Show 116, April 4, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, now, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host.

Now a preview of today’s delightfully “bursting-at-the-seams,” content-rich show

James Beard Award-winner Mary Sue Milliken is well-know to the audience of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” She is a pioneer in Food TV and also the co-founder and co-executive chef of the hugely successful Border Grill restaurants (and truck) in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Santa Monica. She is also an active volunteer for The James Beard Foundation in her prominent position on the Board of Trustees as a Board Member. Mary Sue joins us to talk about The James Beard Foundation’s 2015 Culinary Scholarship opportunities. A record $700,000 (plus) in Educational Scholarships and Professional Grants are available.

The inaugural SOCO Uncorked 2015 is a delightfully indulgent food and wine pairing experience set for Thursday, April 16th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. on the grounds at SOCO in Costa Mesa. The charitable beneficiary is the Project Hope Alliance. The premium wine pairings representing over 30 producers are curated by LCA Wine’s own sommelier, Nancy Milby who is our guest.

Chef Shelly Register is the highly accomplished Market Chef for A Market located in a highly visible historic building on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach next to A Restaurant (the former Arches location.) It’s a dazzling gourmet convenience store with freshly-prepared gourmet sandwiches, incredible baked goods and desserts, cheeses, coffee, craft beer and premium wine. No product is carried in the store that hasn’t received Chef Sherry’s personal seal of approval. We’ll chat with Shelly Register who is also a noted pastry chef and bread baker.

Nutrition bars are all the rage these days but there surely isn’t a product out there that has the back story which compares to the origins of the Perfect Bar “handmade in sunny San Diego” by the 2nd generation of the Keith Family. 8 Keith siblings now run the fast-growing company which was a big hit at the recent Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim. “Everyone has a story. Ours is a little nuttier than most.” PJ Roustan of Perfect Bar will explain…

Hidden away in Oxnard’s Heritage Square in a restored three-story 1901 pre-Craftsman-style mansion is La Dolce Vita Ristorante featuring Italian and Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Family recipes and contemporary creations abound. The owner and executive chef is Michelle Kenney, a second generation restaurateur. She also is known locally for her wide variety of popular cooking classes. We’ll meet her.

The Third Annual Tacolandia presented by LA Weekly is set for El Pueblo de Los Angeles in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, June 6th.

The featured attraction is 80 top taco vendors curated by the World’s First Tacorazzo, Bill Esparza. All restaurants have tasty samples of their signature gourmet tacos for attendees to enjoy. Bill Esparza joins us with the details.

Finally a chance to chat with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish. At long last he can tell us about his exciting new restaurant makeover series on FYI which debuts Saturday evening, May 9th. He’ll also share some useful tips about selecting and preparing lobster.

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

Show 116, April 4, 2015: Perfect Bar

PJ Roustan of Perfect BarNutrition bars are all the rage these days but there surely isn’t a product out there that has the back story which compares to the origins of the Perfect Bar “handmade in sunny San Diego” by the 2nd generation of the Keith Family. 8 Keith siblings (of 13) now run the fast-growing company which was a big hit at the recent Natural Products West Expo in Anaheim.

“Everyone has a story. Ours is a little nuttier than most.”

The Perfect Bar story started with “Dr. Bud Keith.” He was a health food guy before anyone said “health food.” In the mid-1960’s he opened one of the first modern gyms – Healthouse Gym and Juice Bar in Mission Beach, San Diego. He knew what we eat has a direct effect on how we feel. He worked with fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne to help change the way people viewed health and fitness.

Once the Perfect Bar (gluten free) was perfected as a consumer product their first account was Whole Foods and it blossomed from there. Costco is now a major account, too.

PJ Roustan of Perfect Bar will explain…

April 4: Andrew Gruel, Mary Sue Milliken, SOCO Uncorked, A Market, Perfect Bar, La Dolce Vita, Tacolandia

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Celebrity Chef Mary Sue Milliken, Border Grill
Segment Three: SOCO Uncorked 2015, Costa Mesa
Segment Four: Market Chef Shelly Register, A Market, Newport Beach
Segment Five: Perfect Bar
Segment Six: La Dolce Vita Ristorante, Heritage Square, Oxnard
Segment Seven: Tacolandia and Tacorazzo Bill Esparza
Segment Eight: Executive Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, now, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host.

Now a preview of today’s delightfully “bursting-at-the-seams,” content-rich show

James Beard Award-winner Mary Sue Milliken is well-know to the audience of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” She is a pioneer in Food TV and also the co-founder and co-executive chef of the hugely successful Border Grill restaurants (and truck) in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Santa Monica. She is also an active volunteer for The James Beard Foundation in her prominent position on the Board of Trustees as a Board Member. Mary Sue joins us to talk about The James Beard Foundation’s 2015 Culinary Scholarship opportunities. Over $700,000 in Educational Scholarships and Professional Grants are available.

The inaugural SOCO Uncorked 2015 is a positively indulgent food and wine pairing experience set for Thursday, April 16th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. on the grounds at SOCO in Costa Mesa. The charitable beneficiary is the Project Hope Alliance. The premium wine pairings representing over 30 producers are curated by LCA Wine’s own sommelier, Nancy Milby who is our guest.

Chef Shelly Register is the accomplished Market Chef for A Market located in a highly visible historic building on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach next to A Restaurant (the former Arches location.) It’s a dazzling gourmet convenience store with freshly-prepared upmarket sandwiches, incredible baked goods and desserts, cheeses, coffee, craft beer and premium wine. No product is carried in the store that hasn’t received Chef Sherry’s personal seal of approval. We’ll chat with Shelly Register who is also a noted pastry chef and bread baker.

Nutrition bars are all the rage these days but there surely isn’t a product out there that has the back story which compares to the origins of the Perfect Bar “handmade in sunny San Diego” by the 2nd generation of the Keith Family. 13 Keith siblings now run the fast-growing company which was a big hit at the recent Natural Products West Expo in Anaheim. “Everyone has a story. Ours is a little nuttier than most.” PJ Roustan of Perfect Bar will explain…

Hidden away in Oxnard’s Heritage Square in a restored, three-story 1901 pre-Craftsman-style mansion is La Dolce Vita Ristorante featuring Italian and Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Family recipes and contemporary creations abound. The owner and executive chef is Michelle Kenney, a second generation restaurateur. She also is known locally for her wide variety of popular cooking classes. We’ll meet her.

The Third Annual Tacolandia presented by LA Weekly is set for El Pueblo de Los Angeles in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, June 6th.

The featured attraction is 80 top taco vendors curated by the World’s First Tacorazzo, Bill Esparza. All restaurants have tasty samples of their signature gourmet tacos for attendees to enjoy. Bill Esparza joins us with the details.

Finally a chance to chat with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish. He’ll share some useful tips about selecting and preparing lobster. Chef Andrew will also advise us on what parts of the lobster are best for use in some familiar dishes.

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

Mary Sue MillikenJames Beard Award-winner Mary Sue Milliken is well-know to the audience of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” She is a pioneer in Food TV and also the co-founder and co-executive chef of the hugely successful Border Grill restaurants (and truck) in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Santa Monica.

Mary Sue is also an active volunteer for The James Beard Foundation in her prominent position on the Board of Trustees as a Board Member. Mary Sue joins us to talk about The James Beard Foundation’s 2015 Culinary Scholarship opportunities. Over $700,000 in Educational Scholarships and Professional Grants are available.

James Beard is fondly remembered by friends and colleagues as a man who offered unstinting help and encouragement to people embarking on a culinary career. Upholding Beard’s legacy of culinary education and support through their scholarship program is an essential component of the James Beard Foundation’s mission. The Friends of James Beard Foundation Scholarships and the James Beard Foundation School Scholarships have been established to assist aspiring culinary professionals who plan to further their education at a licensed or accredited culinary school. Professional grants are also available for independent work, study and travel.

SOCO Uncorked 2015The inaugural SOCO Uncorked 2015 is a delightfully indulgent food and wine pairing experience set for Thursday, April 16th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. on the grounds at SOCO in Costa Mesa. The charitable beneficiary is the Project Hope Alliance. The premium wine pairings representing over 30 producers are curated by LCA Wine’s own sommelier, Nancy Milby who is our guest.

The event is set in the open courtyard of the SOCO Collection. Guests (regular and VIP tickets available) will indulge in delicious small bites from award-winning SOCO restaurants, hand-crafted wine from over 30 different producers and live music.

Participating SOCO/OC Mix tenants: LCA Wine, ST Patisserie, Bistro Papillote, Pueblo, Taco Maria, ARC, We Olive, The Cheese Shop, Portola Coffee, The Mixing Glass, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, Surfas Culinary District, 24 Carrots Catering + Events, The Iron Press, Shuck Oyster Bar and Savory Spice Shop.

Shelly RegisterChef Shelly Register is the accomplished Market Chef for A Market located in a highly visible historic building on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach next to A Restaurant (the former Arches location.) It’s a dazzling gourmet convenience store with freshly-prepared upmarket sandwiches, incredible baked goods and desserts, cheeses, coffee, craft beer and premium wine. No product is carried in the store that hasn’t received Chef Sherry’s personal seal of approval.

A lunch standard is the “My Favorite” sandwich. It’s turkey, avocado, pear and ginger marmalade, honey mustard and watercress on corn rye. Soups are prepared in-house daily. Thursday’s featured soup, for example, is White Bean, Kale and Chicken Italian Sausage.

Chef Shelly joins us as our official tour guide of A Market.

PJ Roustan of Perfect BarNutrition bars are all the rage these days but there surely isn’t a product out there that has the back story which compares to the origins of the Perfect Bar “handmade in sunny San Diego” by the 2nd generation of the Keith Family. 13 Keith siblings now run the fast-growing company which was a big hit at the recent Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim.

“Everyone has a story. Ours is a little nuttier than most.”

The Perfect Bar story started with “Dr. Bud Keith.” He was a health food guy before anyone said “health food.” In the mid-1960’s he opened one of the first modern gyms – Healthouse Gym and Juice Bar in Mission Beach, San Diego. He knew what we eat has a direct effect on how we feel. He worked with fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne to help change the way people viewed health and fitness.

PJ Roustan of Perfect Bar will explain…

Michelle KenneyHidden away in Oxnard’s Heritage Square in a restored, three-story 1901 pre-Craftsman-style mansion is La Dolce Vita Ristorante featuring Italian and Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Family recipes and contemporary creations abound.

The owner and executive chef is Michelle Kenney, a second generation restaurateur. Michelle has over twenty-five years of experience in the restaurant and catering fields. She also is known locally for her wide variety of popular cooking classes.

Michelle took the opportunity earlier in her hospitality career to work in New England for several years to expand her expertise in the food business. She has worked every aspect of the business from large banquets at the Mystic Hilton to bartending, serving and supervising a large staff.

Along the way she even found the time to pen a cookbook, La Dolce Vita – Recipes For Living The Sweet Life.

We’ll meet her.

Bill EsparzaThe Third Annual Tacolandia presented by LA Weekly is set for El Pueblo de Los Angeles in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, June 6th.

The featured attraction is 80 top taco vendors curated by the World’s First Tacorazzo, Bill Esparza.

All restaurants have tasty samples of their signature gourmet tacos for attendees to enjoy. Complete with live mariachi music, cash bars with beer, wine and cocktails as well as awards for best tacos in various categories presented by The Vendys, Tacolandioa 2015 will be LA Weekly’s largest event of the year.

This year LA Weekly’s Tacolandia will partner with The Vendy Awards to crown six taco purveyors amongst the 80 of Los Angeles and Mexico’s top taco vendors who will be at the event. Categories will include Best Traditional Taco, Best New School (Non-Traditional) Taco, Best Street Taco, People’s Choice and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bill Esparza joins us with the tasty details.

Andrew GruelFinally a chance to chat with our patient Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish. He really knows seafood.

Chef Andrew will share some useful tips about selecting and preparing lobster. It’s easier to enjoy than its reputation. Chef Andrew will also advise us on what parts of the lobster are best for use in some familiar dishes.

Lobster Rolls are appearing on a lot of restaurant menus. Everyone, of course, has the “best.” Chef Andrew will give us some background on this delicacy. He grew up on the East Coast where this craveable sandwich originated.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Celebrity Chef Mary Sue Milliken, Border Grill
Segment Three: SOCO Uncorked 2015, Costa Mesa
Segment Four: Market Chef Shelly Register, A Market, Newport Beach
Segment Five: Perfect Bar
Segment Six: La Dolce Vita Ristorante, Heritage Square, Oxnard
Segment Seven: Tacolandia and Tacorazzo Bill Esparza
Segment Eight: Executive Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish