Show 562, January 27, 2024: Chef and Restaurateur Nancy Silverton with The Cookie That Changed My Life Part One

Nancy Silverton of Mozza Restaurant Group

“Nancy Silverton, the author of The Cookie That Changed My Life and More Than 100 Other Classic Cakes, Cookies, Muffins, and Pies That Will Change Yours, changed the way America bakes. As the original pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago (celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year,) she made us rethink how we make and eat bread. Now this “pastry doyenne” (Los Angeles Times) has not only returned to her roots, she has surpassed anything she has done before.”

“Biting into a particularly delicious peanut butter cookie one day from Friends & Family’s Roxana Jullapat, she and had an epiphany: every single thing we bake should taste this good. And so she decided to return to her roots, and set to work perfecting the rest of the American baking canon.”

“From Lattice-Topped Apple Pie to Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting (the secret? Carrot puree) to Cornbread (is it too much to ask that it actually taste like corn?), she shares recipes for the platonic ideals of our most beloved baked goods.”

“Alongside the classics—Lemon Bars, Key Lime Pie, Layered Buttermilk Biscuits—Silverton includes a handful of her own inventions: Double-Decker Chocolate Cookies (double the fun!), Iced Raisin Bars (a better fig newton), and Chocolate Brandy Cake (chocolate and brandy!)—all sure to become future classics. With more than a hundred perfected recipes, The Cookie That Changed My Life is a veritable encyclopedia of the very best things to bake.”

“Chef and Restaurateur Nancy Silverton is the co-owner of Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Chi Spacca, and Mozza2Go, in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. She is the founder of the La Brea Bakery and the only chef ever to be awarded both the Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Pastry Chef awards from the James Beard Foundation.”

Nancy Silverton joins us with a whisk at the ready.

Show 562, January 27, 2024: Chef and Restaurateur Nancy Silverton with The Cookie That Changed My Life Part Two

Nancy Silverton of Mozza Restaurant Group

Nancy Silverton, the author of The Cookie That Changed My Life and More Than 100 Other Classic Cakes, Cookies, Muffins, and Pies That Will Change Yours, changed the way America bakes. As the original pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago (celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year,) she made us rethink how we make and eat bread. Now this “pastry doyenne” (Los Angeles Times) has not only returned to her roots, she has surpassed anything she has done before.”

“Biting into a particularly delicious peanut butter cookie one day from Friends & Family’s Roxana Jullapat, she and had an epiphany: every single thing we bake should taste this good. And so she decided to return to her roots, and set to work perfecting the rest of the American baking canon.”

“From Lattice-Topped Apple Pie to Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting (the secret? Carrot puree) to Cornbread (is it too much to ask that it actually taste like corn?), she shares recipes for the platonic ideals of our most beloved baked goods.”

“Alongside the classics—Lemon Bars, Key Lime Pie, Layered Buttermilk Biscuits—Silverton includes a handful of her own inventions: Double-Decker Chocolate Cookies (double the fun!), Iced Raisin Bars (a better fig newton), and Chocolate Brandy Cake (chocolate and brandy!)—all sure to become future classics. With more than a hundred perfected recipes, The Cookie That Changed My Life is a veritable encyclopedia of the very best things to bake.”

“Chef and Restaurateur Nancy Silverton is the co-owner of Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Chi Spacca, and Mozza2Go, in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. She is the founder of the La Brea Bakery and the only chef ever to be awarded both the Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Pastry Chef awards from the James Beard Foundation.”

Nancy Silverton, with rolling pin in hand, continues with us discussing all the sweet deliciousness between the covers in The Cookie That Changed My Life.

Show 481, July 2, 2022: Guittard Chocolate Co’s Guittard Chocolate Studio Workshops Part One

Donald Wressell of Guittard Chocolate Company

Under the direction of Guittard Chocolate Company’s acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef Donald Wressell, the “Guittard Chocolate Studio in Culver City offers hands-on workshops with prominent chefs, chocolatiers and bakers for a unique opportunity for cooking professionals and serious home cooks to learn new skills, finesse techniques and expand on their chocolate knowledge.”

Next on this year’s class schedule is Market Driven Desserts with Della Gossett (Executive Pastry Chef for Wolfgang Puck’s Spago) and Roxana Jullapat (Co-Proprietor and Pastry Chef for Friends & Family in Hollywood.) It’s a 2-day course on July 13 & 14th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Begin this lesson by joining Della & Roxana to a visit at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, meeting the farmers & vendors who bring in the best produce of the season. Shop for a selection to work with and come back to the Chocolate Studio kitchen to create desserts and baked goods using the market produce. Find ways to inspire your current seasonal menu and explore the skill of making preserves using seasonal produce for use in the future.”

Chefs Donald Wressell, Della Gossett and Roxana Jullapat join us rolling pin firmly in hand.

Show 481, July 2, 2022: Guittard Chocolate Co’s Guittard Chocolate Studio Workshops Part Two

Roxanne Jullapat of Friends and Family

Under the direction of Guittard Chocolate Company’s acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef Donald Wressell, the “Guittard Chocolate Studio in Culver City offers hands-on workshops with prominent chefs, chocolatiers and bakers for a unique opportunity for cooking professionals and serious home cooks to learn new skills, finesse techniques and expand on their chocolate knowledge.”

Next on this year’s class schedule is Market Driven Desserts with Della Gossett (Executive Pastry Chef for Wolfgang Puck’s Spago) and Roxana Jullapat (Co-Proprietor and Pastry Chef for Friends & Family in Hollywood.) It’s a 2-day course on July 13 & 14th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Begin this lesson by joining Della & Roxana to a visit at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, meeting the farmers & vendors who bring in the best produce of the season. Shop for a selection to work with and come back to the Chocolate Studio kitchen to create desserts and baked goods using the market produce. Find ways to inspire your current seasonal menu and explore the skill of making preserves using seasonal produce for use in the future.”

Chefs Donald Wressell, Della Gossett and Roxana Jullapat continue with us.

Show 281, July 14, 2018: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now an engaging preview of this Saturday’s properly decadent 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…

The OC Promenade Building at the OC Fair is the Home of all the entertaining OC Fair Culinary Arts programming including the OC Promenade Main Stage. It’s the year of “Feed Your Inner Farmer!” celebrating people who play a key role in California agriculture. We’ll meet Pamela Wnuck, the Fair’s long-time Culinary Arts Supervisor for a preview.

Once upon a time Jennifer Segal went to culinary school and worked in fancy restaurants. One marriage and two kids later she created Once Upon a Chef, the popular blog that combines her chef skills with delicious, fresh, and accessible ingredients for family-friendly meals. Today, Jenn cooks dinner for hers every night and in her first, long-in-the-works cookbook, Once Upon a Chef – The Cookbook: 100 Tested, Perfected and Family-Approved Recipes, she shares 100 recipes that will up your kitchen game and surprise you with their ease and bold flavors.

Near the foodie mecca that is Portland, OR is SakeOne located in Forest Grove, “America’s Premium Sake Company.” Why a Sake brewery in Tualatin Valley, OR ? Foremost it’s the pristine, naturally soft water quality. We’ll hear about the Sake brewing process, and a lot more, from SakeOne’s Jack Lien.

The 6th Edition of Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated Ceviche and Aguachile Festival is set for Sunday, July 29th in Old Town Puerto Vallarta from Noon to 7:00 p.m. It’s 40 chef creations of ceviches and aguachiles for the sampling plus local craft beers, specialty Raicilla cocktails and live music. Producer & Founder Edgar Cisneros reels in all the spicy details for us live from Puerto Vallarta.

Friends & Family, a new Thai Town staple and beloved dining destination, launched dinner service this last week. The well-received hybrid dining/takeaway concept created by Chefs Daniel Mattern and Roxana Jullapat transforms into full dinner service in the evenings (Wednesday through Sunday), offering a variety of shared plates and mains that incorporate sustainably-raised, hearth-roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, farmers’ market salads and their favorite heritage grains. We pull the busy Chef Daniel off the line for a chat.

We’re celebrating National Ice Cream Day (July 15th) with Zach Brooks, the Market Manager for DTLA’s Sunday Smorgasburg LA. July 15th marks the return of the ever-popular Ice Cream Alley at Smorgasaburg LA. It runs every Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

Chef Andrew Gruel, the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.” Octopus (grilled) and squid / calamari are seen on a lot of restaurant menus. Why are they sustainable and what is the best way of preparing them ? We’ll find out from Chef Andrew.

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

Show 281, July 14, 2018: Executive Chef / Proprietor Daniel Mattern, Friends & Family, Thai Town Los Angeles

Daniel MatternFriends & Family, a new Thai Town staple and beloved dining destination, launched dinner service this last week. The well-received hybrid dining / takeaway concept created by Chefs Daniel Mattern and Roxana Jullapat transforms into full dinner service in the evenings (Wednesday through Sunday), offering a variety of shared plates and mains that incorporate sustainably-raised, hearth-roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, farmers’ market salads and their favorite heritage grains.

“We’re ready to add a great neighborhood dinner option to Thai Town,” said Mattern. “With a comfortable vibe and market-driven food, it’ll be a unique spot in the neighborhood, and the perfect place for an impromptu dinner or casual meet-up meal with friends before catching a show at the Greek.”

“To start, the seasonally-rotating menu will feature savory items paired with bright summer produce such as Chicken Liver Toast with Apricot and Nigella and Spiced Half Chicken with New Potatoes and Purslane Salad as well as hearty mains including Wild Salmon Grilled in Grape Leaves over Almond Wood and Hanger Steak with Kimchi Mayo and Crispy Greens. Guests will also enjoy dishes that focus on the use of heritage grains including the Spelt Pretzel with Mustard Dipping Sauce or the Smoked Fish & Beer Rarebit with Housemade Rye Sourdough, both perfect for sharing over a pint (or two).”

Complementing the market-driven fare will be a selection of natural wines hand-picked by Mattern and Jullapat to pair with the menu’s robust flavors, as well as craft beer on tap from some of their favorite local breweries including Eagle Rock Brewery, Craftsman Brewing and Beachwood Brewing.

To finish, diners will be able to indulge in seasonal housemade desserts like Jullapat’s fan-favorite, Huckleberry Meringue with Blueberry Compote and Buttermilk-Blueberry Ice Cream or Sorghum Sticky Pudding, Dates and Roasted Apricots.

Since it’s National Ice Cream Month it’s of interest to note all the ice creams and sorbets served at Friends & Family are made in-house.

We pull the busy Chef Daniel off the line for a chat.

 

July 14: OC Fair, Jennifer Segal, SakeOne, Ceviche and Aguachile Festival, Daniel Mattern, Smorgasburg LA

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: OC Fair Culinary Arts Programming – OC Promenade Building
Segment Three: “Once Upon a Chef’s” Jennifer Segal
Segment Four: Jack Lien, SakeOne, Forest Grove, Oregon
Segment Five: Edgar Cisneros, Producer, Puerto Vallarta’s 6th Annual Ceviche & Aguachile Festival
Segment Six: Executive Chef / Proprietor Daniel Mattern, Friends & Family, Thai Town Los Angeles
Segment Seven: Zach Brooks, Market Manager, Smorgasburg LA
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel

Now an engaging preview of this Saturday’s properly decadent 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…

The OC Promenade Building at the OC Fair is the Home of all the entertaining OC Fair Culinary Arts programming including the OC Promenade Main Stage. It’s the year of “Feed Your Inner Farmer!” celebrating people who play a key role in California agriculture. We’ll meet Pamela Wnuck, the Fair’s long-time Culinary Arts Supervisor for a preview.

Once upon a time Jennifer Segal went to culinary school and worked in fancy restaurants. One marriage and two kids later she created Once Upon a Chef, the popular blog that combines her chef skills with delicious, fresh, and accessible ingredients for family-friendly meals. Today, Jenn cooks dinner for hers every night and in her first, long-in-the-works cookbook, Once Upon a Chef – The Cookbook: 100 Tested, Perfected and Family-Approved Recipes, she shares 100 recipes that will up your kitchen game and surprise you with their ease and bold flavors.

Near the foodie mecca that is Portland, OR is SakeOne located in Forest Grove, “America’s Premium Sake Company.” Why a Sake brewery in Tualatin Valley, OR ? Foremost it’s the pristine, naturally soft water quality. We’ll hear about the Sake brewing process, and a lot more, from SakeOne’s Jack Lien.

The 6th Edition of Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated Ceviche and Aguachile Festival is set for Sunday, July 29th in Old Town Puerto Vallarta from Noon to 7:00 p.m. Producer & Founder Edgar Cisneros reels in all the spicy details for us live from Puerto Vallarta.

Friends & Family, a new Thai Town staple and beloved dining destination, launched dinner service this last week. The well-received hybrid dining/takeaway concept created by Chefs Daniel Mattern and Roxana Jullapat transforms into full dinner service in the evenings (Wednesday through Sunday), offering a variety of shared plates and mains that incorporate sustainably-raised, hearth-roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, farmers’ market salads and their favorite heritage grains. We pull the busy Chef Daniel off the line for a chat.

We’re celebrating National Ice Cream Day (July 15th) with Zach Brooks, the Market Manager for DTLA’s Sunday Smorgasburg LA. July 15th marks the return of Ice Cream Alley at Smorgasaburg LA. It runs every Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

Chef Andrew Gruel, the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.” Octopus (grilled) and squid / calamari are seen on a lot of restaurant menus. Why are they sustainable and what is the best way of preparing them ? We’ll find out from Chef Andrew.

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

Pamela WnuckThe OC Promenade Building at the OC Fair is the Home of all the entertaining OC Fair Culinary Arts programming including the OC Promenade Main Stage. It’s the year of “Feed Your Inner Farmer!” celebrating people who play a key role in California agriculture.

If you love to cook or love to eat, this is the place to meet at The OC Fair!

Culinary Arts is taking center stage at the 2018 OC Fair. The Main Stage is booked every day throughout the fair and will be host to chefs, bakers, farmers, floral artists, food bloggers, mixologists, brewers, butchers and more.

Learn from the best during demos and tasting sessions stocked with kitchen secrets, war stories and more – straight from the experts. The 30-minute culinary demonstrations are always new and exciting, educational and FREE. For the inside scoop on everything culinary, stop by the information desk. The stage schedule changes daily and is subject to change without notice.

We’ll meet Pamela Wnuck, the Fair’s long-time Culinary Arts Supervisor for a tempting preview.

Jennifer SegalOnce upon a time Jennifer Segal went to culinary school and worked in fancy restaurants. One marriage and two kids later she created Once Upon a Chef, the popular blog that combines her chef skills with delicious, fresh, and accessible ingredients for family-friendly meals.

Today, Jenn cooks dinner for hers every night and in her first, long-in-the-works cookbook, Once Upon a Chef – The Cookbook: 100 Tested, Perfected and Family-Approved Recipes, she shares 100 recipes that will up your kitchen game and surprise you with their ease and bold flavors.

There is something for every meal of the day starting with breakfast favorites like Maple, Coconut & Blueberry Granola and Savory Ham & Cheese Waffles. Simple soups, salads, and sandwiches make ideal lunches (try the Fiery Roasted Tomato Soup paired with Smoked Gouda & Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches), plus entrées the whole family will love like Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders. And for those casual get-togethers it’s easy to whip up some Buttery Cajun Popcorn and bowls of Sweet, Salty & Spicy Pecans. You’ll also fall in love with go-to sweets such as Toffee Almond Sandies and a Classic Chocolate Lover’s Birthday Cake.

“With the authority of a professional chef and the practicality of a busy working mom, Jenn teaches you to improve your cooking one recipe at a time, with helpful tips on topics such as how to season correctly with salt, how to balance flavors, and how to make the most of leftovers.”

Jack LienNear the foodie mecca that is Portland, OR is SakeOne, located in Forest Grove, “America’s Premium Sake Company.” Why a Sake brewery in Tualatin Valley, OR? Foremost it’s the pristine, naturally soft water quality.

SakeOne brews three lines of premium Sake in Oregon including Momokawa, Moonstone and G Sake. At their Forest Grove brewery you can enjoy Premium Sake Flights in their Tasting Room and also partake of their educational Brewery Tour (at no charge.)

Sake is an ancient beverage dating back nearly 3,000 years, but began its refinement about 1,000 years ago. Today’s premium styles of sake (Junmai, Ginjo, Daiginjo, and others) are only about forty-five years old and still not a significant percentage of all sake produced. But, in the US, premium sake is more than half the market and growing.

“At SakéOne we tap into the idyllic waters of Oregon’s Willamette Valley to brew pure, premium saké in a variety of styles. Check out our bold and crisp G Saké, fruit-infused Moonstone and versatile Momokawa brands.”

We’ll hear about the Sake brewing process, and a lot more, from SakeOne’s expert, Jack Lien.

Edgar CisnerosThe 6th Edition of Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated Ceviche and Aguachile Festival is set for Sunday, July 29th in Old Town Puerto Vallarta from Noon to 7:00 p.m.

The Festival celebrates the local seafood delicacy with participating restaurants, local microbreweries, and raicilla producers. 30, plus, varieties will be available to sample including vegetarian options.

“Aguachile is a Mexican dish made of shrimp, submerged in liquid seasoned with chili peppers, lime juice, salt, cilantro, and slices of onion. Fresh vegetables such as cucumber are usually added.” It can be thought of as a kicked-up version of ceviche.

Producer & Founder Edgar Cisneros reels in all the spicy details for us live from Puerto Vallarta.

Daniel MatternFriends & Family, a new Thai Town staple and beloved dining destination, launched dinner service this last week. The well-received hybrid dining/takeaway concept created by Chefs Daniel Mattern and Roxana Jullapat transforms into full dinner service in the evenings (Wednesday through Sunday), offering a variety of shared plates and mains that incorporate sustainably-raised, hearth-roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, farmers’ market salads and their favorite heritage grains.

“We’re ready to add a great neighborhood dinner option to Thai Town,” said Mattern. “With a comfortable vibe and market-driven food, it’ll be a unique spot in the neighborhood, and the perfect place for an impromptu dinner or casual meet-up meal with friends before catching a show at the Greek.”

“To start, the seasonally-rotating menu will feature savory items paired with bright summer produce such as Chicken Liver Toast with Apricot and Nigella and Spiced Half Chicken with New Potatoes and Purslane Salad as well as hearty mains including Wild Salmon Grilled in Grape Leaves over Almond Wood and Hanger Steak with Kimchi Mayo and Crispy GreensGuests will also enjoy dishes that focus on the use of heritage grains including the Spelt Pretzel with Mustard Dipping Sauce or the Smoked Fish & Beer Rarebit with Housemade Rye Sourdough, both perfect for sharing over a pint (or two).”

Complementing the market-driven fare will be a selection of natural wines hand-picked by Mattern and Jullapat to pair with the menu’s robust flavors, as well as craft beer on tap from some of their favorite local breweries including Eagle Rock BreweryCraftsman Brewing and Beachwood Brewing. To finish, diners will be able to indulge in seasonal housemade desserts like Jullapat’s fan-favorite, Huckleberry Meringue with Blueberry Compote and Buttermilk-Blueberry Ice Cream or Sorghum Sticky Pudding, Dates and Roasted Apricots.

We pull the busy Chef Daniel off the line for a chat.

Zach BrooksWe’re celebrating National Ice Cream Day (July 15th) with Zach Brooks, the Market Manager for DTLA’s Sunday Smorgasburg LA. July 15th marks the return of Ice Cream Alley at Smorgasaburg LA. It runs every Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

“Prepare that sweet tooth! National Ice Cream Day happens once a year, and at Smorgasburg LA, we celebrate all summer long with the launch of Ice Cream Alley featuring over 10 popups from the best ice cream vendors that LA has to offer. Ice cream alley runs July 15 through Labor Day weekend, so don’t miss out on your chance to indulge in scoops, ice cream sandwiches, pops and more.”

Smorgasburg LA is open every Sunday on the five-acre site of the weekday Alameda Produce Market in Downtown Los Angeles, which is part of a larger, new development called ROW DTLA.

Each Sunday, find dozens of exciting food vendors at Smorgasburg LA, plus sophisticated shopping from the realms of design, craft, style, vintage, wellness, and more. Cultural events, pop-ups, and other surprises transform the vast site into a new node in Downtown LA’s burgeoning scene, and a unique destination for the region.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and CasinoChef Andrew Gruel, the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us from the road with another installment of “Ask the Chef.”

Octopus (grilled) and squid / calamari are seen on a lot of restaurant menus. Why are they sustainable and what is the best way of preparing them ? No rubbery & extra chewy octopus, please. We’ll find out from Chef Andrew.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: OC Fair Culinary Arts Programming – OC Promenade Building
Segment Three: “Once Upon a Chef’s” Jennifer Segal
Segment Four: Jack Lien, SakeOne, Forest Grove, Oregon
Segment Five: Edgar Cisneros, Producer, Puerto Vallarta’s 6th Annual Ceviche & Aguachile Festival
Segment Six: Executive Chef / Proprietor Daniel Mattern, Friends & Family, Thai Town Los Angeles
Segment Seven: Zach Brooks, Market Manager, Smorgasburg LA
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel

Show 230, July 1, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Happy 4th of July Weekend. Have fun but be safe, too…

Now a sparkling preview of this Saturday’s celebratory 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 reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

The ownership and culinary team behind Newport Beach’s Juliette Kitchen + Bar present a philosophy based on the exploration of diverse flavors and the commitment to employing only the best ingredients. This all adds up to a continually evolving experience. Weekend brunch has just been added. Proprietor Juliette Chung and Executive Chef Daniel Hyatt are our guests.

The team of Executive Chef Daniel Mattern and Pastry Chef & Baker Roxana Jullapat are fondly remembered as the culinary heart of Cook’s County (now closed.) Happily they have now opened a 4,000 square foot, fast casual breakfast and lunch (for now) place of their own, Friends & Family. It’s a great addition to Los Angeles’ rediscovered Thai Town. Chefs Roxana and Daniel join us.

Vegan: The Cookbook is newly published by the well-traveled, Chef Jean-Christian Jury, a leader in the international vegan community. In the weighty volume the reader will discover a wide range of accessible and appealing plant-based dishes (designed for the home kitchen) that will excite and satisfy vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. We’ll meet Chef Jean-Christian.

The crowd-pleasing, proudly family-owned Porto’s Bakery & Café (think potato balls) opened its biggest, long-anticipated branch in Buena Park (25,000 sq.ft.) up the street from Knott’s Berry Farm in early March. It’s been a resounding success. It even offers complimentary valet parking to negate potential parking hassles. 2nd generation Family member, Betty Porto, joins us with all the delectable details of this incredible and inspiring success story.

Chef Andrew Gruel is on the road but we have him for a few moments by phone. No doubt he’ll have some helpful 4th of July cooking tips for us along the way as well as an insider’s report from the Slapfish booth at last Weekend’s inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend festival in Pasadena adjacent to, and in, The Rose Bowl. Some 25,000 hungry attendees each day. There was some great food and beverages available out there!

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show! Don’t forget the potato salad…

July 1: Juliette Kitchen + Bar, Friends & Family, Jean-Christian Jury, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Proprietress Juliette Chung & Executive Chef Daniel Hyatt, Juliette Kitchen & Bar, Newport Beach
Segment Three: Executive Chef Daniel Mattern & Pastry Chef/Baker Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family, Los Angeles
Segment Four: Chef Jean-Christian Jury, Vegan: The Cookbook
Segment Five: Betty Porto, Vice President, Community & Guest Relations, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe Part One
Segment Six: Betty Porto, Vice President, Community & Guest Relations, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe Part Two
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel

Happy 4th of July Weekend. Have fun but be safe, too…

Now a sparkling preview of this Saturday’s celebratory 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 reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

The ownership and culinary team behind Newport Beach’s Juliette Kitchen + Bar present a philosophy based on the exploration of diverse flavors and the commitment to employing only the best ingredients. This all adds up to a continually evolving experience. Weekend brunch has just been added. Proprietor Juliette Chung and Executive Chef Daniel Hyatt are our guests.

The team of Executive Chef Daniel Mattern and Pastry Chef & Baker Roxana Jullapat are fondly remembered as the culinary heart of Cook’s County (now closed.) Happily they have now opened a 4,000 square foot, fast casual breakfast and lunch place of their own, Friends & Family. It’s a great addition to Los Angeles’ rediscovered Thai Town. Chefs Roxana and Daniel join us.

Vegan: The Cookbook is newly published by the well-traveled, Chef Jean-Christian Jury, a leader in the international vegan community. In the weighty volume the reader will discover a wide range of accessible and appealing plant-based dishes (designed for the home kitchen) that will excite and satisfy vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. We’ll meet Chef Jean-Christian.

The crowd-pleasing, proudly family-owned Porto’s Bakery & Café (think potato balls) opened its biggest, long-anticipated branch in Buena Park (25,000 sq.ft.) up the street from Knott’s Berry Farm in early March. It’s been a resounding success. It even offers complimentary valet parking to negate potential parking hassles. Betty Porto joins us with all the delectable details of this incredible and inspiring success story.

Chef Andrew Gruel is on the road but we have him for a few moments by phone. No doubt he’ll have helpful some 4th of July cooking tips for us as well as an insider’s report from the Slapfish booth at last Weekend’s inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend festival in Pasadena adjacent to The Rose Bowl. There was some great food and beverages available out there!

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

Juliette Chung and Chef Daniel HyattThe ownership and culinary team behind Newport Beach’s Juliette Kitchen + Bar present a philosophy based on the exploration of diverse flavors and the commitment to employing only the best ingredients. This all adds up to a continually evolving experience.

“Juliette Kitchen & Bar is where seasonal and local ingredients come together in vibrant, modern and balanced dishes. Always, rustic, warm and inviting, Juliette Owners Juliette Chung and John Hughes, along with Executive Chef Daniel Hyatt, welcome the community to indulge in good conversation and great food.”

Juliette Kitchen & Bar is now serving Weekend Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Executive Daniel Hyatt’s menu draws inspiration from locally sourced ingredients, so guests can look forward to enjoying seasonal brunch dishes with a modern American twist. Lending her own touch to the menu, restaurant co-owner Juliette Chung has added her own house-made granola and fresh biscuits to the menu, which also features housemade juices and brunchtime cocktails, such as the Mimosa Lisa and Top of the Morning Irish Coffee.

Proprietor Juliette Chung and Executive Chef Daniel Hyatt are our guests.

Daniel MatternThe team of Executive Chef Daniel Mattern and Pastry Chef & Baker Roxana Jullapat are fondly remembered as the culinary heart of Cook’s County (now closed.) Happily they have now opened a 4,000 square foot, fast casual breakfast and lunch place of their own, Friends & Family. All breads & pastries are prepared and baked in-house. It’s a great addition to Los Angeles’ rediscovered Thai Town.

It’s a vibrant bakery, coffee bar and café where you can enjoy every menu item there or have it packaged to go. The ice cream counter features eye-catching rotating seasonal flavors presented in housemade waffle cones. They also prepare appealing gift baskets, picnics and have a monthly bread club (Friends & Family Sourdough Club.)

Pies for the 4th of July can be ordered through July 2nd. On the menu are Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie and Blackberry & Nectarine Pie.

Chefs Roxana and Daniel join us.

Jean Christian JuryVegan: The Cookbook is newly published by the well-traveled, Chef Jean-Christian Jury, a leader in the international vegan community. In the weighty volume the reader will discover a wide range of accessible and appealing plant-based dishes (designed for the home kitchen) that will excite and satisfy vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. It features an impressive 450 recipes from more than 150 countries around the world.

The book presents dishes from countries ranging from Albania to Zambia. It showcases the culinary diversity of vegan cuisine, highlighting regional fruits and vegetables, traditional cooking techniques, and universally delectable flavors.

Home cooks will discover sweet and savory starters, soups, salads, mains, and desserts for all to enjoy, accompanied by straightforward instructions and gorgeous color photography. Chef Jury’s recipes have been meticulously tested for accuracy and ease of use.

Jean-Christian Jury is a vegan and raw-food chef from Toulouse, France. In 2008, he opened La Mano Verde in Berlin, Germany, his first vegan restaurant, and received praise from Saveur and Rodale’s Organic Life, and many international publications

We’ll meet Chef Jean-Christian.

Betty PortoThe crowd-pleasing, proudly family-owned Porto’s Bakery & Café (think potato balls & cheese rolls) opened its biggest, long-anticipated branch in Buena Park (25,000 sq.ft.) up the street from Knott’s Berry Farm in early March. Actor Andy Garcia officiated at the ribbon-cutting. It’s been a resounding success. It even offers complimentary valet parking to negate potential parking hassles.

Don’t let the lines scare you. It all moves fast. The three service areas under one roof include the bakery section, the food station which also offers the pastries and an express premium coffee counter with select, best-selling pastries. There is also a convenient station to pick-up pre-orders.

On the new Summer Specials menu are a Guava BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Rustic Tomato Soup with San Marzano Tomatoes and outrageous Lemon Bars.

2nd generation Co-proprietor Betty Porto joins us with all the delectable details of this incredible and inspiring success story which started with the Family’s escape from Cuba in 1960.

Betty Porto in front of the Porto's Bakery Bread RackPorto’s traces its origins to the year 1960, when the Porto family made the tough decision to leave their home in Manzanillo, Cuba. After living through the drastic changes that were taking place around them, they requested permission to leave the country. Immediately Raul Sr. was terminated from his job and sent away to manual labor for the duration of the wait period. Wife, Rosa Porto was also let go. Knowing that it may take years to be able to leave the country, Rosa found herself alone and having to find a means to support her three children Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita.

Rosa, always a talented cake maker, with a passion for baking, entrenched herself in perfecting her recipes and began selling her delicious cakes to friends and neighbors not realizing that she was also building herself a loyal customer base.

When the family finally emigrated from Cuba to California, they had not much more than the clothes on their backs, Raul Sr.’s strong work ethic, Rosa’s exceptional baking skills, and a dream for a better life. Soon after the plane landed, Rosa realized that her reputation had preceded her, and met her first customer just as she got off the plane. Raul Sr. took a job as a mechanic and after work delivered Rosa’s cakes. These were hard times, but the family was now in a country filled with limitless opportunities and their dream for a better future became more real as the years passed.

Rosa continued on with her cake business and when their home could no longer accommodate the increased demand, opened a little 300-square foot bakery on Sunset Blvd, in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles. From day one, the place was busy, serving close to 50 customers a day. After tirelessly working two jobs, Raul Sr. left his latter job at Van De Kamp’s and joined Rosa full time. Meanwhile, their children Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita managed to maintain their studies and learn the different parts of the business; baking, decorating, food preparation, customer service, and finances.

Rosa’s Cuban cakes were soon joined by French mousses, Italian sweets, and international savories. As customers flocked to the bakery demanding countless quantities of Cheese Rolls™, Refugiados™-guava and cheese strudels, and the infamous Potato Ball™, space became critical. A move was made to a 2,000-square foot facility in Glendale and six years later to one double in size. The bakery continued to grow and more employees where hired to handle the demand for its increasingly broad line of cakes, desserts, and savories.

Porto’s Bakery & Café now serves thousands of customers and employs hundreds of team members in Southern California, with stores in Glendale, Burbank, Downey and now, Buena Park. In 2018 West Covina is on the horizon.

Andrew and William GruelOur own Chef Andrew Gruel is on the road again but in the holiday spirit we have him for a few moments by phone. No doubt he’ll have helpful some 4th of July cooking tips for us as well as an insider’s report from the Slapfish booth at last Weekend’s inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend festival in Pasadena adjacent to the Rose Bowl. There was some great food and beverages available out there!

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Proprietress Juliette Chung & Executive Chef Daniel Hyatt, Juliette Kitchen & Bar, Newport Beach
Segment Three: Executive Chef Daniel Mattern & Pastry Chef/Baker Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family, Los Angeles
Segment Four: Chef Jean-Christian Jury, Vegan: The Cookbook
Segment Five: Betty Porto, Vice President, Community & Guest Relations, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe Part One
Segment Six: Betty Porto, Vice President, Community & Guest Relations, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe Part Two
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel