Andy Harris, Executive Producer and Co-host previews the show.
“Sadaf Foods based locally in Vernon, CA has been a family business since 1982 when two brothers immigrated to Los Angeles from Iran. Once settled, they began to long for the comforting and familiar aromas and tastes of home. They found it challenging to locate traditional Middle Eastern ingredients in American supermarkets. To address this, the brothers founded Sadaf, aiming to help the community experience a taste of home in their kitchens. Founded and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and trademark registered worldwide, Sadaf started with just three people and 17 products. However, the brothers persisted in sourcing and importing the highest quality ingredients and specialty foods from various Mediterranean cuisines and countries.
Today, Sadaf employs over 100 people, leading numerous divisions that support more than 1,000 Sadaf brand products distributed nationwide. Sadaf imports products from over 15 countries worldwide, with the mission to connect cultures through delicious and authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food.” Family member Daniella Soofer is our guide to all the deliciousness that is Sadaf Foods.
“WillaKenzie Estate is a family-owned, estate-driven winery located in the heart of Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. Since breaking ground more than 25 years ago, they have been passionate about crafting Pinot Noirs that convey a sense of place. They coined the moniker “Place Matters” – the Oregonian answer to the French concept of terroir. True to the vision of their Burgundian founder, terroir is not a simple notion ; it’s the core to everything WillaKenzie does. It’s in the name, WillaKenzie, which describes the ancient sedimentary soils on which the vines are planted. The name also pays tribute to two of the Willamette Valley’s major rivers : the Willamette and McKenzie, which appear as two sets of waves in the top-right and lower-left corners of their crest. These expressive lines evoke the rivers as well as the rolling hills of their Yamhill-Carlton Estate. The fleur-der-lis at the center of the WillaKenzie crest pays homage to their founder, Bernard Lacroute’s, French heritage. A scientist by training, Winemaker Erik Kramer worked as a hydrogeologist before deciding to apply his precision and passion for balance to his love of wine. Kramer joined WillaKenzie Estate in January of 2017, bringing deep experience creating highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the region, defined by terroir and texture-driven winemaking and a refined style of finesse and balance.” Winemaker Erik Kramer joins us to pull the cork on all that is WillaKenzie Estate.”
“Regarding Her is celebrating Women’s History Month this March with its 5th annual festival designed to support women-owned and led food and beverage businesses in Los Angeles. The festival is a vibrant celebration honoring the remarkable achievements of women shaping the food and beverage industry. Ayara Thai in the Westchester area of Los Angeles is hosting a one-day brunch event (NumHERology, Mixology and Thai Gastronomy) on Sunday, March 30th at 11:30 a.m. celebrating women, food, and hope in support of Regarding Her Food! Sisters Chef Vanda and Chef Cathy Asapahu will curate an auspicious menu while guests will enjoy cocktails, mocktails, Thai, and wisdom from a professional numerologist. They’ll leave with full bellies and full hearts, understanding what their personal numerology means for the year ahead.” Chef Vanda Asapahu is our guest.
Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Julia Child aways said, “it’s better with butter.” We’re discussing the benefits of butter versus margarine. Chefs prefer to cook with butter and a little can go a long way in terms of adding flavor.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
“Sadaf Foods based in Vernon, CA has been a family business since 1982 when two brothers immigrated to Los Angeles from Iran. Once settled, they began to long for the comforting and familiar aromas and tastes of home. They found it challenging to locate traditional Middle Eastern ingredients in American supermarkets. To address this, the brothers founded Sadaf, aiming to help the community experience a taste of home in their kitchens.”
“Founded and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and trademark registered worldwide, Sadaf started with just three people and 17 products. However, the brothers persisted in sourcing and importing the highest quality ingredients and specialty foods from various Mediterranean cuisines and countries.”
“Today, Sadaf employs over 100 people, leading numerous divisions that support more than 1,000 Sadaf brand products distributed nationwide. Sadaf imports products from over 15 countries worldwide, with the mission to connect cultures through delicious and authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food.”
Family member Daniella Soofer is our guide to all that is Sadaf Foods.
“WillaKenzie Estate is a family-owned, estate-driven winery located in the heart of Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. Since breaking ground more than 25 years ago, they have been passionate about crafting Pinot Noirs that convey a sense of place. They coined the moniker “Place Matters” – the Oregonian answer to the French concept of terroir. True to the vision of their Burgundian founder, terroir is not a simple notion ; it’s the core to everything WillaKenzie does. It’s in the name, WillaKenzie, which describes the ancient sedimentary soils on which the vines are planted. The name also pays tribute to two of the Willamette Valley’s major rivers : the Willamette and McKenzie, which appear as two sets of waves in the top-right and lower-left corners of their crest. These expressive lines evoke the rivers as well as the rolling hills of their Yamhill-Carlton Estate. The fleur-der-lis at the center of the WillaKenzie crest pays homage to their founder, Bernard Lacroute’s, French heritage.”
“A scientist by training, Winemaker Erik Kramer worked as a hydrogeologist before deciding to apply his precision and passion for balance to his love of wine. Kramer joined WillaKenzie Estate in January of 2017, bringing deep experience creating highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the region, defined by terroir and texture-driven winemaking and a refined style of finesse and balance. In partnership with the tenured vineyard management team, Erik drives WillaKenzie Estate wines towards their highest potential.”
“WillaKenzie Estate is one of the most unique, diverse and historic properties in the Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir so clearly represents its sense of place and the unique topography at WillaKenzie offers so many fascinating expressions of the varietal. It’s an honor to work with an Estate that is capable of producing such a broad array of great wines that offer both clarity and distinction.” Erik Kramer
Winemaker Erik Kramer joins us to pull the cork on all that is WillaKenzie Estate.
“Regarding Her is celebrating Women’s History Month this March with its 5th annual festival designed to support women-owned and led food and beverage businesses in Los Angeles. The festival is a vibrant celebration honoring the remarkable achievements of women shaping the food and beverage industry.”
“Ayara Thai in the Westchester area of Los Angeles is hosting a one-day brunch event (NumHERology, Mixology and Thai Gastronomy) on Sunday, March 30th at 11:30 a.m. celebrating women, food, and hope in support of Regarding Her Food! Sisters Chef Vanda and Chef Cathy Asapahu will curate an auspicious menu while guests will enjoy cocktails, mocktails, Thai, and wisdom from a professional numerologist. They’ll leave with full bellies and full hearts, understanding what their personal numerology means for the year ahead.”
“Growing up in a Thai-Chinese community in the Samsen District along the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, chef and restaurateur Andy Asapahu received his cooking and business prowess by helping his mother cook. Because of the home’s location between the palace and the river, both royal cuisine and the bustling spice trade helped shape the home-cooked flavors so savored.”
“Anna, wife of Andy and self-taught chef, hails from the city of Lampang in the heart of northern Thailand and grew up in a family that primarily cooked with home- and locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Since Ayara Thai’s opening day, Anna remains a leader in the kitchen and continues her family tradition of sustainable dining, ensuring dishes inspired and prepared with only the freshest ingredients each season has to offer.”
“Today, the family traditions of Andy and Anna are continued and developed into the third generation, through their children. Vanda, Head Chef and Managing Owner, lived and worked in Thailand for 4 years, allowing her to revive old family recipes while discovering new tastes and inspirations. After cooking with relatives and eating her way through the streets and countryside, it is these old recipes and new flavors Vanda has brought back to share at Ayara Thai.”
“Heading up pastry is Vanda’s sister, Cathy, who is known for infusing traditional French pastry with the flavors of Thailand and traditional Thai pastry with French technique. Vanda and Cathy’s mission is to provide the traditional Thai flavors Ayara’s guests enjoy while infusing SoCal twists honoring the duality of their heritage and upbringing.”
Chef Vanda Asapahu is our guest.
Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.
Julia Child aways said, “it’s better with butter.” We’re discussing the benefits of butter versus margarine. Chefs clearly prefer to cook with butter and a little can go a long way in terms of adding flavor.
Andrew Gruel’s Family Cookbook (newly published) is also available with signed copies at his Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach.