Show 676, April 25, 2026: Steve Dolinsky, Founder, Pizza City Fest L.A.

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Adam Bell

Andy Harris and Steve Dolinsky at Pizza City Fest LA 2026

“The success of Pizza City Fest proves that Los Angeles is in fact a Pizza City. For its fourth consecutive year, the two-day pizza-focused celebration will be held atop the Event Deck at L.A. LIVE on April 25^th to 26^th and spotlight the best pizzerias in Los Angeles and beyond.”

“Founded in 2022 by three-time Emmy and 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter, Steve Dolinsky, Pizza City Fest continues to delight and unite pizza lovers with events in three major U.S. cities including Dolinsky’s native Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles.”

“We’re so excited to be returning to L.A. for our fourth annual event. The pizza scene in SoCal is as robust as ever,” said Dolinsky. “We’ve added nearly a dozen new options this year covering multiple styles. From Santa Barbara to the Inland Empire and down to San Diego, we’re saving pizza fans from spending hours in their cars to try the best pizzas. Since everything is baked fresh on-site, the taste and experience is just like eating in the pizzeria.”

Dolinsky is also the author of two pizza books including Pizza City USA.

Mr. Pizza himself, Steve Dolinsky, joins us with a Chicago Tavern-style slice in hand.

Show 674, April 11, 2026: Pizza City Fest L.A. Preview with Founder Steve Dolinsky

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Adam Bell

“Pizza City Fest highlights the area’s vast pizza landscape and the diverse talents of the region’s top pizza makers. Aficionados and casual pizza fans alike will have the exclusive opportunity to taste unlimited offerings from 20 premier artisans, plus a pair of dessert options, each day. The pizzerias will be serving up a variety of toppings, sauces and pizza styles including: Neapolitan, Chicago Tavern-style, New York-style, Artisan, Grandma Pie, Detroit-style, New Haven Apizza, L.A.-style and more.”

Mr. Pizza himself, Steve Dolinsky, joins us with a Detroit-style slice in hand.

Show 530, June 17, 2023: Anne Marie Panoringan , Award-Winning Food Journalist Part One

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is now Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist and other well-respected publications.

Congratulations to Anne Marie Panoringan for her recent Awards from the Orange County Press Club. Anne Marie’s work for Voice of OC was recognized in the Beat Feature Story and Best Health / Wellness Story categories.

Anne Marie joins us in-studio for her regular bi-monthly visit to discuss her recent trip to Chicago to attend the James Beard Foundation Media Awards recognizing excellence in Books, Broadcast, Media and Journalism. This is the 2^nd year that Anne Marie has had the distinct honor of participating as a judge.

Along the way Anne did some Chicago dining and met Chef Genie Kwon of Kasama (Food & Wine Best Chefs of 2022.) We’ll hear about it bite by delightful bite…

Show 528, June 3, 2023: Steve Dolinsky, Food Journalist & NBC5 Chicago’s “The Food Guy”

Posted on June 4, 2023 by Adam Bell

Food journalist Steve Dolinsky, NBC 5 TV Chicago’s “The Food Guy”, is the recipient of an impressive 13 James Beard Foundation Awards for journalistic excellence. (He also is the Founder of Pizza City Fest Chicago and Los Angeles.) The James Beard Foundation Awards Gala for Restaurant and Chef Awards is in Chicago at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday evening, June 5^th. Steve will preview the 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards Gala and what it means to Chicago to again host such a prestigious event.

“The James Beard Media Awards honoring broadcast media, cookbook, and journalism nominees from around the country is Saturday evening, June 3^rd at Columbia College Chicago.” Previously the Media Awards have been presented in Manhattan.

“For more than 30 years, the James Beard Awards, among the nation’s most prestigious honors, have recognized leaders in the culinary and food media industries. This month, nominees and Award winners will be honored through a weekend of events sure to be the industry’s and food lovers’ highlight of the year, gathering nearly 1,500 of the country’s top chefs, restaurateurs, food media, and culinary enthusiasts in Chicago with millions more tuning in live and on TV. More than 70 Awards will recognize excellence in the categories of restaurants and chefs, books, broadcast media, journalism, leadership, and lifetime achievements.”

Steve Dolinsky is our well-informed, on-the-scene guide to all the Beard Awards festivities this Weekend in Chicago.

Show 523, April 29, 2023: Steve Dolinsky, Founder, Pizza City Fest L.A.

Posted on April 30, 2023 by Adam Bell

“The inaugural, first of its kind Pizza City Fest Los Angeles takes place April 29-30, 2023 at L.A. LIVE – Downtown Los Angeles’ Sports and Entertainment District – offering fans the unique opportunity to sample pizzas from Southern California’s best pizza makers all in one location over two days. Steve Dolinsky – a 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter and “The Food Guy” at NBC 5 Chicago – has turned his love of pizza into an all-encompassing endeavor. Now he has brought that same carefully curated experience to Los Angeles (as he did last year in Chicago) and showcase the diversity – in both geography and styles – that the region exemplifies.”

VIP for both days is already sold out. Limited tickets are available for Saturday with better availability for Sunday.

“I’ve seen the L.A. pizza scene explode recently, having visited about 60 places while researching over the past year,” said Dolinsky. “But with so much great pizza spread out from Santa Barbara to San Diego, there needed to be a way to highlight these artisans all in one place. Not only will we do that, but we’ll also bring together some of the most talented local pizza pros to share their knowledge and expertise with home cooks.”

Show 515, March 4, 2023: Pizza City Fest Los Angeles Preview with Founder Steve Dolinsky

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Adam Bell

“The inaugural, first of its kind Pizza City Fest Los Angeles will take place April 29-30, 2023 at L.A. LIVE – Downtown Los Angeles’ Sports and Entertainment District – offering fans the unique opportunity to sample pizzas from Southern California’s best pizza makers all in one location over two days. Steve Dolinsky – a 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter and “The Food Guy” at NBC 5 Chicago – has turned his love of pizza into an all-encompassing endeavor. Now he hopes to bring that same experience to Los Angeles (as he did last year in Chicago) and showcase the diversity – in both geography and styles – that the region exemplifies.”

“I’ve seen the L.A. pizza scene explode recently, having visited about 60 places while researching over the past year,” said Dolinsky. “But with so much great pizza spread out from Santa Barbara to San Diego, there needed to be a way to highlight these artisans all in one place. Not only will we do that, but we’ll also bring together some of the most talented local pizza pros to share their knowledge and expertise with home cooks.”

We are previewing Pizza City Fest Los Angeles in multiple segments leading up to the event. Today we’ll meet the Founder of Pizza City Fest Los Angeles, Steve Dolinsky.

Tickets for Pizza City Fest Los Angeles start at $95. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Pizza City’s Ticketing page or call 1-877-234-8425.

Show 506, January 7, 2023: Donald Contursi, Founder, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours and Finger Licking Foodie Tours, Las Vegas Part One

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Adam Bell

Donald Contursi of Lipsmacking Foodie Tours

“In just a short time, Donald Contursi’s Lip Smacking Foodie Tours has grown into the premier culinary walking tour operator in Las Vegas, garnering not only loyal fans but outstanding accolades. Its variety of tours offer guests personalized service and VIP access to the best tables in the house at the city’s most acclaimed restaurants – all without the hassle of waiting in lines or making reservations.”

“Each tour is led by an expert guide who entertains guests with insider knowledge about the sights along the way. At each of four restaurant stops on The Strip or downtown, guests indulge in signature dishes, as well as receive a warm welcome from the chefs. Guests can sit beside different patrons at every stop, gaining new friends and networking connections. The tours are perfect for everyone from locals to tourists to business travelers, including corporate groups of up to 250.” Guests can even add a helicopter ride touring the famed Las Vegas Strip to cap off the evening.

“The sister entity, Finger Licking Foodie Tours, was founded by Donald Contursi, founder and president of the wildly successful award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours. Finger Licking Foodie Tours offers lighthearted, self-guided casual culinary walking tours on the Strip and through some of Vegas’ most distinctive neighborhoods, with stops at three top restaurants to enjoy a parade of signature dishes at each, all with VIP service. They are self-guided with an innovative e-guide included. Each tour introduces guests to some of the city’s most celebrated and irresistible eateries.” Options for the self-guided foodie tours include Downtown, Arts District, Chinatown, Green Valley Resort, Tivoli Village, Virgin Hotel, Aria Resort & Casino and Park MGM. There is also a Chicago self-guided tour of three of the classic deep-dish pizza establishments along the Magnificent Mile.

Donald Contursi takes a break from hosting his VIP tours and joins us.

Show 506, January 7, 2023: Donald Contursi, Founder, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours and Finger Licking Foodie Tours, Las Vegas Part Two

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Adam Bell

“The sister entity, Finger Licking Foodie Tours, was founded by Donald Contursi, founder and president of the wildly successful award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours. Finger Licking Foodie Tours offers lighthearted, self-guided casual culinary walking tours on the Strip and through some of Vegas’ most distinctive neighborhoods, with stops at three top restaurants to enjoy a parade of signature dishes at each, all with VIP service. They are self-guided with an innovative e-guide included. Each tour introduces guests to some of the city’s most celebrated and irresistible eateries.” Options for the self-guided foodie tours include Downtown, Arts District, Chinatown, Green Valley Resort, Tivoli Village, Virgin Hotel, Aria Resort & Casino and Park MGM. There is also a Chicago self-guided tour of three of the classic deep-dish pizza establishments along the Magnificent Mile.

Last year Don inaugurated (via shuttle transportation) a series of Specially Focused Food Tours concentrating on a popular menu item and designed for Locals. Sold out specialty tours so far include Pizza and BBQ. More adventures are on the horizon including a properly decadent dessert experience.… Each guest also gets the gift of a highlight video of the memorable foodie adventure.

Donald Contursi takes a second break from hosting his VIP tours and continues with us.

Show 479, June 18, 2022: Journalist Anne Marie Panoringan, The Voice of OC’s Food Columnist Part One

Posted on June 19, 2022 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. The column publishes every other Friday.

Anne Marie joins us in-studio to talk about her recent experience in Chicago attending the James Beard Foundation’s Media Awards (June 11th) honoring excellence in Books, Broadcast Media and Journalism. Anne Marie served as a judge for the Journalism Awards as part of the Media Awards. She also shares some of her top Chicago dining adventures.

Show 479, June 18, 2022: Journalist Anne Marie Panoringan, The Voice of OC’s Food Columnist Part Two

Posted on June 19, 2022 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. The column publishes every other Friday. Anne Marie continues with us.

As part of being in Chicago for the James Beard Foundation’s Media Awards on June 11th Anne Marie explored a bit of Chicago’s vibrant dining scene. She shares her memorable meals at the bar and lounge at Oriole (2 Michelin Stars,) Eleven City Diner (a contemporary take on a Jewish Deli) and the Noble Fat booth for a bao bun at the Green City Farmers Market in Lincoln Park.

In her June 3^rd column Anne Marie recounts her participation in a cooking program (MaxLove’s Fierce Foods Academy) geared toward cancer patients and their families, but, along the way, learned how its overall theme is much more universal.