Show 542, September 9, 2023: Chef Bill Bracken, Culinary Director and Founder, Bracken’s Kitchen, Garden Grove Part One

Bill Bracken of Brackens Kitchen

Hungry Games 6.0 benefiting the worthy activities of Bracken’s Kitchen in Garden Grove is back better and bigger than ever before. The Hungry Games event benefits the less fortunate and food insecure in Southern California! Please join Chef Bill Bracken and Bracken’s Kitchen at their very own busy kitchen on Thursday, September 14th 2023 at 5:30 p.m. for a wonderful evening together! It will be full of great food, fun, and of course, friendly competition.” The defending champion, Chef Michael Rossi (The Beach Club, Santa Monica,) will be there. This year’s ambitious fundraising goal is a cool $500,000.

“Come hungry for some yummy hors d’oeuvres, incredibly delicious meals, and beverages that you will love as the chefs battle for first place! Guests help vote for their favorites throughout the night. The Pinch Me! band returns to play some incredible live music!”

“As Bracken’s Kitchen celebrates their tenth anniversary of serving healthy and delicious meals to those in need, the Bracken’s Kitchen Team is humbled by and grateful for what they have been able to accomplish. Bracken’s Kitchen is still striving to meet the needs of their community – after pandemic high numbers of 1.7 million meals in 2020 and 2021, they served 1.5 million meals last year, 2022. For 2023, Bracken’s Kitchen is on pace to serve 2 million meals in and around Orange County. In addition to their community feeding program, they are in the middle of their third culinary training class helping those in need with a hand up out of poverty.”

Culinary Director of Bracken’s Kitchen, Bill Bracken, joins us with whisk in hand.

Show 542, September 9, 2023: Chef Bill Bracken, Culinary Director and Founder, Bracken’s Kitchen, Garden Grove Part Two

Bill Bracken of Brackens Kitchen

Hungry Games 6.0 benefiting the worthy activities of Bracken’s Kitchen in Garden Grove is back better and bigger than ever before. The Hungry Games event benefits the less fortunate and food insecure in Southern California! Please join Chef Bill Bracken and Bracken’s Kitchen at their very own busy kitchen on Thursday, September 14th 2023 at 5:30 p.m. for a wonderful evening together! It will be full of great food, fun, and of course, friendly competition.” The defending champion, Chef Michael Rossi (The Beach Club, Santa Monica,) will be there. This year’s ambitious fundraising goal is a cool $500,000.

“Come hungry for some yummy hors d’oeuvres, incredibly delicious meals, and beverages that you will love as the chefs battle for first place! Guests help vote for their favorites throughout the night. The Pinch Me! band returns to play some incredible live music!”

“As Bracken’s Kitchen celebrates their tenth anniversary of serving healthy and delicious meals to those in need, the Bracken’s Kitchen Team is humbled by and grateful for what they have been able to accomplish. Bracken’s Kitchen is still striving to meet the needs of their community – after pandemic high numbers of 1.7 million meals in 2020 and 2021, they served 1.5 million meals last year, 2022. For 2023, Bracken’s Kitchen is on pace to serve 2 million meals in and around Orange County. In addition to their community feeding program, they are in the middle of their third culinary training class helping those in need with a hand up out of poverty.”

Culinary Director of Bracken’s Kitchen, Bill Bracken, continues with us.

Show 542, September 9, 2023: The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar’s Benefits for Maui Strong (Newport Beach)

JC Clow of the Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar presents MAUI STRONG, a fundraiser on Sunday, September 17 at its waterfront location in Newport Beach to benefit the Maui Strong Fund. Guests will have the opportunity to attend a “Maui Strong Tasting Event” from 2 to 5 p.m. and “Taste of Hawaii Dinner” from 5 to 8:30 p.m., both supporting relief efforts through the Maui Strong Fund, organized by the Hawai’i Community Foundation and committed to distributing 100% of funds donated to local aid groups who are responding to community needs.”

“We have hosted many fundraising events, but this one is near and dear to our hearts, as many of us at The Winery have a deep connection to Maui,” commented JC Clow, Founding Partner at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, who revealed that the restaurants have raised approximately $599,300 to date for various charities. “The goal of the event is to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the fires in Maui by raising significant funds for the Maui Strong Fund.”

“Tickets for both MAUI STRONG events are limited and a portion of each ticket is tax-deductible. Tickets for the “Maui Strong Tasting Event” from 2-5 p.m. are $150 per guest and may be purchased in advance online. The “Taste of Hawaii Dinner” from 5-8:30 p.m. is $175 per guest and reservations may be made by calling 949-999-6622 or online.”

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar’s Managing Partner, JC Clow, is our guest providing all the details.

Show 443, September 18, 2021: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Bracken’s Kitchen presented their annual benefit, The Hungry Games 4.0 on Thursday evening, September 9th to benefit the less fortunate and food insecure in Southern California. Chef Andrew was one of the participating chefs. We’ll get the wrap-up report.

As his own remembrance of 9/11 Chef Andrew ran in, and completed, the annual Surf City Marathon (25th running) in Huntington Beach on September 11th. Love of Country was the resounding theme. He shares some observations…

Show 441, September 4, 2021: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Chef Andrew Gruel savoring a New Jersey style Pizza

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is continually updating us on the real impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the continued survival of restaurants during the initial, highly fluid stages of the hoped-for recovery. Genuine concerns remain…

Bracken’s Kitchen is presenting their annual benefit, The Hungry Games 4.0, on Thursday evening, September 9th to benefit the less fortunate and food insecure in Southern California. Chef Andrew is one of the participating chefs. Perhaps some lobster and crab at his station…?

Bottled hot sauce is everywhere these days and there seems to be more brands entering the marketplace all the time. What goes into creating a quality, shelf-stable hot sauce? We’ll “Ask the Chef.” Chef Andrew shares a basic hot sauce recipe. It’s about flavor as well as the heat.

Show 327, June 8, 2019: Caroline Styne, Lucques Restaurant Group – Preview of the 10th Annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Benefit on Sept 14th

Caroline StyneDelightful and delicious, the upcoming 10th Annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade brings superstar chefs and mixologists to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, September 14th to lend their support to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and battle against childhood cancer. The celebrity chefs and mixologists participating come from landmark establishments from all across the country.

Hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne along with Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat), this fun-loving and family friendly afternoon at UCLA features one-of-a-kind food and libation samplings. Guests will get to meet the celebrity chefs behind the dishes and taste award-winning, fine-dining cuisine from across the country. With a record-breaking total of close to $1.5 million raised in 2018, this benefit’s impact only continues to grow for all kids with cancer. It’s become the premier food & wine benefit in the greater Los Angeles area.

Co-Founder of the L.A. Benefit, Caroline Styne of the Lucques Restaurant Group, joins us with a tempting preview.

Show 313, March 2, 2019: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur own Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group, is again hosting a sumptuous table at the 6th Annual OC Chef’s Table (as a total donation) benefiting the Illumination Foundation. Its theme is “Take a Seat to End Homelessnes.” It takes place at The Disneyland Hotel.

Impressively the high-end Benefit is already sold out and tickets are now on sale for 2020. Chef Andrew will detail why he’s a multi-year, enthusiastic supporter of the good work of the Illumination Foundation.

“Today in Orange County alone, there are more than 32,000 children that are homeless or unstably housed in cars and motels. An excess of 55,000 homeless individuals reside in Southern California alone.”

“The non-profit organization, Illumination Foundation, was founded in 2007 with the sole mission to break the cycle of homelessness. From its start, Illumination Foundation has focused on providing permanent housing solutions, along with emergency housing for families in dire need, recuperative care centers for homeless individuals recovering from hospital care, and a cadre of mental and physical health services, career counseling and placement, children’s resource centers for tutoring and healthy socialization and more.”

Show 299, November 24, 2018: Chef Andrew Gruel, Bracken’s Kitchen’s Deck the Halls Holiday Open House Benefit

Bill BrackenChef Bill Bracken and high- profile chef friends (Bracken’s Kitchen, “Driven to combat food insecurity one tasty meal at a time”) – are gathering together for a Holiday Open House benefit on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bracken’s new kitchen in Garden Grove to help raise awareness and funds for Bracken’s Kitchen’s mission to feed those in need. Bill Bracken is grateful to be in a new 9,000 sq. ft. kitchen, yet with the growth comes more need to do more that requires additional resources and funding.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and CasinoAttendees will be invited to tour the various kitchens to sample signature dishes made from top chefs such as Chef Hugo Bolanos from Wolfgang Puck at the Hotel Bel Air, Avalon Grille & The Catalina Company’s Chef Roberto Hernandez, Chef Andrew Gruel from Slapfish and Two Birds and Butterleaf and Chef John Park of Toast Kitchen + Bakery, not to mention Bracken’s Kitchen’s Executive Chef Jerry and Founder & Culinary Director, Chef Bill Bracken. Master Baker Dean Kim of OC Baking Company, Pastry Chef Michael Owens of the new Left Coast Bakery, and from The Dirty Cookie, Shahira Marel will round out our pastries and dessert tasting.

Tickets for the event start at $95 and will be going directly toward Bracken’s Kitchen food recovery efforts and feeding programs.

“We are excited to be able to make a bigger impact in the communities we serve with the additional space in our new kitchen,” says Chef Bill Bracken. “Thanks to our community donors and food business partners, we are able to host events like Deck The Halls and continue to restore food and lives.”

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel’s Slapfish, Two Birds and Butterleaf will be part of the festivities. Chef Andrew provides the details of what’s on the Deck The Halls (And The Kitchen!) menu.

Show 241, September 16, 2017: Special Olympics Southern California’s Pier del Sol Benefit

Peter GarlandPier del Sol on Sunday, Oct. 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is an exciting and unique day of fun on the historic Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park. At the only culinary festival fused with a backyard private Amusement Park experience, attendees can enjoy an exclusive VIP brunch featuring mouthwatering tastings from over 35 of L.A.’s top Chefs and restaurants, entertainment, music, arts & crafts, games, and unlimited rides at Pacific Park. All proceeds from this annual event benefit the athletes of Special Olympic Southern California.

This year’s theme is “Oktoberfest,” where a beach top VIP Beer & Wine Garden will enhance your culinary palette!

Love the food at Pier del Sol? To celebrate 20 years of food, fun, and sun on the pier, SOSC published Cuisine del Sol in 2016, a souvenir cookbook featuring 28 chefs with recipes and stories who have supported the event. Think Michael Cimarusti, Neal Fraser and David LeFevre for starters…This is your chance to create the recipes of these culinary masterminds!

Special Olympics Southern California’s Maureen Barclift and participating restaurateur Peter Garland of Beverly Hills’ Porta Via are our guests. Peter is also included in the Cuisine del Sol Cookbook with Porta Via’s signature recipe for Organic Kale and Quinoa Salad.

Show 239, September 2, 2017: Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder of Slapfish, Two Birds & Butterleaf

Andrew and William GruelWe’re delighted to welcome our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, back to the show (in-studio) after his recent global travels. Chef Andrew is discussing the benefit he’s hosting at the original Huntington Beach Slapfish location on Beach Blvd. for all of September in support of Bracken’s Kitchen.

Two ways to contribute to raising money for Chef Bill Bracken to buy his vitally needed 2nd food truck. For the month of September Slapfish Huntington Beach will donate 50 per cent of the sales of their “Sweet Pow Shrimp & Lobster Bowl” to Bracken’s Kitchen. Second option is to donate $10 to Bracken’s Kitchen and be rewarded with a free lobster roll (a $22 value menu item.)

Also on the menu is a discussion of shrimp. When you’re buying shrimp as “fresh” is that really the case? Is there anything wrong with enjoying shrimp that has been previously frozen and then properly thawed for sale in the fish case? (Typically domestic shrimp is IQF frozen on the fishing boat or dock to preserve freshness.)