Show 497, October 29, 2022: Nika Shoemaker-Machado, Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange & Anaheim Packing House Part One

Nika Shoemaker-Machado of Georgias Restaurants

Georgia’s Restaurant returned “Nana” Gretchen Shoemaker’s mouthwatering Gumbo to their menu at Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange and the Anaheim Packing District just in time to celebrate National Gumbo Day back on October 12th, 2022 and for the remainder of 2022!

“Nana Gretchen Shoemaker’s “soul-delicious” signature Gumbo has been a guest favorite since it was first introduced and guests can again savor Nana’s Secret Southern-style Roux featuring Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, Crab, and Okra, served over Rice at both locations. To complement this super satisfying meal, guests can also add Soulful Sides such as Collard Greens, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, or Nana Gretchen’s famous Cornbread served with house-made honey butter, while enjoying her fresh Peach Cobbler for the perfect finish.”

“Nana Gretchen Shoemaker (Nika’s Mom,) the heart of Georgia’s, would tell you Soul Food is the food you get when you cook with your whole heart and soul.”

“Georgia’s dishes are the comfort foods she learned to make with her grandma, the very ones she raised her daughters on, served in her successful catering service and has shared with family and friends throughout the years.” Other specialties include herb-seasoned Fried Chicken, Gretchen’s Jambalaya, Fried Catfish and Sweet Potato Pie.

“When you taste Georgia’s food, you taste the love and devotion that makes Georgia’s Soul Delicious!!”

2nd generation proprietress Nika Shoemaker-Machado (“Nana” Gretchen’s daughter) takes a break from the cornbread muffin pans to join us.

A new Georgia’s is in the works for Eastvale in northwestern Riverside County. This newer city incorporated in 2010 was former dairy farms.

Show 497, October 29, 2022: Nika Shoemaker-Machado, Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange & Anaheim Packing House Part Two

Nika Shoemaker-Machado of Georgias Restaurants

Georgia’s Restaurant returned “Nana” Gretchen Shoemaker’s mouthwatering Gumbo to their menu at Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange and the Anaheim Packing District just in time to celebrate National Gumbo Day back on October 12th, 2022 and for the remainder of 2022!

“Nana Gretchen Shoemaker’s “soul-delicious” signature Gumbo has been a guest favorite since it was first introduced and guests can again savor Nana’s Secret Southern-style Roux featuring Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, Crab, and Okra, served over Rice at both locations. To complement this super satisfying meal, guests can also add Soulful Sides such as Collard Greens, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, or Nana Gretchen’s famous Cornbread served with house-made honey butter, while enjoying her fresh Peach Cobbler for the perfect finish.”

“Nana Gretchen Shoemaker (Nika’s Mom,) the heart of Georgia’s, would tell you Soul Food is the food you get when you cook with your whole heart and soul.”

“Georgia’s dishes are the comfort foods she learned to make with her grandma, the very ones she raised her daughters on, served in her successful catering service and has shared with family and friends throughout the years.” Other specialties include herb-seasoned Fried Chicken, Gretchen’s Jambalaya and Fried Catfish.

“When you taste Georgia’s food, you taste the love and devotion that makes Georgia’s Soul Delicious!!”

2nd generation proprietress Nika Shoemaker-Machado (“Nana” Gretchen’s daughter) takes another break from tending the cornbread muffin pans to continue with us.

A new Georgia’s is in the works for Eastvale in northwestern Riverside County. This newer city incorporated in 2010 was former dairy farms.

Show 335, August 3, 2019: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now an enticing preview of Saturday’s scrumptious 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 that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Couldn’t do it without you.

The 2019 OC Fair is on. Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled, San Diego-based, “Chicken Charlie” Boghosian of Chicken Charlie’s. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chicken Charlie is cooking up through August 11th. Did I hear Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga and Fried Hummus?

DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week Week is now in progress and runs through Sunday, August 11th. It’s a prime time to dine in a potential new restaurant discovery in Long Beach. On the menu with us is Steve Nydell, the General Manager and Beverage Director of the newly launched Navy Proof Food & Spirits, one of the participating restaurants in DINE LBC.

Word-of-Mouth favorite Georgia’s Restaurant has been serving up Southern “soul-delicious” cuisine for the past five years in Anaheim at The Anaheim Packing House, while reimagining and redefining the public’s perception of Southern Soul Food. Now, Georgia’s Restaurant has extended their family and celebrating their fifth anniversary with the Grand Opening last month of their second location at the new Long Beach Exchange (LBX). Founders Gretchen “Nana” Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado (Gretchen’s daughter) are our hospitable guests.

It’s the start of the short, but eagerly anticipated, Hatch Chile season. To celebrate Executive Chef/Partner Yvon Goetz of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin is hosting a Roasting & Toasting on the Vineyard Hatch Chile afternoon celebration at the original The Winery location. On the menu are premium beer, Tequila and live music along with a Hatch Chile roasting. Chef Yvon is preparing an incredible assortment of Hatch Chile hors d’oeuvres including Hatch Chile Braised Pulled Pork Tacos and Hatch Chile and Butternut Squash Tamales. Chef Yvon turns up the flavorful heat for us.

Hatch Chiles, grown only in the Hatch Valley and along the Rio Grande river of New Mexico, are considered by chile aficionados to be the best peppers in the world. Hatch is the premium growing area for New Mexico chiles. Hatch, New Mexico is not only the Chile capital of the US but also of the World. The ultimate chile, these chiles are only available from New Mexico in a short, six-week window every year (between August and September.) Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us with all the spicy details.

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

August 3: Chicken Charlie’s, Navy Proof, Georgia’s Restaurant, Hatch Chiles with the Winery and Melissa’s World Variety Produce

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: “Chicken Charlie” Boghosian, All-Star Food Concessionaire, OC Fair
Segment Three: Steve Nydell, General Manager, Navy Proof Food & Spirits, Long Beach
Segment Four: Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach, with Founders “Nana” Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado Part One
Segment Five: Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach, with Founders “Nana” Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado Part Two
Segment Six: Executive Chef / Partner Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
Segment Seven: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s, Hatch Chile Season is Here Part One
Segment Eight: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s, Hatch Chile Season is Here Part Two

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s scrumptious 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 that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Couldn’t do it without you.

The 2019 OC Fair is on. Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled, San Diego-based, “Chicken Charlie” Boghosian of Chicken Charlie’s. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chicken Charlie is cooking up through August 11th. Did I hear Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga and Fried Hummus?

DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week is now in progress and runs through Sunday, August 11th. It’s a prime time to dine in a possible new restaurant discovery in Long Beach. On the menu with us is Steve Nydell the General Manager and Beverage Director of the newly launched Navy Proof Food & Spirits, one of the participating restaurants in DINE LBC.

Word-of-Mouth favorite Georgia’s Restaurant has been serving up Southern “soul-delicious” cuisine for the past five years in Anaheim at The Anaheim Packing House, while reimagining and redefining the public’s perception of Southern Soul Food. Now, Georgia’s Restaurant is extending their family and celebrating their fifth anniversary with the Grand Opening last month of their second location at the new Long Beach Exchange (LBX) . Founders Gretchen Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado (Gretchen’s daughter) are our hospitable guests.

It’s the start of the short, but eagerly anticipated, Hatch Chile season. To celebrate Executive Chef/Partner Yvon Goetz of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin is hosting a Roasting & Toasting on the Vineyard Hatch Chile afternoon celebration at the original The Winery. On the menu are premium beer, Tequila and live music along with a Hatch Chile roasting. Chef Yvon is preparing an incredible assortment of Hatch Chile hors d’oeuvres including Hatch Chile Braised Pulled Pork Tacos and Hatch Chile and Butternut Squash Tamales. Chef Yvon turns up the heat for us.

Hatch Chiles, grown only in the Hatch Valley and along the Rio Grande river of New Mexico, are considered by chile aficionados to be the best peppers in the world. Hatch is the premium growing area for New Mexico chiles. Hatch, New Mexico is not only the Chile capital of the US but also of the World The ultimate chile, these chiles are only available from New Mexico in a short, six-week window every year (between August and September.) Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us with all the spicy details.

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

Chicken Charlie Boghosian of Chicken Charlie's FryBQThe 2019 OC Fair is on. Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled, San Diego-based, Chicken Charlie” Boghosian of Chicken Charlie’s.

We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chicken Charlie is cooking up through August 11th. Did I hear Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga and Fried Hummus?

The Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga is a tortilla containing mac & cheese, bacon and buffalo chicken, fried and topped off with buffalo ranch and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Fried Hummus is house-made hummus coated with flour and seasonings, served in a pocket of pita bread and topped with sliced tomatoes and a sauce made of plain whole yogurt with tahini sauce.

Steve Nydell of Navy Proof Food and SpiritsDINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week is now in progress and runs through Sunday, August 11th. It’s a prime time to dine in a possible new restaurant discovery in Long Beach. On the menu with us is Steve Nydell the General Manager and Beverage Director of the newly launched Navy Proof Food & Spirits, one of the participating restaurants in DINE LBC.

The cuisine at Navy Proof Food and Spirits emphasizes technique and texture to highlight the versatility of seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced seafood and meat. A notable element that earmarks the concept is its highly-developed beverage program led by Steve NydellNavy Proof Food and Spirits General Manager. An approachable cocktail bar with a highly creative team of bespoke bartenders, the restaurant offers guests a rich experience with classic cocktails refreshed and re-imagined. In addition to lunch and dinner service, breakfast service will be offered daily, in addition to a robust happy hour.

Boasting a world-class, bartender driven cocktail program, biodynamic wines and local brews, Navy Proof Food & Spirits guests will enjoy the vast offerings of rare and distinctive spirits plus tableside cocktail service, including the Bargaining Table created with 12 – year rum, averna amaro, coffee liquor, sour cherry bitters. Groups of 2 – 6 can also enjoy the large format Cult of Sailors, made of white rum, grapefruit juice, limejuice, aperol, orgeat (almond syrup) & aromatic bitters.

Gretchen Shoemaker of Georgia's RestaurantWord-of-Mouth favorite Georgia’s Restaurant has been serving up Southern “soul-delicious” cuisine for the past five years in Anaheim at The Anaheim Packing House, while reimagining and redefining the public’s perception of Southern Soul Food. Now, Georgia’s Restaurant is extending their family and celebrating their fifth anniversary with the Grand Opening last month of their second location at the new Long Beach Exchange (LBX).

“Georgia’s Restaurant does not stem from the deep south, but instead a suburb of Philadelphia where high school sweethearts Gretchen and George Shoemaker decided to leave the Keystone State and head west, settling in Lake Forest, CA. It was in their home, where George and Gretchen raised their three daughters, that Gretchen began her successful catering business built on family recipes that delivered a true home-cooked experience. Early every morning, Gretchen would rise to get a start in the kitchen with George by her side playing sous chef, as tunes of Teddy Pendergrass wafted through the air, harmonizing with the sweet and savory aromatics of Gretchen’s Southern soul cuisine.”

“Then, after the untimely passing of George Shoemaker in the early 1990s, everything came to an abrupt halt as the Shoemaker family rallied around one another and Gretchen’s catering business was put on hold. Twenty years later, with all three daughters grown, second daughter Nika Shoemaker-Machado and her husband Marlon Machado approached Gretchen, now known to most as Nana, to all come together and fulfill her lifelong dream of sharing her food on a much grander scale than ever before and they introduced Georgia’s Restaurant, a Southern Restaurant that celebrates authentic Soul Food, while sharing Nana Gretchen and the Shoemaker family’s story of survival, community and love.”

“The Georgia’s Restaurant Menu is undoubtedly a family affair with recipes originating from generations past, adapted, and updated by the present. Guests can start their fabulous feast with an array of Small Bites such as the Piggy Cheese Fries, comprised of crispy fries loaded with slow roasted BBQ pork; Nana Gretchen’s Fried Green Tomatoes made of crispy coated fresh green tomatoes with a lemon aioli, or the finger-licking Chicken Wings, served with a choice of lemon pepper, spicy, mild, crispy, or Georgia’s Restaurant’s signature BBQ seasoning.”

“ For those that love their greens, there is a selection of four bountiful and beautiful Salads starting with the vegetarian friendly Georgia’s House served with spring mix, red onions, tomatoes, and candied pecans; Seafood lovers can rejoice with the Shrimp Salad served with spring mix, roasted corn, red peppers, red onions, tomatoes and a mango sauce; the Tri-Tip Salad bridges the best an omnivore can eat, made with grilled-to-order 1855 Premium Black Angus Choice tri-tip, spring mix, blue cheese, red onions, tomatoes, red peppers and Mandarin oranges, or stay healthy without sacrificing any flavor with the Georgia’s Blue featuring grilled blackened chicken, blue cheese crumbles, romaine lettuce and tomatoes.”

“Fans of Georgia’s Restaurant and newcomers alike can also order up and enjoy one of Georgia’s Specialties such as Gretchen’s Jambalaya cooked to order with shrimp, andouille sausage and chicken, served over pasta or rice, or the Louisiana Tilapia & Shrimp made of spicy grilled tilapia and shrimp, with tomato Creole sauce served over rice. For the best of both worlds, the Chicken & Waffle is sweet and savory, featuring Georgia’s Restaurant signature Fried Chicken on a Belgian Waffle, served with maple syrup and creamy honey butter.”

Founders Gretchen Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado (Gretchen’s daughter) are our hospitable guests.

Yvon Goetz of the Winery Restaurant and BarIt’s the start of the short, but eagerly anticipated, Hatch Chile season. To celebrate Executive Chef/Partner Yvon Goetz of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin is hosting a Roasting & Toasting on the Vineyard Hatch Chile afternoon celebration at the original The Winery. On the menu are beer, Tequila and live music along with a Hatch Chile roasting. Chef Yvon is preparing an incredible assortment of Hatch Chile hors d’oeuvres including Hatch Chile Braised Pulled Pork Tacos and Hatch Chile and Butternut Squash Tamales.

Every guest departs with a copy of the Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook by Sharon Hernandez (Melissa’s Co-Founder) and Melissa’s Corporate Chef Ida Rodriguez and a tote of fresh Hatch Peppers.

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioHatch Chiles, grown only in the Hatch Valley and near the Rio Grande river of New Mexico, are considered by chile aficionados to be the best peppers in the world. Hatch is the premium growing area for New Mexico chiles. Hatch, New Mexico is not only the chile capital of the US but also of the World. Hatch Chiles have been growing in this region for over 135 years, developed by New Mexico State University.

The ultimate chile, these chiles are only available from New Mexico in a short, six- week window every year (between August and September.) Unusually Hatch Chiles are available in mild, medium, hot and extra hot varieties.

Hatch Chiles have a meaty flesh and mild-medium heat making them ideal for use in Chile Con Queso, Chile Rellenos, and Chile Verde. But it doesn’t just stop there. You can also try roasting and using them in salads, soups, stews, dips, and sandwiches. For even more great ideas on how to use this incredible chile, purchase a copy of the genuinely useful Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook.

Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us with all the spicy details.

Aficionados generally buy the chiles in bulk by the case (typical case is 25 lbs.) and store the chiles in their freezers, assuring use of these chiles year-round. The chiles can be frozen, roasted up to 2 years. Freeze with or without roasted skin and seeds. The chiles tend to get warmer in heat when you freeze with veins and seeds before storage.

Check the Melissa’s Website for the Schedule of Hatch Chile Roasting in August & September near you!

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: “Chicken Charlie” Boghosian, All-Star Food Concessionaire, OC Fair
Segment Three: Steve Nydell, General Manager, Navy Proof Food & Spirits, Long Beach
Segment Four: Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach, with Founders “Nana” Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado Part One
Segment Five: Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach, with Founders “Nana” Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado Part Two
Segment Six: Executive Chef / Partner Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
Segment Seven: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s, Hatch Chile Season is Here Part One
Segment Eight: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s, Hatch Chile Season is Here Part Two

Show 305, January 5, 2019: Restaurateur Gretchen Shoemaker – Georgia’s Restaurant, Anaheim Packing House

Gretchen ShoemakerWe love to share inspiring Family entrepreneurial success stories along with fulfilling second careers. Georgia’s Restaurant (surprisingly not named after the State) in the Anaheim Packing House is a Southern restaurant that celebrates authentic Soul Food through family recipes that deliver a home-cooked experience. At the heart of Georgia’s is Gretchen Shoemaker, who is our guest.

Gretchen tells the story of her life through the comfort foods she learned to make with her grandma, that she raised her daughters on, that served in her successful catering business, and that she has shared with family and friends throughout the years. When Gretchen’s daughter, Nika, and son-in-law, Marlon, opened Georgia’s at the Anaheim Packing House in 2014, they were intent on spreading her story of survival, community, and tradition through her food.

Today, you can find Gretchen at the restaurant, greeting guests with her warm welcome and keeping a watchful eye on the kitchen, which serves her specialties, including Chicken & Waffles, Blackened Chicken Pasta, Jambalaya, and Louisiana Tilapia & Shrimp. Georgia’s popular Plates include her signature Herb-Seasoned, Cornmeal-Crusted Buttermilk Fried Chicken; Hand-Tossed, Pan-Fried Smothered Pork Chops; Farm-Raised, Creole Seasoned, Cornmeal-Crusted Fried Catfish; Half Rack of Slow-Roasted St. Louis BBQ Ribs; and grilled-to-order 1855 Black Angus Choice Tri-Tip.

This year Georgia’s will add a 2nd location in Long Beach at the Long Beach Exchange.

 

 

Show 72, May 17, 2014: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor, The Orange County Register Magazine, Coast Orange County Magazine

Kedric Francis of Coast Magazine and the Orange County Register MagazineOur always debonair, roving food and travel correspondent in the OC, Kedric Francis, checks-in. He’s the Executive Editor of both The Orange County Register Magazine and Coast Orange County Magazine. He’s updating us on the new food market halls arriving in the OC.

Kedric profiles the soon-to-open Packing House at The Anaheim Packing District and the 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana. Leonard Chan will open a branch of his Iron Press waffle concept (the original is at SoCo in Costa Mesa) at the Packing House in addition to two other concepts. Eagerly anticipated at 4th Street Market is Chef Michael Puglisi’s (ex-Bouchon Beverly Hills) Electric City Butcher shop.

One of the principals in the founding of The Mart Mix at SoCo has announced plans to develop and open market halls at the Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo and The District in Tustin. The Mart Mix and SoCo is the flagship market hall development in Orange County to date. It contains award-winning restaurants and popular gourmet specialty food firms.

May 17: Old Vine Café, Truck U Barbecue, Ruth Reichl, Sheerwater, Deborah Schneider, District Wine, Kedric Francis

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Owner / Chef Mark McDonald, Old Vine Café, The Camp in Costa Mesa
Segment Three: Chef Mike Minor of the Truck-U Barbeque rolling grill, Las Vegas
Segment Four: Ruth Reichl, New York Times bestselling author and long-time Editor of Gourmet Magazine
Segment Five: Charles “Chuck” Watson, Chef de Cuisine, Sheerwater, Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, CA
Segment Six: Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, Partner, SOL Cocina, solita and cookbook author
Segment Seven: Mark Dunton, Proprietor, District Wine, Long Beach
Segment Eight: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor, The Orange County Register Magazine, Coast Orange County Magazine

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

The Old Vine Café, now in its 6th year, is a real crowd-pleaser at The Camp in Costa Mesa. Owner/Chef Mark McDonald gives us the background.

When we last visited Las Vegas Chef Mike Minor (ex-Executive Chef at Border Grill) he was just about to launch his TruckU Barbeque there. Now that his rolling grill is on the road and serving guests we’ll get the saucy update…

After you’ve been the esteemed and high-profile editor of Gourmet Magazine and, prior to that, the powerful & influential restaurant critic of The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times what’s next? In the case of our guest, Ruth Reichl, you pen your first novel.

The Hotel Del Coronado is California’s premier, classic beachfront hotel dating back to 1888. It represents the pinnacle of luxury from another age. One of their casual restaurants, with an incredible ocean view, is Sheerwater. We’ll meet the chef.

Executive Chef Deborah Schneider of SOL Cocina and solita Tacos & Margaritas in Huntington Beach is a well-traveled authority on the foods of Baja. Her first cookbook Baja! Cooking on the Edge is now out in a 2nd edition.

What’s special about District Wine in Downtown Long Beach? Meet the personable proprietors Mark and Angela Dunton and you’ll know.

Our debonair, roving food and travel correspondent based in the OC, Kedric Francis, checks-in. He’s the Executive Editor of both The Orange County Register Magazine and Coast Orange County Magazine. He’s updating us on the new food market halls arriving in the OC.

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

Mark McDonald of the Old Vine CafeSome six years ago owner/chef Mark McDonald opened the Old Vine Café hidden in The Camp in Costa Mesa. Unusually for a fine-dining establishment he serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chef Mark also has a serious wine program with a fun, educational component.

It’s top quality cuisine and wine in a non-pretentious, casual atmosphere. Mark did a lot of cooking in Southern Italy and that’s reflected on the seasonally changing menu.

Chef Mark really wants his guests to enjoy, and sample, new wines. His “6 for $60” wine program encourages this.

He also leads annual escorted tours to Italy in association with The Italian Culinary Institute. His next “Splendors of South Italy” tour (Calabria and Sicily) is set for March 20 to 29, 2015.

Mike Minor of Truck U Barbecue in Las VegasWhen we last visited Las Vegas Chef Mike Minor (ex-Executive Chef at Border Grill) he was just about to launch his Truck-U Barbeque there. Now that the rolling grill is on the road and serving guests we’ll get the meaty update…

The truck itself was designed by HGTV star Luca Paganico.

Chef Mike calls it “meat candy on wheels.” It’s “urban hipster” barbecue. The food is Mexican with a Southern twist.

Look for the Short Rib Enchiladas and the Chipotle Fried Chicken. How about Maple Bacon Churros…???

Ruth ReichlAfter you’ve been the esteemed editor of Gourmet Magazine and, prior to that, the powerful & influential restaurant critic of The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times what’s next? In the case of our guest, Ruth Reichl, you pen your first novel. It’s Delicious! – A Novel.

“Ruth Reichl is a born storyteller. Through her restaurant reviews, where she celebrated the pleasures of a well-made meal, and her bestselling memoirs that address our universal feelings of love and loss, Reichl has achieved a special place in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of readers. Now, with this magical debut novel, she has created a sumptuous, wholly realized world that will enchant you.

Billie Breslin has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at Delicious!, New York’s most iconic food magazine. Away from her family, particularly her older sister, Genie, Billie feels like a fish out of water—until she is welcomed by the magazine’s colorful staff. She is also seduced by the vibrant downtown food scene, especially by Fontanari’s, the famous Italian food shop where she works on weekends. Then Delicious! is abruptly shut down, but Billie agrees to stay on in the empty office, maintaining the hotline for reader complaints in order to pay her bills.

To Billie’s surprise, the lonely job becomes the portal to a miraculous discovery. In a hidden room in the magazine’s library, Billie finds a cache of letters written during World War II by Lulu Swan, a plucky twelve-year-old, to the legendary chef James Beard. Lulu’s letters provide Billie with a richer understanding of history, and a feeling of deep connection to the young writer whose courage in the face of hardship inspires Billie to comes to terms with her fears, her big sister and her ability to open her heart to love.”

Sheerwater Restaurant at the Hotel Del CoronadoThe Hotel Del Coronado is California’s premier, classic beachfront hotel dating back to 1888. It represents the pinnacle of luxury from another age.

One of their casual restaurants, with an incredible ocean view, is Sheerwater. The Chef de Cuisine there is Charles “Chuck” Watson.

They pride themselves on using fresh, local, sustainable seafood where possible. Think Mexican prawns and Baja scallops for starters.

All of the fish trimmings at this high volume establishment contribute to the house-specialty cioppino.

Chef Chuck is the culinary liaison at the Del for the SEA + FOOD event on Saturday afternoon, June 7th on the Windsor Lawn. It’s a one-day Pacific coast food festival to remember with delicious local seafood, BBQ from the Lil’ Del BBQ, and libations including craft beers, wines and spirits. Live retro rhythm and blues music, too.

The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to benefit childhood cancer research is the charitable beneficiary.

$100 admission includes tax, gratuities and parking. Adults only, please.

Deborah SchneiderChef Deborah Schneider brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as Executive Chef and Partner of Mexican restaurants SOL Cocina (Newport Beach & Scottsdale, AZ) and solita (Huntington Beach & soon Valencia) Schneider draws upon her rich culinary background and more than 25 years of professional cooking experience to bring the superb tastes and relaxing beach vibe of the Baja Peninsula.

Schneider’s passion for Baja was stoked by countless surf trips down the Peninsula. There, at small street stands and on pristine beaches, she discovered flavorful, healthy cuisine, rich with fresh seafood and inventive preparations that are at the heart of her restaurants.

Chef Deb has just released a second edition of her critically acclaimed first cookbook, Baja! Cooking on the Edge. It features a mixture of authentic recipes and Chef Deb’s own Baja-inspired dishes. This is the book that drew Chef Deb’s (now) restaurant partners to her for the SOL Cocina project.

Baja! features more than 150 easy-to-follow recipes, peppered with fantastic stories and images that are as vibrant in color as the dishes are in flavor. Chef Deb explores these different cultural influences of Baja street food – everything from the classic Fish Tacos and Seafood Cocktels, to a wide range of inspired meat-based tacos – chicken, pork, chorizo – and fresh salsas. The uniquely Baja recipes featured includes delights like Clams in Tequila Butter, One-Pan Paella, Garlic Cilantro Steak and Chocolate-Jalapeno Truffles.

Seasoned travel journalist and wine and food writer Linda Kissam knows what makes for a good wine bar…

Angela and Mark Dutton of District WineWhat makes a great wine bar? Before I put my dollars down, I like to look inside and make sure there are really plenty of interesting bottles of wine that appear to be available by the glass and small plates of food that complement the wine promising a special evening. A good wine bar isn’t just a bar with some wine. It specializes in wine. I like a place where the owner takes a real interest in making my wine time a memorable experience.”

District Wine in Downtown Long Beach is such an establishment. They just celebrated their 4th anniversary. Angela & Mark Dunton are the welcoming proprietors.

As Linda confidently observes, “These guys know their stuff.”

Kedric Francis of Coast Magazine and the Orange County Register MagazineOur always debonair, roving food and travel correspondent in the OC, Kedric Francis, checks-in. He’s the Executive Editor of both The Orange County Register Magazine and Coast Orange County Magazine. He’s updating us on the new food market halls arriving in the OC.

Kedric will update us on the progress of the soon-to-be 4th Street Market in Downtown Santa Ana and The Anaheim Packing District. (That includes The Packard Showroom, Farmers Park, and Packing House.)

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Owner / Chef Mark McDonald, Old Vine Café, The Camp in Costa Mesa
Segment Three: Chef Mike Minor of the Truck-U Barbeque rolling grill, Las Vegas
Segment Four: Ruth Reichl, New York Times bestselling author and long-time Editor of Gourmet Magazine
Segment Five: Charles “Chuck” Watson, Chef de Cuisine, Sheerwater, Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, CA
Segment Six: Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, Partner, SOL Cocina, solita and cookbook author
Segment Seven: Mark Dunton, Proprietor, District Wine, Long Beach
Segment Eight: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor, The Orange County Register Magazine, Coast Orange County Magazine