July 20: Stu & the Kids, Love & Salt, Descanso, Golden Road Brewing, Porto’s Bakery

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Stu and The Kids Flavors of Asia Food Fest Fundraiser
Segment Three: Executive Chef Chris Feldmeier, Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach
Segment Four: Proprietor Rob Arellano, Descanso – A Modern Taqueria, Costa Mesa Part One
Segment Five: Proprietor Rob Arellano, Descanso – A Modern Taqueria, Costa Mesa Part Two
Segment Six: Golden Road Brewing Co’s Brewmaster Victor Novak and Anaheim Head Brewer Steven Torres Part One
Segment Seven: Golden Road Brewing Co’s Brewmaster Victor Novak and Anaheim Head Brewer Steven Torres Part Two
Segment Eight: Betty Porto, Vice President, Community Relations, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe

Now intriguing preview of this Saturday’s mouthwatering show.

It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Couldn’t do it without you.

The 6th annual Stu and The Kids Flavors of Asia Food Fest Fundraiser, an exceptional Thai-flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky with the help of his friends, returns to Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, August 4, 2019. The event is a rare chance to experience original dishes created by Los Angeles’ Asian-food-loving chefs expressed through Far East influences and personal styles that have impressed guests since the inception of the event in 2014. All of the proceeds from this event are used towards scholarships for university education to help underserved and orphaned Hill Tribe kids in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chef Stu and Host Chef Neal Fraser crack the coconut for us.

Love and Salt is a restaurant story that begins with Cafe Pierre, a local classic restaurant birthed by Guy Gabriele in 1977 to bring a taste of France to Los Angeles’ South Bay. While Cafe Pierre was a beloved part of the community for nearly 37 years, in 2014, Guy and his daughter Sylvie Gabriele, now the owner of Love & Salt, closed the restaurant to bring new life to the iconic space with a new look and Italian flair. As of last year a creative new chef (Chris Feldmeier ex- Moruno) is behind the stoves. We now chat with Chef Chris Feldmeier about the enhancements in the menu.

“Descanso is a modern taqueria in that it celebrates authentic Mexican flavors and recipes executed on a traditional plancha and prepared a la minute in front of you, in a full -service setting. Concept creator and proprietor Rob Arellano pulled from his own Mexican heritage to create a never-before-seen restaurant experience rooted in nostalgia and comfort, that speaks to how we live and eat today, You, our guest, will come face to face with the chef as Mexican classics are made to order in a lively setting that brings in the smells, sounds and energy of a busy Mexican town.” Descanso was one of Orange Coast Magazine’s 2019 Best New Restaurants. Rob Arellano is our guest.

Time for another effervescent installment of “Ask the Brewers” where we answer listeners’ questions about craft beer. Joining us is Golden Road’s uber-accomplished Brewmaster, Victor Novak and Anaheim Head Brewer Steven Torres.

Porto’s Bakery & Café started modestly in the greater L.A. area in the 1960s and has grown steadily since then becoming a popular, local and revered institution. Founder Rosa Porto’s life took an unexpected turn back at the beginning when she and her family made the difficult decision to leave their beloved Cuba and emigrate to the United States. Out of a job, Rosa relied on her love of baking and began selling cakes out of her house for her neighbors and friends to support her family. Porto’s has gradually grown into five existing locations in Glendale, Burbank, Downey, Buena Park, and the newly opened West Covina. Betty Porto, Vice President of Community and Guest Relations for Porto’s is our guest.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Stuart Skversky of Stu and the KidsThe 6th annual Stu and The Kids Flavors of Asia Food Fest Fundraiser, an exceptional Thai-flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky with the help of his friends, returns to Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, August 4, 2019. The event is a rare chance to experience original dishes created by Los Angeles’ Asian-food-loving chefs expressed through Far East influences and personal styles that have impressed guests since the inception of the event in 2014. All of the proceeds from this event are used towards scholarships for university education to help underserved and orphaned Hill Tribe kids in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

“In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and rising-star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising culinary career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Don Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. Recognizing a need to help prepare these at-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, he founded Stu and The Kids to better prepare them for adulthood, help them get into a university or technical college and give them the tools for an independent future. Funds raised go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education.”

Neal Fraser of RedbirdNow in their ninth year of fundraising throughout the world, Stu and The Kids has raised over $658,000 for the charity, including last year’s astounding record of $164,000 accumulated from the Los Angeles festival, in addition to fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2018. Stu and The Kids supervises thirty-six kids, including sixteen that received 4-year scholarships in 2018 to support education and jobs in accounting, business management, in-home elder care, cooking and fashion and textiles and two with continuing 2-year master degree programs. The charity hopes to increase the awards to twenty more four-year university scholarships in the coming year.

VIP ticket purchasers will have early entrance at 2:30 p.m. to meet and chat with the chefs and receive a Stu and The Kids tote bag filled with special gifts including a signed copy of Jet Tila‘s new cookbook, 101 Epic Dishes, a collectible Stu and the Kids baseball hat and much more.

Chef Stu and Host Chef Neal Fraser crack the coconut for us.

Chris Feldmeier of Love and SaltLove and Salt is a restaurant story that begins with Cafe Pierre, a local classic restaurant birthed by Guy Gabriele in 1977 to bring a taste of France to Los Angeles’ South Bay. While Cafe Pierre was a beloved part of the community for nearly 37 years, in 2014, Guy and his daughter Sylvie Gabriele, now the owner of Love & Salt, closed the restaurant to bring new life to the iconic space with a new look and Italian flair. As of last year a creative new chef (Chris Feldmeier ex-Moruno) is behind the stoves.

Christopher Feldmeier began cooking as a child when he simply asked his mother to make breakfast. She replied by saying, “I will buy you anything you want to cook, but you are going to make it yourself.” That first breakfast sparked a passion and adoration for cooking, which grew into an undeniable desire to learn more.

Searching for a more dynamic culinary landscape after culinary school and time in the San Diego fine-dining scene, Feldmeier relocated to Los Angeles and began working at the former Campanile restaurant. He quickly moved into a Sous Chef position, spending four years working collaboratively with seminal Los Angeles chefs Nancy Silverton and Mark Peel at the legendary establishment. During his tenure at Campanile, Feldmeier met his wife, James Beard award-winning pastry chef Dahlia Narvaez, as well as his future business partner David Rosoff.

In 2007, Feldmeier left Campanile to join Silverton, Narvaez and Rosoff in opening the Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza. Feldmeier served as the Chef de Cuisine of this award-winning institution and consultant to Eataly until his departure in 2013 to pursue his own concept with Rosoff. After becoming immersed in Spanish culture and its gastronomic implications, in January of 2016, Feldmeier and Rosoff opened Moruno at The Original Farmers Market. Early on, the highly accoladed spot received a 3-star review from LA Weekly food critic Besha Rodell while former New York Times Food Critic and Gourmet Magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl praised Feldmeier’s food as “spectacular”. In October of 2016, Moruno unfortunately closed.

With his passion for culinary innovation, Feldmeier subsequently partnered with the Gabriele Family to begin conceptualizing the next iteration of Guy’s beloved Redondo Beach restaurant, Zazou which re-opened as Gabi James in April 2018 boasting a menu featuring Spanish and Coastal French cuisine infused with California soul.

In September 2018, Feldmeier assumed the role of executive chef at Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach while continuing his involvement with Gabi James. In this role, Feldmeier works closely with Love & Salt owner Sylvie Gabriele to bring their shared vision for the Italian-inspired menu to life.

We now chat with Chef Chris Feldmeier about the enhancements in the menu.

Rob Arellano of Descanso RestaurantDescanso is a modern taqueria in that it celebrates authentic Mexican flavors and recipes executed on a traditional plancha and prepared a la minute in front of you, in a full-service setting. Concept creator and proprietor Rob Arellano pulled from his own Mexican heritage to create a never-before-seen restaurant experience rooted in nostalgia and comfort, that speaks to how we live and eat today, You, our guest, will come face to face with the chef as Mexican classics are made to order in a lively setting that brings in the smells, sounds and energy of a busy Mexican town.” Descanso was recognized as one of Orange Coast Magazine’s 2019 Best New Restaurants.

“With Chef Sergio Ortega at the helm in the Kitchen, Descanso presents Classic Central Mexico street-inspired cuisine, rife with bold flavors and the freshest, seasonal ingredients in dishes that are complex and layered with history and flavor.”

“The menu at Descanso features artful dishes that successfully marry tradition with modernity. The cuisine is inspired by the Taquerias of Chef Ortega’s childhood. As someone who grew up from humble origins with access to limited ingredients, Chef Ortega is dedicated to cooking with seasonal ingredients, sustainable seafood and humanely raised meats. Salsas are made fresh daily. Meats and vegetables are cooked in front of guests on a traditional plancha. Guests can enjoy tacos, quesadillas, and alambres; made with options ranging from Angus steak, carnitas, pollo and al pastor, to mahi mahi, shrimp and relleno chile.”

Rob Arellano is our guest.

Steven Torres and Victor Novak at the KLAA StudiosTime for another effervescent installment of Ask the Brewers” where we answer listeners’ questions about craft beer. Joining us is Golden Road’s uber-accomplished Brewmaster, Victor Novak and Anaheim Head Brewer Steven Torres.

What are the best picks for the satisfying beers of Summer? We’ll find out from the brewers. We’ll also talk about aging craft beer in former, and repurposed, bourbon, whiskey and tequila barrels.

Betty Porto in front of the Porto's Bakery Bread RackPorto’s Bakery & Café started modestly in the greater L.A. area in the 1960s and has grown steadily since then becoming a popular, local institution. Founder Rosa Porto’s life took an unexpected turn back then when she and her family made the difficult decision to leave their beloved Cuba and emigrate to the United States. Out of a job, Rosa relied on her love of baking and began selling cakes out of her house for her neighbors and friends to support her family.

Porto’s has gradually grown into five existing locations in Glendale, Burbank, Downey, Buena Park, and the newly opened West Covina.

“Rosa’s recipes and high standards continue to be carried on by her family, reflective of her motto “quality is the number one ingredient in everything we do”.”

Betty Porto, Vice President of Community and Guest Relations for Porto’s is our guest.

Newly launched from Porto’s is “We Make It, You Bake It.”

“We now ship nationwide our best-selling pastries unbaked, frozen, and direct to you so you can bake them fresh in your own oven! It’s like having a Porto’s Bakery in your home! Congrats, you are now a Porto’s Pastry Chef. Feel free to take all the credit.”

The initial menu is Potato Balls, Guava Strudel, Chicken Empanadas, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cheese Rolls, Guava & Cheese Strudel, Meat Pies, Sprinkledoodle Cookies and Dulce de Leche Bestio Cookies.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Stu and The Kids Flavors of Asia Food Fest Fundraiser
Segment Three: Executive Chef Chris Feldmeier, Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach
Segment Four: Proprietor Rob Arellano, Descanso – A Modern Taqueria, Costa Mesa Part One
Segment Five: Proprietor Rob Arellano, Descanso – A Modern Taqueria, Costa Mesa Part Two
Segment Six: Golden Road Brewing Co’s Brewmaster Victor Novak and Anaheim Head Brewer Steven Torres Part One
Segment Seven: Golden Road Brewing Co’s Brewmaster Victor Novak and Anaheim Head Brewer Steven Torres Part Two
Segment Eight: Betty Porto, Vice President, Community Relations, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe

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