Show 356, January 18, 2020: Preview of C-CAP’s Winter Gala Benefit Dinner Part One

Matthew Allnatt of the Jonathan ClubIf you’re a serious foodie and enjoy supporting great causes you’ll relish hearing all the salivating details of the upcoming Careers through Culinary Arts Los Angeles’ (C-CAP) Winter Gala Benefit at the iconic Jonathan Town Club DTLA on Saturday evening, February 1, 2020. It’s a spectacular night honoring those exemplary chefs who inspire and mentor the C-CAP students and alumni on their long path to success.

The high – profile chefs cooking in the kitchen that night include Austin Cobb of The Strand House, Hilary Henderson of Cut Beverly Hills, Michael Hung of Faith & Flower, Mei Lin of Nightshade, Jason McClain of Philly Jay’s Food Truck (Executive Chef Emeritus of Jonathan Club), James Beard award-winner Sherry Yard of “The Great American Baking Show” and the entire culinary team at Jonathan Club.

The Winter Gala will raise funds to support C-CAP L.A’s career readiness programs for underserved high school culinary students in Southern California.

Joining us with all the enticing details are the Director of C-CAP L.A., Lisa Fontanesi, and Jonathan Club’s COO and General Manager, Matthew Allnatt.

Show 356, January 18, 2020: Preview of C-CAP’s Winter Gala Benefit Dinner Part Two

Matthew Allnatt of the Jonathan ClubIf you’re a serious foodie and enjoy supporting great causes you’ll relish hearing all the salivating details of the upcoming Careers through Culinary Arts Los Angeles’ (C-CAP) Winter Gala Benefit at the iconic Jonathan Town Club DTLA on Saturday evening, February 1, 2020. It’s a spectacular night honoring those exemplary chefs who inspire and mentor the C-CAP students and alumni on their long path to success.

The high – profile chefs cooking in the kitchen that night include Austin Cobb of The Strand House, Hilary Henderson of Cut Beverly Hills, Michael Hung of Faith & Flower, Mei Lin of Nightshade, Jason McClain of Philly Jay’s Food Truck (Executive Chef Emeritus of Jonathan Club), James Beard award-winner Sherry Yard of “The Great American Baking Show” and the entire culinary team at Jonathan Club.

Starting the evening is a festive Cocktail Reception. On the menu are a variety of passed, chef-created hors d’oeuvres, fine wine, sparkling wine, craft beer and specialty cocktails created by Brian Summers, Jonathan Club’s Mixologist, celebrating the pre-Prohibition days of the Club. Think pizza bites topped with caviar…

Dinner is a multi-course feast matched with premium, hand-selected wines. Also featured is a Silent & Live Auction offering everything from rare wines to special vacation getaways.

Continuing with us and providing all the enticing details are the Director of C-CAP L.A., Lisa Fontanesi, and Jonathan Club’s COO and General Manager, Matthew Allnatt.

Show 320, April 20, 2019: Preview of C-CAP’s 2nd Annual Full Circle Benefit at Redbird with Barbara Fairchild

Barbara FairchildThe Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is presenting their 2nd Annual Full Circle Benefit dinner at Neal Fraser’s Redbird in Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday evening, April 25th featuring a culinary brigade of celebrity guest chefs.

“Celebrating our C-CAP students and the wonderful chefs who mentor and inspire them, giving them the tools and experience they need to succeed and come Full Circle.”

The evening is hosted and coordinated by Chef Neal Fraser and featuring celebrated chefs Monti Carlo (Food Network personality,) Josiah Citrin (Openaire and Charcoal Venice,) Sandra Cordero (Gasolina,) Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes,) C-CAP alumnus Anthony Greco (Lukshon & Father’s Office,) Kyle Johnson (Bourbon Steak), Antonia Lofaso (Scopa, Black Market and Dama), Nicole Rucker (Fiona,) C-CAP alumnus Dustin Trani (J. Trani’s Ristorante,) and more.

C-CAP Council L.A.’s Chairperson, Barbara Fairchild (former Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit Magazine,) joins us with all the salivating details of the Cocktail Reception in the calming lower gardens at Redbird and seated Dinner & Live Auction upstairs at Redbird and seated Dinner & Live Auction upstairs at Redbird.

A limited number of “Reception Only” tickets have just been released. At $100 per guest it’s a real bargain. The 90-minute Reception features a delectable selection of hors d’oeuves, free-flowing No 1 Cuvee Methode Traditionelle sparkling wine from New Zealand, Pinks Rose from Hitching Post Wines, premium craft beers from El Segundo Brewing Co., and signature handcrafted cocktails by Anthony Greco, C-CAP Alumnus (Lukshon) highlighting Greenbar Tequila and Ford’s Gin

Show 256, January 13, 2018: Executive Chef Neal Fraser, Redbird & Vibiana, Downtown L.A.

Neal FraserChef Neal Fraser of Redbird in Downtown Los Angeles is the Host Chef for the upcoming C-CAP Los Angeles Full Circle Winter Dinner Benefit on February 9th. Chef Neal has assembled an impressive group of celebrity chefs to join him for the stellar evening.

It’s 6:30 p.m. for the Cocktail Reception featuring a specialty libation created by mixologist Devon Espinosa of Sunset & Vinyl and also a C-CAP alum. The grand, five-course premium wine & craft beer-paired Dinner (and the Live Auction) is set for 7:30 p.m.

The A-List chef brigade stars Host Chef Neal Fraser, Josiah Citrin (Melisse), Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station), Ray Garcia & Ivan Marquez (Broken Spanish), David LeFevre (Manhattan Beach Post), Jason Neroni (Rose Cafe), Amar Santana (Vaca & Broadway by Amar Santana), Michael Voltaggio (ink.well) and Sherry Yard (iPic Entertainment).

We also caught Chef Neal on national TV in colorful chef’s attire riding on the front of the Kaiser Permanente 2018 Rose Parade float. The float was named “Inspiring Healthy Communities.” We’ll ask Chef Neal about this unusual New Year’s Day honor.

We’ll pull Chef Neal out of the busy Redbird and Vibiana kitchens to provide a tempting preview.

Show 35, July 13, 2013: Mary Sue Milliken, Executive Chef & Partner of Border Grill

Mary Sue Milliken of Border GrillOn Monday, July 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at Border Grill Las Vegas, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, and Border Grill Executive Chef Mike Minor are teaming up with Chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood and Chefs Collaborative to host a Trash Fish Dinner. The cocktail reception and dinner will feature tasty alternatives to the seafood we love and, unfortunately, eat too much of. Understand the fish is absolutely delicious…

The inspiration here is to show the discriminating guests (the proof is in the tasting) that there are incredibly tasty alternatives to the seafood we normally eat including tuna and salmon. Underutilized species include Pacific sardines, mackerel, California squid, farm-raised sturgeon, and porgy/sea bream.

Restaurants set the example as Mary Sue noted that 70 percent of the seafood we eat is enjoyed in restaurants.

July 13: Mary Sue Milliken, Bill Chait, Anita Lau, Jet Tila on Sushi

Podcasts

Segment One: Dining discoveries of the week with Chef Jet and Producer Andy
Segment Two: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part One
Segment Three: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part Two
Segment Four: Mary Sue Milliken, Executive Chef & Partner of Border Grill
Segment Five: Anita Lau, creator of the Mad Hungry Woman Blog
Segment Six: Chef Jet Tila with “Sushi 411.”

Previews of potential dining adventures…

Khao Soi at Spicy Thai BBQChef Jet somewhat reluctantly shares his recommendation for Northern Thai food in Los Angeles. It’s a small place with 15 seats but worth seeking out. Their signature dish is khao soi.

Producer Andy highlights Marche Moderne’s (Penthouse @ South Coast Plaza) annual Bouillabaisse festival running nightly until July 18th. It’s an authentic Marseillaise-bouillabaisse with all the fish flown in from the South of France. Spoil yourself with the very best and a glass of Rose! Reservations are a must…

If you dine-out in Los Angeles you’ve no doubt heard of Rivera and Bestia in Downtown Los Angeles. You probably also know the Italian favorite Sotto and the Peruvian-flavored, Picca located just East of Century City. How about Short Order and Short Cake at the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax?

Bill ChaitWhat you probably don’t know is that all of these popular, chef-driven restaurants are ventures put together by low key restaurant impresario, Bill Chait. Bill joins us to discuss how he has created a string of successful, and enduring, restaurants (done on a budget) with talented celebrity chefs in a very tough business environment.

In the pipeline for Chait are Chef Walter Manzke’s Republique in the former Campanile space on La Brea Avenue and Neal Fraser’s Redbird in the former Vibiana Cathedral space in Downtown Los Angeles.

Mary Sue Milliken of Border GrillOn Monday, July 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at Border Grill Las Vegas Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, and Border Grill Executive Chef Mike Minor are teaming up with Chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood and Chefs Collaborative to host a Trash Fish Dinner. The cocktail reception and dinner will feature tasty alternatives to the seafood we love and, unfortunately, eat too much of. Understand the fish is delicious…

Mary Sue Milliken joins us to preview the fun evening with a purpose.

Time for Fair Food!

Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe from Chicken CharliesThe OC Fair is on through August 11th! Mad Hungry Woman blogger, Anita Lau, is with us to discuss what extreme foods are new at the Fair for 2013. She will actually be judging some Fair food contests during the event.

Fair food vendor, Chicken Charlie’s, always is always out there with fab fried food items. Eagerly anticipated is his new Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe’s and Bacon A-Fair’s Wild Boar on a stick (an OC Fair exclusive.)

According to the Orange County Register’s Nancy Luna, Chicken Charlie sold 50,000 deep-fried Twinkies last year at the Fair!

Other Chicken Charlie highlights are a deep-fried bacon pickle and a waffle dog.

SushiDo you crave sushi but feel somewhat compromised about proper manners and ordering technique in a sushi restaurant? When do you use the ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi? Is omakase (“trust the chef”) the best way to go? If you sit at the sushi bar how do you convey respect to the sushi chefs?

Listeners to the “SoCal Restaurant Show” are in luck. When he was helming Wazuzu at Encore Las Vegas, Jet had some of the most highly regarded sushi in Las Vegas on his menu. Backing it all up was in-house master sushi chef (and his highly trained team.) He will give us the 411 on ordering, and enjoying, sushi.

Podcasts

Segment One: Dining discoveries of the week with Chef Jet and Producer Andy
Segment Two: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part One
Segment Three: Restaurant Impresario Bill Chait Part Two
Segment Four: Mary Sue Milliken, Executive Chef & Partner of Border Grill
Segment Five: Anita Lau, creator of the Mad Hungry Woman Blog
Segment Six: Chef Jet Tila with “Sushi 411.”

Show 19, March 2, 2013: Executive Chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place in Las Vegas

Rick Moonen of rm seafood in Las VegasJet recognizes Chef Moonen as probably the finest seafood chef in the United States. He’s also a pioneer in the sustainable seafood movement.

On Thursday evening March 14th Chef Moonen is joining forces with Chef Matthew Accarrino of SPQR in San Francisco to collaborate on a special evening benefiting the Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas. Accarrino was previously the chef de cuisine for Moonen’s Restaurant RM in Las Vegas.

The menu is a five-course, wine-paired, Shellfish Lovers’ Paradise with the chefs alternating courses. The evening will start with a cocktail reception featuring hand-crafted specialty cocktails by rm seafood lead barman Nathan Greene. All guests will receive an autographed copy of Chef Accarrino’s new cookbook, SPQR: Modern Italian Food & Wine.