Show 690, August 1, 2026: Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Chefs bringing out the Team USA plate with Halibut at the Americas Selection of the Bocuse D'or in New Orleans

We had an incredible time in New Orleans (a tip of the toque to New Orleans & Co.) supporting Team USA 2027 in their purist to qualify in the Bocuse d’Or Americas Competition to, hopefully, move on to Lyon in January of 2027 for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. Happy to report Team USA 2027 placed Number 1 in the Americas Competition. It’s now intensive daily training on the long road to Lyon, France. Go Team USA 2027!

75 Main, owned by celebrity restaurateur and hotelier Zach Erdem, is a wildly popular restaurant located in the heart of Southampton’s (The Hamptons, Long Island) Main Street launched in 2010. “The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, and features both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu offers a variety of options, including seafood, steak, pasta, and salads, with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients.” Zach is the personality of the establishment. Celebrity Restaurateur Zach Erdem joins us.

BADMAASH is a Los Angeles–born lifestyle and hospitality brand that has been redefining modern Indian cuisine since 2013. Founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro, the restaurant has earned local, national, and international acclaim for pushing the boundaries of the Indian dining experience. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary reinterpretations, BADMAASH pairs bold, vibrant flavors with a culture driven approach to service, design, and overall hospitality.” Badmaash Venice has recently joined the family of restaurants along with the DTLA original and Fairfax Avenue. Venice is their first location designed by a high-profile restaurant designer (Preen, Inc.) Nakul steps aside from the tandoori oven to join us.

For the SoCal Restaurant Show the highlight of the OC Fair is the Culinary Arts inside the OC Promenade. That’s where the cooking demonstration stage is. There are also recreations of the facades of classic OC restaurants selling select menu and beverage items. Northgate (still Family-owned) is there with fresh guacamole. You can also meet their long-time food carving artist, the talented Ray Duey. Guests can explore the captivating Sand & Sea Exhibit, marvel at the OC Fair’s culinary competition winners and enjoy interactive craft tables. Our knowledgeable Guide is Kylie Gilliam, OC Fair Culinary Arts Supervisor, who is year-round with the OC Fair.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) now joins us with his timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Believe it or not many food-savvy European visitors to the USA for World Cup games became obsessed with Ranch Dressing (America’s most popular salad dressing.) Not found in Europe…It’s an American creation. It got so crazy that the TSA had to put out a blast reminding departing visitors that the 12-ounce bottles of commercial Ranch dressing had to be placed in checked luggage. In the spirit of international diplomacy Chef Andrew shares his own, proven recipe for classic Ranch Dressing.

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

August 1: Zach Erdem & 75 Main, Badmaash, OC Fair

Podcasts

Hour One: Zach Erdem, Badmaash
Hour Two: Badmaash, OC Fair, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Celebrity Restaurateur & Hotelier Zach Erdem, 75 Main, Southhampton, The Hamptons, Long Island
Segments Four and Five: BADMAASH (DTLA, Fairfax &amp Venice) with Co-Founder Nakul Mahendro
Segments Six and Seven: OC Fair’s Culinary Arts inside OC Pavilion with Kylie Gilliam, Culinary Arts Supervisor
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Chef Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House and Show Co-host

Chefs bringing out the Team USA plate with Halibut at the Americas Selection of the Bocuse D'or in New Orleans

We had an incredible time in New Orleans (a tip of the toque to New Orleans & Co.) supporting Team USA 2027 in their purist to qualify in the Bocuse d’Or Americas Competition to, hopefully, move on to Lyon in January of 2027 for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. Happy to report Team USA 2027 placed Number 1 in the Americas Competition. It’s now intensive daily training on the long road to Lyon, France. Go Team USA 2027!

75 Main, owned by celebrity restaurateur Zach Erdem, is a wildly popular restaurant located in the heart of Southampton’s (The Hamptons, Long Island) Main Street launched in 2010. The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, and features both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu offers a variety of options, including seafood, steak, pasta, and salads, with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients. Zach is the personality of the establishment. Celebrity Restaurateur Zach Erdem joins us.

BADMAASH is a Los Angeles–born lifestyle and hospitality brand that has been redefining modern Indian cuisine since 2013. Founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro, the restaurant has earned local, national, and international acclaim for pushing the boundaries of the Indian dining experience. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary reinterpretations, BADMAASH pairs bold, vibrant flavors with a culture driven approach to service, design, and overall hospitality.” Badmaash Venice has recently joined the family of restaurants along with the DTLA original and Fairfax Avenue. Venice is their first location designed by a high-profile restaurant designer (Preen, Inc.) Nakul steps aside from the tandoori oven to join us.

For the SoCal Restaurant Show the highlight of the OC Fair is the Culinary Arts inside the OC Promenade. That’s where the cooking demonstration stage is. There are also recreations of classic OC restaurants selling select menu items. Northgate (still Family-owned) is there with fresh guacamole. You can also meet their long-time food carving artist, the talented Ray Duey. Guests can explore the captivating Sand & Sea Exhibit, marvel at the OC Fair’s culinary competition winners and enjoy interactive craft tables. Our knowledgeable Guide is Kylie Gilliam, OC Fair Culinary Arts Supervisor, who is year-round with the OC Fair.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) now joins us with his timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Believe it or not many food-savvy European visitors to the USA for World Cup games became obsessed with Ranch Dressing (America’s most popular salad dressing.) Not found in Europe… It’s an American creation. It got so crazy that the TSA had to put out a blast reminding departing visitors that the 12-ounce bottles of commercial Ranch dressing had to be placed in checked luggage. In the spirit of international diplomacy Chef Andrew shares his own recipe for classic Ranch Dressing.

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

Zach Erdem of 75 Main

75 Main, owned by celebrity restaurateur Zach Erdem, is a wildly popular restaurant located in the heart of Southampton’s (The Hamptons, Long Island) Main Street launched in 2010. The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, and features both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu offers a variety of options, including seafood, steak, pasta, and salads, with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients.” Zach is the personality of the establishment which he bought in 2010.

“The restaurant has received positive reviews for its food, service, and atmosphere. Guests have praised the restaurant for its delicious food, well-curated wine list, and attentive service orchestrated by hands-on proprietor Zach. The outdoor seating area has also been noted as a great spot to people-watch and enjoy the bustling Main Street scene. Overall, 75 Main is considered a notable destination for those looking to experience the upscale dining scene in Southampton, NY.”

“75 Main is a popular restaurant located in the heart of Southampton’s Main Street. The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, and features both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu offers a variety of options, including seafood, steak, pasta, and salads, with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients.” The personality of the restaurant (since 2010) is the consummate host, Zach, himself.

75 Main is also the backdrop for Discovery’s “Serving the Hamptons,” a provocative reality series which aired for two seasons. (Now available on HBO Max.)

“The Hamptons is where the rich spend their summers, and Zach Erdem’s 75 Main is their favorite restaurant. With constant drama in the Summer staff house, broken rules and a shocking love triangle, will the sexy, young staff manage to make the summer a success?” 

Restaurateur Zach Erdem joins us.

Nakul Mahendro of Badmaash

BADMAASH is a Los Angeles–born lifestyle and hospitality brand that has been redefining modern Indian cuisine since 2013. Founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro, the restaurant has earned local, national, and international acclaim for pushing the boundaries of the Indian dining experience. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary reinterpretations, BADMAASH pairs bold, vibrant flavors with a culture driven approach to service, design, and overall hospitality.”

Badmaash Venice has recently joined the family of restaurants along with the DTLA original and Fairfax Avenue. Venice is their first location designed by a prominent restaurant designer (Preen, Inc.)

“Beyond its restaurants, BADMAASH has expanded into retail and lifestyle, with its bottled butter chicken sauces available online and in select markets, and its oatmilk chai carried at Erewhon. The brand has also collaborated with fashion and media platforms including Ksubi and Complex, further cementing its presence at the intersection of food, culture, and pop influence. Through each venture, BADMAASH continues to shape the conversation around modern Indian cuisine in America.”

Nakul steps aside from the tandoori oven to join us.

Kylie Gilliam of the OC Fair

For the SoCal Restaurant Show the highlight of the OC Fair is the Culinary Arts inside the OC Promenade. That’s where the popular cooking demonstration stage is. There are also recreations of classic. OC restaurants selling select menu items. You can also meet their long-time food carving artist, the talented Ray Duey. Guests can explore the captivating Sand & Sea Exhibit, marvel at the OC Fair’s culinary competition winners and enjoy interactive craft tables.

Centennial Farm, a three-acre working farm, is also a major attraction at the OC Fair. It’s open year-round (with a Farm Store) in addition to during the run of the OC Fair. It’s the place to see baby farm animals including piglets, sheep and goats. Lots of edible produce grown there, too.

Our knowledgeable Guide is Kylie Gilliam, OC Fair Culinary Arts Supervisor, who is year-round with the OC Fair.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) now joins us with his timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

Believe it or not many food-savvy European visitors to the USA for World Cup games became obsessed with Ranch Dressing (America’s most popular salad dressing.) Not found in Europe… It’s an American creation. It got so crazy that the TSA had to put out a blast reminding departing visitors that the 12-ounce bottles of commercial Ranch dressing had to be in checked luggage.

In the spirit of international diplomacy Chef Andrew shares his own recipe for classic Ranch Dressing.

Andrew Gruel’s Family Cookbook is available with signed copies at his Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach.

Podcasts

Hour One: Zach Erdem, Badmaash
Hour Two: Badmaash, OC Fair, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Celebrity Restaurateur & Hotelier Zach Erdem, 75 Main, Southhampton, The Hamptons, Long Island
Segments Four and Five: BADMAASH (DTLA, Fairfax &amp Venice) with Co-Founder Nakul Mahendro
Segments Six and Seven: OC Fair’s Culinary Arts inside OC Pavilion with Kylie Gilliam, Culinary Arts Supervisor
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Chef Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House and Show Co-host