Show 295, October 27, 2018: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Ruby Princess arriving in Cabo San Lucus, Baja CaliforniaNow an enticing preview of this Saturday’s properly celebratory show. It’s the 6th Anniversary of the launch of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and we’re celebrating in style with Princess Cruises aboard Ruby Princess. 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…

This week we’ve been aboard Ruby Princess for a 5-Night sailing to Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. Today’s show will highlight this experience from the luxe accommodations to the diversity of the appealing cuisine and memorable shore excursions in Cabo. Thanks to Princess Cruises and the wonderful team aboard Ruby Princess, especially Food & Beverage Director Andrea Baiardo, for all the gracious hospitality. I was among the 3,000 guests aboard.

The inaugural cruise of Ruby Princess was November 8, 2008. It’s 951 feet in length with 1,200 in crew.
Riccardo Capraro is the Hotel Director aboard Ruby Princess. After the Captain he’s the next highest-ranking officer aboard ship. He’s responsible for just about everything other than safely maneuvering the ship. Huge responsibility. Ricardo has served 22 years with Princess Cruises and speaks English, Italian and Spanish.

What’s a cruise without appealing food and a range of creative libations?  On Ruby Princess this is the responsibility of Andrea Baiardo, the Food & Beverage Director. We’ll meet Andrea, an executive chef by experience and training, and a five-year employee of Princess.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s first restaurant at sea, SHARE, gives you an exclusive opportunity to enjoy his exquisite cuisine. It’s available aboard select Princess vessels including Ruby Princess. Chef Curtis’ Corporate Chef Christian Dortch works with the staff at each SHARE at sea to guarantee Curtis Stone’s culinary vision is maintained. We’ll meet him.

Distinguised chef Pierre-Marie Leprince is Princess Cruises’ Director of Guest Culinary Experience. We chatted with him earlier this year after visiting his impressive research kitchen in Santa Clarita and he now encores with us to discuss our cruise dining experience aboard Ruby Princess.

Bill Esparza is winner of a James Beard award (with Lesley Bargar Suter) for his coverage of the LA taco scene in Los Angeles Magazine. Considered one of the country’s leading experts on Mexican food, the LA native previously curated the annual Tacolandia festival in Los Angeles (now on hiatus) and writes about Mexican food for Los Angeles Magazine and other notable publications. Bill is a new Princess spokesperson and authoritative Latin America shore excursion consultant.

A relatively new position with the Princess Cruises’ family is the post of Entertainment Director. On Ruby Princess this is Kelly Rose. In the role of Entertainment Director she is responsible for the entire entertainment operation. The Cruise Director (a direct report) hosts the main shows and events.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

October 27: Our 6th Anniversary Show aboard the Ruby Princess

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Riccardo Capraro, Hotel Director, Ruby Princess, Princess Cruises
Segment Three: Andrea Baiardo, Food & Beverage Director, Ruby Princess
Segment Four: Corporate Chef (for Curtis Stone) Christian Dortch’ SHARE by Curtis Stone
Segment Five: Chef Pierre-Marie Leprince, Director Guest Culinary Experience, Princess Cruises
Segment Six: Food Journalist Bill Esparza, Spokesperson for Princess Cruises
Segment Seven: Kelly Rose, Entertainment Director, Ruby Princess, Princess Cruises

Ruby Princess arriving in Cabo San Lucus, Baja CaliforniaNow an enticing preview of this Saturday’s properly celebratory show. It’s the 6th Anniversary of the launch of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and we’re celebrating in style with Princess Cruises aboard Ruby Princess. 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…

This week we’ve been aboard Ruby Princess for a 5-Night sailing to Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. Today’s show will highlight this experience from the luxe accommodations to the diversity of the appealing cuisine and memorable shore excursions in Cabo.

Riccardo Capraro is the Hotel Director aboard Ruby Princess. After the Captain he’s the next highest-ranking officer aboard ship. He’s responsible for just about everything other than safely maneuvering the ship. Huge responsibility. Ricardo has served 22 years with Princess Cruises and speaks English, Italian and Spanish.

What’s a cruise without incredible food and a range of creative libations ?  On Ruby Princess this is the responsibility of Andrea Baiardo, the Food & Beverage Director. We’ll meet Andrea, an executive chef by experience and training, and a five-year employee of Princess.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s first restaurant at sea, SHARE, gives you an exclusive opportunity to enjoy his exquisite cuisine. It’s available aboard select Princess vessels including Ruby Princess. Chef Curtis’ Corporate Chef Christian Dortch works with the staff at each SHARE at sea to guarantee Curtis Stone’s culinary vision is maintained. We’ll meet him.

Distinguised chef Pierre-Marie Leprince is Princess Cruises’ Director of Guest Culinary Experience. We chatted with him earlier this year after visiting his impressive research kitchen in Santa Clarita and he now encores with us to discuss our cruise dining experience aboard Ruby Princess.

Bill Esparza is winner of a James Beard award (with Lesley Bargar Suter) for his coverage of the LA taco scene in Los Angeles Magazine. Considered one of the country’s leading experts on Mexican food, the LA native previously curated the annual Tacolandia festival in Los Angeles (now on hiatus) and writes about Mexican food for Los Angeles Magazine and other notable publications. Bill is Princess’ authoritative Latin America shore excursion consultant.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Riccardo CapraroRiccardo Capraro is the Hotel Director aboard Ruby Princess. After the Captain he’s the next highest- ranking officer aboard ship.

He’s responsible for just about everything other than safely maneuvering the ship. Huge responsibility. Ricardo has served 22 years with Princess Cruises and speaks English, Italian and Spanish.

Andrea BaiardoWhat’s a cruise without incredible food and a range creative libations? On Ruby Princess this is the responsibility of Andrea Baiardo, the Food & Beverage Director.

We’ll meet Andrea, an executive chef by training with five-years of service with Princess.

 

Christian DortchCelebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s first restaurant at sea, SHARE, gives you an exclusive opportunity to enjoy his exquisite cuisine in 6-courses with lots of choice along the way. It’s available aboard select Princess vessels including Ruby Princess. SHARE by Curtis Stone originated on Ruby Princess a bit over 3 years ago.

Chef Curtis’ Corporate Chef Christian Dortch (ex-Maude) works with the staff at each SHARE at sea to guarantee Curtis Stone’s culinary vision is maintained. We’ll meet him.

Pierre-Marie LeprinceDistinguised and honored chef Pierre-Marie Leprince is Princess Cruises’ Director of Guest Culinary Experience.

With Princess Cruises leading the way the glory days of distinctive dining at sea have returned. No matter what a guest might be craving, there is a delicious, freshly-prepared option available aboard each Princess Cruises ship.

We chatted with Chef Leprince earlier this year after visiting his well-equipped research kitchen in Santa Clarita for a tasting and he now encores with us to discuss our cruise dining experience aboard Ruby Princess.

Bill EsparzaBill Esparza is winner of a James Beard award (with Lesley Bargar Suter) for his coverage of the LA taco scene in Los Angeles Magazine. Considered one of the country’s leading experts on Mexican food, the LA native previously curated the annual Tacolandia festival in Los Angeles (on hiatus) and writes about Mexican food for Los Angeles Magazine and other notable publications. Bill is Princess’ authoritative Latin America shore excursion consultant.

In Cabo at San Jose del Cabo we partook of a tour he created, Le Revolucion / Tortilla Workshop and Taco Experience with Chef Benito Molina. His famous Oyster Kung Fu Tacos were on the menu.

Bill fills us in on his new role for Princess Cruises.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Riccardo Capraro, Hotel Director, Ruby Princess, Princess Cruises
Segment Three: Andrea Baiardo, Food & Beverage Director, Ruby Princess
Segment Four: Corporate Chef (for Curtis Stone) Christian Dortch’ SHARE by Curtis Stone
Segment Five: Chef Pierre-Marie Leprince, Director Guest Culinary Experience, Princess Cruises
Segment Six: Food Journalist Bill Esparza, Spokesperson for Princess Cruises
Segment Seven: Kelly Rose, Entertainment Director, Ruby Princess, Princess Cruises

Show 284, August 4, 2018: Chef Pierre-Marie Leprince, Director of Guest Culinary Experience, Princess Cruises

Pierre-Marie LeprinceWith Princess Cruises leading the way the fondly-remembered days of distinctive dining at sea have returned. No matter what a guest might be craving, there is a delicious, freshly-prepared option available aboard each Princess Cruises ship.

Earlier this year Chef Pierre-Marie Leprince was bestowed the honor of Master Chef of France by the Association of the Master Chefs of France. Only 30 chefs from around the world will be so honored in 2018.

As Director of Guest Culinary Experience, Chef Leprince works with Princess Cruises’ executive and onboard culinary teams to ensure they are maintaining the finest standards. Princess Cruises is one of the few cruise lines whose ships were built with the delivery of fresh cuisine in mind.

The line’s culinary approach is “Designed for Fresh,” with breads baked freshly all day, sauces made from scratch using the freshest ingredients, steaks aged and hand cut onboard, and house-prepared ice cream made daily.

Chef Leprince and his team strive to ensure that guests discover the unique flavors of the places they visit while dining onboard Princess ships. He is also responsible for developing and updating the menus onboard all 17 Princess Cruises ships.

Princess also collaborates with accomplished celebrity chefs to creatively enhance the dining experience at sea. Curtis Stone has SHARE by Curtis Stone Restaurants on three Princess ships and also has special seasonal “Chef Curtis Stone” dishes available in the Main Dining Room of other Princess vessels. Chef Ernesto Uchimura (the original menu developer for Umami Burger and Chef/Partner for Plan Check Kitchen + Bar) has developed the Salty Dog Gastropub concept for Princess available on select ships.

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships (with 3 more under construction) renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment, and amenities, all provided with the experience of exceptional customer service. As the world’s largest international premium cruise brand, Princess carries two million guests each year to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than 150 itineraries ranging in length from three to 114 days.

Show 44, October 19, 2013: The L.A. Sriracha Festival, Sunday, October 27th

LA Sriracha FestivalWith the growing popularity of Sriracha in Southern California as a condiment you just knew it had to happen. On Sunday, October 27th from 3 to 6:00 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles the curtain will go up on the first annual L.A. Sriracha Festival.

The chef driven food festival is organized by Food GPS’s Josh Lurie and food journalist Randy Clemens. Randy has written two well-received books on Sriracha. His latest is The Veggie-Lovers Sriracha Cookbook.

Josh and Randy joined us to take the green cap off the familiar Sriracha bottle and drizzle out all the spicy details.

Multiple stations will allow guests to savor a variety of Sriracha themed dishes, including desserts. Local craft beer, cocktails, and sodas will be there to help temper the heat.

The impressive chefs’ line-up includes Neal Fraser, Eric Greenspan, and Ernesto Uchimura of Plan Check Kitchen.

October 19: Daniel Boulud, Andy Ricker, Sriracha Festival, Honda Center Catering

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Daniel Boulud, executive chef & global restaurateur based in New York
Segment Three: Daniel Boulud, executive chef & global restaurateur based in New York Part Two
Segment Four: Chef Jo-Jo Doyle, executive chef, The Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Segment Five: The L.A. Sriracha Festival, Sunday, October 27th
Segment Six: Andy Ricker, chef and restaurateur, Pok Pok, Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn, New York Part One
Segment Seven: Andy Ricker, chef and restaurateur, Pok Pok, Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn, New York Part Two
Segment Eight: Jet and Allison Tila (Mrs. Jet Tila)

Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris preview the show.

Marche Moderne in South Coast Plaza Costa MesaDon’t forget Marche Moderne’s (South Coast Plaza) upcoming “The Pig Head To Toe 3.0” for one week only! The dinner showcases Executive Chef Florent Marneau’s modern interpretation of a fall classic – choucroute – (sauerkraut) and a celebration of pork in nine different ways. The seasonal menu, priced at $30 per guest, will be available at dinner only from October 22 to 29. Plan ahead…

Daniel BouludWhen it comes to true French chef royalty the revered leader in New York is everyone’s favorite Frenchman, Daniel Boulud. His Three Michelin starred flagship restaurant, Daniel, is celebrating its 20th year of culinary excellence.

His newest cookbook, DANIEL: My French Cuisine, was two years in the making and is the perfect gift book for food-lovers for the Holidays. There are 125 spectacular photos of Boulud’s food and Daniel restaurant.

The book has 75 signature recipes plus an additional 12 recipes Chef Boulud prepares for his friends, at home, on more casual occasions. He actually lives above the restaurant in the proud European tradition of owner/chefs.

Food journalist Bill Buford is also a contributor to the handsome coffee table book. He has pieces on the origin and preparation of ten iconic French dishes.

Chef Boulud is making a rare appearance in Los Angeles next week supporting the release of the cookbook.

On October 23rd he’ll be at Hotel Bel-Air cooking a sumptuous five course dinner with Wolfgang Puck.

On Thursday, Oct. 24th at Noon, Chef Daniel will be signing copies of DANIEL: My French Cuisine at Whole Foods at 6350 W. 3rd St. in Los Angeles across the street from the Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax.

Finally that evening he will be in conversation with the notable Los Angeles Times restaurant critic, Jonathan Gold, at the William Turner Gallery at Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica. The talk is at 8:00 p.m. with an earlier reception running from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There are reserved as well as General Admission seats.

Our neighbor to the North, across E. Katella Ave., is the Honda Center, home of Ducks hockey. Earlier in the year they took the highly unusual step of bringing all of their food service in-house to have better quality control of all the food and beverage served there.

Jo Jo DoyleThe new executive chef supervising everything from hot dogs to the gourmet food going into the luxury boxes is Jo-Jo Doyle. You’ll meet him on Saturday’s show. He was most recently overseeing the entire operation at Churchill Downs home of the famous Kentucky Derby.

Chef Doyle is now responsible for managing all food and beverage offerings at Honda Center including the spectacular new Grand Terrace (a 15,000 square foot indoor/outdoor entertainment space,) Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Club restaurant and bar, concessions and catering.

LA Sriracha FestivalWith the growing popularity of Sriracha in Southern California as a condiment you just knew it had to happen. On Sunday, October 27th from 3 to 6:00 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles the curtain will go up on the first annual L.A. Sriracha Festival.

The chef driven food festival is organized by Food GPS’s Josh Lurie and food journalist Randy Clemens. Randy has written two well-received books on Sriracha. His latest is The Veggie-Lovers Sriracha Cookbook.

Josh and Randy join us to take the green cap off the familiar Sriracha bottle and drizzle out all the spicy details.

Multiple stations will allow guests to savor a variety of Sriracha themed dishes, including desserts. Local craft beer, cocktails and sodas will be there to help temper the heat.

The impressive chefs’ line-up includes Neal Fraser, Eric Greenspan, and Ernesto Uchimura of Plan Check Kitchen.

Andy Ricker of Pok PokSurprisingly, Chef Andy Ricker is not from Thailand but as an accomplished restaurateur he’s found great success recreating the flavors of Northern Thailand which he really fell in love with during an extensive visit in 1992. He started with a modest restaurant in Portland, Oregon and his growing empire now extends to Brooklyn.

The original Pok Pok in Portland because a must-stop destination for visiting foodies after being profiled on Food Network’s “Diners Drive-ins and Dives.” In 2011 Andy was bestowed the honor of “Best Chef – Northwest” from The James Beard Foundation.

Just out from Ten Speed Press is Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand. Particularly helpful are the writings on what differentiates the various regions of Thai cuisine. The book also contains suggestions for complete menus using the various recipes.

“Pok Pok” is a Thai reference to the sound heard from a mortar and pestle when you are grinding food in it.

On to the recipes…

Chef Ricker shares his signature recipe for chicken wings which is more Vietnamese than Thai. He also talks about the famed papaya salad and provides tips on how to properly prepare it. In Thailand there are some hundred variations of this popular dish.

Chef Jet Tila host of the SoCal Restaurant ShowWhen Jet’s wife, Allison, is out socially the question she hears the most is, “What’s it like being married to a prominent chef ?” The expectation is that it’s either chef-prepared gourmet meals nightly or dining out at the very best restaurants. Not exactly…

Inspired by award-winning food journalist Al Mancini’s provocative piece for Las Vegas CityLife ( “Late for dinner : Being the spouse of a chef is often lonely”) Jet and Ali paint the real picture. No violins please…It’s far from glamorous but the good news is that Allison really wouldn’t trade places with anyone!

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Daniel Boulud, executive chef & global restaurateur based in New York
Segment Three: Daniel Boulud, executive chef & global restaurateur based in New York Part Two
Segment Four: Chef Jo-Jo Doyle, executive chef, The Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Segment Five: The L.A. Sriracha Festival, Sunday, October 27th
Segment Six: Andy Ricker, chef and restaurateur, Pok Pok, Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn, New York Part One
Segment Seven: Andy Ricker, chef and restaurateur, Pok Pok, Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn, New York Part Two
Segment Eight: Jet and Allison Tila (Mrs. Jet Tila)