Show 301, December 8, 2018: Ryan Wilson, Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Part One

Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson, an accomplished chef, is part of the fourth generation of proud Frank / Van de Kamp family ownership of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Most recently he served a s Vice President and Corporate Executive Chef but recently transitioned to an expanded position with Lawry’s Restaurants.

Ten years ago when he started with Lawry’s his first project was developing (with his colleagues) the uber successful SideDoor in Corona del Mar adjacent to Five Crowns.

We’ll talk to Ryan about the 80th Anniversary of Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills this year as well as his new, expanded responsibilities.

Show 301, December 8, 2018: Ryan Wilson, Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Part Two

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Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson, an accomplished chef, is part of the fourth generation of proud Frank / Van de Kamp family ownership of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Most recently he served as Vice President and Corporate Executive Chef but recently transitioned to an expanded position with Lawry’s Restaurants.

With a new Stanford Graduate School of Business Master of Science in Management for Experienced Leaders degree Ryan has transitioned into the new post as Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for Lawry’s leading into the future.

Show 188, September 10, 2016: Carlito Jocson, Corporate Executive Chef & Managing Partner, Yard House Restaurants

Carlito JocsonCarlito Jocson is the long-time Executive Chef and Managing Partner of Yard House. He revamped the entire menu of the original Yard House in Long Beach right before they opened in 1996. It’s been a wild ride for the last 20 years. They now have 65 busy locations across the country in 13 states.

What do Fried Gnocchi with Spicy Sausage, Crab Scampi Pasta and an All-Day Breakfast Sandwich have in common? They’re just a few of the new items that Chef Carlito and Yard House introduced to its menu on September 12th . The restaurant, known for its menu of American favorites and 100-plus taps of beer, introduced a half-dozen new entrees to its menu, which will be available through January 15, 2017.

“As summer starts to wind down, and we head into the cooler months, it’s natural for the palate to gravitate towards heartier fare,” notes Chef Carlito Jocson. “Our Lobster Mac N Cheese, which has appeared on some of our special menus over the years, like Valentine’s Day or the holidays, is one we’re bringing back because it’s so popular. And, for the first time in our nearly 20-year history, we’re adding a breakfast sandwich.”

Jocson added that as a chef he studies food culture behaviors rather than trends, which helps drive his decision on what he feels needs to be added to the menu.

“I’m out a lot, and I observe what types of food people are seeking out,” added Jocson. “When I’m in Downtown L.A. late at night and there is a line halfway around the block at a chef-driven kiosk for a simple egg sandwich, I immediately start experimenting in the kitchen to create an egg sandwich for Yard House to answer that call for our guests.”

Chef Jocson also noted that, while Italian and Mexican fare have always been dining staples they’re both experiencing a resurgence among diners.

Chef Carlito joins us with this absolutely incredible success story.

Show 94, October 25, 2014: Jim Colombo, General Manager, Five Crowns and Side Door

Jim ColomboIt’s time to catch-up with the iconic Five Crowns and Side Door in Corona del Mar. The restaurant is a charming replica of one of England’s oldest country inns.

The adjacent Side Door is a popular gastropub with its own identity and a youthful vibe. The Holidays are always a special time there and General Manager Jim Colombo (also a trained chef) will give us a preview of all the special Holiday happenings.

The food in the kitchens of both establishments is under the watchful eye of Lawry’s Restaurants corporate executive chef, Ryan O’Melveny Wilson. He represents the fourth generation of proud Family ownership!

Show 49, November 23, 2013: Entrepreneur Dave Danhi the founder, director, and executive chef of The Grilled Cheese Truck. Continues…

Dave Danhi of the Grilled Cheese TruckBefore some health concerns turned Dave in another direction a few years ago he was a sought-after executive chef. In a couple of different stints Dave was the Corporate Executive Chef for Kings Seafood Co. of Water Grill fame. He also was the menu-maker for the (now departed) Georgia on Melrose Avenue.

Dave is the 4th owner of DD Factor which was started by Mimi Factor back in 1959. When Dave was at King’s he used their services to recruit needed culinary talent. All of his recruiters have extensive experience in the hospitality industry.

Show 39, September 7, 2013: Biff Naylor, proprietor of Du-par’s Restaurants & Bakeries

Biff Naylor of Dupar'sIn 2004 Naylor came out of a brief retirement to purchase and revive the surviving Du-par’s Restaurants & Bakeries. The first location at The Original Farmers Market (opened in 1938) remains after a massive renovation and needed refurbishment. They are particularly well-known for incredible pancakes and house-baked fruit pies.

The Naylor Family represents three generations of career hospitality folks. Daughter, Jennifer, was the executive chef for many years at Wolfgang Puck’s Granita in Malibu. One of Jennifer’s key chefs is now the corporate executive chef for Du-Par’s. Most everything is made from scratch using premium ingredients.

If you sit at the counter at a Du-par’s you’ll see servers squeezing the fresh orange juice to order.

There is even a very busy Du-par’s in Downtown Las Vegas in the landmark Golden Gate Casino & Hotel. It’s actually the highest grossing restaurant per square foot (2,500 sq. ft.) in Las Vegas!

They are famous for their ever popular “to-go” chilled shrimp cocktail which is actually a clever loss-leader designed to attract guests to the casino. The true food cost of the shrimp in the all-shrimp cocktail (no fillers) actually exceeds the retail cost!

September 7: Sake, Soy Sauce, Sriracha, Du-Par’s, Hawaiian Eats, Ray’s & Stark,118 Degrees

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Randy Clemens, food journalist
Segment Three: Vernon Cardenas, Executive Chef of State Social House on the Sunset Strip
Segment Four: Biff Naylor, proprietor of Du-par’s Restaurants & Bakeries
Segment Five: Chef Jet’s “Cooking with Soy Sauce” Tutorial
Segment Six: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor of Coast Magazine
Segment Seven: Martin Riese, General Manager of Ray’s & Stark Bar at LACMA
Segment Eight: Jenny Ross, Executive Chef & Proprietress, 118 Degrees Community Cafes

Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris preview the show.

Also an intriguing dash of restaurant and food chat.

Thai 2013 Food FestivalMark Sunday afternoon, September 29th on your calendar. Our very own Jet Tila is hosting the Thai 2013 Food Festival at Paramount Pictures Studios in the heart of Hollywood. It starts at 3:00 p.m.

Celebrity chefs and outstanding local Thai chefs will be there presenting their signature dishes for the guests to sample and enjoy. Entertainment will include music, Thai dancers, and fruit carving.

Randy ClemensRandy Clemens, noted food journalist and author of the best-selling Sriracha Cookbook and The Veggie-Lover’s Sriracha Cookbook, both from Ten Speed Press.

Randy was just in Thailand in Sri Racha in the Chonburi Province researching the unusual origins of Sriracha and shares this rich history with us.

Vernon Cardenas of State Social HouseExecutive Chef Vernon Cardenas oversees the kitchen at the just-opened State Social House on the fabled Sunset Strip. He has extensive experience cooking locally including his tenure as opening chef at Katana, also on the Sunset Strip.

Chef Vernon is an expert on all things Sake. He presents a overview course in Sake Appreciation 411.

Biff Naylor of Dupar'sBiff Naylor is a veteran restaurateur on the SoCal restaurant scene. He previously owned Tiny Naylor’s and Biff’s.

In 2004 Naylor came out of a brief retirement to purchase and revive the surviving Du-par’s Restaurants & Bakeries. The first location at The Original Farmers Market (opened in 1938) remains after a massive renovation and needed refurbishment. They are particularly well-known for incredible pancakes and house-baked fruit pies.

The Naylor Family represents three generations of career hospitality folks. Daughter, Jennifer, was the executive chef for many years at Wolfgang Puck’s Granita in Malibu. One of Jennifer’s key chefs is now the corporate executive chef for Du-Par’s. Most everything is made from scratch using premium ingredients.

If you sit at the counter at a Du-par’s you’ll see servers squeezing the fresh orange juice to order.

There is even a very busy Du-par’s in Downtown Las Vegas in the Golden Gate Casino & Hotel. They are famous for their ever popular “to-go” chilled shrimp cocktail which is actually a clever loss-leader designed to attract guests to the casino.

Soy SaucesJet Tila provides a useful tutorial on the types of soy sauce and their uses. There are differences in flavor and texture between Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai soy sauces.

Light soy sauce, for example, does not have reduced salt. It’s actually saltier than the darker version.

Kedric Francis of Coast Magazine and the Orange County Register MagazineKedric Francis the Executive Editor of both Coast Magazine and The Orange County Register Magazine is back with us with his regular travel segment.

Kedric is talking about a September craft beer cruise to Hawaii (Ensenada to Hawaii) as well as other upcoming craft beer cruises.

He also previews a new luxury Montage Hotel in Maui arriving in 2014.

From there it’s some standout travel options in Southern California.

Martin Riese of Rays and Stark BarMartin Riese, the General Manager of Ray’s & Stark Bar at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art on the Miracle Mile, joins us.

Martin is Los Angeles only certified Water Sommelier. During his time managing fine-dining restaurants in Germany (before returning to Los Angeles) he researched and wrote the definitive guidebook to mineral waters around the world.

At Ray’s he has just launched their first Water Menu with some twenty selections from around the world. It’s a great alternative for guests who want a festive beverage to pair with their meal but perhaps need to stay away from alcohol.

Jenny RossJenny Ross is the executive chef and proprietress of the 118 Degrees Community Cafes in Costa Mesa, Anaheim, and Laguna Niguel. The original location at The Camp in Costa Mesa recently celebrated its 7-Year Anniversary.

Chef Jenny characterizes her food as fresh, organic living cuisine.

The line of Jenny Ross Living Foods can be found pre-packaged in the grocery section of select Whole Foods Markets.

Her soon to be published 3rd cookbook is Healing with Raw Living Food.

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Randy Clemens, food journalist
Segment Three: Vernon Cardenas, Executive Chef of State Social House on the Sunset Strip
Segment Four: Biff Naylor, proprietor of Du-par’s Restaurants & Bakeries
Segment Five: Chef Jet’s “Cooking with Soy Sauce” Tutorial
Segment Six: Kedric Francis, Executive Editor of Coast Magazine
Segment Seven: Martin Riese, General Manager of Ray’s & Stark Bar at LACMA
Segment Eight: Jenny Ross, Executive Chef & Proprietress, 118 Degrees Community Cafes

Show 23, March 30, 2013: Celebrity Chef Graham Elliot

Graham ElliotYou know Chef Graham Elliot as the personable, outgoing judge on Fox’s “Master Chef” series. Graham is in Los Angeles right now completing production on Season 4 of “Master Chef.”

In Chicago he has the 2 Michelin Star graham elliot, a casual bistro, and a sandwich shop. All are within a mile of each other.

If you make your plans quickly you don’t have to fly to Chicago to enjoy Chef Graham’s food. On April 8th and 9th Chef Elliot will be the guest chef at Son on a Gun on West Third St. in Los Angeles. He’s really doing this right. Cooking with him for those two nights will be his sous chef, John Slack, and his Corporate Executive Chef, Merlin Verrier. His Sommelier, Jamie Kluz, will be there, too, suggesting the wine pairings.