Show 11, December 29, 2012: Chef Marcel Vigneron – Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef: Redemption”

Chef Marcel is best remembered for his season on Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning “Top Chef.” He is now Los Angeles based. Marcel revealed that an LA restaurant project is in the works for him in 2013. Stay tuned…

Marcel was part of the just completed season of “Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef: Redemption.” Only two chefs competing out of the entire group had no prior experience in battle on “Iron Chef America.” Marcel was one. The other newbie, Chef Tim Love, was surprisingly eliminated at the conclusion of the first episode.

Marcel’s toughest moment on the show was the final showdown he had with his good friend, Spike Mendelsohn, on the November 25th show to determine who would go home that day. Marcel “survived to cook another day” and actually finished an impressive 4th in the overall competition.

December 29: Russ Parsons, Neal Fraser, Marcel Vigneron, Jason Collis, Jason Kessler

Podcasts

Segment One: Russ Parsons, Food Editor of the Los Angeles Times Part One
Segment Two: Russ Parsons, Food Editor of the Los Angeles Times Part Two
Segment Three: Chef Neal Fraser of FritziDog at The Original Farmers Market
Segment Four: Chef Marcel Vigneron – Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef: Redemption”
Segment Five: Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events by Jason in Ventura
Segment Six: Jason Kessler (food writer) for Food Republic and Bon Appetit Magazine

It’s our last show of the year so we’re looking forward and also taking a peak back. It’s time to think of travel, too.

Russ Parsons (“The California Cook”) is the long-time food editor of The Los Angeles Times. He’s also an award-winning author. Russ joins us to talk about modern restaurant reviewing and food trends. The Times has now published two e-books and the recipes in each were fully tested in The Times Test Kitchen.

Neal Fraser of Grace Restaurant and FritzidogChef Neal Fraser is well known on the Los Angeles culinary scene. Grace Restaurant had a healthy run on Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles and, eventually, will be reborn at the Vibiana Events Center in Downtown Los Angeles. His more casual bld is very popular located near The Farmers Market.

Neal is one of the newest food tenants at The Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax with his gourmet hot dog emporium, FritziDog.

Chef Marcel Vigneron of the just concluded season of Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef : Redemption” and Bravo’s “Top Chef” fame joins us to talk about the incredible season of “Next Iron Chef.” We’ll also ask him about his preparation of a fabulous coconut ice cream made with lots of rich coconut meat and a dash of liquid nitrogen!

Representing the Culinary Stage at the upcoming Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show at the Long Beach Convention Center (January 12th & 13th) is Chef Jason Collis of Limoneria Ranch. He’ll be performing cooking demos on both days.

You’ve asked for him and now he’s back…Food writer for Food Republic and Bon Appetit Magazine, Jason Kessler, joins us to say goodbye to 2013 with his thoughtful end-of-year musings..

Podcasts

Segment One: Russ Parsons, Food Editor of the Los Angeles Times Part One
Segment Two: Russ Parsons, Food Editor of the Los Angeles Times Part Two
Segment Three: Chef Neal Fraser of FritziDog at The Original Farmers Market
Segment Four: Chef Marcel Vigneron – Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef: Redemption”
Segment Five: Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events by Jason in Ventura
Segment Six: Jason Kessler (food writer) for Food Republic and Bon Appetit Magazine

Show 5: November 10, 2012: Amanda Freitag Celebrity Chef and Food Network Personality

Chef Freitag is probably best known outside of New York as one of the core celebrity judges on Food Network’s hit series, “Chopped.” You can also currently see her Sunday nights as one of the battling chefs on Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef: Redemption.

Amanda takes us behind-the-scenes to explain how an episode of “Chopped” is put together. Each episode takes 12 to 14 hours to shoot on the production set ! It’s a lot more involved than it may appear to the home viewer. The judges (who take their roles very seriously) have spirited discussions about what dish should be chopped in each segment!

Show 5: November 10, 2012: Executive Chef Eric Greenspan Part One

Chef Eric first previewed his upcoming grilled cheese sandwich emporium, Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese which will be located next door to his Melrose flagship. Chef Eric has serious credentials in the art of grilled cheese sandwich making. In 2008 he won top honors at L.A.’s well-known Grilled Cheese Invitational, a serious competition.

Next Eric gave the background of why he was willing to return to competition in Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef: Redemption” and how Episode 1 was not exactly as promised. Did we say grasshoppers…?

Show 5: November 10, 2012: Executive Chef Eric Greenspan Part Two

Eric recapped the showdown at the end of Episode 1 of “Next Iron Chef: Redemption” leading to the eventual exit of Chef Tim Love, a highly successful restaurateur/chef from Fort Worth, Texas. It’s theater…

Chef Greenspan then talked about the new menu and the French co-chef at his Roof on Wilshire.

Show 4: October 27, 2012: JoAnn Cianciulli, Food TV Producer Extraordinaire

Currently Co-Exectutive Producer of “Recipe Rehab” for ABC. This is the first cooking show to migrate from YouTube (Everyday Health Channel) to network TV !

JoAnn’s other major credits include Fox’s “Master Chef” (she also authored the MasterChef Cookbook,) Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef,” and Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

Show 4: October 27, 2012: JoAnn Cianciulli and Eric Greenspan

Currently Co-Exectutive Producer of “Recipe Rehab” for ABC. This is the first cooking show to migrate from YouTube (Everyday Health Channel) to network TV !

JoAnn’s other major credits include Fox’s “Master Chef” (she also authored the MasterChef Cookbook,) Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef,” and Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

In a surprise Chef Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose called in to chat with JoAnn. They worked together on “Next Iron Chef.” Chef Eric went on with a big win to stun Iron Chef Bobby Flay in “Battle Goose” on “Iron Chef America.”