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

Lidia BastianichLidia  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.

On the “SoCal Restaurant Show” we’re fans of rabbit. So is Chef Lidia. She explains why there should be a place on the American table for this beloved Italian dish. It’s available seasonally at Lidia’s flagship, Felidia restaurant in New York.

“Rabbit is one of my favorite meats; it is light, it is tasty, and it’s healthy, low in fat and easy to cook. It is not a terribly expensive meat, and environmentally it makes sense.” From Lidia’s Mastering The Art of Italian Cuisine.

When Pope Francis was in New York at the end of September, Lidia and her team had the distinct honor of cooking two breakfasts, a lunch, and two dinners for the Pope and his modest 14-person entourage. She even had coffee with him. We’ll hear about this unique experience and career highlight. This is actually the 2nd Pope she has cooked for.

 

Show 110, February 14, 2015: LA Travel & Adventure Show

Linda KissamThe 10th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show brings thousands of travel options and international culture and cuisine to the Long Beach Convention Center the Weekend of February 21st and 22nd. The nation’s largest travel show features an impressive roster of celebrity expert travel speakers including Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg and Phil Keoghan.

The event will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies and countries representing some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, tour offerings and travel experiences. The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show promises a weekend of discovery and inspiration to help travelers “dream it, plan it and book it.” Event attendees will be able to shop exclusive travel deals, attend travel seminars on three educational stages and meet prominent travel experts.

Food, wine and travel journalist Linda Kissam is the President of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. IFWTWA is part of the L.A. Travel & Adventure Show and Linda is with us to provide an overview of the event.

Linda notes that if you buy your tickets in advance via their website there is a big discount over purchasing tickets at the door (which requires cash.)

Show 106, January 17, 2015: Troy Johnson, Food Critic, San Diego Magazine Continues…

Troy JohnsonTroy Johnson, San Diego Magazine’s colorfully opinionated Food Critic and Editor-at Large, continues.

He also pens the San Diego Food News Blog available on the San Diego Magazine’s Website. You also know him as a regular judge on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games now in Season 2.

Is foie gras now returning to San Diego area restaurants as it is in Los Angeles and Orange County? We’ll get Johnson’s thoughts on foie gras.

Earlier in the month Troy launched a thoughtful, multi-part series on San Diego Magazine’s blog, “Thoughts on Foie Gas.” It’s a worthwhile read.

In the December issue of San Diego Magazine Johnson profiled his top ten new restaurants in San Diego. In the number one position is Richard BlaisJuniper & Ivy and number two is Ironside Fish & Oyster also in Little Italy. The full reviews of both are on San Diego Magazine’s Website

Show 83, August 9, 2014: Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival, Chinatown

Joshua Lurie of Food GPSJosh Lurie of Food GPS is at it again with delectable food and beverage events. The 3rd Annual Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival Presented by Bolthouse Farms is set for Sunday afternoon, August 17th in Chinatown’s historic Central Plaza. Hours are 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This all-inclusive, chef-focused event includes some of L.A.’s best chefs preparing unique fried chicken dishes and complimentary sides. Additionally, there are an array of delicious desserts (Valerie Confections) and beverages.

Participating chef Jesse Furman (Free Range LA) and Josh Lurie of Food GPS preview the Festival.

Just added to the lineup are Chef Jimmy Shaw of Torta Co. with a Milanesa de Pollo and Chef Eric Greenspan of Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese.

Show 78, July 5, 2014: Celebrity Chef Tiffany Derry of Dallas, Texas Part Two

Tiffany DerryYou can also catch Chef Tiffany as one of the hosts of Spike TV’s new “Hungry Investors” series.

Chef Tiffany is performing a cooking demo at the Napa Valley Festival Del Sole on July 12th as part of that day’s “Taste of Napa.”

Chef Tiffany provides an overview of the dynamic Dallas dining scene. It’s about getting out to the neighborhoods… There are great pockets of both Korean and Vietnamese fare to discover.

Show 75, June 7, 2014: Host Jet Tila

Jet Tila and Giada De LaurentiisIt’s been an unusually memorable week of dining out for Jet.

Jet has been in Las Vegas taking in the opening of Giada De LaurentiisGiada restaurant at The Cromwell on The Strip, Raku, and L‘Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand. That’s some grand dining to be sure.

Chef Jet paints the incredibly appetizing picture…

Show 62, February 22, 2013: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

Jet Tila and a heritage pig at Cochon 555 in 2013Remember the L.A. tour stop of Cochon USA is Sunday, February 23rd at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Ray Garcia of Fig Restaurant is the host chef (and the defending Prince of Pork.) It’s a celebration of heritage pork raised on family farms. Our own Jet Tila will be there cooking an additional late-night heritage pig (a Kune Kune) for the After-Party.

UNLV in Las Vegas has the most respected hospitality management program in the West. The Dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration there joins us to profile the prestigious program. Unusual cuts of beef are finding their way onto fine dining restaurants menus. We’ll be speaking with a meat expert to better understand these cuts. A coffee authority is with us to talk about the current trends in roasting coffee. You’ll also hear about a relatively new contemporary Mediterranean/Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills with an energetic young chef in the kitchen and an exciting pastry chef with impressive credentials. Orange County Restaurant Week launches February 23rd. We’ll have a preview with the GM of one of the classic participating restaurants. Also on the menu is an award-winning and high profile food truck (with an edge) that graduated to opening an even more successful brick and mortar location in an unexpected location.

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

Show 62, February 22, 2013: Stowe Shoemaker, Dean, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Stowe Shoemaker is the Dean of the William F Harrah College of Hotel Administration at University of Nevada Las VegasThe most distinguished hospitality and restaurant management program in the West is the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV in Las Vegas. Stowe Shoemaker (a Cornell University School of Hotel Administration alum) is the Dean. Before joining UNLV, Dean Shoemaker spent 19 years as an educator at Cornell. Food Network’s Guy Fieri is a graduate of UNLV’s program.

Las Vegas serves as one of the world’s largest hospitality and tourism laboratories. The school provides valuable internships and mentors. The hospitality-management bachelor’s-degree program provides a broad educational approach to a career in the hospitality industry.

Students can select a concentration in gaming management, meetings and conventions, professional golf management, or restaurant management.

The school is ranked #4 in the world by the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research.

Show 62, February 22, 2013: Jay Isais, Senior Director, Coffee Roasting & Manufacturing, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Jay Isais of the Coffee Bean and Tea LeafWe had such a great response to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Jay Isais ( eye-zay-us) from last year that we’ve invited him back to share another steaming cup of brew. This time the discussion is on the roasting of coffee beans and how that impacts flavor. Jay is the Senior Director, Coffee Roasting & Manufacturing for the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Jay also provides insight into the three major coffee growing areas of the world and what the flavor profile of the resulting coffee is.

Show 57, January 18, 2013: Skyler Reeves, master barman, co-producer of Golden State of Cocktails

Skyler ReevesSkyler Reeves is a master barman. Denizens of Downtown Los Angeles’ popular nightlife scene will know him from 213 Downtown. He’s one of the best…

His new project is co-producing the upcoming “Golden State of Cocktails.” It takes place January 27th through 30th primarily on the historic top floor of the Los Angeles Times Building in Downtown Los Angeles. This space was the former executive offices and the grandeur of the floor will surely impress. The educational event is designed exclusively for the trade.

“California’s long awaited large-scale cocktail event is finally here: Announcing Golden State of Cocktails! Staged in Los Angeles, the West Coast’s largest city and California’s anchor, Golden State of Cocktails celebrates all aspects of cocktail culture, both industry and consumer, from San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego and everywhere in between. Be a part of the inaugural event in one or more ways. From experiential interactive labs, take-away stations and brand immersion rooms, Golden State of Cocktails takes a hands-on approach to the learning experience and celebrates the best of what California cocktail culture is all about.” The event is open to restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders and people associated with the trade.