Show 140, October 3, 2015: “Top Chef’s” Chef Tiffany Derry and Celebrity Cruises “Top Chef at Sea.”

Tiffany DerryCelebrity Cruises and Bravo Media have extended the popular “Top Chef at Sea” program through 2016, and will offer “Top Chef” fans and food lovers the opportunity to vacation with a new lineup of cheftestants on the exclusive Top Chef Signature Sailing” in 2015. Setting sail November 14 onboard Celebrity Reflection, the one-of-a-kind Eastern Caribbean cruise vacation will give guests an up-close-and-personal culinary experience with six former “Top Chef” competitors, including our guest Chef Tiffany Derry of TD Concepts in Dallas from Bravo’s “Top Chef D.C.” and “Top Chef All-Stars.” (This is her 3rd sailing on “Top Chef at Sea” and she brings her Family along to join in the fun.)

New during this year’s Top Chef Signature Sailing, vacationers can choose from an array of local destination experiences hosted by a featured cheftestant, making these excursions a unique way to explore the Caribbean.

The signature sailing also will feature new duel-style cooking demonstrations onboard where cheftestants will battle each other while answering fans’ questions, with the winning dish chosen by the audience. Also onboard and back by popular demand, passionate foodies can enjoy exclusive and intimate experiences with the chefs by booking private cooking classes and private dinners to hone their skills and get advice on preparing sumptuous dishes at home.

In addition to the Top Chef Signature Sailing with alums, Celebrity will continue to offer interactive Quickfire Challenges and “Top Chef”-inspired menu evenings on its modern luxury vacations onboard nine ships, for all sailings departing through June 2016. Quickfire Challenges will put guests in the spotlight to get a taste of the pressure the cheftestants experience on the show. Plus, guests can indulge in a selection of the dishes the judges raved about on the series at “Top Chef Night” in the main restaurant.

Celebrity originally partnered with “Top Chef” in November 2014 to launch the exclusive Top Chef at Sea experience. The extension of Top Chef at Sea allows for guests to continually sail with Celebrity on a modern luxury vacation with endless culinary possibilities. For more details about Top Chef at Sea, visit celebritycruises.com/topchef

Bravo’s Emmy® and James Beard Award-winning “Top Chef” will return for season 13 this fall.

October 3: Timothy Hollingsworth, OozeFest, Quady Winery, Piero Selvaggio, Tiffany Derry, Moulin Bistro, Shachi Mehra

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Tim Hollingsworth of Otium at The Broad museum continues…
Segment Three: 100eats.com and Foodbeast’s Ooze Fest
Segment Four: Quady North (Winery) and Herb Quady
Segment Five: Piero Selvaggio, Valentino and Columbus Day Dinner Feast
Segment Six: “Top Chef’s” Chef Tiffany Derry and Celebrity Cruises “Top Chef at Sea.”
Segment Seven: Moulin Bistro and Proprietor Laurent Vrignaud
Segment Eight: ADYA – Fresh Indian Flavors and Executive Chef Shachi Mehra

Please join us on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for a special broadcast time of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” We follow Angel Baseball (versus the Texas Rangers) as they continue to battle for the 2nd Wild Card Berth and the possible Division Title. Go Halos!

We’re back to our regular broadcast time of 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon on October 10th.

Congrats to all the winners (and nominees) of The Golden Foodie Awards held Sunday, Sept. 28th at The Fairmont Newport Beach. We’ll be talking to some of the winners today and in the coming weeks.

It’s a B-I-G show this afternoon so we want to get right to our first guest, Executive Chef Timothy Hollingsworth, a James Beard Award recipient. Chef Tim was previously the chef de cuisine of Thomas Keller’s fabled French Laundry in Yountville. Since relocating to Southern California he has opened Barrel & Ashes in Studio City. On the immediate horizon is the debut of the eagerly anticipated Otium restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles prominently located across the plaza from The Broad.

Chef Tim is one of the high profile local chefs of distinction cooking at The Taste Los Angeles Dining Event, “A Night of Culinary Stars,” benefiting the James Beard Foundation on Friday evening, November 6th at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

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

Timothy HollingsworthJames Beard Award-winner Chef Tim Hollingsworth of the soon to debut Otium in Downtown Los Angeles located across the plaza from The Broad continues…

Chef Tim is one of the high profile local chefs of distinction cooking at The Taste Los Angeles Dining Event, “A Night of Culinary Stars,” benefiting the James Beard Foundation on Friday evening, November 6th at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

The Taste America L.A. evening (“Local Flavor from Coast-to-Coast”) will begin with a reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre from local chefs and restaurateurs, including Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish), James Beard Award winner Timothy Hollingsworth (Barrel & Ashes and Otium), Michael Hung (ex-Faith & Flower), Jessica Koslow (Sqirl), Zach Pollack (Alimento), and host chef Louis Pechan (The Ebell of Los Angeles).

Guests will then be seated for an extraordinary dinner prepared by James Beard Award–winning chef and Taste America All-Star Hugh Acheson (Empire State South; Atlanta, GA), in collaboration with two Local Star chefs, James Beard Award nominees Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook (Jon & Vinny’s, Animal, and Son of a Gun; Los Angeles), who will come together to create an unforgettable one-night-only menu. Tickets are available on jbftasteamerica.org.

On Saturday, November 7, free in-store consumer events will take place at Sur La Table® located at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W 3rd St. #10, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Activities of the day will include a cooking demo by All-Star Hugh Acheson, book signings, tastings from local producers and artisans, as well as product demos and tastings from Taste America’s national sponsors. Reservations for the free cooking demos will begin two weeks prior to the event (October 24th.) at jbftasteamerica.org. Visit Los Angeles’s event page for the full schedule and more details.

Foodbeast OozefestWe’re celebrating American Cheese Month with the World’s Tallest Cheese Stack (hopefully) as part of the inaugural Ooze Fest on October 10th. Bobby Navarro’s 100eats Team has partnered with Foodbeast to create a stream of unique and creative events with (promised) never seen before activations and food items unique to Ooze Fest.

The debut of 20 original cheese dishes from energized area restaurants will be on the tasting menu including creations from SOCIAL Costa Mesa (Best New Restaurant at The Golden Foodies,) Little Sparrow, Blackmarket Bakery and Grits Fullerton.

“Ooze Fest. Where the cheese drools as much as the people who are anxiously waiting to eat. The national food publication, Foodbeast, is bringing record breaking, heart burn amounts of cheese at Ooze Fest, a cheese festival located in Santa Ana.”

Foodbeast.com is working toward the goal of making internet food a reality to their legion of fans, and the local community. Nguyen Tran of Starry Kitchen and the new Button Mash in LA is coming to OC to host. Tran will rally the crowd and share about the cheese love.

Standard and VIP tickets include all-you-can-eat-and-drink food and beer. Cheers! Nosh on one of a kind, never before seen fare, brought to you by local restaurants that love cheese just as much as you do. VIP tickets include early admittance to the event, along with a t-shirt and a commemorative glass.

The standard ticket is 50 dollars and VIP is 75 dollars. The event is broken up into two sessions, first session is from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and second session is from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (VIP’s enjoy 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. respectively). Early birds in the first session get the glory of seeing the world’s tallest grilled cheese stack first ever attempt.  The second session will feature the Famous Eaters Grilled Cheese Eating Competition and the award for best cheese item of the festival.

Andrew QuadyAndrew Quady of Quady Winery in Madera is well-known for premium dessert wines and Vermouth. Not as well known to Southern Californians is that Andrew’s son, Herb, has a growing, and respected, winery of his own in Southern Oregon.

Quady North is the name of Herb’s Applegate Valley wine venture. While the senior Quady is a producer renowned for sweet and aperitif wines, Quady North is known for big, bold Bordeaux and Rhone varietals.

After working as assistant winemaker at the California Central Coast Bonny Doon Vineyard, Quady came to Oregon to found his own brand, convinced that the truly-compelling wines were made from grapes grown in cooler areas. In 2005 the family selected 100 acres of south-facing hillside in the Applegate Valley and planted their first 15 acres of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Viognier.

Today there are eight vineyards, with two in the Rogue Valley, and the list of varietals has expanded to include Grenache, Marsanne, Rousanne, and Merlot.

Quady North is committed to producing small lot, minimally-handled wines sourced primarily from the estate. The focus remains premium Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, what Herb Quady calls his “love triangle.”

Piero Salvaggio of Valentino Santa MonicaIn tribute to the Columbus Day holiday, Piero Selvaggiothe long-time proprietor of Santa Monica’s Valentino, hosts celebrated Chef Peppe Barone of Fattoria delle Torri in Modica, Piero’s humble birthplace in Sicily. Barone brings his protégé and brightest new star, Chef Antonio Colombo of Locanda Gulfi, to prepare the desserts for this exceptional dinner – Una Cena Siciliana a Quattro Mani.

Barone is credited for cultivating Sicilian cuisine and has earned worldwide recognition for his regional Italian cooking in Modica, now considered the gastronomical crown of Sicily. As Sicily’s ambassador of great food for over thirty years, Chef Barone has groomed multiple talents in his kitchen, including the acclaimed chefs Ciccio Sultano of  Il Duomo and Pino Cuttaia of La Madia (both with two star Michelin restaurants), Accursio Craparo, Carmelo Chiaramonte and emerging gifted chef, Peppe Causarano.

Today, Barone oversees the kitchen at Ristorante Cenobio and runs Scuola Nosco, his cooking school – located in an old convent transformed into the hotel Antico Convento Ibla in Ragusa. Barone and Colombo, along with the Valentino kitchen team, will revisit a number of historical and classic Sicilian dishes and style them with a singular interpretation.

Highlights of the ‘grazing-style’ dinner will include Chef Barone’s signature Pasta with a Touch of Sicily – Sea Urchin, Baby Spinach, Ricotta and Candied Lemon; Rabbit Agrodolce; Cioccolate-Wrapped Hare and Chef Peppe’s Almond-Stuffed Suckling Pig.

Chef Colombo takes over the kitchen for the sweet part of the dinner with a pre-dessert of his striking desserts – Bread, Pear, Chocolate or “Il Sole” – Cream Tartlets with Saffron, Lemon, Strawberries and Capers. Concluding the dinner is a decadent indulgence of Sicilian desserts with tastings of Antonio Colombo’s impressive Egg of Colombo Dessert; Cannolo Millefoglio-Style with Citrus Sorbet; Bonajuto Bitter Chocolate Sticks and other Sicilian Surprises.

The wine program for the dinner has, naturally, been designed by Piero Selvaggio. Selvaggio will offer selected Sicilian wines, including a white, three reds and a “Passito” – a sweet wine cultivated from grapes slowly dried on straw to concentrate the juices – for the desserts. All selections will be offered at $30 a bottle, a reduction of 50% off the wine list pricing. All other Sicilian wines on the Valentino wine list will be offered at $30 bottle for the evening.

Since 1972 Piero Selvaggio and VALENTINO have made a significant contribution to the Los Angeles restaurant scene, introducing authentic Italian products, wine and regional cuisine to the public and nurturing many of our most influential chefs and restaurateurs. Selvaggio was recently profiled by PBS in their documentary The Italian Americans.

With its intimate dining rooms, unsurpassed wine cellar, and the consummate graciousness of owner Piero Selvaggio, VALENTINO remains the favored destination for some of the best dining in Los Angeles

Tiffany DerryCelebrity Cruises and Bravo Media have extended the popular “Top Chef at Sea” program through 2016, and will offer “Top Chef” fans and food lovers the opportunity to vacation with a new lineup of cheftestants on the exclusive Top Chef Signature Sailing” in 2015. Setting sail November 14 onboard Celebrity Reflection, the one-of-a-kind Eastern Caribbean cruise vacation will give guests an up-close-and-personal culinary experience with six former “Top Chef” competitors, including our guest Chef Tiffany Derry of TD Concepts in Dallas from Bravo’s “Top Chef D.C.” and “Top Chef All-Stars.”

New during this year’s Top Chef Signature Sailing, vacationers can choose from an array of local destination experiences hosted by a featured cheftestant, making these excursions a unique way to explore the Caribbean.

The signature sailing also will feature new duel-style cooking demonstrations onboard where cheftestants will battle each other while answering fans’ questions, with the winning dish chosen by the audience. Also onboard and back by popular demand, passionate foodies can enjoy exclusive and intimate experiences with the chefs by booking private cooking classes and private dinners to hone their skills and get advice on preparing sumptuous dishes at home.

In addition to the Top Chef Signature Sailing with alums, Celebrity will continue to offer interactive Quickfire Challenges and “Top Chef”-inspired menu evenings on its modern luxury vacations onboard nine ships, for all sailings departing through June 2016. Quickfire Challenges will put guests in the spotlight to get a taste of the pressure the cheftestants experience on the show. Plus, guests can indulge in a selection of the dishes the judges raved about on the series at “Top Chef Night” in the main restaurant.

Celebrity originally partnered with “Top Chef” in November 2014 to launch the exclusive Top Chef at Sea experience. The extension of Top Chef at Sea allows for guests to continually sail with Celebrity on a modern luxury vacation with endless culinary possibilities. For more details about Top Chef at Sea, visit celebritycruises.com/topchef

Bravo’s Emmy® and James Beard Award-winning “Top Chef” will return for season 13 this fall.

Laurent VrignaudMoulin Bistro in Newport Beach, celebrating their first anniversary, is an incredible success story. It’s a busy French bistro, epicerie, boulangerie and patisserie under one roof. (“Always Fresh, Always French.”) All the appointments and fixtures are French. The ambitious proprietor (unbelievably) had no previous restaurant experience.

It’s already the darling of Orange County Food writers. Moulin was one of three nominees for “Best New Restaurant” at The 2015 Golden Foodie Awards.

The French Rotisserie Chicken is a standout.

Proprietor Laurent Vrignaud wanted to close at 7:00 p.m. but his French guests had another opinion. By popular demand he opened on Tuesday evenings for Dinner at Moulin. It’s a weekly changing appetizer, main dish, and dessert for $25.00. It now sells out at capacity way in advance. Laurent then added Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s Entrecote Frites night with unlimited fries. It’s also $25.00.

The Orange County Register’s long-time food writer Cathy Thomas recently did a feature on Moulin’s Le Croque Madame. The video (demonstrating the recipe with Laurent and French-born Chef Jeoffrey Offer) is available for viewing on You Tube.

Proprietor Laurent Vrignaud joins us.

Shachi MehraExecutive Chef Shachi Mehra is the co-proprietor of ADYA – Fresh Indian Flavors in the Packing House in Anaheim. At the recent Golden Foodie Awards ADYA was one of three distinguished nominees for Best Indian Cuisine. We’ll find out from Chef Shachi herself what restaurant was awarded the coveted honor.

“At ADYA, we showcase the flavorful street food of India. Our inspiration comes from the multitude of bright flavors and textures representing the diversity of India itself. Working with our local farmers, growers and purveyors, we strive to use local, organic, biodynamic ingredients whenever possible. Combining these with modern creative and classic Indian styles of cooking, we present food that balances the bounty of California with the bold flavors and spices of India. The carefully curated wine list and rotating craft beer list complement our vibrant flavors and casual style. Our team’s passion for hospitality comes through with each bite, every sip and with every smiling interaction.”

Shachi grew up surrounded by good food and learned early the importance of eating seasonally during her annual summer trips to her native India. Her mother was an exceptional cook, and as a young girl, Shachi spent many a moment sitting on the counter, as the ‘official taste tester’ of the house. Growing up in New Jersey, Shachi had her share of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as traditional Indian foods; this crossing of two cultures from her youth carries in to her work now and allows her the ability to see things from different perspectives and bridge the gap between perception and reality of Indian food.

As a chef, Mehra believes in creating innovative and thoughtful menus that tastefully balance a variety of flavors and makes cuisines appealing to a range of tastes. She is also an ardent supporter of local farmers and sustainable practices.

Look for her interactive “Learn To Create” monthly cooking classes at ADYA. It’s the home cooks’ guide to quick, easy Indian dishes.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Tim Hollingsworth of Otium at The Broad museum continues…
Segment Three: 100eats.com and Foodbeast’s Ooze Fest
Segment Four: Quady North (Winery) and Herb Quady
Segment Five: Piero Selvaggio, Valentino and Columbus Day Dinner Feast
Segment Six: “Top Chef’s” Chef Tiffany Derry and Celebrity Cruises “Top Chef at Sea.”
Segment Seven: Moulin Bistro and Proprietor Laurent Vrignaud
Segment Eight: ADYA – Fresh Indian Flavors and Executive Chef Shachi Mehra

Show 118, April 18, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Andrew GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, now, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host for the first segment. He’s off on location shooting FYI’s “Say It To My Face.”

Now a preview of today’s decadently overstuffed show.

In celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month in April Provisions Market (Chef Greg Daniels) and OC Baking Company (Dean Kim) will join forces to once again host The Big Cheese, Orange County’s grilled cheese festival and competition. Event Co-Founder Greg Daniels and his fellow Orange County Chefs will compete for the title of “The Big Cheese” on Monday, April 20th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Provisions Market. All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to You Are Special, a local nonprofit that operates a food pantry to feed the hungry in the Orange community. This week we’ll continue our preview of the event with Co-Founder Chef Greg Daniels of Provisions Market and Haven Gastropub.

Time to set sail for the 5th annual Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival. The festivities on Saturday afternoon, May 2nd will feature unlimited tastings from more than 30 exceptional wineries, breweries and spirits, fine cuisine, a silent auction and live musical entertainment. The event benefits the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services. Celebrity Cruises’ Sommelier Chanelle Duarte and Executive Chef David MacLennan of James Republic in Long Beach join us to preview the benefit.

It’s seemingly always tomato planting time somewhere in the U.S. From striped heirlooms to golden cherry tomatoes, and everything in between to be found at your local farmer’s market tomatoes are creating “Tomatomaniacs” everywhere. Now, Scott Daigre, the founder of the wildly popular, Tomatomania annual seedling sale in California, has teamed up with Jenn Garbee to bring the reader a beautiful and fun guide to growing, preparing and cooking tomatoes, with TOMATOMANIA! A Fresh Approach to Celebrating Tomatoes in the Garden and in the Kitchen. Scott is performing a cooking demonstration at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, Saturday afternoon, April 18th. He’s our guest.

ChocXO “Bean To Bar Chocolatier” starts with fine flavor cacao beans from Central and South America. ChocXO believes in the quality of the bean above all else. They process them using the latest technology and highest quality raw materials locally in their Irvine factory. From this incredible liquid chocolate ChocXO creates their own chocolate bars, filled chocolates, chocolate bark, and other chocolate specialties. The factory is available for tours Tuesday through Saturday. ChocXO Partner and General Manager Armon Demarco is our guest.

Del Frisco’s Grille’s (Irvine SpectrumExecutive Chef Sarah Daniels is joining forces with San Clemente’s award-winning craft brewery, Left Coast Brewery, to present a special beer dinner on Monday, April 27th. It’s four-courses along with four Left Coast Brewery pairings for a modest $35.00 per person plus tax and gratuity. The menu for the evening is a total original created for the evening by Chef Sarah, the first female executive chef in the Del Frisco’s Grille system. Chef Sarah Daniels and Shawn Hadjis of Left Coast Brewing Co. (Director of Sales and Marketing) join us with a preview.

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

Show 118, April 18, 2015: Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival

Chanelle DuarteTime to set sail for the 5th annual Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival. The festivities on Saturday afternoon, May 2nd , in honor of Drink Wine Day, will feature unlimited tastings from more than 30 exceptional wineries, breweries and spirits, fine cuisine, a silent auction and live musical entertainment. Within the benefit Celebrity Cruises will also host Celebrity’s Wine Lounge featuring Jackson Family premium wines. The event will take place at Hangar 244 in the Orange County Great Park, the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century, located in the heart of Orange County.

The event benefits the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services who provide free legal services to those in the community who would otherwise be denied access to justice.

Celebrity Cruises’ Sommelier Chanelle Duarte and Executive Chef David MacLennan of James Republic in Long Beach (a participating restaurant) join us to preview the benefit.

Chef David is just back from the James Beard Foundation in New York where he presented a dinner with his colleague, Chef/Restaurateur Dean James Max. On May 6th at James Republic the same team is presenting a Dinner Bell Series evening with local farmers (and ingredients from the Long Beach Farmer’s Market) to benefit Chefs to End Hunger.”

April 18: Andrew Gruel, Greg Daniels, David MacLennan, Scott Daigre, ChocXO, Del Frisco’s Grille, Left Coast Brewing

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Greg Daniels, “The Big Cheese” Competition
Segment Three: Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival
Segment Four: Scott Daigre and Tomatomania!
Segment Five: ChocXo Bean to Bar Chocolatier Part One
Segment Six: ChocXo Bean to Bar Chocolatier Part Two
Segment Seven: Del Frisco’s Grille Plates & Pints Dinner with Left Coast Brewing
Segment Eight: Left Coast Brewing Co.

Andrew GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, now, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host.

Now a preview of today’s decadently overstuffed show.

In celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month in April Provisions Market (Chef Greg Daniels) and OC Baking Company (Dean Kim) will join forces to once again host The Big Cheese, Orange County’s grilled cheese festival and competition. Event Co-Founder Greg Daniels and his fellow Orange County Chefs will compete for the title of “The Big Cheese” on Monday, April 20th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Provisions Market. All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to You Are Special, a local nonprofit that operates a food pantry to feed the hungry in the Orange community. This week we’ll preview the event with Co-Founder Chef Greg Daniels of Provisions Market and Haven Gastropub.

Time to set sail for the 5th annual Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival. The festivities on Saturday afternoon, May 2nd will feature unlimited tastings from more than 30 exceptional wineries, breweries and spirits, fine cuisine, a silent auction and live musical entertainment. The event benefits the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services. Celebrity Cruises’ Sommelier Chanelle Duarte and Executive Chef David MacLennan of James Republic restaurant in Long Beach join us to preview the benefit.

It’s seemingly always tomato planting time somewhere in the U.S. From striped heirlooms to golden cherry tomatoes, and everything in between to be found at your local farmer’s market tomatoes are creating “Tomatomaniacs” everywhere. Now, Scott Daigre, the founder of the wildly popular, “Tomatomania” annual seedling sale in California, has teamed up with Jenn Garbee to bring the reader a beautiful and fun guide to growing, preparing and cooking tomatoes, with TOMATOMANIA! A Fresh Approach to Celebrating Tomatoes in the Garden and in the Kitchen. Scott is performing a cooking demonstration at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, Saturday afternoon, April 18th. He’s our guest.

ChocXO “Bean To Bar Chocolatier” starts with fine flavor cacao beans from Central and South America. ChocXO believes in the quality of the bean above all else. They process them using the latest technology and highest quality raw materials locally in their Irvine factory. From this incredible liquid chocolate ChocXO creates their own chocolate bars, filled chocolates, chocolate bark, and other chocolate specialties. The factory is available for tours Tuesday through Saturday. ChocXO Partner and General Manager Armon Demarco is our guest.

Del Frisco’s Grille’s (Irvine Spectrum) Executive Chef Sarah Daniels is joining forces with San Clemente’s award-winning craft brewery, Left Coast Brewery, to present a special beer pairing dinner on Monday, April 27th. It’s four-courses along with four Left Coast Brewery pairings for a modest $35.00 per person. The menu for the evening is a total original created for the event by Chef Sarah, the first female executive chef in the Del Frisco’s Grille system. Chef Sarah Daniels and Shawn Hadjis of Left Coast Brewing Co. (Director of Sales and Marketing) join us with a preview.

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

Greg Daniels of Haven GastropubIn celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month in April Provisions Market (Chef Greg Daniels) and OC Baking Company (Dean Kim) will join forces to once again host The Big Cheese, Orange County’s grilled cheese festival and competition. Event Co-Founder Greg Daniels and his fellow Orange County Chefs will compete for the title of “The Big Cheese” on Monday, April 20th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Provisions Market. All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to You Are Special, a local nonprofit that operates a food pantry to feed the hungry in the Orange community.

OC Baking Company Master Baker Dean Kim will supply locally produced freshly baked bread to the competing chefs. The competitors will present their own spin on the classic grilled cheese sandwich that festival attendees will sample and then vote on.

This year, the professional chefs will be joined by one ProAm competitor who will be selected by event organizers in an Instagram contest. The winning entry will be announced Friday, April 17th and the ProAm contender for “The Big Cheese” will participate in the festival on Monday, April 20th.

Chef Greg Daniels (just back from France) of Provisions Market and Haven Gastropub joins us with all the needed 411.

Chanelle DuarteTime to set sail for the 5th annual Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival. The festivities on Saturday afternoon, May 2nd , in honor of Drink Wine Day, will feature unlimited tastings from more than 30 exceptional wineries, breweries and spirits, fine cuisine, a silent auction and live musical entertainment. Within the benefit Celebrity Cruises will also host Celebrity’s Wine Lounge featuring Jackson Family premium wines. The event will take place at Hangar 244 in the Orange County Great Park, the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century, located in the heart of Orange County.

The event benefits the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services who provide free legal services to those in the community who would otherwise be denied access to justice.

Celebrity Cruises’ Sommelier Chanelle Duarte and Executive Chef David MacLennan of James Republic in Long Beach (a participating restaurant) join us to preview the benefit.

Scott DaigreIt’s seemingly always tomato planting time somewhere in the U.S. From striped heirlooms to golden cherry tomatoes, and everything in between to be found at your local farmer’s market tomatoes are creating “Tomatomaniacs” everywhere.

Now, Scott Daigre, the founder of the wildly popular, Tomatomania annual seedling sale in California, has teamed up with Jenn Garbee to bring the reader a beautiful and fun guide to growing, preparing and cooking tomatoes, with TOMATOMANIA! A Fresh Approach to Celebrating Tomatoes in the Garden and in the Kitchen.

“I want people to grow tomatoes,” says Daigre, “but I wanted to create a book that guides people in a fun way, and not get so serious about success. It’s about the challenge – and sometimes it IS a challenge.” Daigre doesn’t sugar coat things, either. TOMATOMANIA! is a reality gardening book. Sometimes you’ll have a good year, sometimes…not so good. But Daigre makes sure anyone, from beginner to seasoned gardener, will have fun while they try.

Scott is performing a cooking demonstration at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, Saturday afternoon, April 18th at 3:30 p.m. on the Cooking Stage.

Scott Daigre is our guest.

ChocXOCraving chocolate? Who doesn’t?

ChocXO “Bean To Bar Chocolatier” starts with fine flavor cacao beans from Central and South America. ChocXO believes in the quality of the bean above all else. They process them using the latest technology and highest quality raw materials locally in their Irvine factory. From this incredible liquid chocolate ChocXO creates their own chocolate bars, filled chocolates, chocolate bark, and other chocolate specialties. The factory is available for informative tours Tuesday through Saturday.

ChocXO Partner and General Manager Armon Demarco is our guest.

ChocXO is the brainchild of Richard Foley, a third generation chocolate guy. Richard literally bleeds chocolate. For the past 30 years, Richard has immersed himself in the chocolate industry. From distribution to manufacturing, he’s about done it all.

“Come visit our Irvine factory and look through our viewing windows and see our factory for yourself. Take a tour while you’re here or just stop in to buy a chocolate bar. We’re proud of what we’re doing and look forward to sharing it with you.”

Sarah Daniels of Del Frisco's Grille in IrvineDel Frisco’s Grille’s (Irvine Spectrum) Executive Chef Sarah Daniels is joining forces with San Clemente’s award-winning craft brewery, Left Coast Brewery, to present a special beer dinner on Monday, April 27th. It’s four-courses along with four Left Coast Brewery pairings for a modest $35.00 per person. The menu for the evening is a total original created for the dinner by Chef Sarah, the first female executive chef in the Del Frisco’s Grille system.

Left Coast Brewing Co. is a family-owned craft brewery in San Clemente specializing in IPAs and ales. All eight of the year-round craft beers available at the popular Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. restaurants in Orange County and beyond are brewed by Left Coast Brewing Co.

One of the courses at the Craft Beer Dinner on May 27th is cioppino with mussels, shrimp, chorizo and a rich tomato broth paired with Left Coast’s Red Tide. Red Tide is a seasonal American Belgian-style Red Ale.

Chef Sarah Daniels and Shawn Hadjis of Left Coast Brewing Co. (Director of Sales and Marketing) join us with a preview.

Shawn HadjisLeft Coast Brewing Co. primarily distributes beer to bars and restaurants in kegs and bottles. The brewery also produces 8 full-time beers for the Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. restaurants. They project to produce 15,000 barrels of beer in 2015.

They also operate a Taproom at The Brewery in San Clemente that is open at night on Weekdays and extended hours on Weekends. All of the year-round styles and the current seasonal beers are available to sample in 5 oz., 10 oz. and 16 oz. pours. All beers are available in half-gallon growlers to go.

Left Coast produces six beers year-round with the flagship beer being Hop Juice Double IPA. The other year-round beers are the Asylum Belgian Style Tripel Ale, Trestles IPA, Voo Doo American Stout, Del Mar St. Dortmunder Style Export Lager and Una Mas Amber Lager. The seasonal beer for Spring is Red Tide Belgian-Style Red Ale.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Greg Daniels, “The Big Cheese” Competition
Segment Three: Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival
Segment Four: Scott Daigre and Tomatomania!
Segment Five: ChocXo Bean to Bar Chocolatier Part One
Segment Six: ChocXo Bean to Bar Chocolatier Part Two
Segment Seven: Del Frisco’s Grille Plates & Pints Dinner with Left Coast Brewing
Segment Eight: Left Coast Brewing Co.

Show 98, November 22, 2014: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris

Andy Harris at the KLAA StudiosProducer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s full show…

The primo attraction in California’s charmingly rural Santa Ynez Valley is the diversity of noteworthy wineries. The wine trail there includes Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. How do you navigate the Valley? The “SoCal Restaurant Show” recently left that in the expert hands ofStagecoach Co. Wine Tours, based right there. We’ll meet the proprietor, Eric John Reynolds.

When it comes to the flavors and preparations of the authentic foods of Baja California our local expert is Chef Deborah Schneider. To keep current she now orchestrates an annual cooking research trip to different interior States in Mexico. Back in 2006 Chef Deb wrote Baja! Cooking on the Edge which is still in print and greatly admired. Her two restaurant concepts are SOL Mexican Cocina (Newport Beach and Scottsdale) and solita Tacos and Margaritas (Huntington Beach and Valencia.) The Valencia solita opened this week for dinner in the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Chef Deb is out guest.

Fine dining chef, Eric Greenspan, is all over Food Television. He impressively just vanquished the competition in Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen : Superstar Sabotage Tournament.” He came out on top against a group of seven other fiercely competitive celebrity chefs. All his winnings went to charity. Chef Eric’s new series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry” debuts on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, November 24th

Thanksgiving is on Chef Eric Greenspan’s mind, too. He’s teamed up with Tillamook (think cheese) for a special promotion to honor the season of gratitude. Tillamook has also added ice cream to their product line.

Ten years ago Twentieth Century-Fox released a modestly budgeted film based on a best-selling book with wine appreciation at its center. The movie was Sideways and the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, a central character in the film, was forever changed. Hitching Post II, previously famous with visitors for their tasty Santa Maria-style BBQ earned a double dose of notoriety from the film. A major character in the film, played byVirginia Madsen, is a waitress at The Hitching Post. Hitching Post wines also found their way into the film. Chef, winemaker, and Santa Ynez Valley goodwill ambassador, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post fame joins us to look back.

Stir Market, located in mid-city Los Angeles, has just launched. It’s a boutique California take on the European food hall experience that is both urban market hall and restaurant. Executive Chef Christopher Barnett (ex-The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills) collaborates with Food Network culinary personality Chef Jet Tila on the menu of sandwiches and salads, small plates, and European-style rotisserie items.

Celebrity Cruises and their executive chef, John Suley, are always innovating when it comes to dining on Celebrity’s modern fleet of 11 cruise ships. Now the coveted white truffle, “the diamond of the kitchen,” will be featured on very special menus on select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December. Celebrity acquired two coveted white truffles (weighing 700 grams) at the recent World White Truffle Auction in Grinzane Cavour, Italy. The rare truffles are only available a few months of the year. Chef Suley returns to the show to talk about the mouthwatering dishes he’ll create which will showcase the extraordinary white truffles.

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

Show 98, November 22, 2014: Executive Chef John Suley, Celebrity Cruises

John Suley of Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Cruises and their executive chef, John Suley, are always innovating when it comes to dining on Celebrity’s modern fleet of 11 cruise ships. Now the coveted white truffle, “the diamond of the kitchen,” will be featured on very special menus on select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December.

Celebrity acquired two coveted white truffles (weighing 700 grams) at the recent World White Truffle Auction in Grinzane Cavour, Italy. The rare truffles are only available a few months of the year. Chef Suley returns to the show to talk about the mouthwatering dishes he’ll create which will showcase the extraordinary white truffles.

“Chef Suley and his culinary team will use the highly coveted truffles acquired at the auction to create an exclusive dining experience onboard Celebrity Equinox during a 10-night Caribbean cruise departing on Friday, Nov. 21st from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Truffle-themed dinners will be available onboard Celebrity ships for select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December.

Plus, the winning delicacies will also be featured at the James Beard Foundation’s legendary James Beard House in New York on Monday, Nov. 24th, for a special truffle-and-wine-pairing event.”

November 22: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, Deborah Schneider, Eric Greenspan, Frank Ostini, Stir Market, Celebrity Cruises

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours / Wine Tours Santa Ynez Valley
Segment Three: Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, solita Tacos & Margaritas
Segment Four: Chef Eric Greenspan Part One
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan Part Two
Segment Six: Frank Ostini, Hitching Post II
Segment Seven: Stir Market
Segment Eight: Executive Chef John Suley, Celebrity Cruises

Andy Harris at the KLAA StudiosProducer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s full show…

The primo attraction in California’s charmingly rural Santa Ynez Valley is the diversity of noteworthy wineries. The wine trail there includes Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. How do you navigate the Valley? The “SoCal Restaurant Show” recently left that in the expert hands of Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, based right there. We’ll meet the proprietor, Eric John Reynolds.

When it comes to the flavors and preparations of the authentic foods of Baja California our local expert is Chef Deborah Schneider. To keep current she now orchestrates an annual cooking research trip to different interior States in Mexico. Back in 2006 Chef Deb wrote Baja! Cooking on the Edge which is still in print and greatly admired. Her two restaurant concepts are SOL Mexican Cocina (Newport Beach and Scottsdale) and solita Tacos and Margaritas (Huntington Beach and Valencia.) The Valencia solita opened this week for dinner in the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Chef Deb is out guest.

Fine dining chef, Eric Greenspan, is all over Food Television. He impressively just vanquished the competition in Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen : Superstar Sabotage Tournament.” He came out on top against a group of seven other fiercely competitive celebrity chefs. All his winnings went to charity. Chef Eric’s new series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry” debuts on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, November 24th.

Thanksgiving is on Chef Eric Greenspan’s mind, too. He’s teamed up with Tillamook (think cheese) for a special promotion to honor the season of gratitude. Tillamook has also added ice cream to their product line.

Ten years ago Twentieth Century-Fox released a modestly budgeted film based on a best-selling book with wine appreciation at its center. The movie was Sideways and the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, a central character in the film, was forever changed. Hitching Post II, previously famous with visitors for their tasty Santa Maria-style BBQ earned a double dose of notoriety from the film. A major character in the film, played by Virginia Madsen, is a waitress at The Hitching Post. Hitching Post wines also found their way into the film. Chef, winemaker, and Santa Ynez Valley goodwill ambassador, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post fame joins us to look back.

Stir Market, located in mid-city Los Angeles, has just launched. It’s a boutique California take on the European food hall experience that is both urban market hall and restaurant. Executive Chef Christopher Barnett (ex-The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills) collaborates with Food Network culinary personality Chef Jet Tila on the menu of sandwiches and salads, small plates, and European-style rotisserie items.

Celebrity Cruises and their executive chef, John Suley, are always innovating when it comes to dining on Celebrity’s modern fleet of 11 cruise ships. Now the coveted white truffle, “the diamond of the kitchen,” will be featured on very special menus on select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December. Celebrity acquired two coveted white truffles (weighing 700 grams) at the recent World White Truffle Auction in Grinzane Cavour, Italy. The rare truffles are only available a few months of the year. Chef Suley returns to the show to talk about the mouthwatering dishes he’ll create which will showcase the extraordinary white truffles.

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

Eric John ReynoldsThe primo attraction in California’s charmingly rural Santa Ynez Valley is the diversity of noteworthy wineries. The wine trail there includes Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. How do you navigate the Valley? The “SoCal Restaurant Show” recently left that in the expert hands of Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, based right there.

All of their accommodating hosts have sommelier training and are treated as VIPs at the carefully selected wineries included on the tour. As a Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours guest you are guaranteed a warm welcome at each winery stop. A picnic lunch is part of excursion and you get picked up at your hotel.

“Just sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty and wonderful boutique wineries that Santa Barbara wine country has to offer.”

We’ll meet the proprietor and founder, Eric John Reynolds.

Deborah SchneiderWhen it comes to the flavors and preparations of the authentic foods of Baja California our local expert is Chef Deborah Schneider. To keep current she now orchestrates an annual cooking research trip to different interior States in Mexico. Back in 2006 Chef Deb wrote Baja! Cooking on the Edge which is still in print and greatly admired.

Her two successful restaurant concepts are SOL Mexican Cocina (Newport Beach and Scottsdale) and solita Tacos and Margaritas (Huntington Beach and Valencia.) The Valencia solita opened this week for dinner in the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

“Solita is a simple, sophisticated neighborhood Mexican restaurant built around a custom oak-fired Santa Maria-style grill, inspired by Chef Deb’s travels through Baja California and Mexico. Solita’s Mexico is fresh and delicious, simple and light. It’s made from scratch, often carrying a whiff of smoky flavor from the wood grill, full of flavor from fresh salsas, corn tortillas, dry and fresh chiles, crushed herbs, fruit and spices, mole sauces and cheeses…”

Chef Deb is our guest.

Eric GreenspanFine dining chef, Eric Greenspan, is all over Food Television. He impressively just vanquished the competition in Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen : Superstar Sabotage Tournament.” He came out on top against a group of seven other fiercely competitive celebrity chefs. All his winnings went to charity. Chef Eric’s new series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry” debuts on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, November 24th.

“Famed Los Angeles Chef and Restaurateur Eric Greenspan believes there’s no better place to experience food than at the source. So, he’s hitting the road with his best friend and trusted sidekick, Captain Mauzner, to hunt for the best dishes America has to offer. From the field to the fire, they’re hunting, cooking and learning about authentic American food served up by the people who know it best.”

Thanksgiving is on Chef Eric Greenspan’s mind, too. He’s teamed up with Tillamook (think cheese) for a special promotion to honor the season of gratitude. Tillamook has also added premium ice cream to their product line.

“If you’re like us (Tillamook) you give thanks for cheese on a daily basis, so for the season of gratitude we thought it only fitting to take our appreciation up a notch. We’ve partnered with Grilled Cheese Guru and Master of Melt, Chef Eric Greenspan, to bring you Grilled Cheesegiving, featuring special Tillamook Thanksgiving menu items available at Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese in Los Angeles.”

Frank OstiniTen years ago Twentieth Century-Fox released a modestly budgeted film based on a best-selling book with wine appreciation at its center. The movie was Sideways and the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, a central character in the film, was forever changed.

Hitching Post II, previously famous with visitors for their tasty Santa Maria-style BBQ using red oak earned a double dose of notoriety from the film. A major character in the film, played by Virginia Madsen, is a waitress (Maya) at The Hitching Post. Hitching Post wines also found their way into the film.

Chef, winemaker, and Santa Ynez Valley goodwill ambassador, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post fame joins us to look back.

Christopher Barnett and Jet TilaStir Market, located in mid-city Los Angeles, has just launched. It’s a boutique California take on the European food hall experience that is both urban market hall and restaurant. Executive Chef Christopher Barnett (ex- The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills) collaborates with Food Network culinary personality Chef Jet Tila on the menu of sandwiches and salads, small plates, and European-style rotisserie items.

Stir Market serves all-day (from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

The roots of Stir Market pay homage to the major food hall cities of Europe. “We’re inspired by iconic culinary/retail destinations such as Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid and Harrods in London where dining and shopping blend effortlessly,” explains Stir Market President and Co-Founder Mimi Mok, a self-professed Francophile who has spent over a decade living in southern France.” These great markets – that offer diverse eating experiences, shopping, and a sense of discovery – are as memorable as any Michelin starred restaurant. That’s was our inspiration for Stir Market, an environment where neighbors can come together for morning coffee, a meal on-the-go, sit-down dinner, and even shop for a gourmand gift.”

John Suley of Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Cruises and their executive chef, John Suley, are always innovating when it comes to dining on Celebrity’s modern fleet of 11 cruise ships. Now the coveted white truffle, “the diamond of the kitchen,” will be featured on very special menus on select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December.

Celebrity acquired two coveted white truffles (weighing 700 grams) at the recent World White Truffle Auction in Grinzane Cavour, Italy. The rare truffles are only available a few months of the year. Chef Suley returns to the show to talk about the mouthwatering dishes he’ll create which will showcase the extraordinary white truffles.

“Chef Suley and his culinary team will use the highly coveted truffles acquired at the auction to create an exclusive dining experience onboard Celebrity Equinox during a 10-night Caribbean cruise departing on Friday, Nov. 21st from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Truffle-themed dinners will be available onboard Celebrity ships for select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December. Plus, the winning delicacies will also be featured at the James Beard Foundation’s legendary James Beard House in New York on Monday, Nov. 24th, for a special truffle-and-wine-pairing event.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours / Wine Tours Santa Ynez Valley
Segment Three: Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, solita Tacos & Margaritas
Segment Four: Chef Eric Greenspan Part One
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan Part Two
Segment Six: Frank Ostini, Hitching Post II
Segment Seven: Stir Market
Segment Eight: Executive Chef John Suley, Celebrity Cruises

Show 73, May 24, 2014: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

Celebrity Cruises is launching their first-ever land-based wine and food festival on May 31st in the Orange County Great Park. Celebrity’s executive chef is with us with the full details. It’s a benefit for charity.

Chef Daniel Boulud has returned to Las Vegas with the opening of db Brasserie at The Venetian Hotel on Las Vegas fabled Strip. His chef de cuisine there is David Middleton. Chef Boulud joins us to share what’s on the menu.

The Hotel Del Coronado is California’s premier, classic beachfront hotel dating back to 1888. It represents luxury from another age. Last week we met the chef at their casual, seafood-centric, ocean-view restaurant, Sheerwater. This week it’s a conversation with Chef John Shelton, the executive chef overseeing all of Hotel del Coronado.

Restaurant impresario Bill Chait is responsible for some of the most successful and high profile restaurant openings in L.A. His most recent effort is Republique with acclaimed Chef Walter Manzke. Next up is Redbird at the old Vibiana cathedral in Vibiana and the eagerly anticipated restaurant in Eli Broad’s upcoming contemporary art museum.

The Corporate Pastry Chef for the Patina Restaurant Group, Carlos Enriquez, has an incredible story of personal achievement. He’s with us to talk about what it takes to get there.

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

Special Note…

50 Best Plants On The Planet – The most Nutrient-Dense Fruits and Vegetables, in 150 Delicious RecipesA good friend of the show’s, Cathy Thomas, the long-time food writer for the Orange County Register, is hosting a special dinner at Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach on Thursday, May 29th. It’s celebrating her third book, 50 Best Plants On The Planet – The most Nutrient-Dense Fruits and Vegetables, in 150 Delicious Recipes.

Executive Chef Paul Gstrein will prepare a special four-course meal for the occasion. Most of the dishes will be prepared from Cathy’s favorite recipes in the book.

The main course is Pistachio Crusted Free Range Chicken Breast with Farro “Risotto,” Brussels Sprouts “Two Ways,” and Bing Cherry “Agro Dolce.”

Cathy will be there for the entire evening chitchatting with the guests. She will also sign books.

You can make a reservation for anytime between 6 and 9:00 p.m. For reservations please call 949.721.1222. It’s a modest $45 per person. Specify the “Cathy Thomas Dinner” when you call.

Show 73, May 24, 2014: Executive Chef and VP of Food & Beverage Operations John Suley, Celebrity Cruises

John Suley of Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Cruises ships are easily recognized with their iconic “X.”

On May 31st the 2014 Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival featuring more than 30 exceptional wineries, fine cuisine, a silent auction and opportunity drawing, and musical entertainment launches. This event will take place at the Orange County Great Park, the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century, located in the heart of Orange County.

It’s a benefit for Legal Aid of Orange County.

Featured restaurants include Montage Laguna Beach, Clay Oven, Slapfish, and James Republic. John Suley, Celebrity’s Executive Chef and VP of Food & Beverage Operations will be there with a tasting station, too. He is our guest.

For libations look for Cakebread, Jordan, JUSTIN, Grgich Hills, Alaskan Brewing Co., Pyramid Brewing, and many others.

Chef John notes that for Celebrity Cruises everything is made from scratch including baked goods, soups, and sauces. While the passengers sleep a crew of some 30 cooks are busily preparing food for the guests.

On Celebrity’s Solstice or Millennium Class Ships some 10 to 13,000 meals are prepared and served daily from immaculately maintained kitchens.