Show 386, August 15, 2020: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Fifth Anniversary of the SoCal Restaurant Show at Melissas World Variety ProduceOur 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. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately Take-Out / Delivery when you can surely helps…

The short season for sourcing fresh Hatch peppers from New Mexico’s Mesilla Valley is upon us. Hatch Chiles are thick, meaty and rich in flavor. They are often called the world’s tastiest peppers and with good reason. Unusually the fresh peppers are available in a variety of heat levels from mild to hot. In food stores now fresh or freshly roasted by the case. (They freeze well when roasted.) Chef Andrew is a genuine fan and offers some great tips for inspired cooking with Hatch chiles.

We’ll, of course “Ask the Chef.”

 

Show 382, July 18, 2020: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part Two

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioLots of fresh deliciousness going on in the wide world of specialty produce as it’s now Summer. Our own resident produce guru, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, continues with us to chat about the pick of the season’s best for fruits and vegetables.

We’re moving down the produce aisle and on the shopping list are Shishito Peppers, Rhubarb, and the fresh Hatch Chile season (starting in early August.)

For over 100 years family-owned farms have grown Hatch peppers in New Mexico’s Mesilla Valley. These peppers are bound to the land and simply won’t grow the same way anywhere else. Hatch Chiles are thick, meaty and rich, and are often called the world’s tastiest peppers.

In addition to the area store roastings of fresh Hatch Chiles new is Hatch Popcorn, Hatch Kettle Corn and a line of fresh Hatch Salsas.

Show 337, August 17, 2019: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and CasinoOur always on the go Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of The Slapfish Restaurant Group,” joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.” Chef Andrew responds to your questions.

Chef Andrew discusses his fondness for fresh Hatch peppers from the Mesilla Valley in New Mexico. The short season is on right now.

These peppers are bound to the land and simply won’t grow correctly anywhere else. Hatch are thick, meaty and rich. They are often noted as the world’s tastiest peppers.

Show 283, July 28, 2018: Melissa’s Robert Schueller, Variety Summer Grapes

Melissa's Robert Schueller at the SoCal Restaurant Show 5th AnniversaryIt’s a great time to chat about cool and refreshing Summer fruits with our resident produce authority, The Prince of Produce, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. Variety Summer California Grapes are trending.

A late-season variety grape with an extremely high sugar content, the Candy Sweets® name describes its great flavor! Though petite in size, this amber-green seedless grape has a big taste that makes it an excellent kids snack or lunchbox favorite. Serve a bunch or two on a party platter; this grape’s firm, crunchy texture and sweetness plays well against any extra sharp cheese. Choose grapes that are firm, with no bruises, decay or shatter (loose grapes that have fallen off the stem). Vine stems should to be green and pliable, never dried out.

Robert provides us with a great tip on enjoying these seasonal grapes for a longer period than the short time they are available fresh. Surprisingly they freeze well. Freeze them as whole clusters for best results.

Also the incredible Hatch Chile season will launch the first week in August. These flavorful peppers are exclusively grown in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico and are only available annually for a short season in August and part of September. They are considered by discriminating chile aficionados to be the best peppers in the world. We’ll get a fiery preview. More on Hatch Chiles and where to find a local store roasting on the upcoming August 11th show.

Show 184, August 13, 2016: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s World Variety Produce, Hatch Chile Season

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioIt’s that most wonderful time of the year – Hatch Chile season! Grown only in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico they are only available fresh for a few shorts weeks annually, now through mid-September.

Joining us for an informative update with all the Hatch Chile 411, including where to find sure-to-please recipes, is our resident Produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. Let the roasting begin.

Harvested from fertile soil along the Rio Grande, Hatch Chiles thrive in the river valley’s combination of nutrient-rich soil, intense sunlight, and cool desert nights. The peppers develop thick walls and meaty, flavorful flesh unlike any other chile.

Because their growing season is short, Hatch Chiles are typically bought in bulk, roasted immediately, and frozen for use throughout the year. Nutritionally speaking, a single fresh medium-size green chile has as much Vitamin C as six oranges. Hot chile peppers are believed to burn calories by triggering a thermodynamic response in the body that speeds metabolism.

 

Show 39, August 24, 2013: Farmer Duane Gillis and Robert Schueller from Melissa’s.

Duane Gillis is a career farmer based in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico. He is a 4th generation farmer growing Hatch Chiles. This is the only place in the world where these coveted chiles are grown.

Hatch Chiles have a fast growing cycle. They are planted in the Spring and then fully mature in August.

One fresh medium-sized Hatch Chile pod has a much Vitamin C as contained in six oranges!

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety ProduceRobert Schueller is the long-time resident produce expert at Melissa’s. If it’s a fruit or vegetable he’s difficult to stump. He provided all the stats on Hatch Chiles.

Hatch Chiles are unusually grown in the full spectrum of hotness. You go from mild to extra hot!

August 27: Hatch Chile Roast with Melissa’s / World Variety Produce at Bristol Farms Santa Monica

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila & Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Kevin Davis, President and CEO of Bristol Farms
Segment Three: Farmer Duane Gillis and Robert Schueller from Melissa’s.
Segment Four: Chef Michael Cimarusti, Providence and Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood Part One
Segment Five: Chef Michael Cimarusti, Providence and Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood Part Two
Segment Six: Executive Chef Roy Hendrickson, Zimzala at The Shorebreak Hotel, Huntington Beach
Segment Seven: Russ Parsons, Food Editor, Los Angeles Times
Segment Eight: Delilah Snell, home canning and preservation authority

Please join us each week at our new starting time of 10:00 a.m.

Today we’re at the brand new Bristol Farms (opened on Wednesday) store in Santa Monica broadcasting live. The address is 3105 Wilshire Blvd. If you’re in the neighborhood come on by. There is lots of parking in back of the store.

Melissa’s is roasting Hatch Chiles exhibition-style next to our broadcast location in front of the store’s entrance. They are also sampling incredible edibles using the most enticing Hatch Chile recipes from the new Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook.

Chef Ida Rodriquez of Melissas World Variety ProduceMelissa’s Corporate Chef, Ida Rodriguez, will be with us to explain the widely expanding appeal of Hatch Chiles from New Mexico. The season is only six weeks. Chef Ida is the co-author of Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook. She will be autographing books during the broadcast. Great for Holiday gifts.

Kevin Davis, the President and CEO of Bristol Farms joins us.

Kevin Davis CEO of Bristol FarmsBristol Farms has 13 stores in California including San Francisco. They are locally owned and based in Carson.

Bristol Farms opened their first store in Rolling Hills in 1982 and it’s quite a success story. Mr. Davis will provide insight on how a boutique food retailer with a point of difference can prosper among the giants of retailing!

Bristol Farms is expanding and opening new stores…

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety ProduceDuane Gillis is a farmer based in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico. He grows Hatch Chiles. This is the only place in the world where these coveted chiles are grown.

Robert Schueller is the long-time resident produce expert at Melissa’s. If it’s a fruit or vegetable he’s difficult to stump. He’ll be with us to provide all the stats on Hatch Chiles.

Michael Cimarusti of Providence and Connie and TedsCelebrity Chef Michael Cimarusti is the seafood king in Los Angeles. He’s the executive chef and co-owner of Providence in Hollywood, California’s premier fine-dining seafood restaurant. A few months ago he launched the far more casual Connie & Ted’s (a New England-style seafood shack) in West Hollywood. It’s been an instant hit and the crowds just keep on coming.

Chef Cimarusti previews the “Field to Fork” event he is co-hosting on August 31st at Paramount Studios as part of the Los Angeles Times’ Taste.

Chef Michael joins us in Santa Monica to talk about cooking with chiles.

Roy Hendrickson of Zimzalu in Huntington BeachExecutive Chef Roy Hendrickson oversees Zimzala at The Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach.

He makes a cravable Hatch Chile Ice Cream in-house.

Russ Parsons is the long-time Food Editor of the Los Angeles Times. He’s been covering food there for over 20 years. He’s written extensively about chiles. Like this story on New Mexico’s Green Chiles or this article about the amazing success of the Hatch Chile.

Russ will also be previewing his event for The Los Angeles Times’ The Taste next weekend.

Delilah SnellDelilah Snell is a prominent certified home canner and preserving expert. There are creative ways to preserve Hatch Chiles other than roasting and then freezing them.

Delilah was just in Hatch, New Mexico presenting a seminar on preserving Hatch Chiles.

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila & Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Kevin Davis, President and CEO of Bristol Farms
Segment Three: Farmer Duane Gillis and Robert Schueller from Melissa’s.
Segment Four: Chef Michael Cimarusti, Providence and Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood Part One
Segment Five: Chef Michael Cimarusti, Providence and Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood Part Two
Segment Six: Executive Chef Roy Hendrickson, Zimzala at The Shorebreak Hotel, Huntington Beach
Segment Seven: Russ Parsons, Food Editor, Los Angeles Times
Segment Eight: Delilah Snell, home canning and preservation authority