Show 133, August 1, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Andrew GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, and now, Irvine at UCI, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s satisfyingly abundant show. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

A group of professional journalists from The International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association is visiting the show. Their Treasurer and Board Member, Susan Montgomery, joins us. In addition to explaining the mission of the IFTWTA, Sue will highlight her recent visit to Casa Mayoral in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja California.

MJ Hong is the gracious proprietress of The Wine Artist in Laguna Beach. It’s a boutique winery, special event venue (and more) designed to accommodate team building exercises. It’s also a destination for unusual cooking demos and classes. We’ll learn all about it.

ABC’s “The Chew’s” Chef Carla Hall is, fortunately, no stranger to the show. She is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning chef and best-selling cookbook author. Last Saturday Chef Carla was the honoree at the James Beard Foundation’s 25yj annual Chefs & Champagne benefit in The Hamptons. In June she was part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Presidential Delegation to the World Expo in Milan and the USA Pavilion.

When the conversation turns to artisan coffee roasters in Orange County you always hear the name of coffeehouse visionary Martin Diedrich. He grew up in Guatemala where is Family owned a small coffee farm. In late 2005 Martin and his wife, Karen, launched their latest retail venture Kean Coffee in Newport Beach. A location in Tustin has been added to the portfolio. It’s Coffee 101 with Martin Diedrich.

Bobby Navarro left a decade of work in the hospitality industry to fully commit to his own event planning and culinary promotions company, 100eats.com. He cooked with Amar Santana at both Charlie Palmer’s in South Coast Plaza and Broadway by Amar Santana. Bobby’s passion for branding and business keeps him visiting hundreds of restaurants across the country, stemming from his original feat of dining at 100 restaurants in 100 consecutive days. We’ll meet him…

Simon Majumdar is a food writer, broadcaster, Food TV personality, and author of the recently published, Fed, White and Blue – Finding America with My Fork. You know him as the no-nonsense judge on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen with host Alton Brown. In fact, Mr. Brown penned the enthusiastic Foreword to Fed, White, and Blue.

Majumdar is also the new Master of Ceremonies for the upcoming 2015 Golden Foodie Awards presented in the sold-out, red carpet affair on September 27th at the Fairmont Newport Beach.

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

Show 133, August 1, 2015: Food Network’s Simon Majumdar Continues…

Simon MajumdarMajumdar is also the new Master of Ceremonies for the upcoming 2015 Golden Foodie Awards presented in the red carpet affair on September 27th at the Fairmont Newport Beach.He was previously a Presenter in 2014.

Majumdar will lead the Golden Foodie Awards on-stage unveiling winners in over 25 categories including Golden Chef, Golden Pastry Chef, and Best New Restaurant.

The Golden Foodie Awards honor Orange County’s culinary community and creates an environment where nominees and foodies can indulge in an evening of accolades and decadent cuisine.

On-line voting (for seven days only) in the initial seven categories starts Saturday August 1st. These include Best Cocktail, Bartender of the Year, Best Food Talk Radio Show, Best Food Writer, Best Sushi, Best Dessert and Best Service Award.

Simon is understandably neutral on suggesting the possible nominees for Best Food Talk Radio Show. He has been a guest on the three radio shows nominated last year. He does politely suggest voting in the categories of your choice and making your voice heard…

On the “SoCal Restaurant Show” we’re not neutral. If you enjoy what we do every Saturday morning we’d greatly appreciate your vote before Friday night, August 7th. It’s really easy to vote. Once you see the category of “Best Food Talk Radio Show” write in “SoCal Restaurant Show” and click “Vote’ It’s just that easy. Thanks for your consideration.

The next group of categories are eligible for voting starting on August 8th.


August 1: Susan Montgomery, The Wine Artist, Carla Hall, Martin Diedrich, Bobby Navarro, Simon Majumdar

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Travel Journalist and IFWTWA Board Member, Susan Montgomery
Segment Three: MJ Hong, Proprietress, The Wine Artist, Laguna Beach
Segment Four: Chef Carla Hall
Segment Five: Artisan Coffee Roaster, Martin Diedrich, Kean Coffee
Segment Six: Bobby Navarro, 100EATS.com
Segment Seven: Food Network’s Simon Majumdar Part One
Segment Eight: Food Network’s Simon Majumdar Part Two

Andrew GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, and now, Irvine at UCI, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s satisfyingly abundant show. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

A group of professional journalists from The International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association is visiting the show. Their Secretary, Susan Montgomery, joins us. In addition to explaining the mission of the IFTWTA Sue will highlight her recent visit to Casa Mayoral in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja California.

MJ Hong is the gracious proprietress of The Wine Artist in Laguna Beach. It’s a boutique winery, special event venue (and more) designed to accommodate team building exercises. It’s also a destination for unusual cooking demos and classes. We’ll learn all about it.

ABC’s “The Chew’s” Chef Carla Hall is, fortunately, no stranger to the show. She is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning chef and best-selling cookbook author. Last Saturday Chef Carla was the honoree at the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne benefit in The Hamptons. In June she was part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Presidential Delegation to the World Expo in Milan and the USA Pavilion.

When the conversation turns to artisan coffee roasters in Orange County you always hear the name of coffeehouse visionary Martin Diedrich. He grew up in Guatemala where is Family owned a small coffee farm. In late 2005 Martin and his wife, Karen, launched their latest retail venture Kean Coffee in Newport Beach. A location in Tustin has been added to the portfolio. It’s Coffee 101 with Martin Diedrich.

Bobby Navarro left a decade of work in the hospitality industry to fully commit to his own event planning and culinary promotions company, 100eats.com. He cooked with Amar Santana at both Charlie Palmer’s in South Coast Plaza and Broadway by Amar Santana. Bobby’s passion for branding and business keeps him visiting hundreds of restaurants across the country, stemming from his original feat of dining at 100 restaurants in 100 consecutive days. We’ll meet him…

Simon Majumdar is a food writer, broadcaster, Food TV personality, and author of the recently published, Fed, White and Blue – Finding America with My Fork. You know him as the no-nonsense judge on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen” with host Alton Brown. In fact, Mr. Brown penned the enthusiastic Forward to Fed, White, and Blue.

Majumdar is also the new Master of Ceremonies for the upcoming 2015 Golden Foodie Awards presented in the red carpet affair on September 27th at the Fairmont Newport Beach.

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

Susan MontgomeryA group of professional journalists from The International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is visiting the show. Their Board of Directors Secretary, Susan Montgomery, joins us.

IFWTWA is now a global network of journalists who cover the hospitality and lifestyle fields, and the people who promote them.

In addition to explaining the mission of the IFTWTA Sue will highlight her recent visit to Casa Mayoral in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja California.

Located at the heart of the Baja Wine Country in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Casa Mayoral is a Bed and Breakfast boutique hotel. It’s also an event venue offering culinary experiences. The modern rooms offer unmatched views of the Valley and the nighttime skyline.

It’s a chef prepared-breakfast in the morning. The spread includes fresh juices, fruit, cereal, eggs, pastries, and premium brewed coffee.

MJ HongMJ Hong is the gracious proprietress of The Wine Artist in Laguna Beach. She is a former corporate executive turned entrepreneur. It’s a boutique winery, special event venue (and more) designed to accommodate team building exercises. It’s also a destination for unusual cooking demos and classes.

With over 2,500 square feet, this elegantly decorated Tuscan Winery is perfect for hosting private parties, team building, birthday parties, fund raising and charity events where you can incorporate wine tasting, and bottling your favorite wine.

MJ’s passion for entertaining, food and wine led her to leave her secure corporate job of 15 years to pursue her dream job of The Wine Artist.

We’ll learn all about it with MJ.

Carla HallABC’s “The Chew’s” Chef Carla Hall is, fortunately, no stranger to the show. She is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning chef and best-selling cookbook author.

Hall is a true believer that, “If you’re not in a good mood. The only thing you should make is a reservation.”

Last Saturday (July 25th.) Chef Carla was the honoree at the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne benefit in The Hamptons. In New York this is always the annual culinary highlight of the Summer. It’s held on the grounds of the Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. In addition to free-flowing Champagne over 40 celebrated chefs served their own delectable creations.

In June she was part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Presidential Delegation to the World Expo in Milan and the USA Pavilion. The Delegation toured the USA Pavilion which showcases American leadership on global food security and development issues, innovation, climate change and sustainability, and nutrition and health.

Martin DiedrichWhen the conversation turns to artisan coffee roasters in Orange County you always hear the name of coffeehouse visionary Martin Diedrich. He grew up in Guatemala where is Family owned a small coffee farm.

In late 2005 Martin and his wife, Karen, launched their latest retail venture Kean Coffee in Newport Beach. It’s named after their son. A location in Tustin has been added to the portfolio.

Kean Coffee has developed a loyal following of customers with its high quality artisan coffees fresh roasted onsite daily by Martin himself. The world-class roaster itself is a family affair. It’s built and manufactured by his brother, Stephen Diedrich in Sandpoint Idaho.

Through his Kean Coffee, Martin is realizing his dream of reviving the community coffeehouse. It also embraces his ideal that businesses should model community and global responsibility and awareness, both environmental and cultural.

It’s Coffee 101 with Martin Diedrich.

Bobby NavarroBobby Navarro left a decade of work in the hospitality industry to fully commit to his own event planning and culinary promotions company, 100eats.com. He cooked with Amar Santana at both Charlie Palmer’s in South Coast Plaza (now closed) and Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach.

Bobby’s passion for branding and business keeps him visiting hundreds of restaurants across the country, stemming from his original feat of dining at 100 restaurants in 100 consecutive days.

Bobby’s affection for the hospitality community and similar industries led him to create inspireartisticminds.org, an organization that gives thousands of dollars annually to connecting passionately driven individuals to the things that inspire them.

He also contributes to Foodbeast and Locale.

Simon MajumdarSimon Majumdar is a food writer, broadcaster, Food TV personality, and author of the recently published, Fed, White and Blue – Finding America with My Fork. You know him as the no-nonsense judge on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen with host Alton Brown. In fact, Mr. Brown penned the enthusiastic Forward to Fed, White, and Blue.

Simon is probably not your typical idea of an immigrant. As he says, “I’m well rested, not particularly poor, and the only time I ever encountered “huddled masses” is in line at Costco.” But immigrate he did, and thanks to a Homeland Security agent who asked if he planned to make it official, the journey chronicled in Fed, White, and Blue was born. In it Simon sets off on a trek across the United States to find out what it really means to become an American, using what he knows best: food.

Majumdar is also the new Master of Ceremonies for the upcoming 2015 Golden Foodie Awards presented in the red carpet affair on September 27th at the Fairmont Newport Beach.

Majumdar will lead the Golden Foodie Awards on-stage unveiling winners in over 25 categories including Golden Chef, Golden Pastry Chef, and Best New Restaurant.

The Golden Foodie Awards honor Orange County’s culinary community and creates an environment where nominees and foodies can indulge in an evening of accolades and decadent cuisine.

On-line voting (for seven days only) in the initial seven categories starts Saturday August 1st. These include Best Cocktail, Bartender of the Year, Best Food Talk Radio Show, Best Food Writer, Best Sushi, Best Dessert and Best Service Award.

The next group of categories are eligible for voting starting on August 8th. Vote for the Golden Foodies here.

We’ll meet him…

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Travel Journalist and IFWTWA Board Member, Susan Montgomery
Segment Three: MJ Hong, Proprietress, The Wine Artist, Laguna Beach
Segment Four: Chef Carla Hall
Segment Five: Artisan Coffee Roaster, Martin Diedrich, Kean Coffee
Segment Six: Bobby Navarro, 100EATS.com
Segment Seven: Food Network’s Simon Majumdar Part One
Segment Eight: Food Network’s Simon Majumdar Part Two