Show 224, May 20, 2017: Co-Host Andy Harris with an airline food story…

Collier Cook of Santa Catalina Island Company and Andy HarrisCo-host Andy Harris has a head-scratching airline main cabin food story to share. It’s just for laughs…Frustration and bewilderment with the lack of planning on the part of a major air carrier only goes so far! Other fresh food news of note, too, as time permits.

Late last month Producer Andy was at the Kona, Hawaii Airport about to board his Sunday midday return flight to Los Angeles. He was there for The Big Island Chocolate Festival. It’s a five and one-half hour flight. The flight is completely full. Lots of carry-on items from visitors returning to the Mainland from vacations. When the first boarding announcement is made it comes with an odd disclaimer about the limited availability of food and beverages on the aircraft and what the suggested course of action should be for the surprised passengers. Huh??? Listen to the podcast for the rest of the curious story.

Show 210, February 11, 2017: Alex Pena, Manager, Great Oak Steakhouse, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula

Alex Pena at the Pechanga Wine FestivalThe Great Oak Steakhouse at Pechanga is one of the most highly regarded fine dining restaurants in the Inland Empire. It’s premium seafood, 100 per cent Prime Angus beef, and an exceptional wine cellar to match. It’s a consistent AAA Four-Diamond Award establishment.

“With an outstanding menu created by award-winning head chef Martin Venegas, a visit to Great Oak promises to be memorable on every level. Martin’s philosophy is no secret: find the best product, use the right ingredients, and execute every creation in a way that brings forward the very best of the flavor profile. Taste the art of deep culinary passion at this signature dining destination.”

The Great Oaks’ accomplished Manager, Alex Pena (who started at Pechanga 13 years ago as a server), is our guest. Previously he has had management positions at Pechanga’s Kelsey’s – Great Food & Drinks and Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar.

 

Show 205, January 7, 2017: Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan, Mix Mix Kitchen Bar, Santa Ana

Ross PangilinanYou know Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan from his time at Leatherby’s Café Rouge in Costa Mesa at The Segerstrom Concert Hall. He’s now launched his own ambitious venture, Mix Mix Kitchen Bar (A Globally Inspired Chef-Driven Concept) in Downtown Santa Ana.

It’s an appealing, somewhat unfamiliar menu (Dinner) of global dishes with influences from traditional French and Italian to modern Filipino cuisines. Sunday Brunch has recently been added to the menu.

“The inspiration for my menu at Mix Mix comes from both the memories I embrace from childhood and techniques I’ve learned throughout my culinary career,” commented Chef Ross Pangilinan, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants across France and California. “At an early age, my father instilled in me an appreciation for diversity in food; together, we explored everything from hole-in-the-wall Chinese eateries to high-end French restaurants.”

Dishes like the Filipino Ceviche and Tropical Verrine pay homage to Pangilinan’s Filipino heritage. Among his signature dishes, the Tropical Verrine is a modern interpretation of the restaurant’s namesake dish, Mix Mix, the literal translation from Halo Halo, a traditional Filipino dessert featuring a mixture of sweets.

“The dining adventures I shared with my father sparked my inspiration for cuisine at a young age,” added Pangilinan. “To this day, I draw inspiration from the meals we shared together.”

In addition to its eclectic menu of global cuisine, Mix Mix offers handcrafted libations from its craft cocktail bar. The beverage program focuses on ‘shaken & stirred’ cocktails created with house-made bitters, syrups, and infusions, as well as French wines and craft beer from around the world.

Prominent features of the new restaurant include a succulent garden wall behind the bar and in the dining room, a 6-seat ‘butcher’s block’ Chef’s Table that peers directly into the restaurant’s open kitchen. The reservation-only Chef’s Table will offer a five-course “Oui Chef” menu that evokes a dining experience for all the senses.

Chef Ross briefly escapes from the open kitchen and is our in-studio guest.

 

Show 183, August 6, 2016: Chef Andrew Gruel, The Alligator Gar Makes a Comeback

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosIntroducing non-native fish to United States waters can disturb the existing delicate ecological balance. Such is the case of the fast multiplying Asian carp moving into the Great Lakes.

To the rescue may be the prehistoric-looking, and fast growing, alligator gar. According to the AP it can grow longer than a horse and heavier than a refrigerator. It’s previously been considered a trash fish. It used to thrive in this habitat before being decimated because the thought (later proven incorrect) was that it threatened sport fish.

Chef Andrew Gruel will explain all.

Also Chef Andrew previews the arrival of the new, limited menu Slapfish on the Concourse at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Rams and USC Trojan football season! It’s unusually located in a converted, repurposed ocean-freight shipping container

Show 183, August 6, 2016: Simon Majumdar, Voting for the Golden Foodie Awards

Simon MajumdarThe three waves of voting for The Golden Foodie Awards, the People’s Choice Food Awards in Orange County, is on now through August 21st. Voting for the 1st categories concludes on August 7th.

This first Week includes, Best American Cuisine, Best Mexican, Food, Best Vegetarian Food, Bartender of The Year, Best Pizza, Best Italian Food and Best French Cuisine.The Golden Foodie Award’s celebrates chef driven and/or independent restaurants and allows for food lovers to decide the winners. Voting takes place from August 1 – 21, with each week offering different categories. Nominees are announced at the end of each week. The Golden Foodie Awards are comprised of 24 categories.

The Golden Foodie Awards is a democracy and recognizes the best chefs, libations and cuisine. With its focus on involving the Orange County community to vote, the GFA’s serve as a great honor allowing the people to decide who is best. Winners will be announced on September 25th in Newport Beach at the red carpet gala event at the Fairmont Newport Beach.

Hosting the Awards is Food Network’s Simon Majumdar (permanent judge on “Cutthroat Kitchen.” with Alton Brown.) He’s our guest.

Show 179, July 9, 2016: Trevor Walls, Head Brewer, Pizza Port San Clemente

Trevor Walls of Pizza Port San Clemente and Chef Andrew GruelThe 3rd Annual Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Roundup is part of opening Weekend of the OC Fair from July 15th to 17th. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy unlimited tastes of more than 80 craft beers with a wide selection of styles ranging from Pale Ales, IPA’s, Stouts, Saisons, Hefeweizens and many more. The 3rd Annual Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Roundup has moved to a new location next to the Pacific Amphitheater, offering more space and a scenic view for craft beer enthusiasts.

With the addition of a new Friday evening session, guests will have their choice of 4 tasting sessions from some of the best breweries in the country. General Admission guests will receive 3 hours of unlimited tastings and a commemorative festival glass along with music. Games and more. Each session offers a limited number of VIP passes which provides an additional, more intimate hour of tasting with rare and limited release beers, and a special VIP commemorative glass. All passes include free OC Fair admission so attendees can “Come for the beer and stay for the Fair!”

Trevor Walls, the passionate Head Brewer for Pizza Port San Clemente (and a participating brewery), joins us with a thirst-quenching preview.

He studied brewing at the prestigious Siebel Institute of Brewing Science in Chicago as well as at the Doemens Academy of Brewing in Munich.

Pizza Port now cans their core craft beers (16 ounce packages) so you can enjoy them away from a Pizza Port restaurant in San Diego County or Orange County. Pizza Port continues to win important medals at the annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver. They have also won (in different years) “Small Brewpub of the Year” honors and “Large Brewpub of the Year.”

Show 159, February 13, 2016: Executive Chef / Proprietor Neal Fraser, Fritzi at Arts District Brewing Co.

Neal FraserChef Neal Fraser is well-known to Angelenos for BLD, Fritzi Dog at the Original Farmers Market and Redbird at Vibiana Events Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Chef Neal and the Vibiana Events Center were even part of the recent Beefsteak episode of Season 13 of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

Fritzi is now Downtown, too, sharing space in The Arts District with the Arts District Brewing Co. It’s lunch and dinner for elevated pub-grub. It’s early in the going but the wood- fired rotisserie chicken and the potato waffle are already signature menu items. Nothing on the menu is over $19.

“The industrial chic restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and handcrafted cocktails from its full bar, which is stocked with bubbles, wines, brews from the Arts District Brewing Co., and Ketel One pours. With an occupancy of 60 diners, Fritzi is a seamless addition to L.A.’s historic arts district with its modern wood and metal elements and intimate atmosphere.”

“Fritzi’s menu features handcrafted epic dishes and small plates such as Charred Brussels Sprout, Forbidden Rice & Quinoa Salad, Spit Roasted Cauliflower, Crispy Shrimp Balls, Fritzi Burger, Wood Fried Rotisserie Half Chicken, Steak Frites, Santa Barbara White Fish, and more, with Fries, Tots, and Potato Waffle to accompany.”

Chef Neal Fraser joins us with the 411 on Fritzi.

Show 159, February 13, 2016: John Terlato, Vice Chairman, Terlato Wine Group

John TerlatoThe proudly Family-owned Terlato Wine Group is a holding company for several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. They are probably best known for pioneering the popularity of Pinot Grigio in the United States.

Representing the 2nd generation of Family ownership is John Terlato, our guest. John will soon be in Southern California for the Santa Barbara Wine Auction. Sanford Winery (a Terlato property) is represented in the festivities.

The Santa Barbara Wine Auction benefits Direct Relief. It’s held at the exclusive Bacara Resort & Spa on Saturday March 12, 2016. It’s an evening of fine wines, delectable foods, and an auction with lifestyle experiences and rare library wine lots.

Winemaker (and Botanist) Michael Benedict, the co-founder of Sanford Winery, is going to be honored with the Pioneer Award. He was one of the first experts to conclude that this region could support the cultivation of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.

John has also been in the vineyards working with some specialists from Italy on innovative pruning techniques that result in incredible vines producing amazing quality fruit. This pruning is already being done at Sanford, Chimney Rock and for all the Terlato family’s Napa Valley vineyards. We’ll learn about this.

Show 152, December 26, 2015: Robert Schueller, Resident Produce Authority, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce Part Two

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioRobert returns with more helpful Fall & Winter produce tips.

First up are Variety Onions. In this category are Pearls, Boilers and Cipollini onions. Cipollini onions are the only sweet onions of the season.

Robert concludes with a discussion of Variety Potatoes. The show-stopper here is DYPs (dutch yellow potatoes) from Iowa. A year-round standard at Melissa’s. Already roasted and packaged DYPs are a popular new item from Melissa’s. Ruby Golds are a cousin of DYPs. Also Mixed Fingerlings.

Show 147, November 21, 2015: Lidia Bastianich, Chef, Restaurateur & TV Personality

Lidia BastianichLidia Bastianich is one of the best-loved chefs on television, a best-selling cookbook author, restaurateur, and owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business. Lidia has married her two passions in life – her family and food, to create multiple culinary endeavors alongside her two children, Joseph and Tanya. Her newest cookbook is Lidia’s Mastering The Art of Italian Cuisine written with her daughter, Tanya.

From the Emmy-winning host of “Lidia’s Kitchen”, best-selling author, and beloved ambassador for Italian culinary traditions in America comes the ultimate master class: a beautifully produced definitive guide to Italian cooking. The volume covers everything from ingredients to techniques to tools, plus more than 400 delectable recipes.

Teaching has always been Lidia’s passion, and in this magnificent book she gives us the full benefit of that passion and her deep, comprehensive understanding of what it takes to create delicious Italian meals. The 400 recipes run the full gamut from classics like Risotto alla Milanese and Tagliatelle with Mushroom Sauce to Lidia’s always-satisfying originals like Bread and Prune Gnocchi and Best Ravioli in Poppy Sauce.