Show 333, July 20, 2019: Executive Chef Chris Feldmeier, Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach

Chris Feldmeier of Love and SaltLove and Salt is a restaurant story that begins with Cafe Pierre, a local classic restaurant birthed by Guy Gabriele in 1977 to bring a taste of France to Los Angeles’ South Bay. While Cafe Pierre was a beloved part of the community for nearly 37 years, in 2014, Guy and his daughter Sylvie Gabriele, now the owner of Love & Salt, closed the restaurant to bring new life to the iconic space with a new look and Italian flair. As of last year a creative new chef (Chris Feldmeier ex-Moruno) is behind the stoves.

Christopher Feldmeier began cooking as a child when he simply asked his mother to make breakfast. She replied by saying, “I will buy you anything you want to cook, but you are going to make it yourself.” That first breakfast sparked a passion and adoration for cooking, which grew into an undeniable desire to learn more.

“Searching for a more dynamic culinary landscape after culinary school and time in the San Diego fine-dining scene, Feldmeier relocated to Los Angeles and began working at the former Campanile restaurant. He quickly moved into a Sous Chef position, spending four years working collaboratively with seminal Los Angeles chefs Nancy Silverton and Mark Peel at the legendary establishment. During his tenure at Campanile, Feldmeier met his wife, James Beard award-winning pastry chef Dahlia Narvaez, as well as his future business partner David Rosoff.”

In 2007, Feldmeier left Campanile to join Silverton, Narvaez and Rosoff in opening the Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza. Feldmeier served as the Chef de Cuisine of this award-winning institution and consultant to Eataly until his departure in 2013 to pursue his own concept with Rosoff. After becoming immersed in Spanish culture and its gastronomic implications, in January of 2016, Feldmeier and Rosoff opened Moruno at The Original Farmers Market. Early on, the highly accoladed spot received a 3-star review from LA Weekly food critic Besha Rodell while former New York Times Food Critic and Gourmet Magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl praised Feldmeier’s food as “spectacular”. In October of 2016, Moruno unfortunately closed.

With his passion for culinary innovation, Feldmeier subsequently partnered with the Gabriele Family to begin conceptualizing the next iteration of Guy’s beloved Redondo Beach restaurant, Zazou which re-opened as Gabi James in April 2018 boasting a menu featuring Spanish and Coastal French cuisine infused with California soul.

In September 2018, Feldmeier assumed the role of executive chef at Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach while continuing his involvement with Gabi James. In this role, Feldmeier works closely with Love & Salt owner Sylvie Gabriele to bring their shared vision for the Italian-inspired menu to life.

We now chat with Chef Chris Feldmeier about the enhancements in the menu.

Show 171, May 14, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel

Program Note…On May 21st we’re broadcasting live from the studios of Chicago’s ESPN 1000 – WMVP-AM. We’re there to join in the celebration of Chef Andrew Gruel’s Trendsetter MenuMaster Award presented by Nation’s Restaurant News. The vibrant Chicago dining scene will be well represented in the show! You don’t want to miss this show.

Executive 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.

Now a stimulating peak at Saturday’s tantalizing show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

At the age of 15, Chef Brendan Collins quit secondary school to follow his dream and enroll in culinary school, where he was classically trained in French technique. Today Collins is the Executive Chef and Proprietor of Birch in Hollywood, Larry’s in Venice as well as the Executive Chef of The Corner Door in Culver City. On Sunday, May 15th he’s part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Hollywood Farmers Market.

Congratulations to native Angeleno, Chef Dahlia Narvaez, the Executive Pastry Chef of both Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood. Chef Dahlia was presented with the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in Chicago at Lyric Opera on May 2nd. She is our special guest.

From the founder of AmazingRibs.com (Meathead Goldwyn), the hugely popular grilling and barbecue website known for applying the latest scientific research to America’s favorite form of cooking, comes MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Meathead is known as the barbecue whisperer and joins us.

There is a novel way to experience America’s Riviera, Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project invites visitors to show their Amtrak train tickets and enjoy car free fun (with special discounts) in Santa Barbara. Laura Kath with Santa Barbara Car Free provides us with all the needed 411.

Shrimp is one of the most popular varieties of seafood enjoyed in America. What should you know about sourcing, cooking and enjoying this delicious crustacean? Does size matter? Fresh or frozen? Wild caught or farm raised? Should you pay attention to where the shrimp comes from? Our own resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us with all the specifics. It’s a peel-and-eat feast.

The Better Burger Battle is heating up again with the arrival of Fullerton’s favorite, The Burger Parlor, in Old Towne Orange. You have a serious fine dining chef creating premium burgers and loving it. They even make their own ice cream for the milk shakes. Burger-meister and Chef Joseph Mahon is with us with all the juicy details.

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

Show 171, May 14, 2016: Executive Pastry Chef Dahlia Narvaez, Osteria Mozza & Pizzeria Mozza

Dahlia Narvaez at the James Beard AwardsCongratulations to native Angeleno, Chef Dahlia Narvaez, the Executive Pastry Chef of both Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood. Chef Dahlia was presented with the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in Chicago at Lyric Opera on May 2nd. She is our special guest.

Dahlia Narvaez developed a love for food when cooking for her family after school in Highland Park. Trading the classroom for the kitchen, Narvaez left school for a job at the Conga Room at the age of 22.

Looking to take the next step in her career, Dahlia confidently strode through the doors of La Brea Bakery and asked for a counter job. But she never worked a minute behind the counter, vaulting immediately to the kitchen at Nancy Silverton’s Campanile where, in 2003, she was name Executive Pastry Chef.

Dahlia left Campanile in 2006 to assume the role of Executive Pastry Chef for what was to soon become Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza. Dahlia developed the menus and pastry departments for all of Mozza’s LA restaurants and oversees the department in Newport Beach and Singapore.

As a side project Chef Dahlia also created the distinctive dessert menu at Chef Chris Feldmeier’s Moruno located in the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax. We enthusiastically recommend the Fried Biscuits with tangerine thyme marmalade and vanilla bean ice cream. It’s really all in the Family as Chef Dahlia and Chef Chris are married.

May 14: Brendan Collins, Dahlia Narvaez, Meathead Goldwyn, Santa Barbara Car Free, Burger Parlor

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Owner / Executive Chef Brendan Collins of Birch, Larry’s and The Corner Door
Segment Three: Executive Pastry Chef Dahlia Narvaez, Osteria Mozza & Pizzeria Mozza
Segment Four: Meathead Goldwyn of AmazingRibs.com
Segment Five: Santa Barbara Car Free with Laura Kath
Segment Six: Chef Andrew Gruel with Shrimp 411
Segment Seven: Chef Joseph Mahon, The Burger Parlor, Fullerton & Old Towne Orange Part One
Segment Eight: Chef Joseph Mahon, The Burger Parlor, Fullerton & Old Towne Orange Part Two

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.

Now a stimulating peak at Saturday’s tantalizing show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

At the age of 15, Chef Brendan Collins quit secondary school to follow his dream and enroll in culinary school, where he was classically trained in French technique. Today Collins is the Executive Chef and Proprietor of both Birch in Hollywood as well as the Executive Chef of The Corner Door in Culver City. On Sunday, May 15th he’s part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Hollywood Farmers Market.

Congratulations to native Angeleno, Chef Dahlia Narvaez, the Executive Pastry Chef of both Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood. Chef Dahlia was presented with the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in Chicago at Lyric Opera on May 2nd. She is our special guest.

From the founder of AmazingRibs.com (Meathead Goldwyn), the hugely popular grilling and barbecue website known for applying the latest scientific research to America’s favorite form of cooking, comes MEATHEAD : The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Meathead is known as the barbecue whisperer and joins us.

There is a new way to experience America’s Riviera, Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project invites visitors to show their Amtrak train tickets and enjoy car free fun (with special discounts) in Santa Barbara. Laura Kath with Santa Barbara Car Free provides us with all the needed 411.

Shrimp is one of the most popular varieties of seafood enjoyed in America. What should you know about sourcing, cooking and enjoying this delicious crustacean ? Does size matter ? Fresh or frozen ? Wild caught or farm raised? Should you pay attention to where the shrimp comes from ? Our own resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us with all the specifics. It’s a peel-and-eat feast.

The Better Burger Battle is heating up again with the arrival of Fullerton’s favorite, The Burger Parlor, in Old Towne Orange. You have a serious fine dining chef creating premium burgers and loving it. They even make their own ice cream for the milk shakes. Burger-meister and Chef Joseph Mahon is with us with all the juicy details.

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

Brendan CollinsAt the age of 15, Chef Brendan Collins quit secondary school to follow his dream and enroll in culinary school, where he was classically trained in French technique. By 17, the talented Nottingham native had his first job at London’s La Gavroche, a Michelin two-star restaurant.

Today Collins is the Executive Chef and Proprietor of both Birch in Hollywood as well as the Executive Chef of The Corner Door in Culver City. On Sunday, May 15th he’s part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Hollywood Farmers Market.

Chef Collins is performing a cooking demonstration on the Cooking Stage at 12 Noon with a recipe from his new book, Cooking Blokes & Artichokes with a prior book-signing at 10:30 a.m.

The Hollywood Farmers Market and the parent non-profit, SEE-LA, are celebrating 25 successful years of providing the Los Angeles community with sustainable and fresh produce with special market events each Sunday in May. The Sunday event series for the balance of May features cookbook signings and demonstrations by a few of Los Angeles’ most celebrated chefs and cookbook authors

Dahlia Narvaez at the James Beard AwardsCongratulations to native Angeleno, Chef Dahlia Narvaez, the Executive Pastry Chef of both Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood. Chef Dahlia was presented with the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in Chicago at Lyric Opera on May 2nd. She is our special guest.

Dahlia Narvaez developed a love for food when cooking for her family after school in Highland Park. Trading the classroom for the kitchen, Narvaez left school for a job at the Conga Room at the age of 22.

Looking to take the next step in her career, Dahlia confidently strode through the doors of La Brea Bakery and asked for a counter job. But she never worked a minute behind the counter, vaulting immediately to the kitchen at Nancy Silverton’s Campanile where, in 2003, she was name Executive Pastry Chef.

Dahlia left Campanile in 2006 to assume the role of Executive Pastry Chef for what was to soon become Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza. Dahlia developed the menus and pastry departments for all of Mozza’s LA restaurants and oversees the department in Newport Beach and Singapore.

As a side project Chef Dahlia also created the distinctive dessert menu at Chef Chris Feldmeier’s Moruno located in the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax. It’s really all in the Family as Chef Dahlia and Chef Chris are married.

Meathead GoldwynFrom the founder of AmazingRibs.com (Meathead Goldwyn), the hugely popular grilling and barbecue website known for applying the latest scientific research to America’s favorite form of cooking, comes MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Meathead is known as the barbecue whisperer and joins us.

Goldwyn first began his food and drink career as a soda jerk in his parents’ Sarasota restaurant where is father affectionately nicknamed him Meathead. In MEATHEAD, he reveals in full but accessible detail, the science behind the interaction of fire and food, with foolproof techniques, researched results on hardware, and 118 mouthwateringly, satisfying, and thoroughly tested recipes.

After consulting with scientists, Meathead shatters many of the myths that hang around barbecue lore, oftentimes standing in the way of perfection.

“Remember, almost anything you can cook indoors can be cooked outdoors, only better,” Meathead writes. “All it takes is the four P’s: practice, patience, persistence, and a knowledge of key cooking principles.”

Laura Kath of Mariah MarketingThere is a new, au courant way to experience America’s Riviera, Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project invites visitors to show their Amtrak train tickets and enjoy car free fun (with special discounts) in Santa Barbara. Laura Kath with Santa Barbara Car Free joins us with all the needed 411.

“Start your vacation when you get on the train! Relax on your trip to Santa Barbara, then show your Amtrak ticket to our partners for some amazing experiences.”

Through December 31, 2016, travelers to Santa Barbara can show their Amtrak tickets (paper, e-ticket, or mobile device) to the following attractions and activities for specials and experiences: Adventure Company of Santa Barbara (kayaking & surf lessons), Captain Jack’s Tours & Events (wine tasting or horseback riding), Celebration Cruises (Lil Toot & Azure Seas sailing), CONDOR Express (whale watching), I Bike Santa Barbara (cycling wine tours), Pali Wine Company, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Trolley Company, Santa Barbara Zoo, Segway of Santa Barbara, Sunset Kidd Sailing Cruises and Wheel Fun Rentals (bikes).

Santa Barbara Car Free is an award-winning project founded and led by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District with more than 100 community partners who are dedicated to making car free vacations care-free.

Andrew Gruel and his son WilliamShrimp is one of the most popular varieties of seafood enjoyed in America. What should you know about sourcing, cooking and enjoying this delicious crustacean? Does size matter? Fresh or frozen? Wild caught or farm raised? Should you pay close attention to where the shrimp comes from? Are there any food safety concerns to be aware of about consuming shrimp?

Our own resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us with all the specifics. It’s a veritable peel-and-eat feast.

Joseph MahonThe Better Burger Battle is heating up again with the arrival of Fullerton’s favorite, The Burger Parlor in Old Towne Orange. You have a serious fine dining chef creating premium burgers and loving it. They even make their own homemade ketchup and ice cream for the milk shakes. Burger-meister and Chef Joseph Mahon is with us with all the juicy details.

“Often times, when customers order a hamburger in a fine-dining establishment, they wind up disappointed. Either the patty blend isn’t right or the burger lacks a sauce or the whole dish is too precious.”

“Not so with Joseph Mahon. When the fine-dining veteran introduced his hamburger at the posh Bastide in West Hollywood, the reception was so overwhelmingly positive, Mahon started penciling out his own burger business.”

The result is The Burger Parlor in Fullerton and now, Old Towne Orange.

“Initially, Chef Mahon plied his sandwiches through food trucks and then a pop-up venue. “The first six months was a laboratory, improving consistency and getting guest feedback,” he reminisces. But changes in his personal life required a permanent address. “My daughter was on the way,” Mahon reveals, adding, “I stopped seeking out the next trend – I could chase that for 25 years.” He began to ask himself, “What’s more stable?”

“The answer was Burger Parlor, a location just around the corner from the pop-up site in Fullerton.”

“No matter what the burger combination, Mahon insists, “let the meat shine. Everything else is second, third or fourth.”

Chef Mahon generously shares his recipe for the Kali Burger on Pages 148 – 149 in West Coast Prime Meats Cooks – Professional Recipes For The Home Kitchen.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Owner / Executive Chef Brendan Collins of Birch, Larry’s and The Corner Door
Segment Three: Executive Pastry Chef Dahlia Narvaez, Osteria Mozza & Pizzeria Mozza
Segment Four: Meathead Goldwyn of AmazingRibs.com
Segment Five: Santa Barbara Car Free with Laura Kath
Segment Six: Chef Andrew Gruel with Shrimp 411
Segment Seven: Chef Joseph Mahon, The Burger Parlor, Fullerton & Old Towne Orange Part One
Segment Eight: Chef Joseph Mahon, The Burger Parlor, Fullerton & Old Towne Orange Part Two

Show 170, May 7, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris & 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.

Congrats to all the Southern California winners at The James Beard Foundation Awards presented in Chicago on May 2nd. A tip of the toque to Suzanne Goin, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, Dahlia Narvaez and food journalists Bill Esparza and Lesley Bargar Suter.

Now a sneak peak of Saturday’s appetizing show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

LA Weekly presents Tacolandia 2016 on Saturday afternoon, June 11th from 3 to 7:00 p.m. at El Pueblo de Los Angeles in DTLA. The fourth annual gourmet taco festival will feature more than 100 top taco vendors curated by the World’s First Tacorazzo, Bill Esparza, our guest.

The Hungry Cat in Downtown Santa Barbara is the newest restaurant in Chef David Lentz’s Hungry Cat empire which started in 2005 in a somewhat hidden location in Hollywood and eventually expanded to a highly visible, across the street from the beach location in Santa Monica. Santa Barbara’s General Manager, Bob Van Der Veer, joins us. He started in Hollywood as a relief bartender.

Panxa Cocina in Long Beach recently celebrated its year anniversary. It’s located in the former Christy’s space on E. Broadway. Chef Arthur Gonzalez ( the revived ROE Restaurant) is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner. It’s Santa Fe, New Mexico-style cuisine with rich, bold flavors and a lot of imagination. Chef Art is with us for the distinctive menu highlights.

Executive Chef Marc Johnson at Oak Grill at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach just launched Slow Smoked Sundaze. It’s a relaxed, family-style, smoked BBQ Sunday. Chef Marc is here with all the succulent details.

The 5th Annual Big Island Chocolate Festival gala is May 14th at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Kohala Coast. Indulge in both savory and sweet temptations prepared by top chefs and chocolatiers while watching award-winning Chef Donald Wressell of Guittard Chocolate Company, sculpt one of the largest volcanoes ever created in fine chocolate. Chef Donald is our guest.

The Hollywood Farmers Market and the parent non-profit, SEE-LA, is celebrating 25 successful years of providing the Los Angeles community with sustainable and fresh produce with special market events each Sunday in May. The Sunday event series features cookbook signings and demonstrations by a few of Los Angeles’ most celebrated chefs and cookbook authors. Executive Director James Haydu has all the celebratory 411.

Sushi has become mainstream in California. It’s even sold in neighborhood convenience stores. Our own resident seafood expect, Chef Andrew Gruel, has everything you need to know about practical sushi basics. He’ll have tips for ordering as well as proper sushi etiquette.

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