Show 214, March 11, 2017: Chef Bev Lazo, Fiesta Adobo Catering

Bev LazoFans of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen will recall the memorable Chef Bev Lazo (ex-Border Grill) from Season 12. Chef Bev’s busy catering company, Fiesta Adobo, cooks up delicious, traditional foods from the Philippines. Another specialty is serving traditional Mexican style street tacos.

Chef Bev’s Pork Adobo was one of the crowd-pleasing, featured dishes at Golden Rule Charity’s February 20th benefit in Anaheim at the Highway 39 Event Center for Chef Bruno Serato, his non-profit Caterina’s Club and the displaced staff members of The Anaheim White House. She successfully introduced tasty Filipino food to a somewhat skeptical crowd!

We’ll meet her.

Show 211, February 18, 2017: Show Preview with Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s abundant show with Co-Hosts Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group. 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 actually a pretty good thing…

Chef Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House is passionate about his long-time efforts to feed hungry kids in need daily with nutritious food prepared in his own kitchens. His restaurant was recently devastated by a horrific fire and remains closed indefinitely. Orange County chefs & restaurateurs are generously rallying to support Bruno’s charity, Caterina’s Club, and his employees with a benefit on Monday evening, February 20th at Highway 39 Event Center in Anaheim. Organizer Judy Walker of Golden Rule Charity joins us with the specifics.

You have to appreciate a young, upstart craft brewery whose slogan is “Keeping Beer Weird.” The talk among Richmond, B.C.’s craft beer enthusiasts is Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks. We’ll tap a keg of their popular “The Last Strawberry” (a Belgian wit brewed with local strawberries) with co-founder Glen Hutton, a Richmond, B.C. local.

The newly opened 4th & Olive in the East Village of Long Beach is a traditional Franco-German restaurant and beer garden serving Alsatian style food. Under the culinary direction of Chef Alex McGroarty, the restaurant features housemade dishes such as sausages, braised meats, pretzels, sauerkraut and other comfort foods of the region, plus unique European beers and wines. Proprietor Dan Tapia is our guest.

This past week the 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists were announced. Congratulations to all the deserving California Semifinalists. On March 15th The Foundation will announce the Final Nominations in all categories at a breakfast press conference at a.o.c restaurant in Los Angeles. This is the first time in the 27-year history of The Awards that the Final Nominations will be announced in Los Angeles.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel is known to be pretty handy in the kitchen. Today it’s the debut of “Mastering Kitchen Science 101” sharing practical, little known tips and tricks to use in the home kitchen.

We’ve been enthusiastically following Team USA’s progress (backed by the ment’or BKB Foundation) in the bi-annual Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition for the last five years. Late last month Team USA achieved the seemingly impossible – Gold in Lyon. Team USA’s Bocuse d’Or champion Chef Mathew Peters (ex-per se) and Team USA’s backer, ment’or BKB Foundation (represented by Executive Director Young Yun), join us to savor this tremendous achievement for the culinary arts in the United States.

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

 

Show 211, February 18, 2017: Judy Walker, Golden Rule Charity – Benefit for Chef Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House, Anaheim

Bruno SeratoChef Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House is passionate about his long-time efforts to feed hungry kids in need daily with nutritious food prepared in his own kitchens. His restaurant was recently devastated by a horrific fire and remains closed. It’s going to take time and over $1 million to restore. Insurance will not cover it all.

Orange County chefs & restaurateurs are generously rallying to support Bruno’s charity, Caterina’s Club, and his employees with a benefit on Monday evening, February 20th at Highway 39 Event Center in Anaheim.

VIP is from 5 to 8:00 p.m. with wine and beer included is a $75 donation.

General Admission is from 6 to 8:00 p.m. and is a $50 donation.

“The Anaheim White House restaurant has been severely damaged in a fire and will close indefinitely. The 1909 Colonial-style mansion was converted into a restaurant now owned by Chef Bruno Serato, who feeds pasta each night to 2,000 at-risk, disadvantaged children from the restaurant’s kitchen. He has done so for more than a decade.”

“Bruno is an Italian immigrant who came to the U.S. with $50 in his pocket and through hard work saved the money to open his restaurant 30 years ago. Bruno is known worldwide for feeding the children, finding housing for their families and helping at-risk youth land jobs in the hospitality field. He even mortgaged his own home during the recession to keep his charity work going.”

Organizer Judy Walker of Golden Rule Charity joins us with the specifics.

February 18: Anaheim White House, Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, 4th & Olive, Mathew Peters and Young Yun

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Judy Walker, Golden Rule Charity – Benefit for Chef Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House, Anaheim
Segment Three: Glen Hutton, Co-Owner, Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Richmond, B.C.
Segment Four: Dan Tapia, Proprietor, 4th and Olive Restaurant, Long Beach
Segment Five: James Beard Foundation Awards – Announcement of Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists
Segment Six: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Seven: Chef Mathew Peters, Gold Medalist, Team USA, 2017 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition
Segment Eight: Young Yun, Executive Director, ment’or BKB Foundation

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s  abundant show with Co-Hosts Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group. 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 actually a pretty good thing…

Chef Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House is passionate about his long-time efforts to feed hungry kids in need daily with nutritious food prepared in his own kitchens. His restaurant was recently devastated by a horrific fire and remains closed. Orange County chefs & restaurateurs are generously rallying to support Bruno’s charity, Caterina’s Club, and his employees with a benefit on Monday evening, February 20th at Highway 39 Event Center in Anaheim. Organizer Judy Walker of Golden Rule Charity joins us with the specifics.

You have to appreciate a young, upstart craft brewery whose slogan is “Keeping Beer Weird.” The talk among Richmond, B.C.’s craft beer enthusiasts is Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks. We’ll tap a keg of their popular “The Last Strawberry” (a Belgian wit brewed with local strawberries) with co-founder Glen Hutton, a Richmond, B.C. local.

The newly opened 4th and Olive in the East Village of Long Beach is a traditional Franco-German restaurant and beer garden serving Alsatian style food. Under the culinary direction of Chef Alex McGroarty, the restaurant features housemade dishes such as sausages, braised meats, pretzels, sauerkraut and other comfort foods of the region, plus unique European beers and wines. Proprietor Dan Tapia is our guest.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel is known to be pretty handy in the kitchen. Today it’s “Mastering Kitchen Science 101” sharing little known tips and tricks to use in the home kitchen.

If you’re a wine enthusiast then the Paso Robles AVA is surely on your mind. It’s located in the northern reaches of California’s San Luis Obispo County. Actually different districts there have distinct characteristics. One of our resident wine experts, Kyle Meyer of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange, joins us with a basic guide to appreciating this much talked about area.

We’ve been enthusiastically following Team USA’s progress (backed by the ment’or BKB Foundation) in the bi-annual Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition for the last five years.  Late last month Team USA achieved the impossible – Gold in Lyon. Team USA’s Bocuse d’Or champion Chef Mathew Peters and Team USA’s backer, ment’or BKB Foundation (represented by Executive Director Young Yun), join us to savor this tremendous achievement for the culinary arts in the United States.

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

Bruno SeratoChef Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House is passionate about his long-time efforts to feed hungry kids in need daily with nutritious food prepared in his own kitchens. His restaurant was recently devastated by a horrific fire and remains closed. It’s going to take time and over $1 million to restore. Insurance will not cover it all.

Orange County chefs & restaurateurs are generously rallying to support Bruno’s charity, Caterina’s Club, and his employees with a benefit on Monday evening, February 20th at Highway 39 Event Center in Anaheim.

VIP is from 5 to 8:00 p.m. with wine and beer included is a $75 donation.

General Admission is from 6 to 8:00 p.m. and is a $50 donation.

“The Anaheim White House restaurant has been severely damaged in a fire and will close indefinitely. The 1909 Colonial-style mansion was converted into a restaurant now owned by Chef Bruno Serato, who feeds pasta each night to 2,000 at-risk, disadvantaged children from the restaurant’s kitchen. He has done so for more than a decade.”

“Bruno is an Italian immigrant who came to the U.S. with $50 in his pocket and through hard work saved the money to open his restaurant 30 years ago. Bruno is known worldwide for feeding the children, finding housing for their families and helping at-risk youth land jobs in the hospitality field. He even mortgaged his own home during the recession to keep his charity work going.”

Organizer Judy Walker of Golden Rule Charity joins us with the specifics.

Glen HuttonYou have to appreciate a young, upstart craft brewery whose slogan is “Keeping Beer Weird.” The talk of Richmond, B.C.’s craft beer enthusiasts is Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks.

“We try to invent styles, and nothing is done true to style”

The friendly Tasting Room at The Brewery also offers a variety of satisfying local street food specialties including samosas (beef, chicken and vegetable) and a cheese & onion pie.

We’ll tap a keg of their popular “The Last Strawberry” (a Belgian wit brewed with local strawberries) with co-founder Glen Hutton, a Richmond, B.C. local.

Dan Tapia and barman John Putman of 4th an d Olive in Long BeachThe newly opened 4th and Olive in the East Village of Long Beach is a traditional Franco-German restaurant and beer garden serving Alsatian style food. Under the culinary direction of Chef Alex McGroarty, the restaurant features housemade dishes such as sausages, braised meats, pretzels, sauerkraut and other comfort foods of the region, plus unique European beers and wines.

Unique to the restaurant industry, disabled veterans were actively recruited to staff 4th and Olive, resulting in a 50% make up of current employees. Tapia, a proud Navy veteran and recovering quadriplegic himself who was injured during a stint in the Navy and currently uses a cane, is committed to creating jobs for other disabled vets that are having difficulty finding employment because of their physical challenges. The layout of the restaurant and kitchen were designed with these challenges in mind.

“The 4th and Olive team is excited to serve authentic Alsatian style food to food lovers in Long Beach,” Tapia said. “Along with our great menu and friendly service, my personal goal is to bring attention to the challenges other disabled vets face when they are willing and capable of doing just as good a job as an able-bodied person.”

Weekend Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 3pm. The restaurant is open for dinner 4:30 – 10pm Monday through Thursday and 4:30 – 11pm Friday and Saturday.

Proprietor Dan Tapia is our guest.

Andrew and William GruelOur own Chef Andrew Gruel is thought to be pretty handy in the kitchen. Today it’s “Mastering Kitchen Science 101” sharing little known tips and tricks to use in the home kitchen.

Did you know you can use baking soda to tenderize meat?

We’ve been enthusiastically following Team USA’s progress (backed by the ment’or BKB Foundation) in the bi-annual Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition for the last five years.  Late last month Team USA achieved the impossible – Gold in Lyon.

Mathew Peters“On January 25, 2017, Team USA 2017 was the first American team to win Gold at the Bocuse d’Or!  This is an extraordinary accomplishment and words cannot adequately express how proud we are of Chef Mathew Peters, Commis Harrison Turone and Head Coach Philip Tessier. This historic win would not have been possible without our designer, Martin Kastner, and his team from Crucial Detail. We would also like to extend our congratulations to all of the teams who competed this year – it was an incredible display of culinary excellence.”

Team USA’s Bocuse d’Or world champion, Chef Mathew Peters,  joins us to savor this tremendous achievement for the culinary arts in the United States.

Young Yun“We knew the world was watching ever since Chef Philip Tessier made the podium for the first time in 2015, and expectations were very high for Team USA this year. Nine years ago, our Founding Chefs Boulud, Keller and Bocuse, made a promise to Monsieur Paul Bocuse that we would win Gold and we are so proud of this team for realizing his dream. They carried quite a weight on their shoulders and carried it with exemplary grace, strength, and leadership.” – Young Yun

Team USA’s primary backer and inspiration, ment’or BKB Foundation (represented by Executive Director Young Yun), joins us to savor this tremendous achievement for the culinary arts in the United States.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Judy Walker, Golden Rule Charity – Benefit for Chef Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House, Anaheim
Segment Three: Glen Hutton, Co-Owner, Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Richmond, B.C.
Segment Four: Dan Tapia, Proprietor, 4th and Olive Restaurant, Long Beach
Segment Five: James Beard Foundation Awards – Announcement of Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists
Segment Six: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Seven: Chef Mathew Peters, Gold Medalist, Team USA, 2017 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition
Segment Eight: Young Yun, Executive Director, ment’or BKB Foundation

Show 49, November 23, 2013: Bruno Serato, chef/proprietor of Anaheim White House

Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White HouseThe ever gracious Bruno Serato is the highly visible owner and culinary force behind the Anaheim White House. The restaurant is housed in a stately mansion, a historical national landmark, dating back to 1909. It has the look of an Italian villa. Bruno has been the keeper of the flame there since 1987. This year the menu was enhanced to offer premium steaks, too. Bruno likes to now characterize the establishment as an “Italian Steak House.”

The Holidays are Bruno’s favorite time of the year as he fund-raises to benefit the Caterina’s Club’s Motel Kids. December marks his annual toy drive to collect gifts for some 2,000 Motel Kids. Every night Bruno feeds 500 hungry kids.

It all starts with the 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Dinner at the Anaheim White House on Sunday, November 24th. It always sells out so make your plans accordingly. There is real snow on the ground…

Bruno has just introduced a new 3-course Sunday Brunch Menu with free-flowing Champagne at the Anaheim White House.

The Anaheim White House offers 12 private dining rooms so it’s an ideal spot for Holiday entertaining and business meetings.

November 23: Grilled Cheese Truck, Barbara Fairchild, Mad Hungry Woman, Anaheim White House, Brad A. Johnson, Skyler Reeves

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part One
Segment Three: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part Two
Segment Four: Barbara Fairchild, past long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine, food journalist, cookbook author, educator
Segment Five: Anita Lau of the “Mad Hungry Woman” Blog
Segment Six: Bruno Serato, chef/proprietor of Anaheim White House
Segment Seven: Brad A. Johnson, restaurant critic for the Orange County Register
Segment Eight: Skyler Reeves, master barman

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

It’s a day of unusually colorful characters on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.”

Enjoy the unlikely saga of The Big Cheese of The Grilled Cheese Truck, Dave Danhi. We’ll also have the Mad Hungry Woman blogger with us talking about a recent dining discovery in San Diego that’s a delightful Italian-Japanese fusion.

Dave Danhi of the Grilled Cheese TruckDave Danhi is the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck. This was the first gourmet food truck to go national and there are big plans to expand through a novel franchising program. A huge following on social media was the initial key to getting this business going. The Big Cheese himself joins us to recount this unlikely success story.

Dave is also a much sought-out executive recruiter for the Hospitality Industry. His firm is DD Factor. We’ll talk to him about this little known (but vitally important) field, also. You honestly don’t find suitable executive chefs and general managers on CraigsList!

Dave completes the fascinating story of how The Grilled Cheese Truck got to where it is today (a national phenomenon) and what the future holds. Keep in mind he’s a high level executive chef by background.

Dave also profiles his other business entity, DD Factor. This is an executive recruiting firm designed just for the hospitality business. If you need an executive chef this is the place to go.

Barbara FairchildMost Californians remember Barbara Fairchild as the long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine. She now is an accomplished cookbook author, food journalist, and educator.

Barbara was recently in the relatively unspoiled Sonoma County Wine Country. She shares some of her best dining experiences including the One-Star Michelin Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant in Forestville (housed in a real Farmhouse,) and the more casual Healdsburg Shed in Healdsburg.

Barbara will join us again in December to share her recent San Francisco dining adventures.

Anita Lau of Diary of a Mad Hungry WomanAnita Lau is best known to the listening audience of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the creative force behind the “Mad Hungry Woman” blog. Anita is regularly out and about in Orange County, San Diego, and sometimes even the Los Angeles area reporting on her dining out adventures. She particularly seeks out the less obvious hidden gems.

San Diego, we haven’t forgotten you.

Anita Lau of the Mad Hungry Woman blog is with us with a San Diego dining discovery. Anita was a finalist for a Golden Foodie award in Journalism this year.

Anita’s find is Ristorante Kaz. This is an intriguing Japanese Italian fusion cuisine spot. Anita’s favorite bite was an angel hair pasta dish with creamy sea urchin with spinach and salmon roe.

Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White HouseThe ever gracious Bruno Serato is the highly visible owner and culinary force behind the historic Anaheim White House. It’s housed in a stately mansion dating back to 1909. Bruno has been the keeper of the flame there since 1987. This year the menu was enhanced to offer premium steaks, too. Bruno likes to now characterize the establishment as an “Italian Steak House.”

The Holidays are Bruno’s favorite time of the year as he fund-raises to benefit the Caterina’s Club’s Motel Kids. December marks his annual toy drive to collect gifts for some 2,000 Motel Kids. Every night Bruno feeds 500 hungry kids.

It all starts with the 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Dinner at the Anaheim White House on Sunday, November 24th. It always sells out so make your plans accordingly. There is real snow on the ground…

Bruno has just introduced a new 3-course Sunday Brunch Menu with free-flowing Champagne at the Anaheim White House.

Photography by Brad A JohnsonBrad A. Johnson is the James Beard Award-winning restaurant critic for The Orange County Register. He’s been there about a year now.

Brad has just written his anxiously awaited, first 4-Star review. It’s quite a “wow” but, perhaps, a bit unexpected…

Brad talks about what is worthy of 4-Stars and the restaurant earning that rarified praise. This was actually three articles in The Register, including a Sunday “Travel” piece.

Skyler ReevesSkyler Reeves is a master barman. Denizens of Downtown Los Angeles’ popular nightlife scene will know him from 213 Downtown. He’s one of the best…

His new project is co-producing the upcoming “Golden State of Cocktails.” It takes place January 27th through 30th on the historic top floor of the Los Angeles Times Building in Downtown Los Angeles. This space was the former executive offices and the grandeur of the floor will surely impress. The educational event is designed for the trade as well as beverage enthusiasts.

“California’s long awaited large-scale cocktail event is finally here: Announcing Golden State of Cocktails! Staged in Los Angeles, the West Coast’s largest city and California’s anchor, Golden State of Cocktails celebrates all aspects of cocktail culture, both industry and consumer, from San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego and everywhere in between. Be a part of the inaugural event in one or more ways. From experiential interactive labs, take-away stations and brand immersion rooms to small- and large-scale parties, Golden State of Cocktails takes a hands-on approach to the learning experience and celebrates the best of what California cocktail culture is all about.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part One
Segment Three: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck Part Two
Segment Four: Barbara Fairchild, past long-time Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine, food journalist, cookbook author, educator
Segment Five: Anita Lau of the “Mad Hungry Woman” Blog
Segment Six: Bruno Serato, chef/proprietor of Anaheim White House
Segment Seven: Brad A. Johnson, restaurant critic for the Orange County Register
Segment Eight: Skyler Reeves, master barman