Tag Archives: Celebrity Chef

Show 366, March 28, 2020: Chef / Proprietor Suzanne Tracht of Jar Restaurant in Los Angeles

Posted on by

Suzanne Tracht of Jar Restaurant“Jar, a modern chophouse in the heart of Los Angeles, commands the attention of Angelenos with the allure of Chef / Proprietor Suzanne Tracht’s familiar retro dishes from the American culinary repertoire. Since it’s debut in 2002, Jar’s devoted fans return again and again to enjoy her signature Pot Roast, Kansas City Steak, wild and sustainable Seafood, Lemongrass Chicken, Black Mussels with Lobster Bearnaise & Fennel Salt, award-winning French Fries, market-fresh sides and perfectly mixed martinis.

During the prohibition on dine-in Jar continues to serve guests with Jar to-go, Jar Cocktails to-go, Wines to-go and a boxed Dinner for four.

Chef Suzanne has a long tradition of hosting a welcoming Passover Seder at Jar. While that can’t happen this year she will, instead, create a special Passover family dinner for take-out.

Chef Suzanne joins us with all the salivating menu details.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 339, August 31, 2019: Caroline Styne, Co-Founder The Lucques Group, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Part Two

Posted on by

Caroline Styne of Lucques Restaurant GroupDelightful and delicious, the upcoming 10th Annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade brings superstar chefs and mixologists to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, September 14th to lend their support to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and battle against childhood cancer. The celebrity chefs and mixologists participating come from landmark establishments from all across the country.

Co-Founder Caroline Styne of the Lucques Group continues.

Caroline also provides a tantalizing sneak peak of the restaurants and bars The Lucques Group is creating and operating at the future The Proper Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles (near the historic, former Herald-Examiner building) including a rooftop view restaurant with a bar and lounge.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 326, June 1, 2019: Chef Jet & Ali Tila with 101 Epic Dishes Part One

Posted on by

Jet Tila and a heritage pig at Cochon 555 in 2013Chef Jet Tila and his accomplished pastry chef wife & culinary educator, Ali, are back with us to chat about their exciting, practical 2nd cookbook, 101 Epic Dishes: Recipes That Teach You How to Make the Classics Even More Delicious. The Foreword is unusually authored by Celebrity Chef & Food Network star Bobby Flay.

“Here’s the truth: making food worth savoring and showing off isn’t as difficult as you like to think it is. All it really takes is a solid foundation of cooking techniques, and lucky for you, celebrity chef and self-proclaimed Mr. Miyagi, Jet Tila (collaborating with Ali Tila) is ready to pass all his know-how on to you.”

The cooking Tilas have carefully selected the most essential recipes that pull double duty by tasting delicious and teaching you foundational cooking skills that will easily transfer to other cooking endeavors. Mastering perfect pan-roasted rib-eye steak means both that your dinner is going to be delicious and that you are ready to season and sear other cuts of meat like a pro. Southwestern BBQ and ranch chicken salad helps you build must-have knife skills, and crumbly apple pie will arm you with the ability to make the perfect flaky pie dough that can be used in countless other desserts.

101 Epic Dishes teaches you the most important cooking skills you need to kick your kitchen game up a few notches – all the while whipping up some delicious dishes.

“Every recipe and skill you need to be a great cook.”

Meet Chef Jet & Ali Tila (The Cooking Tilas) at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena on Saturday afternoon, June 22nd at 3:00 p.m. Jet and Ali will be there presenting and demonstrating recipes from 101 Epic Dishes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 326, June 1, 2019: Chef Jet & Ali Tila with 101 Epic Dishes Part Two

Posted on by

Cookbook Author Ali TilaChef Jet Tila and his accomplished pastry chef wife & culinary educator, Ali, are back with us to chat about their exciting, practical 2nd cookbook, 101 Epic Dishes: Recipes That Teach You How to Make the Classics Even More Delicious. The Foreword is by Celebrity Chef & Food Network star Bobby Flay.

Some featured recipes in 101 EPIC DISHES include:

-BEEF: Perfect Pan-Roasted Rib-Eye Steak; Shortcut Korean BBQ Short Ribs Worth Showing Off; Thick and Creamy Irish Beer Beef Stew

-CHICKEN & POULTRY: Old-School Shake and Fry Buttermilk Fried Chicken; Tender and Crispy Duck Confit; Better-Than-Takeout Orange Chicken

-SEAFOOD: Fried Fish Tacos with Chipotle Crema; Garlicky Lemony Shrimp Scampi; Crispy-Skin Salmon with Lemon-Caper Yogurt Sauce

-RICE, PASTA & PIZZA: Not-as-Hard-as-You-Think Risotto; Perfect-Every-Time Pizza Dough and Pepperoni Pizza; Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

-EGGS & BREAKFAST COOKERY: The Ultimate Bacon and Egg Breakfast Sandwich; Jet’s Famous Fried Chicken and Waffles; Ali’s Coconut Chia Pudding with Almonds and Fresh Berries

-DESSERTS: Grasshopper Brownie Bars; Da Bomb Budino (Italian Salted Caramel Pudding); Burnt Milk Ice Cream

-AND MUCH MORE including Vegetables; Salad and Soup; Sandwiches, Dips and Spreads and Pork!

Meet Chef Jet & Ali Tila (The Cooking Tilas) at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena on Saturday afternoon, June 22nd at 3:00 p.m. Jet and Ali will be there presenting and demonstrating recipes from 101 Epic Dishes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 323, May 11, 2019: Chef Lorena Garcia, Chica at The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas

Posted on by

Chef Lorena Garcia of Chica Las VegasChica Las Vegas at The Venetian, now celebrating its 2nd Anniversary, delivers the robust and vibrant flavors of Latin cuisine combined with a dynamic wine and mixology program. Crafted by celebrity Latina chef (and Chica Partner) Lorena Garcia, the diverse menu draws inspiration from classic renditions and provides guests the opportunity to explore the flavors of Latin American cuisine as one culture, with influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, among many more.

Latin-inspired cocktails are a must at Chica to complement the vibrant cuisine, highlights include handcrafted margaritas, sangrias and Spanish-style gin & tonics, as well as brunch favorites like spicy, savory Bloody Marys or Marias, sweet Mimosas infused with fresh fruit purees and an array of options from the Juice Bar for those looking for a healthful kick.

Chica is open daily for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch.

Chef Lorena pops out of the busy Chica kitchen to chat.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 273, May 12, 2018: Lou Hirsch, General Manager, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro at The Palazzo Resort

Posted on by

Lou HirschMorels French Steakhouse & Bistro at The Palazzo skillfully merges classic steakhouse with innovative and unique culinary techniques. Highlights include an iced seafood bar and a cheese and charcuterie bar with more than 60 farmhouse and artisanal cheeses from around the world with handmade salamis and meats.

It’s all enhanced by more than 60 wines-by-the-glass and more than 400 varieties of French and California wine-by-the-bottle.

With both wet-and dry-aged steaks as well as a sinful array of desserts, the Las Vegas steakhouse menu also includes a myriad of tasty and colorful handcrafted cocktails that Thrillist says distinguishes Morels as one of the “40 best steak restaurants in Las Vegas.” Outdoor patio seating provides stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip.

Because they don’t have a “Celebrity Chef” in the kitchen they work extra hard to welcome their guests. It’s a discovery “hidden” in plain sight by the Front Desk at The Palazzo.

Our guest is Lou Hirsch, the General Manager, known for in Vegas gracious hospitality.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 264, March 10, 2018: Chef Andrew Gruel’s “Ask the Chef”

Posted on by

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur always informed Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, encores with his “Ask the Chef” series. The significant Illumination Foundation Benefit, OC Chef’s Table, is set for Sunday, March 18th at Disney’s Grand Californian. Chef Andrew is again a participant in this high profile and worthy charity event. Each celebrity chef cooks with great fanfare for an exclusive (highly decorated & visually stunning) table of ten. We’ll hear about it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 248, November 18, 2017: Chef Thierry Blouet, Café des Artistes, Co-Founder – Festival Gourmet International

Posted on by

“LOVE AND PASSION – THE SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE GOOD!”

Thierry Blouet2017 marks twenty-three years of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta featuring the talent and creations of over 30 chefs. In 1995 Chefs Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize (joined later by Chef Roland Menetrey) came up with the idea of ​​promoting and raising up the culinary level of this region to competitive international standards, interacting with new methods and creativity of highly qualified Chefs from around the globe. Over 500,000 gourmet food fans have attended over the years along with close to 600 participating celebrity chefs.

The goal of this 10-day, great party is to strengthen the gastronomy of Puerto Vallarta as an exemplary showcase and to promote the destination through the excellence of the good table.

It’s a full schedule of culinary activities including chef tastings events, culinary safaris, seasonal tastings and themed nights offering distinct dishes from cities from around the world. Distinguished restaurants from Puerto Vallarta’s different zones will be participating.

In addition to all the special events every night of the 9-day Festival is the “Gourmet Dine Around.” Nightly each of the 27 participating Puerto Vallarta restaurants and hotels serve a special menu offering creations and delicacies crafted by their respective guest chef.

Chef Thierry joins us.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 243, October 7, 2017: Chef Eric Greenspan, 505 Southwestern’s “Clash of the Hatch” Food Truck Challenge

Posted on by

Eric GreenspanFlagship Food Group and 505 Southwestern have launched a unique campaign, the “Clash of the Hatch,” a food truck challenge curated by 505 Southwestern® and Celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan. Celebrating the Hatch Valley green chile harvest season, the “Clash of the Hatch” brings together 10 of LA’s most popular food trucks to compete to make the best dish possible featuring 505 Southwestern® Hatch Valley Flame Roasted Green Chile.

The 10 finalists chosen to compete are Locol, Border Grill, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Grilled Cheese Truck, South Philly Experience, Vchos Pupusas, Chubbee Monkee, India Jones, Dogtown Dogs and Wise Barbecue Co.  Each truck is challenged to develop an innovative menu item that matches the truck’s food genre and style. Trucks are encouraged to drive awareness and sales of their item through social media and creative marketing.

The truck with the winning item will be invited to the Flagship global research and development center in Burbank, California, to develop a version of their menu item as a consumer retail food product. 505 Southwestern® will work to distribute this product into retail channels, and the winner will receive 1% of the net revenue, subject to a minimum of $20,000 and up to a maximum of $100,000.

“Anyone who knows me, my restaurants, or my TV shows, knows that I am passionate about great restaurants and operators. Food trucks represent the epitome of real time innovation and passionate entrepreneurs- exactly the kind of people I, Flagship, and 505 Southwestern® love engaging with,” said chef Eric Greenspan. “I think this is an exciting event, and I can’t wait to see what these food trucks create.”

Chef Eric turns up the heat and fills us in.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Show 226, June 3, 2017: Bella Lantsman, General Manager & Partner, Chinois on Main, Santa Monica

Posted on by

Belle LantsmanLongevity for a restaurant in the highly competitive Los Angeles restaurant arena isn’t an easy thing. Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s 2nd fine-dining restaurant in the Los Angeles area after Spago was Chinois on Main in Santa Monica. It launched in 1983 and is still a landmark dining destination in Santa Monica that consistently delivers with memorable food and polished service. Many of the professional servers have, unusually, been there for years.

Chinois on Main boldly combines Chinese tradition and fresh California ingredients with contemporary French techniques. The restaurant pioneered Asian fusion cuisine in the United States. Today, Chinois remains a culinary icon with its timeless interior design by (Partner) Barbara Lazaroff, an open kitchen, full-service bar, and extensive (and expertly crafted) wine list.

The Executive Chef is Rene Mata. He started at Chinois on Main as a line cook in 1987.

GM & Partner Bella Lantsman has, extraordinarily, been there since almost the beginning. We’ll meet her.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS