Show 188, September 10, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group

Andrew Gruel and his son WilliamExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Brea, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Rams and USC Football, is back as today’s special Guest Host. In May in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association’s annual conclave he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Now a pleasantly tempting preview of Saturday’s ample show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

“Today’s top-flight University chefs are likely to be as savvy and competitive as their independent restaurant peers. Eric Ernest, the accomplished fine-dining chef who has headed University of Southern California Hospitality since 2012, knows this all too well.” Chef Eric is also USC Hospitality’s Associate Director of Purchasing, Logistics & Special Projects. He’s our guest.

Carlito Jocson is the long-time Executive Chef, Vice President and Managing Partner of Yard House. With lightening speed he revamped the entire menu of the original Yard House in Long Beach right before they opened in 1996. It’s been a wild ride ever since for the last 20 years. They now have 65 busy locations across the country in 13 states. Chef Carlito joins us with this absolutely incredible success story.

Pizzeria Ortica, the well-respected Italian restaurant (launched in 2009) located across from South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, has added an artfully crafted Sunday brunch to its already well-received lunch and dinner service. Executive Chef Justin Miller (who has been in the kitchen since the beginning) joins us in-studio to share the inviting details.

The 4thannual James Beard Foundation’s Taste America®, is The Foundation’s celebrated national culinary tour. Taste America is bringing together world-class chefs in ten U.S. cities, including the launch in Los Angeles on September 23rd at Vibiana, where Taste America All-Star Chef and James Beard Award-winner Scott Conant (ImperoCaffè, New York) will collaborate with Local Star Curtis Stone (Gwen and Maude) and Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith (Sweet Hedy) to create a one-of-a-kind, four-course dining experience. This special partnering of culinary greats will also feature a tasting reception. Bruce Kalman (Union & Knead & Co.) is one of the high-profile chefs preparing the food for the dazzling tasting reception. He’s our guest.

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

Please note…We graciously moved to the sidelines for Fighting Irish Football today at 11:30 a.m.

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