Show 302, December 15, 2018: Chef Ian P. Cairns, Winner of ment’or BKB’s Young Chef Competition

Ian CairnsWe’ve been in Las Vegas this week covering ment’or BKB Foundations’ Fifth Annual Young Chef and Third Annual Commis Competition held in the new Hospitality Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The seven Candidates developed a unique recipe based on the selected protein for the competition which was one, whole Bone-In Lamb Saddle provided by Pure Bred. Each Young Chef candidate had a hand-picked assistant helping them during the competition. They had 2 hours and 35 minutes to cook and plate 10 tasting-size portions of the dish for the chef judges.

The celebrated Chef Jury included Paul Bartolotta, Gavin Kaysen, Timothy Hollingsworth, Hawaii’s Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Philip Tessier (Silver medalist for Team USA at 2015 Bocuse d’Or.)

The winners are awarded the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Lyon, France and support Team USA at the 2019 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition Finale in January. Team USA will be defending their Gold Medal win from 2017 (an extraordinary achievement.)

Our guest, Ian P. Cairns is the talented and poised winner of the Young Chef Competition. He was sponsored by Chef Josiah Citrin of Melisse in Santa Monica. Ian has also cooked at The French Laundry.

Show 164, March 19, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Angels’ Baseball is upon us. Be listening to the show for your chance to win a four-pack of ducats for Sunday, April 3rd at Angel Stadium when our Halos take on the Chicago Cubs! For all Home Games remember to purchase your tickets at the convenient Angel Stadium ticket office or online at Angels.com.

Now an enticing peek at Saturday’s provocatively decadent show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a good thing…

Applications are now available for the 3rd Annual ment’or BKB Foundation Young Chef Competition and the new Commis Competition. Mentor’s programs celebrate the young culinary talent that exists in the US and provides unique opportunities for them to be recognized on a national level. Ment’or BKB’s Executive Director, Young Yun, and Chef Philip Tessier, Silver Medalist for Team USA at the 2015 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and Coach for Team USA 2017 have all the details.

How do you keep a fine-dining establishment with an incredible Marina-view fresh after 25 years? We’ll chat with Brian Cousins, the seasoned General Manager of Café Del Rey, about how he has accomplished this impressive feat at a well-known, destination restaurant in Marina del Rey.

In November 2009, Chef Thomas Keller returned to Southern California after almost 20 years to bring his renowned Bouchon Bistro cuisine to the City of Beverly Hills. Chef Keller’s accomplished culinary team also has a sense of humor. Chef Keller’s casual restaurant in Yountville, Ad Hoc, is known for their fried chicken. By demand Monday nights at Bouchon Beverly Hills are now Ad Hoc Fried Chicken nights. Chef de Cuisine David Hands and Executive Sous Chef Katie Hagan-Whelchel (ex-Ad Hoc) join us to take us behind-the-scenes.

The incredible 13th Season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” has just concluded in dramatic fashion in Las Vegas. The final showdown for the title of “Top Chef” was between Orange County’s Chef Amar Santana (Vaca and Broadway by Amar Santana) and Chef Jeremy Ford of Miami. Local food journalist, Anne Marie Panoringan (OC Weekly) has been penning an entertaining and informative weekly recap of the series all season. Anne Marie is with us with observations and commentary of Season 13th.

The story of Justin’s began when Justin Gold, a lover of the active lifestyle, moved to Boulder, Colorado in his 20’s. In order to fuel his long bike rides, Justin embarked on a mission to create new varieties of nut butter that not only packed the protein, but also tasted great. He began crafting the very first batches of his now-famous, culinary nut butters in his home kitchen. The newest addition to the Justin’s line of products is a cookbook, Justin My Kitchen – simple, delicious recipes in a nutshell. The effervescent author of the book, Julianna Abdallah, is our guest. She is also the Earned Media Manager for Justin’s.

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

Show 164, March 19, 2016: ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition

Philip TessierApplications are now available for the 3rd Annual ment’or BKB Foundation Young Chef Competition and the new Commis Competition. Mentor’s programs celebrate the young culinary talent that exists in the US and provides unique opportunities for them to be recognized on a national level.

The Young Chef Competitions launched in 2014 to recognize outstanding young chefs throughout the country. Selected candidates and their Commis will compete in the 2 hour and 35minute live cooking competition with judges scoring on taste, presentation and kitchen organization.

This year, ment’or will host one competition in New York City with six selected candidates. Ment’or cofounder and Chairman, Chef Daniel Boulud says, “Every year, we see the talent and pool of young chefs grow. It is gratifying to note that our Young Chef participants have not only honed their skills and craftsmanship, but stay connected to our culinary network and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of upcoming chefs.”

Young YunCandidates of both the Young Chef Competition and the Commis competition will be paired with mentors from the Foundation’s Culinary Council or previous Bocuse d’Or Team USA representatives to guide them throughout their training. Winners will have the choice of a cash prize or the coveted opportunity to work with Team USA as they train for the upcoming January 2017 Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France.

Applications are now available through Thursday, April 7, 2016. Applications and additional details about the ment’or Young Chef and Commis Competitions can be found on the ment’or BKB Website.

Ment’or BKB’s Executive Director, Young Yun, and Chef Philip Tessier, Silver Medalist for Team USA at the 2015 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and Coach for Team USA 2017 have all the details.

March 19: Young Yun, Philip Tessier, Café Del Rey, Bouchon BIstro, Anne Marie Panoringan, Justin’s Nut Butter, Andrew Gruel

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition
Segment Three: Brian Cousins, General Manager, Café Del Rey
Segment Four: Chef de Cuisine David Hands & Katie Hagan-Whelchel, Executive Sous Chef, Bouchon Beverly Hills Part One
Segment Five: Chef de Cuisine David Hands & Katie Hagan-Whelchel, Executive Sous Chef, Bouchon Beverly Hills Part Two
Segment Six: Food Journalist Anne Marie Panoringan
Segment Seven: Julianna Abdallah, Earned Media Manager, Justin’s Part One
Segment Eight: Julianna Abdallah, Earned Media Manager, Justin’s Part Two

The new season of Angels’ Baseball is upon us. Be listening to the show for your chance to win a four-pack of ducats for Sunday, April 3rd at Angel Stadium when our Halos take on the Chicago Cubs! For all Home Games remember to purchase your tickets at the convenient Angel Stadium ticket office or online at Angels.com.

Now an enticing peek at Saturday’s provocatively decadent show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a good thing…

Applications are now available for the 3rd Annual ment’or BKB Foundation Young Chef Competition and the new Commis Competition. Mentor’s programs celebrate the young culinary talent that exists in the US and provides unique opportunities for them to be recognized on a national level. Ment’or BKB’s Executive Director, Young Yun, and Chef Philip Tessier, Silver Medalist for Team USA at the 2015 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and Coach for Team USA 2017 have all the details.

How do you keep a fine-dining establishment with an incredible Marina-view fresh after 25 years? We’ll chat with Brian Cousins, the seasoned General Manager of Café Del Rey, about how he has accomplished this impressive feat at a well-known, destination restaurant in Marina del Rey with a long history.

In November 2009, Chef Thomas Keller returned to Southern California after almost 20 years to bring his renowned Bouchon Bistro cuisine to the City of Beverly Hills. Chef Keller’s accomplished culinary team also has a sense of humor. Chef Keller’s casual restaurant in Yountville, Ad Hoc, is known for their fried chicken. By guest demand Monday nights at Bouchon Beverly Hills are Ad Hoc Fried Chicken nights. Chef de Cuisine David Hands and Executive Sous Chef Katie Hagan-Whelchel (ex-Ad Hoc) join us to take us behind-the-scenes.

The incredible 13th Season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” has just concluded in dramatic fashion in Las Vegas. The final showdown for the title of “Top Chef” was between Orange County’s Chef Amar Santana (Vaca and Broadway by Amar Santana) and Chef Jeremy Ford of Miami. Local food journalist, Anne Marie Panoringan (OC Weekly) has been penning an entertaining weekly recap of the series all season long. Anne Marie is with us to share observations and commentary of Season 13th.

The story of Justin’s began when Justin Gold, a lover of the active lifestyle, moved to Boulder, Colorado in his 20’s. In order to fuel his long bike rides, Justin embarked on a mission to create new varieties of nut butter that not only packed the protein, but also tasted great. He began crafting the very first batches of his now-famous, culinary nut butters in his home kitchen. The newest addition to the Justin’s appealing line of products is a cookbook, Justin My Kitchen – simple, delicious recipes in a nutshell. The effervescent author of the book, Julianna Abdallah, is our guest. She is also the Earned Media Manager fur Justin’s.

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

Philip TessierApplications are now available for the 3rd Annual ment’or BKB Foundation Young Chef Competition and the new Commis Competition. Mentor’s programs celebrate the young culinary talent that exists in the US and provides unique opportunities for them to be recognized on a national level.

The Young Chef Competitions launched in 2014 to recognize outstanding young chefs throughout the country. Selected candidates and their Commis will compete in the 2 hour and 35 minute live cooking competition with judges scoring on taste, presentation and kitchen organization.

This year, ment’or will host one competition in New York City with six selected candidates. Ment’or cofounder and Chairman, Chef Daniel Boulud says, “Every year, we see the talent and pool of young chefs grow. It is gratifying to note that our Young Chef participants have not only honed their skills and craftsmanship, but stay connected to our culinary network and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of upcoming chefs.”

Young YunCandidates of both the Young Chef Competition and the Commis competition will be paired with mentors from the Foundation’s culinary council or previous Bocuse d’Or Team USA representatives to guide them throughout their training. Winners will have the choice of a cash prize or the coveted opportunity to work with Team USA as they train for the upcoming January 2017 Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France.

Applications are now available through Thursday, April 7, 2016. Applications and additional details about the ment’or Young Chef and Commis Competitions can be found on the ment’or BKB Website.

Ment’or BKB’s Executive Director, Young Yun, and Chef Philip Tessier, Silver Medalist for Team USA at the 2015 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and Coach for Team USA 2017 have all the details.

Brian CousinsHow do you keep a fine-dining establishment with an incredible Marina-view fresh after 25 years? We’ll chat with Brian Cousins, the seasoned General Manager of Café Del Rey, about how he has accomplished this impressive feat at a well-known, wine-centric destination restaurant in Marina del Rey.

Executive Chef David Vilchez is new to the kitchen at Café Del Rey. He moved South to the Marina from sister establishment, Napa Valley Grille in Westwood.

Fortunately this contemporary, marina-view establishment defies the convention that having a great view is an excuse for serving mediocre food.

“Cuisine inspired by the coastal towns of the Mediterranean. Intuitive service and a beautiful seaside setting. The food is about discovery: the freshest fish, fire grilled steaks, roasted free-range poultry, citrus, olives and market fresh vegetables all bursting with flavor. The luscious desserts, sophisticated cocktails and wine complete your journey.”

David HandsIn November 2009, Chef Thomas Keller returned to Southern California after almost 20 years to bring his renowned Bouchon Bistro cuisine from Yountville to the City of Beverly Hills. Chef Keller’s accomplished culinary team also has a sense of humor. Chef Keller’s casual restaurant in Yountville, Ad Hoc, is known for their fried chicken. By guest demand Monday nights at Bouchon Beverly Hills are now Ad Hoc Fried Chicken nights.

The restaurant, located just two blocks from the famed Rodeo Drive and situated adjacent to the beautiful Beverly Canon Gardens, offers guests both the grandeur of a soaring interior space designed by the award-winning firm of Adam D. Tihany or the tranquility of an urban oasis with its second floor terrace overlooking the gardens. Like Chef Keller’s earlier incarnations of classic French dining, Bouchon Bistro features a classic mosaic floor, a magnificent pewter bar, antique light fixtures and hand-painted murals by renowned French artist Paulin Paris throughout the restaurant.

Chef de Cuisine David Hands and Executive Sous Chef Katie Hagan-Whelchel (ex-Ad Hoc) join us for a look behind-the-scenes.

Katie HaganWhelchelBouchon’s quintessential bistro fare changes with the seasons but though their presentation may change, some of Chef Keller’s favorite dishes remain as fixtures on the menu throughout the year: roast chicken, steak frites, croque madame, pot de crème and lemon tart as well as an extensive raw bar.

In addition to a comprehensive wine list and range of hand-crafted cocktails, Bouchon Bistro presents a unique “Vin de Carafe” program that highlights one-of-a-kind wines from some of southern California’s outstanding wine producers.

Chef de Cuisine David Hands and Executive Sous Chef Katie Hagan-Whelchel (ex-Ad Hoc) continue our look behind-the-scenes.

Top Chef on BravoThe incredible 13th Season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” culinary challenge series has just concluded in dramatic fashion in Las Vegas. The final showdown for the title of “Top Chef” was between Orange County’s Chef Amar Santana (Vaca and Broadway by Amar Santana) and Chef Jeremy Ford, the Chef de Cuisine at Miami’s Matador Room by Jean-George. The winning cheftestant takes home a cool $125,000 and a feature in Food and Wine magazine.

Local food journalist, Anne Marie Panoringan (OC Weekly) has been penning an entertaining weekly recap of the series all season. Anne Marie provides us with observations and commentary of Season 13th.

Justin Gold The story of Justin’s began when Justin Gold, a lover of the active lifestyle, moved to Boulder, Colorado in his 20’s. In order to fuel his long bike rides, Justin embarked on a mission to create new varieties of nut butter that not only packed the protein, but also tasted great.

He began crafting the very first batches of his now-famous, culinary nut butters in his home kitchen.

Justin’s family and friends encouraged him to start selling his nut butter at the Boulder Farmers’ Market. With the help of mentors and extensive research at Colorado University’s Leeds School of Business, he developed his first business plan. The jars of nut butter, filled with passion, were an instant hit at the Farmers’ Market.

Justin used this success as leverage to convince select retailers to allow him to stock their shelves and demo the nut butters in store. As a one-man operation, he tirelessly overcame one challenge after another and slowly the business grew.

The newest addition to the Justin’s expanding line of products is a fun lifestyle cookbook, Justin My Kitchen – simple, delicious recipes in a nutshell. The effervescent author of the book, Julianna Abdallah, is our guest. She is also the Earned Media Manager fur Justin’s.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition
Segment Three: Brian Cousins, General Manager, Café Del Rey
Segment Four: Chef de Cuisine David Hands & Katie Hagan-Whelchel, Executive Sous Chef, Bouchon Beverly Hills Part One
Segment Five: Chef de Cuisine David Hands & Katie Hagan-Whelchel, Executive Sous Chef, Bouchon Beverly Hills Part Two
Segment Six: Food Journalist Anne Marie Panoringan
Segment Seven: Julianna Abdallah, Earned Media Manager, Justin’s Part One
Segment Eight: Julianna Abdallah, Earned Media Manager, Justin’s Part Two

Show 138, September 12, 2015: ment’or BKB Foundation’s 2015 Young Chef Competitions

philip-tessierThe ment’or BKB Foundation debuted its 2015 Young Chef Competition Series in Los Angeles on Sept. 27th at Bouchon Beverly Hills. Other upcoming dates will be in Chicago, Houston and New York City. Four chefs between the ages of 22 to 27 compete on a Bocuse d’Or-style challenge, with the winning team in each city being awarded $10,000, which may be used to stage at the restaurant of their choice. The team placing second receives $5,000.

Culinary greats from the distinguished ment’or Culinary Council are on hand in each city to judge the competition, a ticked event with all the proceeds hoping to support the Foundation. In Los Angeles Alan Wong (Alan Wong’s) flew in all the way in from Honolulu to be a judge!

Skylar Stover, the Commis for Team USA at the 2015 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in Lyon, was the winner at Bouchon Beverly Hills. The next leg of the competition is Chicago on Sept. 17th.

Culinary Council member Chef Philip Tessier, formerly the Executive Sous Chef of The French Laundry in Yountville is our guest. Chef Philip is also the Team USA Head Coach for the 2017 Bocuse d’Or international culinary competition. Chef Philip was the Silver Statue Winner for Bocuse d’Or Team USA in 2015. This was a prestigious first for the United States.

August 22: Andrew Gruel, Western Foodservice Expo, Susan Herrmann Loomis, Jesse Barber, Sessions West Coast Deli, GrubTribe

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish
Segment Three: Ron Mathews, Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Segment Four: Susan Herrmann Loomis, author and cooking instructor
Segment Five: Executive Chef Jesse Barber, The Dudley Market, Venice
Segment Six: Max Schlutz, Culinary Director, Sessions West Coast Deli Part One
Segment Seven: Max Schlutz, Culinary Director, Sessions West Coast Deli Part Two
Segment Eight: Jeff Fliegler, Co-Founder, Grub Tribe

First an appetizing preview of Saturday’s full show and, with apologies, not for dieters. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

The ment’or BKB Foundation is debuting their 2015 Young Chef Competition Series in Los Angeles at Bouchon Bistro Beverly Hills on August 27th. Future competitions will be hosted in Chicago, Houston and New York City. Four chefs between the ages of 22 to 27 will compete in a Bocuse d’Or-style challenge, with the winning team in each city being awarded $10,000, which may be used to stage at the restaurant of their choice. L.A. competitor Skylar Stover (ex-French Laundry) is our guest.

The 2015 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will be held Sunday, August 23rd to Tuesday, August 25th, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Show, the largest restaurant industry conference on the West Coast, is produced and managed by Urban Expositions, and sponsored by the California Restaurant Association. Ron Mathews, Industry Vice President, Urban Expositions, producers of the annual event, joins us with all the 411. It’s for the trade, only.

Award-winning author, Susan Herrmann Loomis, is with us to talk about her newest book, In a French Kitchen: Tales and Traditions of Everyday Home Cooking in France.  This book, with tales about real French cooks and more than 85 recipes, proves that delicious, decadent meals are simple and easy to create.  Susan takes lessons from busy, everyday French cooks and offers their tips and tricks, kitchen wisdom, and recipes to create meals focused on local, seasonal, quality ingredients. She regales us with tales of the French at the table, offers twelve seasonal menus, and pairs wines with her dishes to make this book an enjoyable read and an indispensable friend in the kitchen.  Susan is a France-based, award winning journalist with ten books to her credit, a cooking school proprietor, and a professionally trained chef.

As Executive Chef at Barnyard, Jesse Barber was known for his simple, honest food and ingredient-driven menu. In his newest venture, Dudley Market, Barber looks to continue his practice of utilizing local, seasonally fresh ingredients, maintaining the strong relationships with the farmers and purveyors he has worked closely with over the past few years. Barber is inspired by the unique and vibrant Venice community, “Food is one of the most important connections between people and I hope to create lasting relationships with neighbors, friends, farms and local vendors.”

We really love and appreciate a well-constructed sandwich on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” After a promising Orange County debut in Newport Beach in 2014, Sessions West Coast Deli has opened its second location on the waterfront in Huntington Beach (414 Pacific Coast Highway). Designed as a neighborhood-casual concept, this new restaurant serves its immediate community with a menu of gourmet, culinary-focused sandwiches in a relaxed, beach-inspired environment. Co-proprietor Max Schlutz (he loves craft beer, too) joins us with the tempting gourmet sandwich 411.

GrubTribe is Southern California’s (mainly Orange County and Long Beach) new digital destination for behind –the-scenes gourmet video. They showcase local chefs and food providers, their businesses, their prep choices, their favorite ingredients, and more. Co-founder, Jeff Fliegler, a chef by background and training, is our guest.

Andrew Gruel and Anthony Dispensa of Slapfish Restaurants and FYI Say It To My FaceChef Andrew Gruel’s (our regular Guest Co-Host of Slapfish fame) new FYI network restaurant makeover series, “Say It To My Face,” returns to the airwaves next Saturday afternoon (August 20th) for the continuation of Season 1. It’s a pair back-to-back episodes on those Saturdays. Check your local listings for the time.

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

Skylar StoverThe ment’or BKB Foundation is debuting their 2015 Young Chef Competition Series in Los Angeles at Bouchon Bistro Beverly Hills on August 27th. Future competitions will be hosted in Chicago, Houston and New York City.

Four chefs between the ages of 22 to 27 will compete in a Bocuse d’Or-style challenge, with the winning team in each city being awarded $10,000, which may be used to stage at the restaurant of their choice.

“We established the ment’or Young Chef Competition series to identify the next generation of great chefs in America, and to give them the opportunity to further their culinary education,” said Daniel Boulud, Chairman, ment’or BKB Foundation. “We have a strong group of candidates, and are very excited to see them compete!”

L.A. competitor (one of four) Skylar Stover (exFrench Laundry) is our guest. You remember him as the Commis for Chef Philip Tessier (French Laundry) of Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or. For the first time ever Team USA won the Silver Bocuse.

Western Foodservice ExpoThe 2015 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will be held Sunday, August 23rd to Tuesday, August 25th, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Show, the largest restaurant industry conference on the West Coast, is produced and managed by Urban Expositions, and sponsored by the California Restautrant Association.

The Expo brings together 400 plus vendors and some 8,000 restaurant and foodservice professionals. It is the most comprehensive marketplace for professionals serving the foodservice and hospitality industries on the West Coast. With hundreds of companies exhibiting the latest products, this event covers the entire spectrum of the foodservice industry. Restaurant owners and foodservice operators attend to gain the freshest, most meaningful menu of business boosting opportunities for the West Coast foodservice and hospitality markets.

Ron Mathews, Industry Vice President, Urban Expositions, producers of the annual event, joins us with all the 411. It’s for the trade, only.

Susan Herrmann LoomisAward-winning author, Susan Herrmann Loomis, is with us to talk about her newest book, In a French Kitchen: Tales and Traditions of Everyday Home Cooking in France.  This book, with tales about real French cooks and more than 85 recipes, proves that delicious, decadent meals are simple and easy to create.  Susan takes lessons from busy, everyday French cooks and offers their tips and tricks, kitchen wisdom, and recipes to create meals focused on local, seasonal, quality ingredients.

She regales us with tales of the French at the table, offers twelve seasonal menus, and pairs wines with her dishes to make this book an enjoyable read and an indispensable friend in the kitchen.

After reading In a French Kitchen, the reader will be immediately enveloped in warmth and good smells, which will make you hungry and eager to get in front of the stove. There is much inside this book to help you along. And as Susan says, “Cooking like the French, in a French Kitchen, is the shortest route to happiness, warmth, pleasure, and delicious times.”

Susan is a France-based, award winning journalist with ten books to her credit, a cooking school proprietor, and a professionally trained chef.

Jesse Barber of Dudley MarketAs Executive Chef at Venice’s Barnyard, Jesse Barber was known for his simple, honest food and ingredient-driven menu. In his newest venture, Dudley Market, Barber looks to continue his practice of utilizing local, seasonally fresh ingredients, maintaining the strong relationships with the farmers and purveyors he has worked closely with over the past few years.

Barber is inspired by the unique and vibrant Venice community, “Food is one of the most important connections between people and I hope to create lasting relationships with neighbors, friends, farms and local vendors.

“The idea is simple, bring the community we know and love the everyday luxury it deserves. Our motivation is rooted in our obsession for outstanding quality and ethics in everything we procure. Using the tastiest ingredients and through detailed preparation we strive to turn what could be a daily routine into an unforgettable experience. We’ve pulled-back the curtain by introducing our community to our growers, artisans, and wine makers, inviting everyone to participate in the conversation and enjoy the results of what we find to be a very gratifying process.”

Dudley Market is open for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner.

We love a well-constructed sandwich on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.”

Max SchultzAfter a promising Orange County debut in Newport Beach in 2014, Sessions West Coast Deli has opened its second location on the waterfront in Huntington Beach (414 Pacific Coast Highway). Designed as a neighborhood-casual concept, this new restaurant serves its immediate community with a menu of gourmet, culinary-focused sandwiches in a relaxed, beach-inspired environment.

The Huntington Beach restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu mirroring that of its Newport Beach counterpart. Guests are presented with nearly two dozen hot and cold sandwiches, a selection of salads, and gourmet sides on Sessions’ lunch and dinner menu, as well as ten signature sandwiches on its breakfast menu.

Sessions features a scratch kitchen with housemade sauces, sides, salads, and soups prepared in-house daily. All sandwiches are made to order with fresh, locally grown produce, humanely and naturally raised meats, and locally baked breads delivered daily from local artisan, OC Baking Company. In addition, the restaurant proudly serves a selection of locally roasted coffee beverages from Kean Coffee.

With the opening of the Huntington Beach location, Sessions sees the addition of nine new sandwiches to its already celebrated menu. Guests will still be able to enjoy their favorites, including the Summer Zephyr, with marinated vine-ripened tomato, wild baby arugula, fresh mozzarella, basil aioli, pickled red onion, and a balsamic reduction on a french roll; and the Sloppy Barney, featuring spicy bbq pulled pork, jalapeño jack, house pickle, shaved red onion, and purple SoCal slaw on ciabatta.

All new sandwiches are featured at both locations, including the Geno, inspired by local surfer Gene “Sliding Machine” Petersen, who was voted on by the public to be honored in conjunction with the opening of the new Huntington Beach location.

Co-proprietor Max Schlutz (he loves craft beer, too) joins us with the tempting gourmet sandwich 411.

In Spring 2014, when Sessions West Coast Deli opened its first location in Newport Beach, its owners had one mission: to serve the best sandwiches to ever hit the lip. As a neighborhood-casual concept designed to serve its immediate community, Sessions embraces the area’s surf culture as it presents a menu of gourmet, culinary-focused sandwiches in a relaxed environment. The term “West Coast Deli” perfectly describes the marriage of a high-quality deli menu with a chill vibe that appeals to area locals and tourists, alike.

In Summer 2015, Sessions opened its second Orange County location on the waterfront in Huntington Beach. The opening of this location reinforced Sessions’ dedication and commitment to its community by becoming a local hub for surfers, skaters and area beachgoers looking for great sandwiches.

Unlike most sandwich shops in the region, Sessions proudly boasts a scratch kitchen with housemade sauces, sides, salads, and soups prepared daily. All sandwiches are made to order with fresh, locally grown produce; humanely and naturally raised meats; and locally baked bread delivered daily from local artisan, OC Baking Company. In addition, the restaurant proudly serves a selection of locally roasted coffee beverages from Kean Coffee.

Jeff FlieglerGrubTribe is Southern California’s (mainly Orange County and Long Beach for now) new digital destination for behind –the-scenes gourmet video. They showcase local chefs and food providers, their businesses, their prep choices, their favorite ingredients, and more.

Short video interviews and preparation demonstrations feature local food businesses across Southern California while answering all kinds of questions formerly reserved for the chefs and food specialists working behind the scenes. It’s a real insiders view.

Co-founder, Jeff Fliegler, a working chef by background and training, is our guest.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish
Segment Three: Ron Mathews, Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Segment Four: Susan Herrmann Loomis, author and cooking instructor
Segment Five: Executive Chef Jesse Barber, The Dudley Market, Venice
Segment Six: Max Schlutz, Culinary Director, Sessions West Coast Deli Part One
Segment Seven: Max Schlutz, Culinary Director, Sessions West Coast Deli Part Two
Segment Eight: Jeff Fliegler, Co-Founder, Grub Tribe

Show 96, November 8, 2014: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris

Andy Harris at the KLAA StudiosProducer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s full show…

Two weeks ago we introduced you to the ment’or BKB Foundation (previously known as The Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation) and their Executive Director, Young Yun. The mission of the nonprofit Foundation is to inspire culinary excellence in young professionals and to preserve the traditions and quality of classic cuisine in America. They also mentor and support Team USA’s participation in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition staged every other year in Lyon, France.

This morning we have the winner of the Ment’or Young Chef Competition held in Beverly Hills at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro as well as Chef Timothy Hollingsworth who was Team USA in the 2009 Bocuse d’Or.

The Ventura Limoncello Co. was founded in 2007 by James Carling and Manuela Zaretti-Carling. Our mission is to be the premier producer of limoncello liqueurs in the United States. We use the recipe handed down to Manuela from her Nonna in Italy. Ventura California is home to some of the most amazing lemons in the world and their peels make a world class Limoncello.” James Carling joins us this morning.

Take a full weekend culinary journey at La Quinta Resort & Spa in La Quinta with James Beard Award-Winning Chef Jimmy Schmidt of Morgan’s in The Desert from November 21st to 23rd benefiting The James Beard Foundation. It’s a multi-event weekend highlighted by a gala dinner in Morgan’s in the desert exquisitely paired with boutique California wines. Guest Chef Larry Forgione (who was mentored by James Beard) will participate in the dinner. Chef Jimmy Schmidt has all the details.

Orange County has been a hotbed of support for the craft cocktail movement for a few years now. Only recently has it offered its community and bartenders a place to find the highest quality bar tools found nowhere else in the OC, bitters, vintage glassware and classes taught by leaders in the craft cocktail movement. With the opening last year of Gabrielle Dion’s The Mixing Glass at the OC Mix at SoCo that pressing need has been answered all in one location. Gabrielle is the mastermind behind some of the most innovative and buzzed about cocktails in Orange County. The Mixing Glass offers the needed tools and education to make superb craft cocktails at home and for the trade.

The “SoCal Restaurant Show” was on assignment in Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley this past week. One of standout restaurants in the area, and it’s tasteful and elegant, is Root 246 in Solvang. The menu has been totally redone in the last year under the direction of newly arrived Chef Seth Nelson. It’s craft based American food utilizing as much of the local bounty as possible. Even the desserts are something special without being fussy. They make their own flavored vinegars. We’ll talk with Chef Seth.

As always there are a lot of major new Fall restaurant openings in Las Vegas both on, and off, The Strip. Our inside man in Las Vegas, Brock Radke, the Food Editor of Las Vegas Weekly is back with us to bring us up-to-date.

As we discovered earlier in the week there is a lot more to Solvang than the quaint and charming recreation of a period Danish village with multiple windmills. In addition to art, history and culture there is premium wine and a variety of standout baked goods. Food and travel writer Laura Kath, a long-time resident of the area, joins us with the intriguing overview of the area and its many varied attractions. Laura is the editor-in-chief of the annual Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Guide. Laura is also the author of San Ysidro Ranch: A Century of Legendary Hospitality.

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