Show 557, December 23, 2023: Chef Raphael Lunettea, Proprietor, Lunetta, Santa Monica

Raphael Lunetta of Lunetta All Day

Chef Raphael Lunetta is presenting an enchanting Christmas Eve Feast at Lunetta in Santa Monica served family-style. Every table is served all items on the menu including the range of sides. The repast begins with a Charcuterie and Fromage Board. The Starters include a Warm Wild Mushroom Salad and Shrimp Cocktail with marinated cucumbers, yuzu kosho tomatillo and classic tomato cocktail sauce.

The Mains are Maine Lobster Rigatoni. Almond Crusted John Dory and Tarragon Lemon Pepper Prime Rib. The range of Sides are aged gouda parmesan mashed potatoes, poached asparagus sherry mustard vinaigrette, herb potato gnocchi and farmers market roasted vegetables. Dessert is a festive Buche de Noel. The feast is priced at $125 per guest.

Chef Raphael Lunetta joins us with his Christmas Eve menu preview plus New Year’s Eve menu options (Foraged Mushroom Pappardelle) and the ongoing 3-course, Weekday Power Lunch menu.

Show 499, November 12, 2022: Chef Ted Hopson, Vice President, Gourmet Imports

Chef Ted Hopson

We know Chef Ted Hopson from the fondly remembered The Bellwether in Studio City which was an unfortunate victim of the pandemic. The better news is that Chef Ted is now the very busy Vice President at Gourmet Imports in Alhambra.

“Gourmet Imports is a Los Angeles area-based importer and distributor of specialty foods that has been serving Chefs and culinary professionals since 1989. The company was built on a commitment to service, quality and integrity. Gourmet Imports carries over 300 cheeses as well as nearly 2,000 other culinary items including: caviar, charcuterie, pâté, oils, vinegars, chocolate, baking and pastry ingredients and much, much more.”

“Ingredients & traditions matter. Working to preserve & promote them is something Gourmet Imports is deeply passionate about. They believe that food & dining are integral to our social fabric and in these times where nearly everything is synthesized, automated, expedited, and/or truncated, they are thankful to the passionate farmers & artisans that produce the goods that Gourmet Imports carries. They are equally grateful to their clients for their support, for their insistence on authenticity & excellence, and their work to provide experiences around which we can all connect over a shared meal (even if the mid-meal Instagram post has become all but inevitable).”

We’re catching up with Chef Ted Hopson.

Show 468, April 2, 2022: Steven Goodale, Proprietor, Park 1039, San Luis Obispo

Steven Goodale of Park 1039

Park 1039 in San Luis Obispo was built with the dream of bringing together products that inspire the staff, and a team that genuinely loves what they do.”

“Owner Steven Goodale is the heart of Park 1039 and has worked tirelessly to open a top-notch eatery and market for the last three years. Goodale is passionate about fine wines, especially when it comes to France. Steve humbly wants everyone to experience the best food and wine the world has to offer, and bring a unique selection of offerings to his beautiful City of San Luis Obispo.”

“Park 1039 aims to celebrate food that is alive – an expression of nature. The Chefs are passionate about foraging for wild herbs, flowers and even sea water for finishing salt. The products that can’t be made in-house are thoughtfully sourced from local farmers or high-quality import producers. The Chefs are dedicated to creating seasonal offerings that make their high-quality ingredients the star of each course.”

Also on the menu are a wide variety of specialty cheeses, customized food gift baskets and Cheese & Charcuterie Boards.

Show 414, February 27, 2021: The WEHO Sausage and Catering Co with Owner Peter Tulaney

The new WEHO Sausage Co. at The Citizen Public Market in Culver City is already making a name for themselves with gourmet burgers, sausage patty sandwiches and artisan charcuterie. The mission is converting burger purists into sausage patty pioneers. They also prepare appealing charcuterie plates with their house-made salamis, imported cheese and artisanal accoutrements.

“Our fresh ground sausage patty sandwiches will elevate your traditional experience of a burger joint into an algorithm of flavors and aromas.”

WEHO Sausage Co. also features 100 varietals of local, craft, domestic and imported beers and wines. They even have beer and wine pairing suggestions for each of their menu items. Dine-in, take-out, delivery and catering services are available. The WEHO Sausage Co. started as a full-service caterer.

Lunch and Dinner daily (except Monday) with Weekend Brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Happy Hour with menu specials is daily (except Monday) from 4 to 6:00 p.m.

A weekend Brunch special sandwich is The (323.) It’s Applewood Smoked Salmon, Onion, Tomato, with Labneh and served on a Cranberry Walnut Loaf. A popular sandwich is The Marquis. It’s Lamb Merguez Sausage Patty with Roasted Bell Peppers, Arugula and Red Onion Salata with Harissa Aioli.

Executive Chef & Proprietor Peter Tulaney joins us to slice the house-made salamis.

Show 358, February 2, 2020: Melting Pot Food Tours Part Two

Scalia Sisters of Melting Pot Food ToursOne of the best ways to come to know a city is through its food. When we go to a new city we’ve found our best insiders introduction is by partaking of a highly regarded, local food walking tour. One of the premier food walking tour operators locally is the long-established Melting Pot Food Tours. The principals are Lisa and Diane Scalia (sisters.) The Scalias hospitably continue the background tour for us.

One of Melting Pot’s proprietary tours is the La Espanola Meats VIP Tour and Paella Lunch. This tour, dining and shopping experience is produced by Melting Pot Food Tours in cooperation with the Dona Juana family of La Espanola Meats in Harbor City, CA. “Our two-generation family of hosts are the premier purveyors of fine, authentic Spanish charcuterie, cheeses, wines, and a myriad of imported specialties.”

“The experience begins with an exclusive tour of La Espanola’s manufacturing facilities, where premium sausages and cured meats are crafted with recipes procured from Spain’s finest master artisans. Following the tour, a specially-prepared patio lunch of tapas and paella is served with wine, plus homemade churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce.”

Show 355, January 11, 2020: Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla, Five Crowns & SideDoor Part Two

Alejandra Padilla of Five Crowns and SidedoorThe iconic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar was established in 1965 and is a member of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants, which includes Lawry’s The Prime Rib with domestic locations in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and the historic Tam O’Shanter in Los Angeles.

SideDoor gastropub, recipient of Orange Coast Magazine’s “2010 Restaurant of the Year” Award and Corona del Mar’s first and only English gastropub, is also housed within the historic Five Crowns building; its primary entrance is on Poppy Street. They will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary in March.

Five Crowns has a new seasonal Winter menu courtesy of Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla. Guests will experience the vibrant flavors of the season’s most inspiring ingredients to complement Five Crowns’ cherished classic dishes.

“SideDoor is soon presenting the next eagerly anticipated Ultimate Cheese & Charcuterie Party, culminating from another successful creamery takeover series, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a special Cheese Education Class from 5:30-6 p.m. led by SideDoor’s own certified cheesemonger, sommelier and cicerone, Tracy Nelsen.”

“Known for its award-winning cheese and charcuterie offerings, SideDoor started the monthly series to highlight unique creameries, dedicating one evening a month to small batch cheesemakers and specialty cheeses. Twice a year the series reaches its pinnacle with the ultimate celebration of fromage. The indulgent evening will showcase the previous five months of creameries in the series including Haystack Creamery from Colorado (August), Boutique creameries from Sonoma County (September), Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese from Kentucky (October), River’s Edge Chevrè from Oregon (November), and Cowgirl Creamery from California (December).”

Show 321, April 27, 2019: Christopher Galindo, Restaurant Chef, Meridia at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Chef Chris Galindo and Andy HarrisWe first met Chef Christopher Galindo two years ago when he was overseeing Hau Tree on the beach next door at the Resort’s sister property, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Last year he switched beaches and moved over to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort’s new Meridia as the menu-maker.

It’s Mediterranean-inspired cuisine created with locally sourced ingredients and infused with Hawaii’s rich local bounty. Also know for creative, signature cocktails and a primo 180 degree view of the Pacific at Sunset.

“The fresh seasonal menu is complemented by expanded al fresco seating, a private dining room, a charcuterie and crudo bar, and a house- made artisanal bread nook.”

We entice Chef Chris out of his busy kitchen for a chat.

Show 299, November 24, 2018: Restaurateurs Chef Ori Menashe and Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis, Bestia – Italian Recipes Created in the Heart of L.A.

Executive Chef Ori Menashe and Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis of BestiaThe Proprietors of the phenomenally popular Bestia and the newly opened Bavel, Chef Ori Menashe and Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis, are no strangers to the show. Just in time for the Holidays their debut cookbook, Bestia – Italian Recipes Created in the Heart of L.A., is now available.

This debut cookbook from L.A.’s phenomenally popular Bestia restaurant features rustic Italian food that is driven by intense flavors, including house-made charcuterie, pizza and pasta from scratch, and innovative desserts inspired by home-baked classics.

Since opening in downtown Los Angeles in 2012, Bestia has captivated diners with its bold, satisfying, and flavor-forward food served in a festive, communal atmosphere. Now, in this accessible and immersive debut cookbook, all of the incredible dishes that have made Bestia one of the most talked-about restaurants in the country are on full display.

Irresistible desserts such as apple cider donuts and a chocolate budino tart, from Co-owner and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis, end the concert of flavors on a high note.

Ori and Genevieve also share the uphill story of the saga of realizing Bestia. If you think it’s easy to open a restaurant in an unfashionable neighborhood (at the time) you might want to reconsider. Also profiled are the key team members that keep Bestia at the top of its game.

Bestia – Italian Recipes Created in the Heart of L.A. delivers a distinctively innovative approach to Italian-inspired cooking.

Proprietors Ori and Genevieve join us.

Show 283, July 28, 2018: Alain Cohen, Chef / Proprietor Harissa & Got Kosher Bakery and Deli, Los Angeles

Alain Cohen of Harissa RestaurantHarissa in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles is the transformation of the long-running Got Kosher restaurant going back to 2005. It’s Tunisian fare (Kosher) with French accents and, now, a carefully selected beer and wine list, too.

Harissa, the restaurant, pays homage to Chef Alain Cohen’s Tunisian origins, his family’s Paris restaurant, and his American culinary experiences. Harissa, the name, celebrates the beloved spicy sauce that symbolizes Chef Cohen’s vibrant cuisine. In fact, harissa is so valued in Tunisia that an old wives’ tale suggests a husband can judge his wife’s affections by the number of hot peppers she uses when preparing his food.

Indeed, Chef Cohen’s harissa sauce stays true to the family recipe, that dates back generations to Tunisia—and while Harissa’s harissa has heat, the emphasis is on balance, not just spiciness

“Tunisian cuisine is more savory than its Moroccan neighbor, which leads into the sweet side. Central to Tunisian cuisine is couscous, and you will find the dish well represented in our menu. As well, sample Chef Cohen’s signature Tunisian specialties–including house-made merguez sausage, traditional break pastry, fricassee, and pates a la but argue. Chef Cohen’s sausage making skills are also on display with our house-made charcuterie. And that’s just the beginning…”

“Chef Cohen has created a menu with something for every taste. Start with our diverse appetizer menu–if your taste runs to small plates and a glass of wine or beer. For a simpler lunch, enjoy our salads and sandwiches. And, if you want to immerse your palate in French Tunisian cooking, well, there is a full page devoted to these satisfyingly classic dishes.”

We’ll catch up with Chef / Proprietor Alain Cohen.

Show 228, June 17, 2017: Cheese Monger Tracy Nelsen, SideDoor, Corona del Mar

Tracy NelsenSideDoor in Corona del Mar is known for its award-winning cheese and charcuterie offerings, and now dedicates one evening a month to boutique creameries and specialty cheeses. Monthly SideDoor will embrace a full “cheese takeover” showcasing a select portfolio of artisanal cheeses. On Wednesday, June 21 SideDoor welcomes Cypress Grove Creamery.

SideDoor’s own certified expert and cheese monger, Tracy Nelsen, will be on hand at each takeover to educate diners on the various cheeses presented and recommend the perfect pairings. The featured cheeses will also find their way into select SideDoor menu items for that evening only. A different creamery will be featured monthly culminating with the ultimate complete cheese takeover celebration showcasing the four creameries of the series in August.

SideDoor’s own resident certified expert and cheese monger, Tracy Nelsen, is our guest. She has just returned from a cheese & wine research trip to France.