Show 332, July 13, 2019: Delicious Little Tokyo with Chris Komai, Little Tokyo Community Council

Chris Komai of the Little Tokyo Community CouncilGo Little Tokyo’s 4th Annual Delicious Little Tokyo returns to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles for two days on Friday, July 19th and Saturday, July 20th and features over 20 exclusive events including all-new interactive workshops, tastings, and demonstrations curated for first-time foodies and culinary enthusiasts alike.

“Taste, experience, and indulge during Delicious Little Tokyo, Los Angeles’ largest annual Japanese culinary weekend. The foodie festival features two days of delicious food harvested from the streets of Little Tokyo, celebrating the diversity, cultural traditions, and of course, food of the historic neighborhood!”

“Sample, explore, and discover, with friends and family, all Little Tokyo has to offer including tastings by participating Little Tokyo restaurants, hands-on culinary workshops, live cooking demonstrations, sake and beer food pairing classes, and more, exclusively available during Delicious Little Tokyo weekend.”

Little Tokyo Community Council’s 1st Vice Board Chairman, Chris Komai, separates Littlthe chopsticks for us revealing all the tantalizing details.

Show 139, September 26, 2015: Seoul Sausage Co. and Co-Founder Ted Kim

Ted Kim of Seoul SausageIn three years. Seoul Sausage Company has become the premier force behind cutting edge Korean BBQ in Los Angeles. What began as a tiny catering company run out of their apartment kitchen, Seoul Sausage is now a multi-faceted culinary enterprise comprised of an acclaimed fast-casual restaurant in West LA’s “Little Osaka” neighborhood, two food trucks, a customized grilling Scion and an in-demand catering company.

Newly opened is a Downtown L.A. location in Little Tokyo with an expanded menu, a full bar and an inviting patio. Think Vinny’s Fried Chicken Sandwich with Adobo marinated chicken, honey habanero slaw, aioli and served on a brioche bun. There are also three new Sausages including the Angelino. That’s a cheddar jalapeno hot dog with bacon bits, black bean puree, avocado crema and pico de gallo.

On the Adult Beverage side of the menu is the Seoul Sista with rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and matcha coconut cream. There are also three handles of local craft beer on draft in addition to a selection of bottles.

Founded by brothers Ted and Yong Kim alongside Chef Chris Oh, Seoul Sausage Company broke onto the public’s awareness when they won Season 3 of The Great Food Truck Race, Food Network’s second highest rated show. Now, food celebrities including Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentis, Bobby Flay and Simon Majumdar frequent their store during TV shoots to munch on their favorite dishes.

Co-founder Ted Kim joins us with a fiery update.

Show 134, August 8, 2015: Executive Chef Brendan Collins, Birch and The Corner Door

Brendan CollinsAt the age of 15, Chef Brendan Collins quit secondary school to follow his dream and enroll in culinary school, where is 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.

Drawing on his training in butchery and belief in using the whole animal, Collins is dedicated to using only the best ingredients and cooking food that he likes to eat. He combines impeccable French technique, seasonal California ingredients, and his inimitable “British lad” attitude to create a cuisine that is at once comforting and exciting, while maintaining a relaxed, English pub atmosphere

His newest project is a modest British pub, Butcher’s Dog, located in Sawtelle’s Little Tokyo on the Westside. It’s where he likes to go to relax and watch his favorite soccer team, Manchester United.

January 12: Robert Wemischner, Josef Centeno, Deborah Schneider, Javier Plascencia

Podcasts

Segment One: Robert Wemischner, cookbook author, pastry chef, and culinary instructor Part One
Segment Two: Robert Wemischner, cookbook author, pastry chef, and culinary instructor Part Two
Segment Three: Josef Centeno, owner/executive chef of baco mercat and Bar Ama in Downtown Los Angeles
Segment Four: Deborah Schneider, executive chef and partner, SOL Mexican Cocina, Newport Beach
Segment Five: Chef Javier Plascencia of Mision 19, Tijuana’s superstar celebrity chef and culinary goodwill ambassador for the food and wines of Northern Baja
Segment Six: Chef Javier Plascencia of Mision 19, Tijuana’s superstar celebrity chef and culinary goodwill ambassador for the food and wines of Northern Baja (Continued…)

We’re cooking and baking with tea and then talking about a promising new Tex-Mex establishment in Downtown LA, with some flair from a young chef who does it his way. We’re then on to Newport Beach Restaurant Week and finally a taste of Northern Baja!

Robert WemischnerAcclaimed pastry chef and culinary educator Robert Wemischner has always been intrigued by the flavor potential of ingredients, from turmeric to tea and from cumin to coffee.

He is the author of four well-received cookbooks, including his most recent effort, The Dessert Architect. For the last 18 years he has headed the respected baking and pastry program for Los Angeles Trade-Tech College in Downtown Los Angeles.

Chef Bob joins us to present Tea 101 and guidance on cooking and baking with tea.

He also shares his delectable recipe for Chocolate Assam Tea Torte which he served at the “Getting Our Just Desserts” Benefit for C-CAP last November.

Josef Centeno

Josef Centeno is part of a group of risk-taking, young chefs who are going out on their own and making names for themselves. He created quite a splash when he designed the original menu and concept for Lazy Ox Canteen in Little Tokyo in Downtown LA.

After that was up and running he ventured out on his own in a more urban area of Downtown and launched baco Mercat at the corner of 4th & Main. He even makes his own soft drinks there from quality ingredients.

In December he debuted his 2nd Downtown spot, Bar Ama, which is a tribute to his Grandmother’s style of Tex-Mex food.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week is January 18th to 27th. Participating restaurants have special pricing for lunch and/or dinner. It’s a chance to experience the best in Newport Beach dining at very affordable prices.

Deborah SchneiderDeborah Schneider, the executive chef & partner of SOL Mexican Cucina joins us to tell us about what SOL is doing for Restaurant Week.

One of the most prominent and distinguished chefs cooking in Mexico today is Javier Plascencia who makes his home in Tijuana. He’s cooked for Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon. His family also has a fine restaurant on the US side of the Border in Bonita.

Javier PlascenciaChef Javier is also an unabashed cheerleader for the foods and premium wines of Baja. The finest wines in Mexico come from the region and are just now finding their way into US distribution channels.

Last year when Anthony Bourdain of Travel Channel’s “No Reservations” visited Northern Baja, Javier was a prominent part of this at his latest venture, Mision 19.

On Monday evening, January 14th Chef Javier has recruited the best chefs and winemakers in Northern Baja to join him in preparing a 7-course, wine-paired meal at Romesco as a benefit for the San Diego Chapter of The American Institute of Wine and Food.

It’s sold out with a waiting list but this is a chef you should really know.

Podcasts

Segment One: Robert Wemischner, cookbook author, pastry chef, and culinary instructor Part One
Segment Two: Robert Wemischner, cookbook author, pastry chef, and culinary instructor Part Two
Segment Three: Josef Centeno, owner/executive chef of baco mercat and Bar Ama in Downtown Los Angeles
Segment Four: Deborah Schneider, executive chef and partner, SOL Mexican Cocina, Newport Beach
Segment Five: Chef Javier Plascencia of Mision 19, Tijuana’s superstar celebrity chef and culinary goodwill ambassador for the food and wines of Northern Baja
Segment Six: Chef Javier Plascencia of Mision 19, Tijuana’s superstar celebrity chef and culinary goodwill ambassador for the food and wines of Northern Baja (Continued…)