Show 244, October 14, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Hosts Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Fifth Anniversary of the SoCal Restaurant ShowNow a tempting preview of Saturday October 14th’s properly decadent & celebratory 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, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

It’s our special 5th Anniversary Show. Pop the Champagne corks. Thanks so much for being part of our audience and joining in the festivities. The show is live from the state-of- the art Test / Demonstration Kitchen at Melissa’s World Variety Produce’s Vernon complex. We’ll encore some great guests from the past 5 years and also look to the future.

Robert Schueller of Melissa’s is our resident authority on all things fruits and vegetables. If it’s legally grown (or imported) in the United States and Robert doesn’t know about it then it probably doesn’t exist!

Today it’s the best of the season including Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes, Pearl Onions, Dragon Apples, Winter Crunch Grapes, Steamed Beets and Lentils. Also, Melissa’s new and expanding line of Clean Snax.

Over the past decade at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Partners JC Clow, William Lewis and Chef Yvon Goetz have created quite a stir by successfully pairing chef-driven, contemporary California regional cuisine, with a hip, vibrant, sophisticated setting, to create a cutting-edge dining experience. Located at The District in Tustin and on the Bay in Newport Beach, The Winery was named “Restaurant of the Year” by the Orange County Concierge Association in its first year in business. The 3rd location of The Winery Restaurant will launch before year’s end in La Jolla in Westfield UTC. Restaurateur and Managing Partner JC Clow, the master of welcoming service and gracious hospitality, is our guest.

Celebrity Chef Jet Tila (Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown”) was the original Co-host of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” in late 2012, 2013 and 2014. His new cookbook which is already generating a wok-ful of deserved praise is 101 Asian Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die. Just launched is Jet’s new 5-part video series on Facebook, Authentically Asian with Jet Tila. Just this last week Chef Jet earned a new certified Guinness World Record for creating the largest California Roll done with students at SUNY Purchase College. Jet joins us.

Food journalist Cathy Thomas has been the highly-regarded food columnist for the Orange County Register for over 26 years. Most of that time was as the greatly respected Food Editor. In addition to that she is the online columnist for Orange Coast Magazine where you can view many of her entertaining and informative cooking videos featuring area and celebrity chefs. She also is the author of the well-received, first three Melissa’s cookbooks which remain valued reference guides. We get Cathy away from the cutting board for a chat.

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, cook, lifestyle personality, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, The Perfect Blend,, and creator of The Blender Girl Smoothies app with Random House. She shares her enthusiasm for healthy living at theblendergirl.com. We’ll meet her.

Tom Fraker, a Melissa’s Corporate Chef and the manager of the Melissa’s Corporate Test Kitchen, came to cooking late as a second career. He spends a great deal of time creating practical & tested recipes that can be prepared in the home kitchen with ease. As a high-profile Melissa’s representative he participates in special events, trade shows, and culinary functions throughout the country. We’ll chat with Chef Tom about choosing and cooking with peppers.

Chef Andrew Gruel rejoins us after launching the first Slapfish in New Mexico in Albuquerque. Chef Andrew and Lauren dine out often with their young son, William. We’ll get Chef Andrew’s thoughts about managing young kids in restaurants and what the parents’ responsibilities are.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

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