Show 62, February 22, 2013: Ryan Harkins, Executive Chef & Co-owner, Grill ‘em All Burgers

Ryan Hankins of Gril Em All BurgersOne of the very first “better burger” food trucks in Los Angeles County, Grill ‘em All Burgers, rolled onto the scene in 2009. As unusual as it sounds it was a heavy metal devotee’s take on the ample burger meal. The founders are Chef Ryan Harkins (a Cleveland native) and Matt Chernus, a former professional wrestler.

The stars were in alignment for them as they were inexplicably cast for the first season of Food Network’s cross-country “Great Food Truck Race.” This was the only season where the competitors were required to have actual food truck experience.

Although the Grill ‘em All guys were on the threshold of elimination on multiple episodes (and expected by the Producers to be out in the early going) they scrappily hung in there and came out on top at the conclusion of the high octane finale in New York! Once the season aired business was such that they needed to secure a second truck.

The gameplan was always to eventually move into the right (affordable) brick and mortar location. That happened last January (2013) when they opened in the Renaissance Theater Plaza in Alhambra in a former (failed) chain 50s diner location. Chef Ryan and Matt have made an odd location work. Grill ‘em All had lines down the block for their anniversary celebration last month. Nights and Weekends are their really busy times.

The most popular burger is The Behemoth. It’s a monster…The patty is one half-pound. It’s grilled cheese sandwich “buns” on the top & bottom, cheddar cheese, bbq sauce, pickle, grilled onion, and bacon.

Future plans include a second location in perhaps Long Beach or North Hollywood. Down the road Chef Ryan’s goal is to open a burger restaurant in his hometown of Cleveland where the dining scene is now really happening.

The remaining Grill ‘em All truck will soon be back in action for private events.

Show 21, March 16, 2013: Paul Hibler, owner of Pitfire Artisan Pizza and American Gonzo Food Corporation

Paul Hibler of Pitfire Pizza and Superba Snack BarPitfire’s dough proofs for multiple days before baking and is unusually cooked in a wood-burning oven. The original unit in North Hollywood opened in 1989.

Expansion is something that has only happened in recent years. Paul likes to think of his units as the anti-chain. There are now seven locations. Each one is a bit different in design and all are family-friendly.

In the last year new locations have been added in Costa Mesa (the first unit in Orange County) and Manhattan Beach. The Costa Mesa Pitfire has a lounge in back with a full liquor license. All of the other Pitfire’s are beer & wine only.

American Gonzo Food Corporation’s first project is Superba Snack Bar in Venice which launched last July. The menu maker there is Chef Jason Neroni.

March 16: Aarti Sequeira, Pitfire Pizza, Sara Moulton, Elizabeth Whitt, Muldoon’s Pub

Podcasts

Segment One: Chef Aarti Sequeira, Star of Cooking Channel’s “Taste in Translation” and “Drop 5LBS. with Good Housekeeping”
Segment Two: Paul Hibler, owner of Pitfire Artisan Pizza and American Gonzo Food Corporation
Segment Three: Celebrity Chef Sara Moulton
Segment Four: Chef Elizabeth Whitt, Culinary Instructor Part One
Segment Five: Chef Elizabeth Whitt, Culinary Instructor Part Two
Segment Six: Muldoon’s Irish Pub & Country Kitchen

This week it’s it’s about star power. We have one of the early star chefs of Food Network joining us along with a current celebrity chef prominent on both Food Network and Cooking Channel. Next we’ll hear from a veteran L.A. restaurateur who has slowly established a pizza empire and has now expanded to Orange County with more units on the way. Then it’s on to an inspiring Easter menu. Finally it’s a nod to St. Patrick’s Day from an Irish institution that’s seen it all.

Aarti SequeiraCelebrity Chef Aarti Sequeira (with the infectious laugh) of Food Network and Cooking Channel fame is back with us co-hosting the show. She’ll give us some insights on her new Friday evening series for Cooking Channel, “Taste in Translation.” We’ll also see how things are going on Cooking Channel’s “Drop 5 LBS.

Pitfire Artisan Pizza locations are popping up all over town. Costa Mesa and Manhattan Beach are the two most recent additions. The first location opened in North Hollywood in 1997. The expansion effort really didn’t start happening until recent years. Co-founder Paul Hibler joins us to talk about the atypical journey.

With Chef Jason Neroni, Paul also co-owns Superba Snack Bar in Venice which debuted last year and quickly earned a loyal following.

 

Sara MoultonChef Sara Mouton was the executive chef for Gourmet Magazine for many years but is probably best known as one of the early stars of Food Network. She did two live shows on weeknights with viewer call-ins. Talk about a nightly high wire act!

Her most recent TV effort, “Sara’s Weekday Meals,” (Season 3) can be seen on PBS stations across the country. Earlier in her career she was the culinary assistant to food world icon Julia Child on PBS’s “Julia Child & More Co.”

Sara is hosting a Friday luncheon (March 22nd) and performing a Saturday cooking demo (March 23rd) at next weekend’s “Food + Wine Palm Desert”.

Chef Instructor Elizabeth Whitt is back with us presenting a dazzling “Easter in Provence” menu.

What’s really helpful is that this festive meal can all be prepared ahead of time (with the exception of the roasting of the lamb) so you can enjoy your friends, family, and food.

Muldoon's Pub and Country KitchenFor 38 years Muldoon’s Irish Pub & Country Kitchen has been the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day! It’s still proudly Family-owned and located in the most unlikely of places – Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

They even bake their own Irish Soda Bread fresh daily. It’s a fun place but the kitchen is serious about the quality of their food.

Ask about the decadent chocolate pudding. When it’s available it’s only made in-house by the proprietress from her secret recipe.

Podcasts

Segment One: Chef Aarti Sequeira, Star of Cooking Channel’s “Taste in Translation” and “Drop 5LBS. with Good Housekeeping”
Segment Two: Paul Hibler, owner of Pitfire Artisan Pizza and American Gonzo Food Corporation
Segment Three: Celebrity Chef Sara Moulton
Segment Four: Chef Elizabeth Whitt, Culinary Instructor Part One
Segment Five: Chef Elizabeth Whitt, Culinary Instructor Part Two
Segment Six: Muldoon’s Irish Pub & Country Kitchen