Show 411, February 6, 2021: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

Jet Tila and a heritage pig at Cochon 555 in 2013

Our emeritus host, Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, has a Lunar New Year promotion going on courtesy of Melissa’s and Lee Kum Kee. Ten Lucky winners (announced on March 1st) will be awarded a one-hour virtual cooking class with Chef Jet. In addition the First Prize is $1,500. The Lunar New Year Cook Off is a surprise challenge (think a virtual “Chopped”) where the recipes to be made arrive via email. Contestants sign-up for the challenge and then receive an email with the “mystery” ingredient/recipe. The entrant then makes the recipe and posts it in order to be entered to win. Eligible winners are selected at random. All the info on the contest is here.

Chef Aliye Aydin teaches cooking classes and is a culinary coach to a growing network of inspired home cooks. In 2019 she noticed from her students that there was a serious interest in learning more about spice blends and how to use them to creatively perk up meals. Chef Aliye then launched the Spice Club where home cooks could source her proprietary spice blends either individually or as part of a yearly Spice Blend Membership which includes a quarterly delivery of a spice blend, recipes, a meal planning guide and a series of interactive cooking classes. “All spice products are organic and/or sourced from suppliers working to end inequality and exploitation in the spice trade, meaning more dollars going directly to a farmer in the country where the spice is grown.” We’re cooking in the kitchen with Chef Aliye.

For 16 years, Providence in Hollywood has elevated the standard of modern American seafood restaurants along with providing exemplary service. For Valentine’s Day Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) guests can experience Chef Michael Cimarusti’s award-winning cuisine for curbside takeaway. The extravagant Valentine’s feast (for 2) starts with Morro Bay Gold Oyster and Kaluga Caviar with Crème Fraiche and concludes with a Tarte au Chocolat with Pudwill Farms raspberries. Restaurateur, Co-Proprietor of Providence and graciously welcoming host Donato Poto is with us to talk about Valentine’s Day, the return of patio dining at sister establishment Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood and look to the future when dine-in (inside) can safely return.

Anthony Zaller, Esq. is the principal of the Zaller Law Group, PC based in El Segundo. His boutique firm specializes in representing restaurants in labor and employment issues specifically related to California. His firm is a partnered law firm of the California Restaurant Association. He serves on the Los Angeles Chapter of the Board of Directors of the California Restaurant Association and also is the Chair of the California Restaurant Association Foundation. As the restaurant business in California ever so slowly begins to recover from the impact of COVID 19 Anthony joins us to preview the top employment law issues facing California restaurants in 2021.

Everyone loves a good cinnamon roll, but did you know cinnamon can help your hair grow longer and stronger? In food journalist’s Nancy Lin Chen’s, 101 Amazing Uses for Cinnamon, discover the many ways this simple spice can improve your health, your home, and of course, your food. From improving memory to aiding digestion to supporting a healthy garden, add some spice to your life with cinnamon. Nancy Chen is a wellness blogger, content creator, and fitness instructor with a family background in herbal medicine. She’s known for creating easy-to-follow recipes and giving effective health and lifestyle guidance on her blog, Nourish by Nancy.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants which is a genuine (and increasingly growing) concern. Last week restaurants in Southern California were finally allowed to reopen for outside/patio dining at reduced capacities with all the requisite COVID 19 safety precautions. How is it going thus far? We’ll “Ask the Chef.” Sunday afternoon is the annual celebration of the “Big Game.” “Big Game” snacks worthy of the occasion (this year probably celebrated at home) are a must. Chef Andrew shares a few inspired ideas beyond the expected guacamole.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

February 2: Andrew Zimmern, Leah DiBernardo, Ti Adelaide Martin, Tony DiSalvo, Jason Kessler

Podcasts

Segment One: Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods America”
Segment Two: Leah DiBernardo, Executive Chef & Co-Owner of E.A.T. (Extraordinary Artisan Table) in Temecula and head (as a volunteer) of the Slow Food Temecula Valley convivium
Segment Three: Ti Adelaide Martin, New Orleans restaurateur, co-owner of Commander’s Palace, Café Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick Bar, and SoBou
Segment Four: Tony DiSalvo, Executive Chef of Whist and the Viceroy Santa Monica
Segment Five: Jason Kessler, food writer, Food Republic and Bon Appetit Part One
Segment Six: Jason Kessler, food writer, Food Republic and Bon Appetit Part Part Two

Travel Channel’s biggest star and celebrity chef is with us live to kick off the show.

From there it’s genuine farm-to-table dining supplied by artisan purveyors in Temecula.

Super Bowl mania is residing in New Orleans this weekend and we’ll be chatting with a veteran New Orleans restaurateur (actually NOLA restaurant royalty) who will give us the real insider’s view of the goings-on in the City.

Then it’s on to the Noodle Bowl Festival in Santa Monica.

There is an ultra-premium dining experience available to a few select diners each evening at The Bazaar by Jose Andres and we’ll hear all about it.

Finally some intell on new restaurants (and a few veteran ones) making waves on the Los Angeles dining scene.

Andrew Zimmern (2 time James Beard Award-winner) has taken Travel Channel, and the country, by storm with his engaging and highly entertaining food travels. Andrew is with us live (from New Orleans) to talk about the new season of “Bizarre Foods America” (debuting February 11th) which begins in Washington, D.C.

Restaurateur & Chef Leah DiBernardo of E.A.T. (Extraordinary Artisan Table)Temecula is a large, fast-growing bedroom community adjacent to a rural agricultural area in Riverside County. It’s well known for wine grapes but a number of dedicated family farmers grow fruits (lots of citrus) and vegetables there for restaurants.

Restaurateur & Chef Leah DiBernardo of E.A.T. (Extraordinary Artisan Table) is the head of Slow Food Temecula Valley and an articulate champion of the local artisan food movement. Leah joins us to talk about the inspiring mission of Slow Food Temecula Valley and the year anniversary of her gourmet take-out shop, E.A.T. which also caters.

Ti Adelaide MartinIt’s Super Bowl madness in New Orleans. Also Mardi Gras time there leading up to Fat Tuesday.

If there is restaurant royalty in New Orleans it’s embodied by the legendary Brennan Family.

Ti Adelaide Martin (a 2nd generation member of the Brennan Restaurant Family) joins us to talk about the food aspects of Super Bowl. Ti co-owns Commander’s Palace, Café Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick Bar, and the newest, SoBou in the French Quarter.

Tony DiSalvo of Whist at the Viceroy Santa MonicaTony DiSalvo is executive chef at Whist at The Viceroy Santa Monica.

Chef Tony is hosting the Noodle Bowl Festival at The Viceroy on Sunday, February 10th from 4 to 7 p.m. to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Chef DiSalvo is serving kimchi sujebi, a traditional Korean noodle soup made with from-scratch dough.

Last Monday Chef DiSalvo was part of a group of celebrity chefs presenting a 6-course meal at the Abigaile in Hermosa Beach.

Food writer Jason Kessler (Food Republic and Bon Appetit Magazine) is back with us to profile some new dining adventures in Los Angeles.

First is a chronicle of dining at Saam at The Bazaar by Jose Andres. This is a very expensive, 22-couse tasting menu experience that is served in an exclusive private club setting.

From there Jason takes us on a verbal dine-around of some new (or revamped) area hot spots worthy of your attention.

Podcasts

Segment One: Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods America”
Segment Two: Leah DiBernardo, Executive Chef & Co-Owner of E.A.T. (Extraordinary Artisan Table) in Temecula and head (as a volunteer) of the Slow Food Temecula Valley convivium
Segment Three: Ti Adelaide Martin, New Orleans restaurateur, co-owner of Commander’s Palace, Café Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick Bar, and SoBou
Segment Four: Tony DiSalvo, Executive Chef of Whist and the Viceroy Santa Monica
Segment Five: Jason Kessler, food writer, Food Republic and Bon Appetit Part One
Segment Six: Jason Kessler, food writer, Food Republic and Bon Appetit Part Part Two