Show 249, November 25, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now a salivating preview of this Saturday’s ample Thanksgiving Weekend Show. No leftovers…it’s a fresh show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Vina Ardanza, the iconic wine of Spain’s La Rioja Alta, S.A., celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. In September the President of La Rioja Alta, S.A., Guillermo de Aranzabal Agudo, was in the USA for a brief key city tour to celebrate. The United States is an important market for them. He’s on the line this morning from Spain to chat with us.

In it’s 2nd season on KCET is “The Migrant Kitchen,” an Emmy-winning series. The 4-episode series explores how the next generation of chefs is creating cuisine inspired by the immigrant experience. Chef Diep Tran of Highland Park’s Good Girl Dinette is part of the upcoming “Beyond Pho” episode. We’ll meet her.

MaxLove Project is an innovative, grassroots nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the quality of life and reduce health risks for all children surviving cancer, both in treatment and beyond. MLP empowers families fighting childhood cancers and related life-threatening conditions with quality of life care, fierce foods, whole-body wellness resources, education and research. Co-Founder Audra Wilford is our guest.

Upon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and even drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms. After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is documented in the thoughtfully realized Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine. Deepa returns to the “SoCal Restaurant Show” for an encore chat.

Our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, is a certified coffee devotee. We’ll talk in-depth about his favorite beverage. He also shares some insider’s coffee trivia that may surprise you.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Show 249, November 25, 2017: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine

Deepa ThomasUpon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and even drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms.

After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is documented in Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine.

Equal parts cookbook, health-guide, kitchen companion, and memoir, Deepa’s Secrets introduces breakthrough recipes that are simple to prepare, colorful, and healthy while still keeping the complexity and integrity of their rich South Asian flavors. To demystify an “exotic” cuisine, Deepa provides step-by-step instructions with ingredient substitutions, shortcuts, and secret techniques that will make New Indian easy, everyday fare.

Proceeds of the book sales benefit the non-profit FoodCorps. Their mission is to connect kids with the skills (and meals) they need to thrive.

Deepa returns for an encore chat.

Show 249, November 25, 2017: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine Continues…

Deepa ThomasIn Deepa’s Secrets Deepa shares more than seventy recipes that are as mouthwatering and seductive as they are healthy and healing. Combining Western cooking techniques, new research on gut health and weight loss, and drawing on Ayurvedic wisdom (“When diet is right, medicine is of no need; and when diet is wrong, medicine is of no use”). The recipes Deepa developed allowed her and her husband to each lose more than twenty pounds and her husband to be free from a ten-year dependence on insulin shots.

A graduate of Delhi University with degrees in journalism and political science, Deepa Thomas moved to the US and, in 1985, founded Deepa Textiles. After 21 years and 23 design awards, the company has been credited with transforming the $10 billion a year contract furniture industry.

November 25: Andrew Gruel, La Rioja Alta, S.A., Diep Tran, MaxLove Project, Deepa Thomas

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Guillermo de Aranzabal Agudo, President, La Rioja Alta, S.A. (Vina Ardanza)
Segment Three: Chef / Proprietor Diep Tran, Good Girl Dinette, Highland Park, Los Angeles
Segment Four: Audra Wilford, Co-Founder, MaxLove Project
Segment Five: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine Part One
Segment Six: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine Part Two
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-host & Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Eight: Andy Harris, Co-Host & Executive Producer

Now a salivating preview of this Saturday’s ample Thanksgiving Weekend Show. No leftovers…it’s a fresh show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Vina Ardanza, the iconic wine of Spain’s La Rioja Alta, S.A., celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. In September the President of La Rioja Alta, S.A., Guillermo de Aranzabal Agudo, was in the USA for a brief key city tour to celebrate. The United States uis an important market for them. He’s on the line this morning from Spain to chat with us.

In it’s 2nd season on KCET is “The Migrant Kitchen,” an Emmy-winning series. The 4-episode series explores how the next generation of chefs is creating cuisine inspired by the immigrant experience. Chef Diep Tran of Highland Park’s Good Girl Dinette is part of the upcoming “Beyond Pho” episode. We’ll meet her.

MaxLove Project is an innovative, grassroots nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the quality of life and reduce health risks for all children surviving cancer, both in treatment and beyond. MLP empowers families fighting childhood cancers and related life-threatening conditions with quality of life care, fierce foods, whole-body wellness resources, education and research. Co-Founder Audra Wilford is our guest.

Upon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and even drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms. After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is documented in impressive Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine. Deepa returns to the “SoCal Restaurant Show” for an encore chat.

Our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, is a certified coffee devotee. We’ll talk in-depth about his favorite beverage.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Guillermo de Aranzabal AgudoVina Ardanza, the iconic wine of Spain’s La Rioja Alta, S.A., celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. In September the President of La Rioja Alta, S.A., Guillermo de Aranzabal Agudo, was in the USA for a brief key city tour to celebrate. He’s on the long-distance line this morning from Spain to chat with us.

Although it had already been produced and marketed for a few years before, the brand was officially registered on September 28, 1942 under the chairmanship of Leandro Ardanza. It takes the name from one of the five families who founded La Rioja Alta, S.A. in the Haro Station District of Spain in 1890.

Vina Ardanza is a wine mixing different varieties and plots. To achieve the “burgundy style” with great aging potential, La Rioja Alta, S.A. blends wine with different characteristics. On the one hand, Tempranillos from Rioja Alta, elegant, fine, with great aging potential, medium structure and moderate alcohol content. On the other, Granachas, powerful wines with great structure originating in Rioja Baja.

Vina Ardanza is a typical Rioja blend without a set recipe. The Vina Ardanza style is unique, but the blend of varieties, percentages, terroirs, barrels and even how long it is aged, varies with each vintage, always looking for consistency.

American Oak has always been linked to the personality of Vina Ardanza. With long aging periods, it provides distinctive nuances that connect with the profile of wines historically produced by La Rioja Alta, S.A.

Vina Ardanza, like the other wines of Grupo La Rioja Alta, S.A., is not made every year. They only market vintages in which both Tempranillo and Granacha attain their quality requirements. This happens 5 to 6 times per decade.

Diep TranIn it’s 2nd season on KCET is “The Migrant Kitchen,” an Emmy-winning series. The 4-episode series explores how the next generation of chefs is creating cuisine inspired by the immigrant experience. Chef Diep Tran of Highland Park’s Good Girl Dinette is part of the upcoming “Beyond Pho” episode.

Airing on Wednesday evening, November 29th is the “Beyond Pho” episode of “The Migrant Kitchen.” Banh Mi. Spring rolls. Pho. The war and its subsequent refugees. These are things most commonly associated with the Vietnamese culture and its people. But a group of chefs in Los Angeles (including Cassia’s Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng, Diep Tran of Good Girl Dinette, and Minh Phan of Porridge & Puffs) are hoping to demonstrate that there’s so much more than that. Featured in the episode: Cassia in Santa Monica, Good Girl Dinette in Highland Park, Red Boat Fish Sauce.

The second season of the James Beard Award and Webby-nominated series, continues to spotlight chefs who are combining traditional, ethnic cuisines with new flavors and fresh techniques that have transformed the culinary landscape of the city, making it one of the food capitals of the world.  Season Two examines tradition and innovation in cuisines celebrating the food cultures of Mexico, Vietnam, Japan and India, as well as their various interpretations found in Los Angeles.

We’ll meet Good Girl Dinette’s Chef Diep.

Audra WilfordMaxLove Project is an innovative grassroots nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the quality of life and reduce health risks for all children surviving cancer, both in treatment and beyond. MLP empowers families fighting childhood cancers and related life-threatening conditions with quality of life care, fierce foods, whole-body wellness resources, education and research.

MaxLove Project, an Orange County nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of child cancer patients, survivors and their families, recently raised $240,000 at their annual fundraiser to launch an initiative in partnership with Northern California-based The Charlie Cart Project with the goal of placing a nutritional teaching kitchen in every children’s hospital in the country.

The Charlie Cart is a mobile teaching kitchen equipped with a sink, oven, pantry storage, kitchen supplies and more. Each cart costs $9,500, as opposed to the enormous expense of constructing a kitchen at each children’s hospital nationwide.

“MaxLove Project has grown out of the idea that food can be medicine. When families face serious health conditions like pediatric cancer, they need to be empowered to take their children’s quality of life in their own hands,” MaxLove Project Co-Founder Audra Wilford, whose son Max is a brain cancer survivor, said. “By learning culinary skills and the nutrition science principles we call ‘Fierce Foods,’ parents and kids together can thrive against the odds.”

MaxLove Project is developing a curriculum where representatives and local chefs will educate doctors, nurses and the public on the healing potential of food as medicine. Locally, MaxLove Project has teamed up with Chefs Azmin Ghahreman of Sapphire Laguna, Zov Karamardian of Zov’s Bistro, Greg Daniels of Haven Gastropub, Michael Puglisi of Electric City Butcher and Cathy McKnight of Eilo to spearhead the movement.

Co-Founder of the MaxLove Project, Audra Wilford, is our guest.

Deepa ThomasUpon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and even drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms.

After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is documented in Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine.

Equal parts cookbook, health-guide, kitchen companion, and memoir, Deepa’s Secrets introduces breakthrough recipes that are simple to prepare, colorful, and healthy while still keeping the complexity and integrity of their rich South Asian flavors. To demystify an “exotic” cuisine, Deepa provides step-by-step instructions with ingredient substitutions, shortcuts, and secret techniques that will make New Indian easy, everyday fare.

Proceeds of the book sales benefit the non-profit FoodCorps. Their mission is to connect kids with the skills (and meals) they need to thrive.

Deepa returns for an encore chat.

In Deepa’s Secrets Deepa shares more than seventy recipes that are as mouthwatering and seductive as they are healthy and healing. Combining Western cooking techniques, new research on gut health and weight loss, and drawing on Ayurvedic wisdom (“When diet is right, medicine is of no need; and when diet is wrong, medicine is of no use”). The recipes Deepa developed allowed her and her husband to each lose more than twenty pounds and her husband to be free from a ten-year dependence on insulin shots.

A graduate of Delhi University with degrees in journalism and political science, Deepa Thomas moved to the US and, in 1985, founded Deepa Textiles. After 21 years and 23 design awards, the company has been credited with transforming the $10 billion a year contract furniture industry.

Andrew and William GruelTime to catch-up with our on-the-go, esteemed Co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, Butterleaf and Two Birds fame. Chef Andrew’s favorite beverage is coffee. We’ll get brewing with a fresh pot.

Chef Andrew joins us from Family Thanksgiving celebrations on the East Coast.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Guillermo de Aranzabal Agudo, President, La Rioja Alta, S.A. (Vina Ardanza)
Segment Three: Chef / Proprietor Diep Tran, Good Girl Dinette, Highland Park, Los Angeles
Segment Four: Audra Wilford, Co-Founder, MaxLove Project
Segment Five: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine Part One
Segment Six: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine Part Two
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-host & Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Eight: Andy Harris, Co-Host & Executive Producer

Show 242, September 30, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now an appetizing preview of Saturday, September 30th’s tantalizing show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Porto’s Bakery on the Westside? For the very first time Porto’s is temporarily making a limited engagement appearance (on now through March 4, 2018) at the Annenberg Space for Photography (Century City) in the Dona Dulce Café in connection with the Cuba Is photography exhibit. Betty Porto joins us with the sweet details.

Upon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and even drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms. After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is documented in Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine. We’ll meet her.

Kenyon Paar is the seasoned General Manager of the historic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar as well as the adjacent SideDoor. Both are still refreshingly Family-owned. Upcoming is Porktoberfest and the much-anticipated, festive Holiday season activities at both establishment. Congrats to Kenyon, our guest, on her year anniversary at Five Crowns and SideDoor.

Jonathan Melendez, a C-CAP graduate, is a food photographer, blogger, cook, baker, recipe developer and the author of The Slider Effect – You Can’t Eat Just One. “Break out of that burger rut, and switch things up with sliders for breakfast, lunch or dinner.” Chef Jonathan joins us sharing all the proven tricks to true slider nirvana.

Los Angeles’ itinerary for The James Beard Foundation’s 5th Annual Taste America Los Angeles will kick off on Friday, October 6 at Vibiana with A Night of Culinary Stars, an exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation. The evening will begin with a reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs and restaurateurs, including Evan Funke (Felix, Venice), Justin Hilbert (Maude, Beverly Hills), Sara Kramer (Kismet, Los Angeles), Amanda Chapman and Johnny Ray Zone (Howlin’ Ray’s, Los Angeles) and David Schlosser (Shibumi, Los Angeles) as well as host chef Neal Fraser (Shibumi, Los Angeles). Afterwards, guests will be seated for an extraordinary one-night-only dinner prepared by Taste America All-Star & James Beard Award-Winner Barbara Lynch (Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston) along with Local Star Michael Cimarusti (Providence and Connie and Ted’s, Los Angeles) and pastry chef Shannon Swindle (Craft Los Angeles, Los Angeles). Host Chef Neal Fraser joins us with the details.

Laura Donadoni is our resident expert wine ambassador when it comes to selections from her native Italy. This time we’re talking about the wines of Lugana D.O.C. from the Lombardy region of Italy. The grape is turbiana.

What’s the recipe for a really successful wine dinner? On Oct. 12th Café del Rey in Marina del Rey is hosting a very special Wines of Italy Dinner presented by Italian wine authority Laura Donadoni. General Manager Brian Cousins and Executive Chef David Vilchez join in the conversation. We’ll learn how the menu is created and how the Italian wine pairings are conceived

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Show 242, September 30, 2017: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine

Deepa ThomasUpon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms (“When diet is right, medicine is of no need; and when diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.”).

After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is fully documented in Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine.

Part Indian cookbook, diet guide, kitchen companion, and memoir, Deepa’s Secrets introduces breakthrough slow carb and gut-healing recipes that are simple and healthy without sacrificing their rich South Asian flavors. To demystify an “exotic” cuisine, Thomas provides step-by-step instructions with ingredient substitutions (all ghee-free!), shortcuts, and secret techniques that will make New Indian easy, everyday fare. Beautifully photographed with menu plans, kitchen wisdom, and scientific commentary, Deepa’s Secrets includes East-to-West recipes.

A journey from old traditions to modern Indian cooking with deliciously simple and gut-healing recipes that leave you feeling fulfilled—rather than full.

Proceeds of the book sales benefit the American non-profit, FoodCorps. Their mission is to connect kids with the skills (and meals) they need to thrive.

A graduate of Delhi University with degrees in journalism and political science, Deepa Thomas moved to the US and, in 1985, founded Deepa Textiles. After 21 years and 23 design awards, the company has been credited with transforming the $10 billion a year contract furniture industry.

We’ll meet Deepa.

September 30: Porto’s Bakery, Deepa Thomas, Five Crowns, Jonathan Melendez, Neal Fraser, Laura Donadoni, Cafe del Rey

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Betty Porto, Porto’s Bakery
Segment Three: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine
Segment Four: Kenyon Paar, General Manager – Five Crowns & SideDoor, Corona del Mar
Segment Five: Chef & Food Photographer Jonathan Melendez, The Slider Effect
Segment Six: Chef Neal Fraser, Redbird, JBF’s Taste America Los Angeles Benefit
Segment Seven: Laura Donadoni, Certified Sommelier, Lugana D.O.C.
Segment Eight: Café del Rey’s GM Brian Cousins & Executive Chef David Vilchez

Now an appetizing preview of this Saturday’s tantalizing show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Porto’s Bakery on the Westside? For the very first time Porto’s is temporarily making a limited engagement appearance (through early March of 2018) at the Annenberg Space for Photography (Century City) in the Dona Dulce Café in connection with the “Cuba Is” photography exhibit. Betty Porto joins us with the sweet details.

Upon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and even drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms. After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is documented in Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine. We’ll meet her.

Kenyon Paar is the seasoned General Manager of the historic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar as well as the adjacent SideDoor. Both are still refreshingly Family-owned. Upcoming is Porktoberfest and the festive Holiday season activities at both establishment. Congrats to Kenyon, our guest, on her year anniversary at Five Crowns and SideDoor.

Jonathan Melendez, a C-CAP graduate, is a food photographer, blogger, cook, baker, recipe developer and the author of The Slider Effect – You Can’t Eat Just One. “Break out of that burger rut, and switch things up with sliders for breakfast, lunch or dinner.” Chef Jonathan joins us sharing all the proven tricks to true slider nirvana.

Los Angeles’ itinerary for The James Beard Foundation’s 5th Annual Taste America Los Angeles will kick off on Friday, October 6 at Vibiana with A Night of Culinary Stars, an exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation. The evening will begin with a reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs and restaurateurs, including Evan Funke (Felix, Venice), Justin Hilbert (Maude, Beverly Hills), Sara Kramer (Kismet, Los Angeles), Amanda Chapman and Johnny Ray Zone (Howlin’ Ray’s, Los Angeles) and David Schlosser (Shibumi, Los Angeles) as well as host chef Neal Fraser (Redbird, Los Angeles). Afterwards, guests will be seated for an extraordinary one-night-only dinner prepared by Taste America All-Star & James Beard Award-Winner Barbara Lynch (Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston) along with Local Star Michael Cimarusti (Providence and Connie and Ted’s, Los Angeles) and pastry chef Shannon Swindle (Craft Los Angeles, Los Angeles). Host Chef Neal Fraser joins us with the details.

Laura Donadoni is our resident expert wine ambassador when it comes to selections from her native Italy. This time we’re talking about the wines of Lugana D.O.C. from the Lombardy region of Italy. The grape is turbiana.

What’s the recipe for a really successful wine dinner? On Oct. 12th Café del Rey in Marina del Rey is hosting a very special Wines of Italy Dinner presented by Italian wine authority Laura Donadoni. General Manager Brian Cousins and Executive Chef David Vilchez join in the conversation. We’ll learn how the menu is created and how the Italian wine pairings are conceived

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Betty Porto in front of the Porto's Bakery Bread RackPorto’s Bakery on the Westside? For the very first time Porto’s is temporarily making a limited engagement appearance (through early March of 2018) at the Annenberg Space for Photography (Century City) in the Dona Dulce Café in connection with the Cuba Is photography exhibit. The coffee is from F. Gavina & Sons.

Open 11am-5pm, Wednesday through Sunday, Doña Dulce immerses guests in a Havana-inspired space that temporarily transports visitors to the Caribbean island nation with a taste of authentic Cuban delights.

Sweets
Milk ‘n Berries
Cappuccino Mousse
Mango Mousse
Taste of Cuba (1 guava cheese roll, 2 cheese rolls)
Havana Kiss (1 chocolate besito, 1 hazelnut besito, 1 raspberry besito and coconut glaze)

Beverages
Café Cubano
Cortadito
Café con Leche
Brewed Coffee – House Blend

Betty Porto joins us with the sweet details.

Deepa ThomasUpon learning that rice and bread were the culprits for her husband’s Type 2 diabetes, entrepreneur Deepa Thomas deconstructed and reinvented her native Indian cuisine. She slow-carbonized family recipes, used Western cooking techniques, incorporated breaking-news research on gut health and weight loss, and drew from her grandfather’s Ayurvedic wisdoms (“When diet is right, medicine is of no need; and when diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.”).

After three months, Deepa lost twenty-five pounds and freed her husband from a ten-year-long routine of insulin shots. The impressive result is fully documented in Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine.

Part Indian cookbook, diet guide, kitchen companion, and memoir, Deepa’s Secrets introduces breakthrough slow carb and gut-healing recipes that are simple and healthy without sacrificing their rich South Asian flavors. To demystify an “exotic” cuisine, Thomas provides step-by-step instructions with ingredient substitutions (all ghee-free!), shortcuts, and secret techniques that will make New Indian easy, everyday fare. Beautifully photographed with menu plans, kitchen wisdom, and scientific commentary, Deepa’s Secrets includes East-to-West recipes.

A journey from old traditions to modern Indian cooking with deliciously simple and gut-healing recipes that leave you feeling fulfilled—rather than full.

A graduate of Delhi University with degrees in journalism and political science, Deepa Thomas moved to the US and, in 1985, founded Deepa Textiles. After 21 years and 23 design awards, the company has been credited with transforming the $10 billion a year contract furniture industry.

We’ll meet Deepa.

Kenyon PaarKenyon Paar is the seasoned General Manager of the historic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar as well as the adjacent SideDoor. Both are still refreshingly Family-owned. Upcoming is Porktoberfest and the festive Holiday season activities at both establishments. A great seasonal tradition…

The ever-popular SideDoor Cheese Takeovers continue the third Wednesday of each month through January.

On October 18th the 6th annual Porktoberfest returns to the Five Crowns Greenhouse and Garden. A 6-course meal from Executive Chef Anthony Endy will be paired with Firestone Walker beers and hosted by Co-Founder David Walker, himself.

Congrats to Kenyon, our guest, on her year anniversary at Five Crowns and SideDoor.

Jonathan Melendez Jonathan Melendez, a C-CAP graduate, is a food photographer, blogger, cook, baker, recipe developer and the author of The Slider Effect – You Can’t Eat Just One. “Break out of that burger rut, and switch things up with sliders for breakfast, lunch or dinner.”

“Way better than a cupcake, sliders are delicious and fun—you can’t eat just one. They are the perfect bite that can be served as an appetizer, tapa, entrée, side, or midnight snackIndulge in the awesome world of sliders and mini sandwiches through 75 omnivorous and vegetarian recipes, complete with homemade breads, buns, and sauces. These are that are more than just your usual mini burgers.”

“The ingredient and flavor combinations that can fit between two buns are limitless. The Slider Effect focuses on these amazing small bites, featuring the best recipes and 60 delicious photographs designed to turn you into a slider pro. The four main chapters focus on meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian sliders, and there is something for everyone.”

“In the Meat chapter you’ll find recipes for Grilled Steak and Potato Sliders as well as Mediterranean Lamb Sliders. The Poultry chapter will introduce you to Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle Sliders, Turkey-Bacon BLT Avocado Sliders, and Chicken Curry Sliders. The Seafood chapter ranges from Fish and Chips Sliders to Shrimp Fajita Sliders. And in the Vegetarian chapter you’ll find tiny buns filled with ingredients like roasted beets, eggplant, polenta, and black beans. If you feel like making your own rolls, there are recipes ranging from biscuits to challah and from waffle to pretzel buns. And what slider would not be complete without a dab of Cilantro, Lime, and Green Chile Aioli or Arugula Pumpkin Seed Pesto on top? There is no end to what you can make work in a slider.”

Chef Jonathan joins us to share all his proven tricks to true slider nirvana.

Neal FraserLos Angeles’ itinerary for The James Beard Foundation’s 5th Annual Taste America Los Angeles will kick off on Friday, October 6 at Vibiana with A Night of Culinary Stars, an exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation. The evening will begin with a reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs and restaurateurs, including Evan Funke (Felix, Venice), Justin Hilbert (Maude, Beverly Hills), Sara Kramer (Kismet, Los Angeles), Amanda Chapman and Johnny Ray Zone (Howlin’ Ray’s, Los Angeles) and David Schlosser (Shibumi, Los Angeles) as well as host chef Neal Fraser (Redbird, Los Angeles).

Afterwards, guests will be seated for an extraordinary one-night-only dinner prepared by Taste America All-Star & James Beard Award-Winner Barbara Lynch (Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston) along with Local Star Michael Cimarusti (Providence and Connie and Ted’s, Los Angeles) and pastry chef Shannon Swindle (Craft Los Angeles, Los Angeles).

Host Chef Neal Fraser joins us with the delectable details.

Laura DonadoniLaura Donadoni is our expert wine ambassador when it comes to selections from her native Italy. This time we’re talking about the wines of Lugana D.O.C. from the Lombardy region of Italy.

“Lugana is the name of the magical land nestled within the ancient Quadrilateral defense system of the Lake Garda region. The Lugana wine region encompasses two provinces (Brescia and Verona) and two regions (Lombardy and Veneto) in the morainic plain south of Lake Garda. Its unique qualities originate from the beneficial microclimate of the lake, the local clay soil, and a particular variety of grapes named “turbiana” that make it full-bodied, age worthy, and grant it a floral and citrus bouquet.”

Brian CousinsWhat’s the recipe for a really successful wine dinner? On Oct. 12th Café del Rey in Marina del Rey is hosting a very special Wines of Italy Dinner presented by Italian wine authority Laura Donadoni.

The evening starts festively with flat bread with smoked sundried tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil paired with Franciacorta, Ca’del Bosco, Brut, Cuvee Prestige. Just desserts is honey oregano goat cheese ice cream with a pistachio cranberry biscotti martched with Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, Spumante, Dolce.

General Manager Brian Cousins and Executive Chef David Vilchez join in the conversation. We’ll learn how the menu is created and how the Italian wine pairings are conceived.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Betty Porto, Porto’s Bakery
Segment Three: Deepa Thomas, Deepa’s Secrets – Slow Carb / New Indian Cuisine
Segment Four: Kenyon Paar, General Manager – Five Crowns & SideDoor, Corona del Mar
Segment Five: Chef & Food Photographer Jonathan Melendez, The Slider Effect
Segment Six: Chef Neal Fraser, Redbird, JBF’s Taste America Los Angeles Benefit
Segment Seven: Laura Donadoni, Certified Sommelier, Lugana D.O.C.
Segment Eight: Café del Rey’s GM Brian Cousins & Executive Chef David Vilchez