Show 558, December 30, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Adam Bell

Happy New Year and all good wishes for 2024 from all your food obsessed friends at “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM 830 KLAA radio!

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 a host of other well-respected publications. Anne Marie joins us in-studio to discuss her new outlet as Food Columnist for Culture OC and review highlights of her current column. Along the way Anne Marie will discuss her recent dining adventures in Las Vegas including a meal at Peter Luger Steak House (of Brooklyn) at Caesars Palace and the opening of the first mainland location of Zippy’s (revered in Hawaii) in Las Vegas. Also an overview of the ambitious Mercado Gonzalez (a Mexican Food Wonderland) in Costa Mesa.

Chef Rich Mead is the proprietor of the ever-popular Farmhouse at Rogers Garden in Corona del Mar. Chef Rich’s seasonal menus feature ingredients sourced from local and sustainably focused farmers and purveyors. Chef Rich’s special New Year’s Eve menu at Farmhouse can be enjoyed a la carte or as a Tasting Menu. Think Roast Stuffed Lobster Tail and Spaghetti Squash “Fra Diavolo.” Dessert is a festive Champagne Citrus Cake. Rich is a longtime supporter of The Ecology Center (non-profit) in San Juan Capistrano. He was one of the first chefs to gladly volunteer his culinary services to cook an al fresco repast there. When he prepares a meal there as part of their (fundraising) monthly Community Table Dinner Series it’s an evening not to be missed. Chef Rich Mead takes a break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market for his New Year’s Eve menu to be with us.

Last month at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West and Italy’s Regione Campania hosted “Campania Unveiled – A Gastronomic Exploration Through Tastings and Education” for the trade and media. Sommelier and wine educator Diego Meraviglia presented an informative Master Class on the wines of Campania including a guided tasting of 6 wines as well as an overview of the area. Diego Meraviglia is our guest pulling the cork on the wines of Campania.

James Park, food writer and chili crisp devotee, has created Chili Crisp, the cookbook, – 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings. Between the covers are “50 approachable and adaptable recipes to fill your whole day with chili crisp. Packed with Chili Crisp inspiration to take your love of this spicy ingredient to the next level, Park provides dozens of no-recipe recipes (potato chips + chili crisp, a match made in snack heaven) and a handy formula to inspire the reader to create your very own house version of Chili Crisp.”

For the uninitiated “Chili Crisp (a Chinese condiment) is a magical sauce that tingles with heat, crunches with fried garlic and onions, and pleasantly coats any food with oily goodness.” James Park takes a pause from enjoying a bowl of his Spicy Tomato and Egg Soup to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. It should be Dungeness Crab Season in all of California right now but it’s been delayed again in a lot of areas. Chef Andrew explains. Beverages are now getting more attention from fast casual restaurants. We’ll take a closer look at what’s happening McDonald’s (CosMc’s) and In-N-Out as examples.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Show 558, December 30, 2023: Co-Host and Chef Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Adam Bell

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and Casino

It should be Dungeness Crab Season in California right now but it’s been delayed yet again in many areas. Chef Andrew explains. Beverages are now getting more attention from fast casual restaurants. We’ll take a closer look at McDonald’s (CosMc’s) and In-N-Out as current examples.

Look for Chef Andrew’s new cooking video with Cathy Thomas on the Orange Coast Magazine Website. He prepares One-Pan Seared Salmon with Sweet Potatoes (from Melissa’s), mushrooms, and garbanzo beans.

Check out Chef Andrew’s handy and practical cooking tips on Substack at “American Gravy.” There is an accessible free level as well as a premium option with a modest cost.

December 30: Anne Marie Panoringan, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Diego Meraviglia, Chili Crisp

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Anne Marie Panoringan – Culture OC’s Food Columnist Part One
Segment Three: Anne Marie Panoringan – Culture OC’s Food Columnist Part Two
Segment Four: Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden, Corona del Mar Part One
Segment Five: Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden, Corona del Mar Part Two
Segment Six: Sommelier Diego Meraviglia, “Campania Unveiled”
Segment Seven: Chili Crisp – 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlick Cravings with Food Writer James Park
Segment Eight: Co-Host and Chef Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

Andy Harris, Executive Producer and Co-host previews the show.

Happy New Year from all your food obsessed friends at “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM 830 KLAA radio!

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 a host of other well-respected publications. Anne Marie joins us in-studio to discuss her new outlet as Food Columnist for Culture OC and preview her next column. Along the way Anne Marie will highlight her recent dining adventures in Las Vegas including a meal at Peter Luger Steak House (of Brooklyn fame) at Caesars Palace and the opening of the first mainland location of Zippy’s (revered in Hawaii) in Las Vegas. Also an overview of the ambitious Mercado Gonzalez (a Mexican Food Wonderland) in Costa Mesa.

Chef Rich Mead is the proprietor of the ever-popular Farmhouse at Rogers Garden in Corona del Mar. Chef Rich’s seasonal menus feature ingredients sourced from local and sustainably focused farmers and purveyors. Chef Rich’s special New Year’s Eve menu at Farmhouse can be enjoyed a la carte or as a Tasting Menu. Think Roast Stuffed Lobster Tail and Spaghetti Squash “Fra Diavolo.” Dessert is a festive Champagne Citrus Cake. Rich is a longtime supporter of The Ecology Center (non-profit) in San Juan Capistrano. He was one of the first chefs to gladly volunteer his services to cook an al fresco repast there. When he prepares a meal there as part of their (fundraising) monthly Community Table Dinner Series it’s an evening not to be missed. Chef Rich Mead takes a break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market for his New Year’s Eve menu to be with us.

Last month at the Peninsula Beverly Hills the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West and Italy’s Regione Campania hosted “Campania Unveiled – A Gastronomic Exploration Through Tastings and Education” for the trade and media. Sommelier and wine educator Diego Meraviglia presented an informative Master Class on the wines of Campania including a guided tasting of 6 wines as well as an overview of the area. Diego Meraviglia is our guest pulling the cork on the wines of Campania.

James Park, food writer and chili crisp devotee, has created Chili Crisp, the cookbook, – 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings. Between the covers are “50 approachable and adaptable recipes to fill your whole day with chili crisp. Packed with Chili Crisp inspiration to take your love of this spicy ingredient to the next level, Park provides dozens of no-recipe recipes (potato chips + chili crisp, a match made in snack heaven) and a handy formula to inspire the reader to create your very own house version of Chili Crisp.”

For the uninitiated “Chili Crisp (a Chinese condiment) is a magical sauce that tingles with heat, crunches with fried garlic and onions, and pleasantly coats any food with oily goodness.” James Park takes a pause from enjoying a bowl of his Spicy Tomato and Egg Soup to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. It should be Dungeness Crab Season in California but it’s been delayed again. Chef Andrew explains. Beverages are now getting more attention from fast casual restaurants. We’ll take a closer look at McDonald’s (CosMc’s) and In-N-Out as examples.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Along the way Anne Marie will highlight her recent dining adventures in Las Vegas including a meal at Peter Luger Steak House (of Brooklyn) at Caesars Palace and the opening of first mainland Zippy’s (revered in Hawaii) in Las Vegas. Also an overview of the ambitious Mercado Gonzalez (a Mexican Food Wonderland) in Costa Mesa.

Rich Mead of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

Chef Rich’s special New Year’s Eve menu at Farmhouse can be enjoyed ala carte or as a Tasting Menu. Think Roast Stuffed Lobster Tail and Spaghetti Squash “Fra Diavolo.” Dessert is an elegant Champagne Citrus Cake.

Rich is a longtime supporter of The Ecology Center (non-profit) in San Juan Capistrano. He was one of the first chefs to gladly volunteer his services to cook an al fresco repast there. When he prepares a meal there as part of their (fundraising) Community Table Dinner Series it’s an evening not to be missed. In 2024 Chef Rich is scheduled to be at The Ecology Center on Friday evening, May 24^th for a Community Table Dinner. Make your plans accordingly. These anticipated evenings reach capacity very quickly.

Chef Rich Mead takes a break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market for his New Year’s Eve menu to join us.

Last month at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West and Italy’s Regione Campania hosted “Campania Unveiled – A Gastronomic Exploration Through Tastings and Education” for the trade and media. Sommelier and wine educator Diego Meraviglia presented an informative Master Class on the wines of Campania including a guided tasting of 6 wines as well as an overview of the area.

Sommelier Diego Meraviglia is our guest gently pulling the cork on the wines of Campania.

For the uninitiated “Chili Crisp (a Chinese condiment) is a magical sauce that tingles with heat, crunches with fried garlic and onions, and pleasantly coats any food with oily goodness. Stir it into soup, toss it with noodles, drizzle it on warm, buttery biscuits. It’s both a foodie obsession and a surprise secret weapon for adding spice and depth to any meal.”

“James Park, food writer and chili crisp devotee, has created Chili Crisp, the cookbook, – 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings. Between the covers are 50 approachable and adaptable recipes to fill your whole day with chili crisp. Packed with Chili Crisp inspiration to take your love of this spicy ingredient to the next level, Park provides dozens of no-recipe recipes (potato chips + chili crisp, a match made in snack heaven) and a handy formula to inspire the reader to create your very own house version of Chili Crisp.”

“James Park, the author of Chili Crisp, the cookbook, is a recipe developer and food writer based in Brooklyn. Trained at the International Culinary Center in New York City, he has worked with various food media brands, such as Eater, Food52, BuzzFeed, and Chowhound. He shares his love for Korean cuisine and culture, fried chicken, chili crisp, and more @jamesyworld on social media.”

James Park takes a pause from enjoying a bowl of his Spicy Tomato and Egg Soup to join us.

It should be Dungeness Crab Season in California right now but it’s been delayed yet again. Chef Andrew explains. Beverages are now getting more attention from fast casual restaurants. We’ll take a closer look at McDonald’s (CosMc’s) and In-N-Out as current examples.