Show 115, March 21, 2015: Chef Louie Jocson, Zov’s Bistro

Louie JocsonFinally a chance to chat with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson, the new Director of Culinary Operations for the growing Family of Zov’s restaurants. Chef Louie most recently created the highly regarded Red Table in Huntington Beach, a locals’ favorite. He sold his interest to his former partners right before joining Zov’s.

Chef Louie has come full circle with Zov Karamardian. He started his career in the restaurant business at age 15 washing dishes and helping in the kitchen at Zov’s Bistro before enrolling in culinary school in San Francisco (California Culinary Academy) and working his way up the ranks at many of Orange County’s top restaurants in the ensuring years. Zov wrote the needed Letter of Recommendation for Louie to be accepted to culinary school at age 18.

Earlier in his career he was the Co-Executive Chef of the highly regarded Antonello’s in South Coast Plaza Village.

It’s a cooking family. Louie’s older brother, Carlito, is the long-time Executive Chef for Yard House and is an original partner. It’s now owned by Darden Restaurants.

March 21: Louie Jocson, Cochon 555, Melissa’s Produce, Five Crowns, Top of the Market, Panxa Cocina

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Brady Lowe, Cochon 555
Segment Three: Produce Guru Robert Schueller, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce
Segment Four: General Manager Jim Colombo and Mad Bar Scientist Amber, Five Crowns Part One
Segment Five: General Manager Jim Colombo and Mad Bar Scientist Amber, Five Crowns Part Two
Segment Six: Executive Chef Ivan Flowers, Top of the Market, San Diego
Segment Seven: Chef Arthur Gonzalez, Panxa Cocina
Segment Eight: Chef Louie Jocson, Zov’s Bistro

One of the OC’s best and brightest, youthful culinary talents, Chef Louie Jocson, joins us this morning as Guest Host. He’s the new Directory of Culinary Operations for the growing Zov’s family of restaurants. Now a preview of today’s over-stuffed show…

Cochon 555, the country’s most talked about culinary competition returns to Los Angeles on March 29, 2015 to celebrate family farms, heritage breed pigs and today’s emerging chef community. Attendees of this one-of-a-kind culinary competition embark on a journey to the new hyper-local culinary landscape, one whole pig at a time. Brady Lowe, the founder of Cochon 555, joins us with the pork-a-licious details.

Spring is here so the time is right to get an overview of the highlights in Spring produce. Our favorite produce savant, Robert Schueller, of Melissa’s World Variety Produce is with us to share what’s fresh from the fields. We’ll be talking about Kale, Kumquats, Rhubarb and Ojai Pixie Tangerines with a few cooking tips added for good measure.

Look who is turning 50 this year! 2015 marks the 50-year legacy of dining at Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. To celebrate, the Lawry’s family and Executive Chef Steve Kling have unveiled a brand new menu and beverage program unlike any other menu this fabled establishment has offered in its 50-year history. It’s absolutely not your Grandparents’ Five Crowns anymore (although they are still most welcome.) General Manager Jim Colombo (who is also a chef by training) and resident “Mad Bar Scientist Amber” join us with a tempting overview of the enhancements.

Top of the Market, located on the Bay in San Diego just South of the USS Midway Museum offers an extensive variety of fresh fish, oysters and shellfish with a sophisticated twists. New executive chef, Ivan Flowers, has only enhanced the already proven concept. Incomparable views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and Point Loma make Top of the Market the ideal location for destination dining while in San Diego. Chef Ivan is our guest highlighting the addition of the new Spring ingredients.

EAT LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week returns for its big 2nd year from March 22nd to March 28th. One of the participating restaurants is the newly opened Panxa Cocina. It’s in the former Christy’s space on E. Broadway. Chef Arthur Gonzalez (ex-ROE Restaurant) is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner. It’s Santa Fe, New Mexico-style cuisine with rich, bold flavors and a lot of imagination. Chef Art is with us for the menu highlights.

Finally a chance to chat with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson, the new Director of Culinary Operations for the growing Family of Zov’s restaurants. Chef Louie most recently created the highly regarded Red Table in Huntington Beach, a locals’ favorite. He sold his interest to his former partners to join Zov’s. Earlier in his career he was the Co-Executive Chef of the highly regarded Antonello’s in South Coast Plaza Village.

Blue Ribbon Cupcake ChallengeThe 3rd Annual Blue Ribbon Culinary Cupcake Challenge 2015 is March 22nd from 1 to 4:00 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. Professional and amateur bakers will compete for cash prizes, category awards and Temecula’s “People’s Choice Award.” Admission, including tastings, is a modest $25.00 per guest. The charitable beneficiary is Rancho Damacitas Children & Family Services.

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

 

 

Brady Lowe of Cochon 555Cochon 555, the country’s most talked about culinary competition returns to Los Angeles on March 29, 2015 to celebrate family farms, heritage breed pigs and today’s emerging chef community. Attendees of this one-of-a-kind culinary competition embark on a journey to the new hyper-local culinary landscape, one whole pig at a time. The tour is aligned with the modern-day good food movement – notable chefs, barrier-breaking women, artist-like butchers, spirited bartenders, top winemakers, brewers, distillers and brazen pastry talent working together to prepare an epic feast celebrating responsible family farming.

This culinary experience features five top chefs in a one-of-a-kind culinary competition featuring over 36 dishes prepared from locally-raised whole heritage breed pigs with virtually endless wine, brews and spirits. This year’s competing chefs include Tony DiSalvo of CAST at the Viceroy Santa Monica – The Official Host & Hotel, Ricardo Zarate of Chef Zarate, Walter Manzke of Republique, Kris Morningstar of Terinne, and Steven Fretz of The Church Key. The five chefs, champions of whole hog utilization, will prepare a maximum of six dishes each with hopes to win voters from a crowd of hungry gourmands and celebrated judges.

Brady Lowe, the founder of Cochon 555, joins us with all the pork-a-licious details.

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety ProduceSpring is here so the time is right to get an authoritative overview of the highlights in Spring produce. Our favorite produce savant, Robert Schueller, of Melissa’s World Variety Produce is with us to share what’s really fresh from the fields.

We’ll be talking about Kale, Kumquats, Rhubarb and Ojai Pixie Tangerines with a few practical cooking tips added for good measure.

Jim ColomboLook who is turning 50 this year! 2015 marks the 50-year legacy of dining at Five Crowns in Corona del Mar.

To celebrate, the Lawry’s family and newly promoted Executive Chef Steve Kling have unveiled a brand new menu and beverage program unlike any other menu this fabled establishment has offered in its 50-year history. It’s not your Grandparents’ Five Crowns anymore (although they are still most welcome.)

The refreshed menu presents nearly three times the culinary selections of past menus including a broad array of starters, main dishes, new family-style options and seafood selections. It breaks guests out of the expected course structure of fine dining. The fare pays homage to some of the Five Crowns heritage items, but with a modern twist. The new menu and beverage program are only the beginning of exciting Five Crowns at 50 announcements expected throughout the year.

There is also some quiet conversation about a “rediscovered” hidden speakeasy.

General Manager Jim Colombo (who is also a chef by training) and resident “Mad Bar Scientist Amber” join us with a tempting overview of the creative enhancements.

The Five Crowns General Manager, Jim Colombo (who is also a chef by training) and resident “Mad Bar Scientist Amber” continue with their tempting overview of the creative enhancements to the restaurant to celebrate their 50th Anniversary in Corona del Mar.

There is lots more than the wonderful Lawry’s prime rib on the menu these days!

Ivan Flowers of Top of the MarketTop of the Market, located on the Bay in San Diego just South of the USS Midway Museum offers an extensive variety of fresh fish, oysters and shellfish with a sophisticated twists. New executive chef, Ivan Flowers, has only enhanced the already proven concept. Incomparable views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and Point Loma make Top of the Market the ideal location for destination dining while in San Diego.

One of the house specialties is Oregon Dungeness Crab Cioppino. It has mussels, clams, prawns, fish, scallops and linguini in an herb wine tomato broth.

Arriving for the Spring Menu are Wild Salmon, Alaskan Halibut, White Seabass and Rockfish.

Chef Ivan is our guest highlighting the addition of the new Spring ingredients.

Arthur GonzalezEAT LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week returns for its big 2nd year from March 22nd to March 28th. One of the participating restaurants is the newly opened Panxa Cocina. It’s in the former Christy’s space on E. Broadway. Chef Arthur Gonzalez (ex-ROE Restaurant) is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner. It’s Santa Fe, New Mexico-style cuisine with rich, bold flavors and a lot of imagination with accents from Mexico and South America, too. Look for distinctive, seasonal Hatch chiles (from Hatch, NM) as a key ingredient.

“In Latin, “panxa” (pronounced “pan-zah”) means “belly” which is fitting because at Panxa Cocina, your belly will always be naturally filled with love, flavors and wonderful food.”

“Panxa reflects a youthful exuberance of timeless, beautiful Latin culture, fresh ingredients home-grown, exciting foods and flavors hand-crafted with love, home comfort, family and friends, tequila and other exciting drinks and so much more.”

Chef Art is with us for the menu highlights.

Louie JocsonFinally a chance to chat with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson, the new Director of Culinary Operations for the growing Family of Zov’s restaurants. Chef Louie most recently created the highly regarded Red Table in Huntington Beach, a locals’ favorite. He sold his interest to his former partners right before joining Zov’s.

Chef Louie has come full circle with Zov Karamardian. He started his career in the restaurant business at age 15 washing dishes and helping in the kitchen at Zov’s Bistro before enrolling in culinary school in San Francisco (California Culinary Academy) and working his way up the ranks at many of Orange County’s top restaurants in the ensuring years. As it happens Zov wrote the needed Letter of Recommendation for Louie to be accepted to culinary school.

Earlier in his career he was the Co-Executive Chef of the highly regarded Antonello’s in South Coast Plaza Village.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Louie Jocson and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Brady Lowe, Cochon 555
Segment Three: Produce Guru Robert Schueller, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce
Segment Four: General Manager Jim Colombo and Mad Bar Scientist Amber, Five Crowns Part One
Segment Five: General Manager Jim Colombo and Mad Bar Scientist Amber, Five Crowns Part Two
Segment Six: Executive Chef Ivan Flowers, Top of the Market, San Diego
Segment Seven: Chef Arthur Gonzalez, Panxa Cocina
Segment Eight: Chef Louie Jocson, Zov’s Bistro

Show 94, October 25, 2014: Zov’s Kitchen & Bar, Anaheim

Armen KaramardianZov’s which started in Tustin in 1987 is growing again. This week they launched the prototype of Zov’s Kitchen & Bar located at 1801 E. Katella Ave within walking distance of both Honda Center and Angel Stadium. Veteran OC General Manager Kevin Hall is at the door.

Many new items are on this menu including “Who Gives a Shitake Pitza” with rotisserie chicken, shitake mushrooms, basil puree, goat cheese, and olives and cooked in a deck oven. From the sea is Sumac Roasted Seabass with shaved Brussels sprouts, baby spinach, tomato, rice pilaf, and caper citrus butter sauce.

The new Corporate Executive Chef for Zov’s is rising star chef Louie Jocson who previously created the highly-regarded Red Table in Huntington Beach..

Chief Executive Officer Armen Karamardian (representing the 2nd generation of proud Family Ownership) is with us to walk us through.

“We are delighted to be a part of the ever-evolving and dynamic community of Anaheim,” said Armen Karamardian, who has overseen the expansion of the family operations from the original restaurant in Tustin to include the Irvine and Newport Coast locations as well as 2 at Orange County Airport. “We look forward bringing Zov’s to Anaheim, the epicenter of Orange County, and being a part of the community.”

Show 88, September 13, 2014: Zov Karmardian, Zov’s Bistro

Zov Karamardian or Zov's in TustinChef, restaurateur and cookbook author Zov Karmardian of the flagship Zov’s Bistro in Tustin needs no introduction to the listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” An Anaheim Zov’s near Angel Stadium is in the works and soon to launch.

Zov also has brought on board as Culinary Director, Louie Jocson. You know Chef Louie as the executive chef and creator of the glowingly-reviewed Red Table in Huntington Beach. This is a return, of sorts, for Chef Jocson. In high school (before culinary school) he washed dishes at Zov’s as well as peeled garlic and chopped parsley.