Show 107, January 24, 2015: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel (Guest Host) and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, soon-to-be, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host.

Now a preview of today’s delightfully overflowing show

Chef Rory Herrmann (the opening chef at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills) is the corporate chef for the Sprout L.A. restaurant group. Along with Santa Anita Park they have inaugurated an exclusive Saturday Guest Chef Series in the Chandelier Room there. The next date is today, January 24th, from 12 Noon to 5:00 p.m. Chef Herrmann (with a surprise guest) is live from Santa Anita with the mouth-watering details.

The OC Fair Celebrates their 125th Anniversary this Summer from July 17th to August 16th. The theme is “OC Fair – One Big Party.” To get things going the Blackmarket Bakery in Costa Mesa (celebrating their 2nd Anniversary) is hosting an OC Fair Pop-Up Party at their location at The Camp on Sunday, January 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They are providing free sweet treats for the first 125 guests.

Chef Gary Arabia, the caterer to the stars, has operated the food and beverage operation on The Lot (previously known as Warner Brothers Hollywood) in Hollywood for 15 years. It’s also the base for his busy catering and event production firm, Global Cuisine by Gary Arabia.

Late last year Arabia launched a new venture, GC Marketplace by Gary Arabia, on Cahuenga Blvd. W. near Universal Studios. It’s a dazzling culinary destination for eating-in or grab-and-go. There are artisan food stations where the customers can interact with knowledgeable pros. There is an impressive cheese case, a charcuterie counter, smoked meats display, a pizza oven, rotisserie meats, prepared salad station, an ample dessert counter, a coffee bar, a wine bar (with an in-house sommelier) and a visually striking retail wine wall. Virtually everything is made there from scratch. That includes the croissants, breakfast pastries breads, and all the desserts. Gary Arabia joins us with an appetizing overview of GC Marketplace.

Louie’s of Mar Vista is a gem of a discovery in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles. It’s American Bar Food A.S.A.P. (as Southern as possible.) Chef John Atkinson is the owner along with his wife Laura Develle Atkinson (who is from New Orleans.) “Louie’s of Mar Vista is an enthusiastic celebration of Southern California food and lifestyle, living in the present with an eye on the past.” They also own North End Caffe in Manhattan Beach.

We now have a chance to catch-up with Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, today’s Guest Host. Gruel is giving one lucky person the opportunity to contribute their culinary genius to his restaurant menu with a dish named in their honor. In conjunction with the opening of Slapfish’s third Orange County location in Newport Beach on February 2nd, guests are invited to submit their own recipes for a seafood dish to be featured on the new menu. Also Chef Andrew provides us some very helpful pointers on what to look for when buying farm-raised fish.

dineL.A.’s Winter Restaurant Week is underway and continuing until February 1, 2015. Fixed price lunch and dinner menus created by acclaimed L.A. chefs (at a great value) are available from over 300 participating restaurants. Diners can enjoy lunch menus for $15, $20, or $25 or plan a night out on the town with dinner options priced at $30, $40, or $50 per person. The restaurants are in this to “Wow.” dineL.A.’s Director, Stacey Sun joins us with all the details along with Donato Poto, co-owner of Connie & Ted’s (who is participating for the first time.)

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

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