Show 472, April 30, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

101 Thai Dishes You Need To Try Before You Die

It’s a very special show as we’re broadcasting from Redbird at the historic Vibiana events center in Downtown Los Angeles. We’re celebrating the publication of Chef Jet Tila’s 3rd cookbook, 101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die. Following the show today Chef Jet is conducting a ticketed book-signing and meet-and-greet (with food and beverage sampling from the cookbook) at Redbird’s garden as a benefit for the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP.)

“Long co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is a workforce development nonprofit that provides underserved teens a pathway to success through jobs in the food sector. Annually, C-CAP provides culinary, job and life skills to over 15,000 middle-and-high school students in six cities/regions across the United States: New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC/Maryland and Arizona, including 7 Navajo Reservation schools.” On April 17th at the Annual Awards Breakfast at Jonathan Club, C-CAP Los Angeles awarded $607,711 in Scholarships to 34 outstanding L.A. area High School Seniors. C-CAP L.A.’s Program Director Lisa Fontanesi is our guest.

Lasheeda Perry, a distinguished C-CAP Alum, is a trained pastry chef and the owner of Queen of Flavor, LLC, a company that specializes in everything from revamping restaurant menus to helping a restaurant design and execute a dream dessert for a special event. Now based in Long Beach Chef Lasheeda has previously worked across America as an Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (including Beverly Hills’ The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel) and for Bon Appetit Management Co. at LinkedIn. She also teaches fun and entertaining pastry classes on the Food Network App. Chef Lasheeda joins us rolling pin in hand.

Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser’s flagship restaurant Redbird features Modern American cuisine that is refined yet approachable and highlights the multi-cultural influences of Fraser’s native city – Los Angeles. As a follow up to Grace and BLD, Fraser’s menu features seasonal plates ranging from snacks or “kickshaws” to entrees meant to be enjoyed by the whole table.

Located in downtown Los Angeles, Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic architectural gems, inside the former rectory building of Vibiana – the cathedral-turned-event-venue also owned and operated by the Frasers. (They also have Fritzi Coop in the Original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax.) The dynamic space pays homage to the historic cathedral building next door and the existing timeless architecture by inserting simple modern forms to complement rather than overtake the feel of the rooms.” 

Tad Weyland Fukumoto (Jet Tila’s collaborator on of 101 Thai Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die) is a nationally recognized chef, culinary producer and consultant. He was born and raised in Hawaii to a long line of great cooks surrounded by rich culinary cultures including Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan cuisines. After attending university in Northern California, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for music while always having a hand in the L.A. food scene. His culinary CV includes acclaimed restaurants such as Wazuzu at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Grace, BLD, Chinois on Main and Sqirl. Tad and Jet have been friends and collaborators for more than 20 years.”
Chef Tad is our guest with chopsticks at the ready.

“Celebrity Chef Jet Tila is a James Beard Award-nominated chef. He’s made appearances as a celebrity chef on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Tournament of Champions III” and more.

Jet is Culinary Vice President for Pei-Wei Restaurant Group and co-owns Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. (multiple locations) in Las Vegas. Jet grew up at his Family’s famed Bangkok Market in Los Angeles – the first Thai market in the United States. Jet also serves as the Culinary Ambassador of Thai Cuisine for the Royal Thai government.” Chef Jet is with us Thai Fish Sauce in hand.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is part of the distinguished culinary team presenting an epic meal featuring sustainably caught fresh seafood on the iconic Huntington Beach Pier on Thursday, May 12th under the umbrella of Outstanding in the Field as part of the L.A. Times Food Bowl. This grand event was rescheduled f. This grand event was rescheduled from last year. Chef Andrew offers a tantalizing preview.

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

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