic PicotEver consider the delights of top quality peanut butter? The style (with no sugar) that is dense with spreadable crunch and oozing with the rich taste and aroma of freshly roasted peanuts? Kiwi Pic Picot certainly has. Since founding Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter Co. in his garage in Nelson, NZ back in 2008 he is now the best-selling (and best loved) peanut butter in New Zealand. Pic’s is now conquering California with availability in Pavilions, Gelson’s and Bristol Farms.

“In 2008 I sold 48 jars to our local supermarket and took to the road. Within a year you could buy Pic’s in 50 outlets around the country. Then we were picked up by both of NZ’s supermarket chains and suddenly Pic’s was available pretty much anywhere in New Zealand.” – Pic Picot

Today, in two bursting-at-the-seams peanut butter works in Nelson, Pic’s produces some 20,000 jars a day. A new 25,000 square foot production facility is under construction designed to accommodate comprehensive factory tours.

The inspirational NZ peanut butter baron, Pic Picot, is our in-studio guest with his in unlikely story.

“My Mum and Auntie had made a bit of peanut butter when I was little. They’d both bought a new Vitamix and peanut butter was one of the cool things you could make with them. Anyway, I bought a few kilos of peanuts, roasted them in the oven and squished them up with a bit of salt, blowing up my cheap modern blender in the process.”

“But the peanut butter was beautiful. A million times nicer than the stuff I’d got used to. I filled a few jars for friends, and one of my twelve year old son’s mates liked it so much he bought a jar with his pocket money.”

“I was fifty- five, going a bit blind (macular degeneration runs in the family) and had just had to close a little Laundromat that had been earning me a couple of hundred dollars a week. I figured if I could make 30 jars of peanut butter on Friday morning I could sell it at our farmers market on Friday afternoon and get my $200 back.”

“So that’s what I did. I made a roaster out of a concrete mixer and bought a bench top grinder and a tonne of peanuts from Australia and got to work.” –Pic Picot

Susan Feniger of Mud Hen TavernThe Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 13th annual Simply diVine, the premier food and wine event for LGBT people and their allies, will take place on Saturday, March 24, from 6–9 p.m. Held for the first time at Hollywood Forever—one of the world’s most fascinating landmarks best known as the final resting place to more of Hollywood’s founders and stars than anywhere else on Earth—guests will sample extraordinary food and drinks from L.A.’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, wineries, distilleries, breweries, and more. All proceeds support the Center’s life-changing and life-saving programs and services.

“This year, with our new home at the iconic Hollywood Forever, Simply diVine is giving you more than ever before—more of L.A.’s premier food, wine, and spirits, more space, more fun,” said event co-chair Susan Feniger. “There’s never been a better time to show up and support the LGBT community. We need everyone in this fight as we keep working to build a world where all of us can thrive.”

Those looking for a more intimate experience can get a one-hour exclusive early entry to the main event at 5 p.m. with a CLUB VIP Lounge ticket offering private bartenders from The Chapel at the Abbey; tastings of rare wines and Tito’s Handmade Vodka; entertainment by Rachel Sorsa Band; magic by Bill Bailey (from Magic Castle); celebrity chef experiences with Susan Feniger (Border Grill) and Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill Restaurants & Truck); and more. Complimentary VIP parking included.

Event Co-Chair Chef Susan Feniger joins us with all the absolutely fabulous details.

Evan GoldsteinFor North Europeans in search of a summer trifecta of sun, sea and sand, Portugal’s southern coastline exerts an irresistible allure. Savvy International wine lovers are now following suit, on a separate voyage of discovery into the country’s hot, dry interior and the vineyards of southern Portugal’s Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) region.

As with many areas of Southern Europe, wine has been made in the Alentejo for time immemorial, most of it spent in quiet obscurity. But with a winemaking revival well underway, supported by the investment of EU funds, that is fast starting to change.

Alentejo is blessed with an astonishing array of native grapes. With over 250 indigenous grape varieties, Portugal, has the highest density of native grapes per square mile of any country in the world, including Italy. Proud local producers concentrate on those native grapes, which are often blended.

Evan Goldstein, MS, an authority on the wines of Portugal, is our guide to one of the most promising wine regions in southern Europe today.

David PrattExecutive Chef/Proprietor David Pratt of Brick Restaurant in San Clemente likes to challenge himself. He’s been very successful since opening 6 years ago with his distinctive gourmet pizzas from the wood-burning oven with a subspecialty in massive, multi-meat (beef, pork and veal) meatballs cooked in the wood-burning oven.

Chef David has newly installed an eye-popping Santa Maria-style grill and the appealing farm menu has broadened to include grilled lobster, rib-eye and hangar steals, lamb chops and whole young chicken.

“David Pratt, a visionary and true foodie at heart, is passionate about fresh, sustainable and flavorful food. He cares deeply about the food he creates, but he cares even more that people are happy with it. “I try to talk to each table that comes in,” David says. “I want to make sure everyone has a good experience.” “

“His hands are in each aspect of the business, from making pasta and shopping at farmers markets to overseeing the wine list and meeting guests.  One bite into a wood-fired Margherita pizza or the house roasted Porchetta and it all comes full circle.”

We divert Chef David from working the Santa Maria grill for a chat.

Andy Harris, Andrew Gruel and JC Clow of the Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar at the SoCal Restaurant Show 5th AnniversaryThe Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar has opened its third Southern California location at San Diego’s Westfield UTC in La Jolla. The Winery Restaurant La Jolla provides guests with the same rich experience as its Orange County locations at The District in Tustin and overlooking the marina in Newport Beach.

In the coming weeks, The Winery will also open a separate 1,300-square-foot wine bar within Westfield UTC, called The Wine Bar by The Winery, meant to provide a rich experience at a casual pace, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine or tasting flight and small bite.

“At The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, we pride ourselves on really focusing on our guest experience. Our third location now open in La Jolla provides the same level of service, with highly skilled Chefs orchestrating a warm and passionate menu created by our award-winning Chef Yvon Goetz, and a team of Certified Sommeliers to oversee an incredible wine program,” explained JC Clow, Founding Partner of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar. “It’s exciting to join a group of retailers that are among the best in their respective fields. We anticipate endless possibilities, with something to suit every palate.”

Managing Partner JC Clow is our hospitable guide.

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur always informed Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, encores with his Ask the Chef series. The significant Illumination Foundation Benefit, OC Chef’s Table, is set for Sunday, March 18th at Disney’s Grand Californian. Chef Andrew is again a participant in this high profile and worthy charity event. Each celebrity chef cooks with great fanfare for an exclusive (highly decorated & visually stunning) table of ten. We’ll hear about it.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Pic Picot, Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter, Nelson, New Zealand Part One
Segment Three: Pic Picot, Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter, Nelson, New Zealand Part Two
Segment Four: Border Grill’s Susan Feniger, Simply DiVine
Segment Five: Evan Goldstein, MS, The Wines of Alentejo, Portugal
Segment Six: Executive Chef / Proprietor David Pratt, Brick Restaurant, San Clemente
Segment Seven: JC Clow, Founding Managing Partner, The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel’s “Ask the Chef”

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