Show 201, December 10, 2016: Young Yun, Executive Director, Mentor BKB Foundation

Young YunYoung Yun is the Executive Director of the Ment’or BKB Foundation in New York, a charitable beneficiary of Ultimo Weekend. Ment’or is a leading nonprofit organization devoted to INSPIRING CULINARY EXCELLENCE in young professionals and preserving the traditions and quality of cuisine in America.

“Our aim is to build a sustainable community of young American professionals that are knowledgeable and confident in their career pursuits and will be life-long ambassadors of quality and excellence in the world of gastronomy. The organization is dedicated to making the careers of serious young individuals more meaningful and successful by offering them unique educational opportunities, internships and access to a Culinary Council of established mentors.”

Will get an update from Young on the Foundation’s busy year supporting Team USA for the upcoming Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Challenge in Lyon and Ment’or’s Young Chef and Commis Competition.

Ment’or is a charitable beneficiary of Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence.

Show 201, December 10, 2016: Mourad Lahlou, Owner / Chef, Mourad and Aziza, San Francisco

Mourad LahlouConsidered by many as the pioneer of modern Moroccan cuisine in the United States, the James Beard award-nominated Mourad Lahlou (San Francisco’s Aziza and Mourad) never envisioned becoming a world-famous chef. Chef Mourad is one of the celebrity chefs preparing a course for The Grand Banquet of Ultimo Weekend at The Venetian. He’ll lift the lid on the tagine for us.

Aziza is currently under renovation. The plan is for it to reopen in February.

The Marrakesh native immigrated to the United States when he was 20 years old to pursue a master’s degree in economics. Missing his country’s cuisine, Lahlou taught himself how to recreate versions of his favorite Moroccan dishes with local ingredients using his own inventive techniques. Most of the lessons he learned about food came from his mother, who cooked traditional Moroccan recipes, and grandfather, who took him to the markets.

Chef Mourad’s strikingly modern reinventions of traditional Moroccan dishes are all about showcasing the great flavors of his native cuisine in ways that harmonize with the fresh, local, artisanal ingredients available in Northern California. “I’m not sure I would even call it a Moroccan restaurant anymore,” he says. Like his jet-black tattoos, Lahlou’s food and restaurants reveal a very personal story, one rooted both in San Francisco and abroad, and recount the memories that have inspired his life’s work.

 

Show 201, December 10, 2016: Chef Curtis Stone, Maude in Beverly Hills & Gwen in Hollywood

Curtis StoneMelbourne-born Chef Curtis Stone now resides in Los Angeles. In addition to being all over Food TV (“Kitchen Inferno” and the upcoming “My Kitchen Rules” with Cat Cora on FOX), Chef Curtis has the intimate Maude in Beverly Hills and Gwen (also a butcher shop) in Hollywood.

Chef Curtis’ brother, Luke, is a partner and runs the front of the house at Gwen. He actively works the floor and even drops courses for the guests at their table. It’s fun to see the surprised reaction of a guest when they realize it’s Curtis’ brother serving them!

“My mum and granny taught me everything I know about food and cooking. My mum, Lozza, is a great cook, in particular a phenomenal baker, and I would watch her every move while she baked. I am very partial to her corn and bacon muffins so she makes these for me whenever I visit. I still call on her regularly for advice when I’m developing recipes – thanks Lozza!”

Curtis Stone is also the author of six cookbooks. The most recent title is Good Food, Good Life.

Chef Curtis, also a participating chef in The Grand Banquet, joins us.

To answer the most frequent question we get about Curtis Stone…Yes, he’s as nice & genuine as he comes across on radio.

Show 199, November 26, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer amp; Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to all. No sorry leftovers here. Thanks for making us part of your Saturday. Now it’s on to festive Holiday parties, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations…

Andrew and William GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Brea, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Rams and USC Football, is back as today’s Guest Host. San Clemente is launching next. In May in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association’s annual conclave he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Now a provocatively tantalizing preview of Saturday’s fully-loaded show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

Sara Moulton was one of the first breakout stars of the then embryonic Food Network and is currently the host of Public Television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” Her newest cookbook is the ambitious, Sara Moulton’s Home Cooking 101: How to Make Everything Taste Better. We’re in the kitchen with Chef Sara.

Since 1994 Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria has been the standout Mexican restaurant in Pico Rivera. It recently underwent a major refreshening. In 2003, Chef Marco Zapien joined The Grill full-time as the Executive Chef and partnered with his father, Jess, to become co-owner. Chef Marco has elevated the cuisine and enhanced its popularity well beyond the borders of Pico Rivera. Chef Marco is our guest.

Chef Marlene Moore is the dynamic chef at the popular Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. Earlier this year she successfully defended her title as Pechanga’s Chili Champ by, again, besting eight other talented Pechanga chefs in the 8th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Fest & Chili Cook-off. We’ll catch-up with the always on-the-move Chef Marlene and see what’s cooking for the Holidays.

They always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s accurately billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – Le Grand Voyage, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 9th through the 11th. The highlight of the festivities will be the Grand Banquet with lead Chef Thomas Keller. Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President of Food & Beverage for The Venetian and The Palazzo is our guest with a tantalizing preview.

Chef Andrew Gruel thankfully rescued us from potential Thanksgiving kitchen disasters with reliable information from a real, working chef. Now it’s on to December Holiday entertaining and the stakes are equally high. Is the Boss and spouse perhaps coming over for a Holiday Party? Chef Andrew has more practical and inspired Holiday cooking tips aplenty…

Join us via the airwaves next week, December 3rd, as we a bit belatedly celebrate the 4th Anniversary of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” We’ll be live at SideDoor in Corona del Mar with a special brunch broadcast.

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

Show 199, November 26, 2016: Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President, Food and Beverage, The Venetian / The Palazzo, Las Vegas

Ultimo A Weekend ExcellenceThey always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – Le Grand Voyage, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 9th through the 11th.

The highlight of the festivities will be the exclusive Grand Banquet with lead Chef Thomas Keller and a team of international culinary all-stars including Curtis Stone of Gwen (Hollywood) and Maude (Beverly Hills) fame. $2 million in Lalique crystal (flown in from France just for this dinner) will decorate the long table. Incredible premium wines will be paired with each course presented by the winemakers themselves. It’s also a benefit for the Ment’or BKB Foundation, the backers of Team USA at the upcoming biannual Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in Lyon.

Ultimo – Le Grand Voyage is already at capacity for the 140 lucky guests. Check The Venetian’s website for the updates on Ultimo Weekend 2017.

Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President of Food & Beverage for The Venetian and The Palazzo is our guest with a tantalizing preview.

November 26: Sara Moulton, Zapien’s Salsa Grill, Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga, Ultimo – Le Grand Voyage

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Celebrity Chef Sara Moulton of “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” and Sara Moulton’s Home Cooking 101
Segment Three: Chef / Proprietor Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria
Segment Four: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Five: Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President, Food and Beverage, The Venetian / The Palazzo, Las Vegas
Segment Six: Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group – Holiday Entertaining

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to all. No sorry leftovers here. Thanks for making us part of your Saturday.

Andrew and William GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Brea, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Rams and USC Football, is back as today’s Guest Host. San Clemente is launching next. In May in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association’s annual conclave he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Now a provocatively tantalizing preview of Saturday’s fully-loaded show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

Sara Moulton was one of the first breakout stars of the then embryonic Food Network and is currently the host of Public Television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” Her newest cookbook is the ambitious, Sara Moulton’s Home Cooking 101: How to Make Everything Taste Better. We’re in the kitchen with Chef Sara.

Since 1994 Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria has been the standout Mexican restaurant in Pico Rivera. It recently underwent a major refreshening. In 2003, Chef Marco Zapien joined The Grill full-time as the Executive Chef and partnered with his father, Jess, to become co-owner. Chef Marco has elevated the cuisine and enhanced its popularity well beyond the borders of Pico Rivera. Chef Marco is our guest.

Chef Marlene Moore is the dynamic chef at the popular Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. Earlier this year she successfully defended her title as Pechanga’s Chili Champ by, again, besting eight other talented Pechanga chefs in the 8th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Fest & Chili Cook-off. We’ll catch-up with the always on-the-move Chef Marlene and see what’s cooking.

They always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – Le Grand Voyage, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 9th through the 11th. The highlight of the festivities will be the Grand Banquet with lead Chef Thomas Keller. Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President of Food & Beverage for The Venetian and The Palazzo is our guest with a tantalizing preview.

Chef Andrew Gruel thankfully rescued us from potential Thanksgiving kitchen disasters with reliable information from a real, working chef. Now it’s on to December Holiday entertaining and the stakes are equally high. Is the Boss and spouse perhaps coming over for a Holiday Party ? Chef Andrew has more practical and inspired Holiday cooking tips aplenty…

Join us via the airwaves next week, December 3rd, as we a bit belatedly celebrate the 4th Anniversary of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” We’ll be live at SideDoor in Corona del Mar with a brunch broadcast.

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

Sara MoultonSara Moulton was one of the first breakout stars of the then embryonic Food Network and is currently the host of Public Television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” She is also the author of the Associated Press column “Kitchen Wise.”

Her newest cookbook is the ambitious, Sara Moulton’s Home Cooking 101: How to Make Everything Taste Better.

Not just a collection of wonderful recipes, HOME COOKING 101 is a teaching manual aimed at the home cook. The recipes will indeed make it easier to put dinner on the table on a weeknight, but, as Sara notes in her introduction, “more important is that each recipe specifically demonstrates a tip or method that can make you a better and more confident cook while also teaching you to make your dishes taste better.”

Accordingly, the book’s first chapter is a compact and handy rulebook entitled “The Ten Basics of Good Home Cooking.” It advises the home cook as follows:

  • Shake hands with your stove
  • Buy a good knife
  • Get organized
  • Follow the recipe exactly the first time you make it
  • Dispense with mise en place
  • Reach for the salt
  • Balance flavors
  • Build umami
  • Use all your senses
  • Don’t waste food

As for the recipes, there are 150 of them—all new and accompanied by photographs that illustrate, step-by-step, the book’s key techniques. The book also boasts guest recipes from a stellar cast of some of Sara’s favorite chefs and cookbook authors, including Rick Bayless, Amanda Cohen, Hiroko Shimbo, Jacques Torres, Marc Vetri, and Grace Young.

In sum, Sara writes, “The goal of this book is two-fold: to sharpen your sense of taste and to provide you with a raft of time-tested techniques that I hope will become second nature to you.”

We’re in the kitchen with Chef Sara.

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaSince 1994 Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria has been the standout Mexican restaurant in Pico Rivera. It recently underwent a major refreshening.

In 2003, Chef Marco Zapien joined The Grill full-time as the Executive Chef and partnered with his father, Jess, to become co-owner. Chef Marco has elevated the cuisine and enhanced its popularity well beyond the borders of Pico Rivera.

Chef Marco has refined a unique style of cooking that incorporates two generations of his mother’s and father’s family recipes with the passionate creativity he has enhanced throughout his culinary career.

The Salsa Grill serves truly traditional Mexican food with items such as Lengua and Enchilades en Mole on the Chef’s Specialties menu, Camarones Mojo De Ajo and Tequila Fried Shrimp on its Seafood Specialty Menu, and fresh Menudo, Cocido and Pozole served daily.

They even make their own tortillas right there fresh throughout the day. This is the base of their tortilla chips, too. Can’t get any fresher than this!

Chef Marco is our guest.

Marlene Moore at the Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili CookoffChef Marlene Moore is the high-energy chef at the popular Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. She is famous for the signature Pechanga Fried Chicken.

Earlier this year she successfully defended her title as Pechanga’s Chili Champ by, again, besting eight other talented Pechanga chefs in the 8th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Fest & Chili Cook-off which was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Her winning chili creation is “Temptation” Hearty Southern Style Chili.

Chef Moore, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, retained her title despite stiff competition from Chef Ronnel Capacia of Kelsey’s, who serves southwestern chili in his appetizer selections for lunch and dinner every day. Now in its eighth year, 1,459 people came to enjoy craft and microbrews, chili and music at the 2016 Pechanga Microbrew Festival.

We’ll catch-up with the always on-the-move Chef Marlene.

Ultimo A Weekend ExcellenceThey always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – Le Grand Voyage, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 9th through the 11th.

The highlight of the festivities will be the exclusive Grand Banquet with lead Chef Thomas Keller and a team of international culinary all-stars including Curtis Stone of Gwen (Hollywood) and Maude (Beverly Hills) fame. $2 million in Lalique crystal (flown in from France just for this dinner) will decorate the long table. It’s also a benefit for the Ment’or BKB Foundation.

Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President of Food & Beverage for The Venetian and The Palazzo is our guest with a tantalizing preview.

Andrew and William GruelChef Andrew Gruel thankfully rescued us from potential Thanksgiving kitchen disasters with reliable information from a real, working chef.

Now it’s on to December Holiday entertaining and the stakes are equally high. Is the Boss and spouse perhaps coming over for a Holiday Party?

Chef Andrew has more practical and inspired Holiday cooking tips aplenty to share…

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Celebrity Chef Sara Moulton of “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” and Sara Moulton’s Home Cooking 101
Segment Three: Chef / Proprietor Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria
Segment Four: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Five: Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President, Food and Beverage, The Venetian / The Palazzo, Las Vegas
Segment Six: Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group – Holiday Entertaining

December 19: Live from Lagasse’s Stadium and the Venetian in Las Vegas

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Young Yun, Executive Director, ment’or BKB Foundation
Segment Three: Chef Philip Tessier, Head Coach, Team USA 2017, Hestan Culinary Director
Segment Four: Chef Mathew Peters, Executive Sous Chef, Per Se, NY, Team USA 2017”
Segment Five: Chef James Kent, Executive Chef, NoMad, NYC, ment’or BKB Culinary Council
Segment Six: Scott Pajack, Chef de Cuisine, Lagasse’s Stadium, The Palazzo, Las Vegas
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer Andy Harris on Las Vegas Dining
Segment Eight: Adam Craun, Co-Founder, Memento Mori

Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer and Co-Host Andy Harris are in fabulous Las Vegas for the Team USA 2017 Selection for The Bocuse d’Or, the world’s most rigorous international culinary competition. This is all part of ULTIMO, a lavish weekend of culinary events at The Venetian and The Palazzo.

Thomas Keller and Young Yun of the Ment'or BKB FoundationTeam USA is guided and funded by the ment’or BKB Foundation that inspires excellence in young culinary professionals. The President is Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery.) Chef Keller joins us for an exclusive interview.

The day-to-day operations of ment’or BKB are overseen by Young Yun, the Executive Director. Young will be with us to profile the good works of ment’or BKB and explain what’s in store for the future.

Philip TessierEarlier in the year Chef Philip Tessier (ex-French Laundry) led Team USA to the Silver Trophy at the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon. This is the highest ranking ever for Team USA. For 2017 Chef Tessier is Head Coach for Team USA and was a judge this week for the Team USA 2017 National Selection. Chef Phil is our guest.

 

Mathew PetersIt was an intense competition to select Team USA 2017. It was a four hour and 35 minute marathon for each team. There was a separate judging panel for the fish dish and the meat platter. The Chef Jury members’ decision was for Chef Mathew Peters, Executive Sous Chef, Per Se, NYC. His commis is Harrison Turone.  Chef Mathew will lead Team USA for 2017 and train intensively for the next year! Chef Mathew Peters joins us.

James KentChef James Kent led Team USA 2011 for the Bocuse d’Or. He’s a Competition Captain for Team USA 2017. Chef Kent is the Executive Chef of the acclaimed NoMad in New York City. We’ll meet him.

Memento Mori winery (Napa Valley) is one of the small, exclusive boutique producers showcased at Ultimo Weekend. Their 100 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon will be poured at the Ultimo Grand Banquet. The Winery’s premium Cabernet grapes come from highly regarded vineyards in St. Helena and Oakville. Co-founder Adam Craun is our guest.

Scott PajakWe’re broadcasting from Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo. The chef de cuisine here is Scott Pajak. We’ll visit with Chef Scott and learn why thus isn’t you average sports bar.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Young Yun, Executive Director, ment’or BKB Foundation
Segment Three: Chef Philip Tessier, Head Coach, Team USA 2017, Hestan Culinary Director
Segment Four: Chef Mathew Peters, Executive Sous Chef, Per Se, NY, Team USA 2017”
Segment Five: Chef James Kent, Executive Chef, NoMad, NYC, ment’or BKB Culinary Council
Segment Six: Scott Pajack, Chef de Cuisine, Lagasse’s Stadium, The Palazzo, Las Vegas
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer Andy Harris on Las Vegas Dining
Segment Eight: Adam Craun, Co-Founder, Memento Mori

Show 150, December 12, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, soon, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

West Coast Prime Meats CookbookWe got a tremendous response to our segment last week on the publication of the West Coast Prime Meats CooksProfessional Recipes for the Home Kitchen cookbook. It’s the ideal gift for the serious home cook and it’s also a worthy coffee table volume. All the chefs’ recipes have been tested to be duplicated in the home kitchen. It’s available through their website at www.WestCoastPrimeMeats.com

for a modest $25.00. Five Dollars of the purchase price goes to a pair of outstanding supports groups for our Veterans, The Wounded Warrior Project and The Gary Sinise Foundation – Serving Honor and Need. It’s the Holiday gift you can feel really good about giving.

Next a mouthwatering preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately festive show and not, with apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

For the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade. Chef Marlene shares some tips for creative Holidays dishes with a true Southern flair. Think marination and jerk seasoning.

They always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 17th through the 20th. The highlight of the festivities will be the competition to select Team USA representing the United States in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or international cooking competition in Lyon, France in early 2017. This is the Olympics of the culinary arts.

Chef Richard Rosendale (Richard Rosendale Collective) is our guest. He is on the Chef Jury on Dec. 17th in Las Vegas and led Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or in 2013.

In 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible.  “Golden Road is committed to engaging and supporting the growing community of socially-minded beer enthusiasts.” “Brewed and canned in Los Angeles,” Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA. Co-founder Meg Gill is our guest

Anita Lau is better known to regular listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She was living in Hong Kong in the 90s before the turnover to China. Anita is just back from a 3-week visit. We’ll get a insider’s view of the dining scene there during the glory days of the British and now under Chinese authority.

One of the up-and-coming wineries in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja is Lechuza, founded in 2005. It’s owned by Ray Magnussen (with his wife, Patty) who is also the hands-on winemaker. They are Americans. We’ll meet Ray.

Our regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, was just in Chicago, a great dining out city whether you’re going for high-end gourmet or great street food. Chef Andrew will discuss his finds ranging from a true Chicago hot dog experience to the best in coal-fired pizza.

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

December 12: Andrew Gruel, Pechanga Casino and Resort, Richard Rosendale, Golden Road Brewing, Mad Hungry Woman, Lechuza VIneyard

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Court, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Three: Chef Richard Rosendale, Bocuse d’Or Team USA 2013
Segment Four: Meg Gill, Co-Founder & President, Golden Road Brewing Part One”
Segment Five: Meg Gill is the Co Founder and President of Golden Road Brewing Part Two
Segment Six: Anita Lau, Mad Hungry Woman Blogger
Segment Seven: Ray Magnussen, Lechuza Winery, Guadalupe Valley, Baja
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, soon, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a mouthwatering preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately festive show and not, with apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

For the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade. Chef Marlene shares some suggestions for creative Holidays dishes with a true Southern flair.

They always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 17th through the 20th. The highlight of the festivities will be the competition to select Team USA representing the United States in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or international cooking competition in Lyon, France in early 2017. This is the Olympics of the culinary arts. Chef Richard Rosendale (Richard Rosendale Collective) is our guest. He is on the Chef Jury on Dec. 17th in Las Vegas and led Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or in 2013.

In 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible.  “Golden Road is committed to engaging and supporting the growing community of socially-minded beer enthusiasts.” “Brewed and canned in Los Angeles,” Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA. Co-founder Meg Gill is our guest

Anita Lau is better known to regular listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She was living in Hong Kong in the 90s before the turnover to China. Anita is just back from a return visit. We’ll get a insider’s view of the dining scene there during the glory days of the British and now under Chinese authority.

One of the up-and-coming wineries in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja is Lechuza, founded in 2005. It’s owned by Ray Magnussen (with his wife, Patty) who is also the hands-on winemaker. They are Americans. We’ll toast the harvest with Ray.

Our regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, was just in Chicago, a great dining out city whether you’re going for high-end gourmet fare or great street food. Chef Andrew will discuss his finds ranging from a true Chicago hot dog experience to the best in deep dish pizza.

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

Marlene MooreFor the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The outlet names at Temptations are American Classics, Agave Mexican Delights, Pronto Italiano, Caffe Cocoa, Little Wok Asian Specialties, and Pechanga Fried Chicken.

This year Chef Marlene was crowned the Chili Champ at the Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff with her winning creation of “Temptation” Hearty Southern Style Chili. She competed against seven other dedicated Pechanga chefs and even bested the incumbent champ, Chef Damien Stanley, who is the executive sous chef of Pechanga.

Chef Marlene shares some tempting tips for creative Holidays dishes with a true Southern flair.

Richard Rosendale of the Greenbrier Resort in Sulphur Springs West VirginiaThey always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 17th through the 20th. The highlight of the festivities will be the competition to select Team USA representing the United States in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or international cooking competition in Lyon, France in early 2017.

This is the Olympics of the culinary arts. Chef Richard Rosendale (Richard Rosendale Collective) is our guest. He is on the Chef Jury on Dec. 17th in Las Vegas and led Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or in 2013.

This competition event, modeled after the world famous Bocuse d’Or, concludes with an esteemed chef panel who judge each of the four candidates’ presentations. Guests will be treated to a spectacular display of culinary skill and artistry during the intense 4 hour and 35 minute competition. Each candidate prepares a stunning meat platter showcasing Kurobuta Pork provided by Snake River Farms and a fish dish featuring the Norwegian Seafood Council’s Fjord Trout.

Meg Gill of Golden Road BrewingIn 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible. “Golden Road is committed to engaging and supporting the growing community of socially-minded beer enthusiasts.”

“Brewed and canned in Los Angeles,” Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA. Co-founder Meg Gill is our guest.

In a stellar example of private industry supporting worthy truly causes in a meaningful way Golden Road Brewing created Heal the Bay IPA as a seasonal style (May to July) for one season. It’s now an incredible success story and is an annuity style for Golden Road. Of course water quality is of prime importance to Golden Road so there is logic to the association!

Construction has started in Anaheim (across the street from the South entrance to Angel Stadium) of a new production brewery, restaurant, and tasting room for Golden Road. The temporary tasting room is already serving thirsty guests. The greatly respected brewmaster there, Victor Novak (ex-TAPS), is well-known to Orange County craft beer enthusiasts. We’ll talk to our guest, Meg Gill, about this ambitious new project.

It’s no secret that the mega breweries have started acquiring regional craft breweries to learn more about this fast growing area of the business. Golden Road was acquired earlier this year by Anheuser-Busch InBev which already owns Chicago-based craft brewer, Goose Island. Meg Gill will continue with the company. We’ll hear about what this means for Golden Road’s future expansion.

Anita Lau of Mad Hungry WomanAnita Lau is better known to regular listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” as the Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She was living in Hong Kong in the 90s before the turnover by the British to China.

Anita was just back to Hong Kong from a visit. We’ll get a insider’s view of the dining scene there during the glory days of the British and now under Chinese authority.

Anita will fill us in on the impact of Michelin Stars in Hong Kong dining and also the best street food. We’ll get the morsel-by-morsel details of her favorite dining experience of the trip.

Born in Hong Kong and now living in Orange County, California, Anita Lau is an international author and writer who has lived in Malaysia, Australia, Nebraska, Oregon, San Francisco and also, Hawaii. Her obsession with food began at an early age but it wasn’t until her early 20s when her experimentation with cooking led her to start a small catering business which she would run in her spare time while at college in Australia.

Ray Magnussen One of the promising, up-and-coming wineries in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja is Lechuza, founded in 2005. It’s owned by Ray Magnussen (with his wife, Patty) who is also the hands-on winemaker. They are Americans.

“Lechuza” is Spanish for “burrowing ground owl.” This bird frequents the Lechuza vineyard property. The modest vineyard estate is adjacent to Laja, one of the most well-reviewed restaurants in Baja, California.

Lechuza currently offers Lechuza Amantes (Blend), Lechuza Cabernet Sauvignon, Lechuza Nebbiolo, Lerchuza Merlot, Lechuza Tempranillo and Lechuza Grenache Rose.

Their wines are conveniently available on-line via their San Diego-based distributor. This is a lot easier than bringing Mexican wines back through the border. www.LMAwines.com.

We’ll meet Ray.

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, was just in Chicago, a great dining out city whether you’re going for high-end gourmet or great street food. Chef Andrew will discuss his finds ranging from a true Chicago hot dog experience to the best in deep dish pizza.

Chef Andrew was extensively quoted (representing his expertise in Social Media) in a lengthy New York Times article entitled “A Bad Review Is Forever: How to Counter Online Complaints” which appeared on December 9th.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Court, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Three: Chef Richard Rosendale, Bocuse d’Or Team USA 2013
Segment Four: Meg Gill, Co-Founder & President, Golden Road Brewing Part One”
Segment Five: Meg Gill is the Co Founder and President of Golden Road Brewing Part Two
Segment Six: Anita Lau, Mad Hungry Woman Blogger
Segment Seven: Ray Magnussen, Lechuza Winery, Guadalupe Valley, Baja
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel