Show 508, January 21, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Chef Rich Mead is the proprietor of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens in Corona del Mar. Chef Rich’s seasonal menus feature ingredients sourced from local and sustainably focused farmers and purveyors. Sunday Brunch in the Gardens is a celebratory Orange County tradition. Farmhouse will also be a participating restaurant in the upcoming Orange County Restaurant Week set for March 5th to 11th. Chef Rich Mead takes a break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market to join us.

“The Santa Ynez Valley’s creative culinary culture has long been at the heart of its wine country experience, but its wide range of flavors are never more accessible than during Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks. Restaurant Weeks has returned for the 13th consecutive year, January 16 to 31, once again showcasing the region’s culinary bounty — and the perfect Santa Ynez Valley wines to pair with it — with a variety of special three-course prix fixe price menus.” Shelby Sim (President and CEO of Visit Santa Ynez Valley) is our guest highlighting Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks.

“The city-wide 2nd annual Long Beach Black Restaurant Week will take place January 22-29, 2023. Long Beach Black Restaurant Week will be an avenue to bring everyone to the table, from all walks of life, to showcase the city’s diverse Black food scene. Organized by Long Beach Food & Beverage, a California registered 501(c)3 non-profit, Long Black Restaurant Week is an eight day, city-wide event devoted to celebrating African, African American, and Caribbean fare in and around Long Beach. The event also seeks to highlight Black-owned food businesses as well as Black chefs and bartenders.” One of the participating restaurant pop-ups is Miller Butler known for their fresh pasta and wood-fire oven cooked pizzas. We’ll meet Co-Founder and pizzaiolo Ahmed Jamal Butler.

We’re delighted to welcome prominent food journalist Farley Elliott back to the show. Farley is the Senior Editor of the widely read Eater LA, covering the daily restaurant news beat in Los Angeles, Orange County and environs. He’s also the author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History From Tamaleros to Taco Trucks, a book about the long, winding saga of street food in Los Angeles. Find him all over the internet. We’ll discuss, among other delectable topics, the Michelin California Guide and its importance to recognized restaurants.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel the Founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza), Two Birds and the just soft-opened, full-service Calico Fish House (on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Locally caught California Halibut is now in season. Chef Andrew provides an over view. What’s a Ghost and/or a Virtual Kitchen? Chef Andrew explains the differences between Food Halls, Virtual Kitchens / Ghost Kitchens and the multiple hybrid variations utilizing components of each. They are here to stay in one form or another.

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

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