Podcasts
Hour One: Thrifty Ice Cream, Hello, You’re Welcome
Hour Two: Hello, You’re Welcome, Greater Palm Spring Restaurant Week with Waters Café at Agua Caliente Resort Rancho Mirage, Andrew Gruel
Segment One: Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Thrifty Ice Cream with Dani Rothenberg, CEO
Segments Four and Five: Hello, You’re Welcome, Pasadena with Gigi di Bernardo
Segment Six: Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Preview with Davis Meyer, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Segment Seven: Executive Chef Juan Morales, Agua Caliente Resort Rancho Mirage – Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Participant with Waters Café
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Andrew Guuel, Show Co-Host and Restaurateur, Calico Fish House, Huntington Beach
“Thrifty® ice cream was launched in 1940 at a small factory in West Hollywood. Angelenos soon flocked to the flagship Thrifty Drug Store in downtown Los Angeles to sample ice cream from the soda fountain. The high-quality, small-batch ice cream even snagged awards from the L.A. County Fair. By the 1970s, Thrifty ice cream had attained cult status along the West Coast, with significant celebrity shoutouts.” With the bankruptcy and liquidation of Rite-Aid stores Thrifty Ice Cream came under motivated new ownership about one-year ago. The new management group (with food product experience) has embarked on an expansion and revitalization of the iconic, 86-year old premium brand, while keeping the original recipes and signature flat-topped cylindrical scoop style intact. Thrifty Ice Cream’s CEO, Dani Rothenberg, joins us to give us the real scoop.
“Hello, You’re Welcome is a (female-owned) neighborhood specialty café and bakery located in the heart of the playhouse district of Pasadena, CA, where neighbors and visitors gather for specialty coffees, teas, and baked goods. There is always something for all eaters- including gluten-free and vegan options. Featuring their famous breakfast biscuit Sammie to fuel your morning and sammies on house-baked bread for lunch. They prioritize clean ingredients and partner with responsible growers, roasters, and tea farms that embrace the same ethos of sustainable-regenerative growing practices!” Second generation co-proprietress, Gigi di Bernardo, joins us with her whisk at the ready.
“Food lovers are invited to savor the very best of the region as Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week returns from May 29 to June 7, 2026. Presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, this highly anticipated ten-day event celebrates the area’s culinary scene, welcoming both locals and visitors to explore outstanding dining experiences across the Coachella Valley.” Davis Meyer, Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for Visit Greater Palm Springs, joins us with all the enticing specifics.
“Enjoy a slice of paradise at Waters Café at Agua Caliente Resort Ranch Mirage, a participating restaurant in Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week. This bright, comfortable eatery has a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the pool at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. Executive Chef Juan Morales has developed an exquisite menu for an unforgettable dining experience. It’s classic comfort food with a California twist.” For Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, Waters Café is featuring a $45, 3-course prix fixe Dinner menu. Entrée options are Pan-Seared Sea Scallops or Oven -Roasted Chicken Breast. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Rancho Mirage’s Executive Chef, Juan Morales, takes a break from his busy kitchens to join us.
For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. 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. What is bromated flour and why are New York bagel bakers and pizzaiolos concerned about pending legislation that might make it an illegal ingredient. Chef Andrew explains.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
“Thrifty® ice cream was launched in 1940 at a small factory in West Hollywood. Angelenos soon flocked to the flagship Thrifty Drug Store in downtown Los Angeles to sample ice cream from the soda fountain. The high-quality, small-batch ice cream even snagged awards from the L.A. County Fair. By the 1970s, Thrifty ice cream had attained cult status along the West Coast, with significant celebrity shoutouts.”
“More than 86 years after its launch, Thrifty ice cream’s commitment to quality has never wavered. They still use the same recipe with fresh milk from local dairies. And when it comes to quality, no step is too much, like mixing in real fruit or freshly baked cookies. Even their Belgian chocolate is chipped from a locally mixed premium batch. To date, Thrifty ice cream ice cream has won over 1,600 gold medals in global dairy competitions.”
With the bankruptcy and liquidation of Rite-Aid stores Thrifty Ice Cream came under new ownership about one-year ago. The new management (with food product experience) has embarked on an ambitious expansion and revitalization of the iconic, 86-year old premium brand, while keeping the original recipes and signature, flat-topped cylindrical scoop style intact.
Thrifty Ice Cream’s CEO, Dani Rothenberg, joins us to give us the real scoop.
“Hello, You’re Welcome is a (female-owned) neighborhood specialty café and bakery located in the heart of the playhouse district of Pasadena, CA, where neighbors and visitors gather for specialty coffees, teas, and baked goods. There is always something for all eaters- including gluten-free and vegan options. They feature their famous breakfast biscuit Sammie to fuel your morning and sammies on house-baked bread for lunch. They prioritize clean ingredients and partner with responsible growers, roasters, and tea farms that embrace the same ethos of sustainable-regenerative growing practices!” Second generation co-proprietress Gigi di Bernardo joins us with her whisk at the ready.
“Hello, You’re Welcome takes great pride in working exclusively with coffee and tea purveyors that source through a direct trade model. This commitment to quality and sustainability was inspired in part by the founding sisters – Deborah, JoJo, Chef Leah, and Chef’s daughter, Gigi Rose, who recently joined their female family business.”
“Hello, You’re Welcome believes that what you put in your cup matters. It matters for the farmers who grow the beans, the roasters who craft the perfect blend, and the community that enjoys the final product. They are passionate about what they do, and are committed to making a positive impact on both their customers and the environment.”
“At Hello, You’re Welcome, the journey started with a simple idea: to offer damn good coffee, unique baked goods, and clean food that everyone can enjoy. They emphasize “everyone” because it’s surprisingly difficult to find gluten-free and vegan baked goods that are delicious and made with wholesome ingredients that nourish your body and respect the planet.”
“Food lovers are invited to savor the very best of the region as Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week returns from May 29 to June 7, 2026. Presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, this highly anticipated ten-day event celebrates the area’s culinary scene, welcoming both locals and visitors to explore outstanding dining experiences across the Coachella Valley.”
“Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is an open invitation to explore the depth and creativity of our desert’s culinary scene,” said Todd Burke, Vice President of Communications at Visit Greater Palm Springs. “Each year, it brings our community and visitors together to discover new favorites, celebrate our chefs and the talented teams behind every dining experience, and savor the richness that defines dining in Greater Palm Springs.”
“During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants feature special prix fixe menus and exclusive offerings, inviting guests to explore a wide range of culinary options.”
“Diners can enjoy specially curated prix fixe lunch menus priced at $15, $25, or $35, and dinner menus at $29, $39, $49, or $59. Select restaurants will also offer distinctive Restaurant Week specials.”
Davis Meyer, Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for Visit Greater Palm Springs joins us with all the salivating specifics.
“Enjoy a slice of paradise at Waters Café at Agua Caliente Resort Rancho Mirage, a participating restaurant in Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week. This bright, comfortable eatery has a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the pool at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. Executive Chef Juan Morales has developed an exquisite menu for an unforgettable dining experience. It’s classic comfort food with a California twist.”
“It’s inspired creations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Explore bold flavors, vegetarian delights, gluten-free options and sustainable dishes crafted with care.”
For Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Waters Café is featuring a $45, 3-course prix fixe Dinner menu. Entrée options are Pan-Seared Sea Scallops or Oven Roasted Chicken Breast.
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Rancho Mirage’s Executive Chef, Juan Morales, takes a break from his busy kitchens to join us.
For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) continues his timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.
What is bromated flour and why are New York bagel bakers and pizzaiolos concerned about pending legislation that might make it an illegal ingredient. Chef Andrew explains.
Andrew Gruel’s Family Cookbook is available with signed copies at his Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach.
Podcasts
Hour One: Thrifty Ice Cream, Hello, You’re Welcome
Hour Two: Hello, You’re Welcome, Greater Palm Spring Restaurant Week with Waters Café at Agua Caliente Resort Rancho Mirage, Andrew Gruel
Segment One: Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Thrifty Ice Cream with Dani Rothenberg, CEO
Segments Four and Five: Hello, You’re Welcome, Pasadena with Gigi di Bernardo
Segment Six: Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Preview with Davis Meyer, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Segment Seven: Executive Chef Juan Morales, Agua Caliente Resort Rancho Mirage – Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Participant with Waters Café
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Andrew Guuel, Show Co-Host and Restaurateur, Calico Fish House, Huntington Beach