Show 227, June 10, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Hosts Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel

Andy Harris, Andrew Gruel and Ronnel Capacia at the 2017 Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili CookoffNow an intriguing preview of Saturday’s properly effervescent show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Craft beer enthusiasts rejoice ! We’re live this morning from the 9th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cook-off in beautiful Temecula Valley wine country. VIP entry into The Grand Ballroom is at 12 Noon and General Admission is from 1 to 5:00 p.m.

Chef Marlene Moore of the Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga is the 2-time, defending Chili Champ among the highly-talented chefs at Pechanga. For Saturday’s competition she is showcasing two chili creations including a vegetarian option made with tofu. Bragging rights for the next year are on-the-line. We’ll talk about crowd pleasing, award-winning chili (and more) with the always engaging Chef Marlene.

One of the newest craft breweries in the Inland Empire, Inland Wharf Brewing Co., is part of today’s Microbrew Festival for the very first time. Their specialty is cask conditioned ales dispensed from a beer engine. Owners Commander Robert Durant (retired) and Bill Sutton are our guests.

Ericka Luna is Pechanga’s veteran Director of Catering. She joins us for a status report on the in-progress, ambitious, $285 million expansion project. The new Hotel Tower is on track to welcome guests in December. Just in time for the Holidays.

Chef Damian Stanley is the busy Assistant Executive Chef at Pechanga. The highlight of his achievements to date is the revamping of the restaurant space that has evolved into the highly successful Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar. He’s also a two-time Pechanga Chili Champ but has gracefully retired from competition to let the restaurant chefs shine.

Sciabica’s California Olive Oil has been cold pressed in Modesto, California since 1936. The olive oil is used in the kitchens at Pechanga and Sciabica’s, now in its 4th generation of Family ownership, is part of the Microbrew Festival. Jim Livesay is our guest representing Sciabica’s California Olive Oil.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley  is the long-time charitable beneficiary of the Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cook-off. The mission of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, in partnership with God, is to facilitate the dream of homeownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community. We’ll meet long-time Executive Director, Tammy Marine.

Regular listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” know Chef Ronnel Capacia as the master of the grill, smoker and pizza oven at Kelsey’s – Great Food & Drinks. He’s just been promoted to Chef at Journey’s End at Pechanga, the stylish restaurant with incredible views located in the handsome clubhouse of the Journey golf course. We’ll get Chef Ronnel off the links for a chat.

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

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