Show 279, June 30, 2018: Steve Sando, Rancho Gordo

Steve SandoIn a few short years, Steve Sando has taken the lowly bean from a healthy but neglected, over-bred member of the vegetable family to a near superstar-status ingredient. Sando’s company Rancho Gordo, grows heirloom and heritage varieties and works with influential chefs like Thomas Keller, Deborah Madison, Paula Wolfert and Annie Sommerville. His new book is The Rancho Gordo Vegetarian Kitchen – Everyday Cooking with Heirloom Beans, Vegetables, Greens, and Grains.

“My first harvested heirloom bean was Rio Zape. They were pretty and easy to grow but I had no idea what to expect when I cooked them. They were similar to the pintos I liked but there was so much more going on. “Hints of chocolate and coffee mixed with an earthy texture made my head spin. I was blown away by Rio Zape and the other heirloom beans I was growing, but also really confused why they were such a big secret. I took the beans to the farmers market, organizing things on my kitchen table. Soon there was a warehouse, followed by more markets and mail order. It seems we had struck a nerve. People agreed that heirloom beans were worth saving, growing and cooking. Currently our warehouse, a retail shop and offices are in Napa, California and a stop here is part of many tours of the wine country. We were asked to open a store at the Ferry Building in San Francisco and as you can imagine, we jumped at the chance.”

“All of my agricultural pursuits have been based on being someone who likes to cook but gets frustrated by the lack of ingredients, especially those that are native to the New World. One of the things that originally drew me to beans was the fact that they are indigenous to the Americas. It seems to me these indigenous ingredients should be familiar, if not common. American cuisine is re-inventing itself and I’d love to include ingredients, traditions and recipes from north and south of the border as part of the equation. I love the concept of The Americas. I feel as if it’s just as important as the European heritage many of us share.”

On Sunday, July 8th, Rancho Gordo will hold is first-ever supper in Southern California at Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana. The event is “Rancho Gordo Goes to Alta Baja with More (Culinary) Stars than in the Heavens!”

The special event will feature three courses prepared by Steve Sando’s favorite SoCal chefs and restaurateurs. Two seatings for the supper at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Optional Valle de Guadalupe wine pairings available.

All the food is donated by Rancho Gordo. All proceeds go to the arts program at Valley High School in Santa Ana.

Reservations a must. Call Alta Baja Market @ 714.783.2252.

We’re shelling heirloom beans with Steve Sando.

Show 181, July 23, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host. Last month in Chicago he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

On July 20th Chef Andrew was on ABC 7’s “Eyewitness News” with their Food Coach, Lori Corbin talking about tasty seafood alternatives to some over-fished varieties. Choose the Dish, not the Fish.”

Now a provocatively tempting preview of Saturday’s abundant show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

Richmond, British Columbia is an incorporated city of 210,000 residents just South of Vancouver. It’s known for having some of the most authentic regional Chinese cuisine outside of China. The “SoCal Restaurant Show” was recently on assignment in Richmond B.C. Joining us to further delve into the vibrant Richmond food scene is Vancouver’s acclaimed Chef Alex Chen (ex-Beverly Hills Hotel.)

The OC Fair is on now through August 14th. What’s new in Fair Food? We’ll chat with the Midway Gourmet himself, Dominic Palmieri. Think Bacon Wrapped Pork Belly Dog and Deep Fried Butter! There’s more…

Cesar’s Bistro tucked away in Long Beach is one of our discoveries from DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week. Their specialty is “The New Latin American Cuisine.” Co-owner Luz Angelica Torres Vargas has all the delicious 411. Think creative Empanadas and Arepas.

Alta Baja Market, open in the 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana, is the creation of Delilah Snell and Natasha Monnereau, who have invested many years into Downtown Santa Ana and the culture of the area. Their “not-the-usual” boutique market sources one-of-a-kind items from above and below the Southwestern border, including goods, specialty foods and more from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Delilah Snell joins us to fill our virtual shopping carts.

Specialty salts are appearing everywhere. There are a whole variety of salts to cook and prepare foods with. There are also now pricey finishing salts available. Let’s not forget salt substitutes. It’s all a bit confusing. Our resident chef, Andrew Gruel, is here to cook-up some clarity…

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

Show 181, July 23, 2016: Delilah Snell, Co-Proprietress, Alta Baja Market, 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana

Delilah SnellAlta Baja Market, open in the 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana, is the creation of Delilah Snell and Natasha Monnereau, who have invested many years into Downtown Santa Ana and the culture of the area.

Their “not-the-usual” boutique market sources one-of-a-kind items from above and below the Southwestern border, including goods, specialty foods and more from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Delilah Snell joins us to fill our virtual shopping carts.

The market is a love letter to the unique fare and rare finds from above and below the border including kitchen items, dry goods, gifts, books, wines and beers, chiles, moles, heirloom beans, spices, fresh produce, aguas frescas from backyard fruit, and gourmet meats and cheeses from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Tijuana, Ensenada, Valle De Guadalupe and beyond.

Every week there are new meat items available from the Electric City Butcher located next door. Their incredible meat balls are stocked in the freezer case.

Micheladas are not simply the South-of-the Border version of a Bloody Mary. Alta Baja Market has a whole menu of Micheladas to sip and discover. They also stock the Michelada kit from Guelaguetza in Los Angeles. (A 2015 James Beard Award recipient as an America’s Classic.)

 

Show 181, July 23, 2016: Delilah Snell, Co-Proprietress, Alta Baja Market, 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana Continues…

Michelada Menu at Alta Baja MarketAlta Baja Market, now open in the 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana, is the creation of Delilah Snell and Natasha Monnereau, who have invested many years into Downtown Santa Ana and the culture of the area.

“Latinos make up a significant percentage of the population in Southern California and Orange County. Mexican food is incredibly popular and now, more than ever, the border is an important topic of conversation,” said Delilah Snell. “We will celebrate culture and bring community together by sharing, discovering and enjoying the foods that connect us.”

The market will also host cooking classes and lectures, hands-on activities, and monthly community dinners using 4th Street Market’s incubator kitchens. Guest chefs from professional and home kitchens will host pop-ups. Co-ops and artisan makers will be highlighted regularly.

“Alta Baja Market is the perfect fit for the area. Delilah is heavily immersed, involved, and most importantly, respected, in the community. The Alta Baja Market team brings a level of expertise, connectivity and programming that will take things to the next level,” said Ryan Chase, 4th Street Market owner. “This market will be an important bridge for our Latino and non-Latino communities, which is an important bridge for Downtown Santa Ana and the community as a whole.”

 

July 23: Boulevard Kitchen, Midway Gourmet, Cesar’s Bistro, Alta Baja Market

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Chef Alex Chen, Boulevard Kitchen, Vancouver, B.C.
Segment Three: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part One
Segment Four: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part Two
Segment Five: Luz Angelica Torres Vargas, Cesar’s Bistro, Long Beach
Segment Six: Delilah Snell, Co-Proprietress, Alta Baja Market, 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana Part One
Segment Seven: Delilah Snell, Co-Proprietress, Alta Baja Market, 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group, Huntington Beach

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host. Last month in Chicago he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Now a provocatively tempting preview of Saturday’s abundant show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

Richmond, British Columbia is an incorporated city of 210,000 residents just South of Vancouver. It’s known for having some of the most authentic regional Chinese cuisine outside of China. The “SoCal Restaurant Show” was recently on assignment in Richmond B.C. Joining us to further delve into the vibrant Richmond food scene is Vancouver’s acclaimed Chef Alex Chen (ex-Beverly Hills Hotel.)

The OC Fair is on now through August 14th. What’s new in Fair Food ? We’ll chat with the Midway Gourmet himself, Dominic Palmieri. Think Bacon Wrapped Pork Belly Dog and Deep Fried Butter ! There’s more…

Cesar’s Bistro tucked away in Long Beach is one of our discoveries from DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week. Their specialty is “The New Latin American Cuisine.” Co-owner Luz Angelica Torres Vargas has all the delicious 411. Think creative Empanadas and Arepas.

Alta Baja Market, open in the 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana, is the creation of Delilah Snell and Natasha Monnereau, who have invested many years into Downtown Santa Ana and the culture of the area. Their “not-the-usual” boutique market sources one-of-a-kind items from above and below the Southwestern border, including goods, specialty foods and more from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Delilah Snell joins us to fill our virtual shopping carts.

Specialty salts are appearing everywhere. There are a whole variety of salts to cook and prepare foods with. There are also now pricey finishing salts available. Let’s not forget salt substitutes. It’s all a bit confusing. Our resident chef, Andrew Gruel, is here with some clarity…

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

Alex Chen of Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster BarRichmond, British Columbia is an incorporated city of 210,000 residents just South of Vancouver. 65 per cent of the residents are Asian and half of that group is of Chinese ancestry. It’s known for having some of the most authentic regional Chinese cuisine outside of China.

It’s home to Vancouver International Airport and the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval. It’s nestled where the Pacific Ocean and the mighty Fraser River meet. Richmond is a thriving multicultural destination city offering a growing range of cultural, heritage, culinary and leisure experiences.

The “SoCal Restaurant Show” was recently on assignment in Richmond B.C. Joining us to further delve into the vibrant Richmond food scene is Vancouver’s acclaimed Chef Alex Chen (ex-Beverly Hills Hotel.) He is currently the greatly respected chef at Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar in Vancouver.

Where does Chef Chen eat on his time away from Boulevard Kitchen? He particularly enjoys the Chinese street food in Richmond. Cantonese specialties are at the top of the list but he savors food discoveries from all eight principal culinary regions of China. They are all represented in Richmond.

We talk about some of his favorites. Pass the tea, please…

Dominic Palmieri of Midway GourmetThe OC Fair is hosting “Get Your Fair Face On!” from July 25th to August 14th in celebration of its 126th anniversary with culinary creations to suit all palates. Foodies can enjoy wild and new fare mixed in with the traditional fair food.

The word is already out on the new grilled, bacon-wrapped pork belly dog on a stick from Biggy’s. We’ll meet the creator, Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet!

Biggy’s big hit from previous years, The Big Rib, is back for an encore. It’s a 2-pound beef rib on a 17-inch bone (ala “the stick”). The weight is both the meat and the bone.

Their motto: Bringing Everything Delicious! From Gourmet Fare to Wild and Wacky Treats.

The OC Fair is hosting “Get Your Fair Face On!” from July 25th to August 14th in celebration of its 126th anniversary with culinary creations to suit all palates. Foodies can enjoy wild and new fare mixed in with the traditional fair food.

 In 2015 at the OC Fair Biggy’s Meat Market (Dominic Palmieri) sold 2,500 pounds of Bacon-Wrapped Pork Belly skewers wrapped in 1.25 miles of thick-cut honey bacon plus 600 gluten-free burgers and 22,000 pounds of sausage.

Dominic is also part of RCS, the entity that operates the popular Midway (Carnival) at the OC Fair.

Ray Cammack Shows, Inc. (RCS) has been providing carnival entertainment to fairs and guests since 1963. Each year, RCS rides over 10 million people on their amusement rides. They pride themselves in attention to detail. That detail is reflected in their safety records, RCS’s guest satisfaction, and their capability to gross maximum revenues.

Cesar’s Bistro tucked away in Long Beach is one of our discoveries from the 2016 DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week. Their specialty is “The New Latin American Cuisine.”

Co-owner Luz Angelica Torres Vargas has all the delicious 411. Think creative Empanadas and Arepas.

One of their new poultry dishes is Gaucho Chicken. It’s two boneless chicken thighs marinated in house-made chimichurri sauce and garlic & onion mojo. It’s served with the house salad and rustic potatoes.

“Here at Cesar’s Bistro we select our ingredients from the best quality sources. We offer friendly and respectful attention toward our customers and partners; we provide great service in our family-friendly casual atmosphere.”

“We make good moments.” – Chef Cesar Villarreal.

Delilah SnellAlta Baja Market, open in the 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana, is the creation of Delilah Snell and Natasha Monnereau, who have invested many years into Downtown Santa Ana and the culture of the area.

Their “not-the-usual” boutique market sources one-of-a-kind items from above and below the Southwestern border, including goods, specialty foods and more from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Delilah Snell joins us to fill our virtual shopping carts.

The market is a love letter to the unique fare and rare finds from above and below the border including kitchen items, dry goods, gifts, books, wines and beers, chiles, moles, heirloom beans, spices, fresh produce, aguas frescas from backyard fruit, and gourmet meats and cheeses from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Tijuana, Ensenada, Valle De Guadalupe and beyond.

Michelada Menu at Alta Baja Market“Latinos make up a significant percentage of the population in Southern California and Orange County. Mexican food is incredibly popular and now, more than ever, the border is an important topic of conversation,” said Delilah Snell. “We will celebrate culture and bring community together by sharing, discovering and enjoying the foods that connect us.”

The market will also host cooking classes and lectures, hands-on activities, and monthly community dinners using 4th Street Market’s incubator kitchens. Guest chefs from professional and home kitchens will host pop-ups. Co-ops and artisan makers will be highlighted regularly.

“Alta Baja Market is the perfect fit for the area. Delilah is heavily immersed, involved, and most importantly, respected, in the community. The Alta Baja Market team brings a level of expertise, connectivity and programming that will take things to the next level,” said Ryan Chase, 4th Street Market owner. “This market will be an important bridge for our Latino and non-Latino communities, which is an important bridge for Downtown Santa Ana and the community as a whole.”

Andrew Gruel and his son WilliamSpecialty salts are appearing everywhere. There are a whole array of salts to cook and prepare foods with. There are also now pricey, very precious finishing salts available. Let’s not forget salt substitutes. It’s all a bit confusing. Our resident chef, Andrew Gruel, is here with some clarity…

According to the 4th Edition of Food Lover’s Companion there is table-salt, iodized salt, Kosher salt, sea salt, Celtic salt, rock salt, pickling salt, sour salt and seasoned salt. See what we mean…

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Chef Alex Chen, Boulevard Kitchen, Vancouver, B.C.
Segment Three: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part One
Segment Four: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part Two
Segment Five: Luz Angelica Torres Vargas, Cesar’s Bistro, Long Beach
Segment Six: Delilah Snell, Co-Proprietress, Alta Baja Market, 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana Part One
Segment Seven: Delilah Snell, Co-Proprietress, Alta Baja Market, 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group, Huntington Beach

Show 165, March 26, 2016: 4th Street Market, Downtown Santa Ana

Ryan ChaseThe ambitious 4th Street Market in Santa Ana just celebrated its first Anniversary. The establishment is a contemporary, destination Market Hall with a lot of differences. It’s always evolving based on patron feedback. It’s also an active culinary testing lab for restaurants concepts that have evolved beyond a food truck but are not quite ready for a full-fledged restaurant.

“Where food creators come to learn and grow & foodies enjoy the fruits of that labor.”

“4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana is a progressive culinary hub inspired by the spirit of creative chefs, food artisans, and small business entrepreneurs. Originally the longstanding Santa Ana Swap Meet, 4th Street Market features fifteen thoughtfully curated vendors, 10 incubator kitchens, seating for three hundred guests, and more. 4th Street Market invites guests to relax, drink and dine, meet up with friends and family, and enjoy the multitude of activities in the Downtown Santa Ana’s revitalized East End.”

“Open seven days a week, 4th Street Market greets the morning with third wave coffee, creative juice blends, baked goods and dedicated breakfast cafes, with the remainder of the market opening for lunch, dinner. 4th Street Market offers an eclectic mix of dining options, a European inspired butcher shop, ten rental kitchens (including three gluten free and one confectionary), a craft cocktail, beer garden, a cutting edge graffiti wall by Tyke, Ewok and Aloy, a living wall by LiveWall, and a specialty food shop.”

Also featured in 4th Street Market is Electric City Butcher by Michael Puglisi, a unique, European-inspired butcher shop. Chef Puglisi & Electric City Butcher focus on whole animal butchery, nose to tail usage, and classic charcuterie. Chef Puglisi will be a guest on the show on April 9th.

Soft opening right now is the new Alta Baja Market within the 4th Street Market. “Alta Baja Market will be a store that celebrates Mexico, the American Southwest and California, on your plate, in your cup and with goods to take home.”

4th Street Market is the dream project of proprietor Ryan Chase of S&A Management. We’ll meet him.