Show 532, July 1, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Cork & Fork restaurant in Indio was born out of their Cooking School, Cooking with Class. What started as a weekly get together on Wednesday evenings inside the cooking school featured small plates and wines by the glass. Each week the list of attendees grew and grew until Executive Chef Andie Hubka was turning away more people than she could seat. The empty space next door suddenly became very appealing! A big move to a new location in 2023 saw the addition of twice the seating, a full bar and private dining rooms. The rest as they say, is history!” Chef Andie Hubka takes a break from her busy kitchens to join us.

Dewlson Family Farm in Santa Maria is the “retirement project” of active husband and wife, (first generation farmers) Ron Dewey and Judy Paulson. It’s a family-owned, working farm established in 2010 designed to be an “Oasis of Experience” where people come to explore, learn, and relax. On the Farm, Ron and Judy grow Lisbon Lemons, five varieties of premium Arabica coffee beans sourced from The Big Island of Hawaii and three varieties of tea from renowned regions of China. Currently visits are by appointment only for the safety and convenience of farm guests. Farmer Judy Paulson is our guest with a basket of Lisbon Lemons in hand.

Naughty Oak Brewing Company located in Orcutt in the Santa Maria Valley is a collaboration of a dedicated craft beer-loving husband and wife team. It’s the first craft brewery in Orcutt. Their motto is, “Comradery Through Quality.” At any given time there are 12 house-brewed craft beers and seltzers available. Think Phantasmic Voyage West Coast IPA and Fuzzy Navel Blond Ale with Orange & Peach for openers. Bring your own food or enjoy the varied menus of their rotating food trucks. “The aim at Naughty Oak Brewing Co. is to provide the guests with high-quality beers that can be enjoyed in an environment that promotes community.” Proprietor Emily Kitts joins us to tap the keg on all that is Naughty Oak Brewing Co.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is a fan of chicken as a value-priced and versatile protein. Last week the U.S. Agriculture Department authorized the sale of cell-cultivated / cultured chicken that comes from a lab. It’s very expensive and, for now, will only be available as a novelty menu item in a high-end restaurant in Washington, DC and another in the Bay Area. Chef Andrew fills us in. Is this a food product that’s even really needed? Summer is a great time to grill authentic Veggie Burgers made from real vegetables that highlight their taste. Chef Andrew has the background.

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

July 1: Cork & Fork, Dewlson Family Farm, Naughty Oak Brewing Company

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Andie Hubka, Cork & Fork, Indio, CA Part One
Segment Three: Executive Chef Andie Hubka, Cork & Fork, Indio, CA Part Two
Segment Four: Dewlson Family Farm, Santa Maria with Judy Paulson Part One
Segment Five: Dewlson Family Farm, Santa Maria with Judy Paulson Part Two
Segment Six: Naughty Oak Brewing Co. in Orcutt, CA with Proprietress Emily Kitts
Segment Seven: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef” Part One
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef” Part Two

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Cork & Fork restaurant in Indio was born out of their Cooking School Cooking with Class. What started as a weekly get together on Wednesday evenings inside the cooking school featured small plates and wines by the glass. Each week the list of attendees grew and grew until Executive Chef Andie Hubka was turning away more people than she could seat. The empty space next door suddenly became very appealing! A big move to a new location in 2023 saw the addition of twice the seating, a full bar and private dining rooms. The rest as they say, is history!” Chef Andie Hubka takes a break from her busy kitchens to join us.

Dewlson Family Farm in Santa Maria is the “retirement project” of active husband and wife, (first generation farmers) Ron Dewey and Judy Paulson. It’s a family-owned, working farm established in 2010 designed to be an “Oasis of Experience” where people come to explore, learn, and relax. On the Farm, Ron and Judy grow Lisbon Lemons, five varieties of premium Arabica coffee beans sourced from The Big Island of Hawaii and three varieties of tea from renowned regions of China. Currently visits are by appointment only for the safety and convenience of farm guests. Farmer Judy Paulson is our guest with a basket of Lisbon Lemons in hand.

Naughty Oak Brewing Company located in Orcutt in the Santa Maria Valley is a collaboration of a dedicated craft beer-loving husband and wife team. It’s the first craft brewery in Orcutt. Their motto is, “Comradery Through Quality.” At any given time there are 12 house-brewed craft beers and seltzers available. Think Phantasmic Voyage West Coast IPA and Fuzzy Navel Blond Ale with Orange & Peach for openers. Bring your own food or enjoy the varied menus of their rotating food trucks. “The aim at Naughty Oak Brewing Co. is to provide the guests with high-quality beers that can be enjoyed in an environment that promotes community.” Proprietor Emily Kitts joins us to tap the keg on all that is Naughty Oak Brewing Co.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is a fan of chicken as a value-priced and versatile protein. Last week the U.S. Agriculture Department authorized the sale of cell-cultivated / cultured chicken that comes from a lab. It’s very expensive and, for now, will only be available as a novelty menu item in a high-end restaurant in Washington, DC and another in the Bay Area. Chef Andrew fills us in. Is this a food product that’s even really needed? Summer is a great time to grill Veggie Burgers made from real vegetables that highlight their taste. Chef Andrew has the background.

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

Andie Hubka of Platinum Hospitality Group

Cork & Fork restaurant in Indio was born out of their Cooking School, Cooking with Class. What started as a weekly get together on Wednesday evenings inside the cooking school featured small plates and wines by the glass. Each week the list of attendees grew and grew until Executive Chef Andie Hubka was turning away more people than she could seat. The empty space next door suddenly became very appealing!

A big move to a new location in 2023 saw the addition of twice the seating, a full bar and private dining rooms. The rest as they say, is history!” This is casual fine dining at its best. The menu features creative small plates ranging from classic comfort to exotic fusion. Chef Andie uses the highest quality ingredients and shops locally, organically and sustainable whenever possible. Cork & Fork’s Mix, Match, Share & Enjoy philosophy allows you to choose your own adventure and order many small plates to share, or let the chef choose for you if you’d like with their Seasonal Tasting Menu.”

“Cork & Fork offers an eclectic list of affordable wines by the glass and bottles to share, with perfect pairing advice for each of their tasty dishes. The wine list features important varietals and award-winning winemakers from around the world, with an emphasis on food friendly wines.”

“Andie Hubka is the award winning Executive Chef and Owner of three acclaimed restaurants – Cork & Fork, Heirloom Craft Kitchen in Indio and the recently opened Tu Madres Cantina & Grill (located next door to Hierloom). Andie was named “Chef of the Year” by Palm Springs Life Magazine for her work at her beloved cooking school, Cooking with Class, and has since gone on to open her exceptional restaurant Cork & Fork, which has earned top honors including Best New Restaurant in 2013 in the prestigious ‘My Desert’ poll.”

“A teacher at heart, Andie staffs her kitchens with students from the La Quinta High School Culinary Program, in partnership with the school, creating the Desert’s first paid culinary internship program that has successfully graduated 6 years of students in to the local culinary workforce and beyond.”

Chef Andie Hubka takes a break from her busy kitchens to join us.

Judy Paulson of Dewlson Family Farm

Dewlson Family Farm in Santa Maria in the Santa Maria Valley is the “retirement project” of active husband and wife, (first generation farmers) Ron Dewey and Judy Paulson. It’s a family-owned, working farm established in 2010 designed to be an “Oasis of Experience” where people come to explore, learn, and relax. On the Farm Ron & Judy grow Lisbon Lemons, five varieties of premium Arabica coffee beans sourced from The Big Island of Hawaii and three varieties of tea from renowned regions of China.

Currently visits are by appointment only for the safety and convenience of farm guests.

“Ron and Judy are proud of their safe, sustainable farm practices that protect the health and well-being of their family, farm associates and valued guests. This makes it possible for guests to walk their farm, eat farm-grown fruits, and enjoy coffee and tea with confidence in your safety.”

Private Farm Tours personally conducted by Judy and Ron include Coffee Tour & Tasting, Tea Tour & Blend Creation and the Exotic Plant Tour.

Judy Paulson takes a break from the Farm Tour to join us.

Emily Kitts of Naughty Oak Brewing

Naughty Oak Brewing Company established in 2015 in Orcutt in the Santa Maria Valley is a collaboration of a dedicated, craft beer-loving husband and wife team. It’s the first craft brewery in Orcutt. Their motto is, “Comradery Through Quality.”

At any given time there are 12 house-brewed craft beers and seltzers available. Think Phantasmic Voyage West Coast IPA and Fuzzy Navel Blond Ale with Orange & Peach for openers. Bring your own food or enjoy the varied menus of their rotating food trucks. Also recognized for hosting the best Trivia Night (Wednesday) in the Santa Maria Valley. “The aim at Naughty Oak Brewing Co. is to provide the guests with high-quality beers that can be enjoyed in an environment that promotes community.”

Proprietor Emily Kitts joins us to tap the keg on all that is Naughty Oak Brewing Co.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and Casino

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the recently launched, full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Chef Andrew is a long-time fan of chicken as a value-priced and versatile protein. Last week the U.S. Agriculture Department authorized the sale of cell-cultivated / cultured chicken that comes from a lab. It originates from a single cell and then quickly multiplies. It’s very expensive and, for now, will only be available as a novelty menu item in a high-end restaurant in Washington, DC and another in the Bay Area. Chef Andrew fills us in. Is this a food product that’s even really needed?

Summer is a great time to grill Veggie Burgers made from real vegetables that highlight their taste. Chef Andrew continues with us sharing his background from his direct experience as the menu maker for Butterleaf. A popular Veggie Burger (made in-house) was on the menu.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Andie Hubka, Cork & Fork, Indio, CA Part One
Segment Three: Executive Chef Andie Hubka, Cork & Fork, Indio, CA Part Two
Segment Four: Dewlson Family Farm, Santa Maria with Judy Paulson Part One
Segment Five: Dewlson Family Farm, Santa Maria with Judy Paulson Part Two
Segment Six: Naughty Oak Brewing Co. in Orcutt, CA with Proprietress Emily Kitts
Segment Seven: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef” Part One
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef” Part Two

Show 517, March 18, 2023: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House with “Ask the Chef”

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the recently launched, full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Earlier in the week in Boston was the annual three-day Seafood Expo North America and Seafood Processing North America. It’s the largest Seafood Exposition in North America and holds international influence. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the exposition to meet, network and do business. Chef Andrew explains its significant, global importance.