Show 521, April 15, 2023: K + M Chocolate, Napa, with General Manager Hallot Parson

Hallot Parson of K + M Chocolate

K + M Chocolate and K + M Extra Virgin Chocolate (Napa-based) is the result of an unusual collaboration between Chef Thomas Keller and Armando Manni. As the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the prestigious Michelin Guide, Thomas Keller has established a reputation for excellence unparalleled in American cuisine. In Tuscany, Armando Manni has forged a similar reputation for quality by producing super-antioxidant, extra-virgin olive oil.”

“Together, they have spent the past seven years on a unique mission: crafting a chocolate from the bean unlike any we have seen before. They have collaborated with the University of Florence to develop a new methodology to preserve the naturally occurring antioxidants in the cocoa beans. This proprietary process produces delicious, complex chocolate that draws the full potential out of every bean.”

“True to Chef Thomas Keller’s reputation for unparalleled excellence in American cuisine, K + M Chocolate’s new bean-to-bar K + M Chocolate collection reflects the Chef’s exacting quality standards and meticulous attention to detail. These single-origin chocolate bars emphasize nuanced tasting notes while custom ground beans and unique ingredients collide for whimsical flavor expressions. From Truffle Fries to 68% Dark Carenero, there’s a little something sweet for everyone. Each bar of K + M Chocolate is roasted, ground and molded by hand in small batches in Napa Valley, California. Packaged in recycled paper and compostable foil.”

K + M Extra Virgin Chocolate (the original product) employs a unique production methodology and the addition of a small amount of heart-healthy MANNI organic extra-virgin olive oil which infuses their bean-to-bar chocolate with its signature texture while boosting its antioxidant properties. The cocoa bean is naturally high in antioxidants that not only provide much of the aroma and flavor of chocolate but also offer a wide range of health benefits. Standard methods used today for turning cocoa beans into chocolate may result in the loss of 60 percent or more of those antioxidants.”

They also create a Classic Hot Chocolate mix (properly rich and decadent) as well as three additional flavors of a premium drinking chocolates.

The General Manager of K + M Chocolate, Hallot Parson, is our guest.

Show 351, December 14, 2019: Bonnie Bennett, Proprietress, Kakawa Chocolate House, Santa Fe, NM Part Two

Bonnie Bennett of Kawada Chocolate HouseKakawa Chocolate House is an artisan chocolate company located in the beautiful, high elevation town of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Kakawa’s passion is promoting the history of chocolate and crafting a variety of delicious chocolate creations of the finest quality. Proprietress Bonnie Bennett continues to share the incredibly rich decadence with us.

“Kakawa’s chocolatiers are dedicated to sharing their passion for chocolate. They balance the traditional with the cutting edge, creating unique and exquisitely bold creations from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Their one-of-a-kind creations include truffles, drinking chocolate elixirs, agave caramels, solid dark chocolates and delicious homemade ice cream. Working exclusively in small batches, our staff ensures that each piece of chocolate looks as exquisite as it tastes.”

“Our mission is to re-introduce you to chocolate. We draw on chocolate’s long history, re-creating original Mesoamerican and Colonial chocolate recipes, and using them to inspire our new and exciting creations. We have a startling variety of contemporary flavors (including dairy-free and Vegan confections), such as Pomegranate, Cherry-Chili and Acai, Hibiscus flower, and Mescal. Kakawa also offers classic European-style truffles, such as Earl Grey, Espresso, Classic French Dark and many other seasonal specialties.”

Virtually all of Kakawa Chocolate House’s artisan chocolates and premium drinking chocolate elixirs (dry mix) can be shipped with confidence to anywhere in the USA.

Show 70, April 26, 2014: Guittard Chocolate Co’s Executive Chef, Donald Wressell

City of Beverly Hills Birthday CakeTwenty five years ago Donald Wressell was then the highly regarded executive pastry chef at The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Chef Donald was responsible for the production of everything from the fresh, buttery croissants to eye-popping wedding cakes. He created a stunning edible birthday cake for Beverly Hills’ Diamond Jubilee celebration. It was a miniature of Beverly Hills’ iconic City Hall. The rest of the cake was 100 sheet cakes. 10,000 slices were served!

It’s now the 100th Birthday of Beverly Hills. Chef Donald is now the executive chef for the Guittard Chocolate Co. How do you possibly top yourself?

For the Century Celebration festivities in addition to the 9-foot tall, 8-foot wide replica of Beverly Hills City Hall there is a miniature replica of Rodeo Dr. with edible shopping bags containing items sold on Rodeo Drive. Talk about artistry…

The cake will weigh some 4,000 pounds and serve 15,000 celebrants. It’s a dark chocolate cake with 150 layers with dark chocolate filling and a white chocolate buttercream frosting.

Look for the cake @ 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th in front of the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive in the 300 N. block.

It’s all part of Taste Beverly Hills that afternoon.

April 26: Donald Wressel, Melissa’s Great Pepper Cookbook, Eric Greenspan, Choctal Ice Cream

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Guittard Chocolate Co’s Executive Chef, Donald Wressell
Segment Three: Robert Schueller, The Prince of Produce, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce, Inc.
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan (ex-Foundry on Melrose,) Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese Part One
Segment Six: Chef Eric Greenspan (ex-Foundry on Melrose,) Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese Part Two
Segment Seven: Michael Leb, Chief Executive Officer, Choctal Single-Origin Ice Creams
Segment Eight: Test Kitchen Director, Chef Tom Fraker, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

It’s the City of Beverly Hills’ 100th Birthday. It takes a mega-talented pastry chef (and his skilled team) to create and bake a massive edible cake befitting this very special occasion. 15,000 slices will be served.

Peppers are a great addition to almost any dish as they add flavor (and not just heat.) We’ll dive into the just released The Great Pepper Cookbook : The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Cooking with Peppers.

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

Chef Eric Greenspan (ex-Foundry on Melrose) is a genuine character and an accomplished chef. He’s now also the maestro of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches!

Crave rich & decadent ice cream? There is a new super premium brand now available locally that both the chocolate and vanilla are single origin.

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

Donald WressellTwenty five years ago Donald Wressell was then the highly regarded executive pastry chef at The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Chef Donald was responsible for the production of everything from the fresh, buttery croissants to eye-popping wedding cakes. He created a stunning edible birthday cake for Beverly Hills’ Diamond Jubilee celebration. It was a miniature of Beverly Hills’ iconic City Hall. The rest of the cake was 100 sheet cakes. 10,000 slices were served!

It’s now the 100th Birthday of Beverly Hills. Chef Donald is now the executive chef for the Guittard Chocolate Co. How do you possibly top yourself?

For the Century Celebration festivities in addition to the 9-foot tall, 8-foot wide replica of Beverly Hills City Hall there is a miniature replica of Rodeo Dr. with edible shopping bags containing items sold on Rodeo Drive. Talk about artistry…

The cake will weigh some 4,000 pounds and serve 15,000 celebrants. It’s a dark chocolate cake with 150 layers with dark chocolate filling and a white chocolate buttercream frosting.

Look for the cake @ 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th in front of the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive in the 300 N. block.

It’s all part of Taste Beverly Hills that afternoon.

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety ProduceOur friends at Melissa’s have done it again. Newly published is Melissa’s “The Great Pepper Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Cooking with Peppers.”

Fresh and dried peppers are a key ingredient in many cuisines around the world and they have gained popularity here in the U.S. recently thanks to the culinary world’s embracement of the vast variety of peppers. Beyond jalapenos, home cooks are now looking to learn more about these flavorful fruits, not just for their heat level, but to cook beyond their comfort zone.

This highly visual and engaging book shows readers how simple it is to use 37 different varieties of peppers.

Robert Schueller, Melissa’s resident produce authority, is our guest.

Carlos EnriquezWhat does it take to become the Corporate Pastry Chef at the highly thought of Patina Restaurant Group? Chef Carlos Enriquez, who learned the basics of pastry in his parents Los Angeles bakery, joins us to explain. It takes more than hard work…

Chef Carlos was part of the opening team of the Paris Hotel on The Strip in Las Vegas. He then moved to Colorado to serve as Executive Pastry Chef for Sky Goble at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. A year later, Enriquez joined Goble at the Ahwahnee Resort in Yosemite National Park. In 2006 Chef Carlos returned to Las Vegas and worked as Assistant Pastry Chef at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and later at Alex Restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas. He was Executive Pastry Chef at Café del Rey in Marina del Rey before joining the Patina Restaurant Group as Corporate Pastry Chef in 2012.

Eric GreenspanChef Eric Greenspan’s (ex-Foundry on Melrose) long in the works grilled cheese café is now open. It’s Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese located next door to the Melrose Umbrella Co, (the former Foundry location.)

Eric won the 2008 Grilled Cheese Invitational in Los Angeles which was the inspiration for the grilled cheese café.

Chef Eric is also the Chef/Owner of The Roof on Wilshire.

Eric talks about his extensive portfolio of Food Television appearances. He is one of the very few chefs to “reign supreme” over an Iron Chef on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” He bested Iron Chef Bobby Flay!

He participates in national pop-ups under the catchy El Nosh Latin / Jewish brand.

Choctal Single Origin Ice CreamIt’s ice cream weather. New to SoCal is Choctal – Single-origin Ice Creams. The premium flavors are properly rich and decadent as the name suggests. Michael Leb, Chief Executive Officer, is our guest with all the sinful details.

“Indulgent treats sustainably sourced from the world’s finest indigenous sources.”

“Choctal ice cream is decidedly different because we highlight the different flavor profiles by using:

  • Single-origin chocolate or vanilla from rainforests across the globe.
  • All natural base; no artificial additives.
  • Gluten-free, egg free recipes.
  • Less air for more density.”

Tom FrakerOur friends at Melissa’s have done it again. Newly published is Melissa’s “The Great Pepper Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Cooking with Peppers.”

Keep in mind that cooking with peppers is about adding flavor to food. It’s way beyond just adding heat.

Chef and Melissa’s Test Kitchen Director Tom Fraker is our guest. He tested, and retested, each and every recipe in the book using equipment found in home kitchens.

There is a difference in preparing and using chiles in their fresh and dry forms. Chef Tom will be our informed guide in understanding the nuances.

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Guittard Chocolate Co’s Executive Chef, Donald Wressell
Segment Three: Robert Schueller, The Prince of Produce, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce, Inc.
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan (ex-Foundry on Melrose,) Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese Part One
Segment Six: Chef Eric Greenspan (ex-Foundry on Melrose,) Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese Part Two
Segment Seven: Michael Leb, Chief Executive Officer, Choctal Single-Origin Ice Creams
Segment Eight: Test Kitchen Director, Chef Tom Fraker, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce

Food Indulgences

Chef Jet and Travis discuss their favorite “guilty pleasures” junk food indulgences.

Show 35, July 13, 2013: Anita Lau, creator of the Mad Hungry Woman Blog

Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe from Chicken CharliesTime for Fair Food!

The OC Fair in Costa Mesa is on through August 11th! Mad Hungry Woman blogger, Anita Lau, was with us to discuss what extreme foods are new at the Fair for 2013. She will actually be judging some Fair food contests during the event.

Fair food vendor, Chicken Charlie, is always out there with fab fried food items. Eagerly anticipated is his new Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe’s and Bacon A-Fair’s Wild Boar on a stick (an OC Fair exclusive.)

Even Pink’s Hot Dogs of Hollywood is getting into the act. They have a Ghirardelli beef hot dog topped with cream cheese, honey mustard, crumbled bacon and dark chocolate.

According to the Orange County Register’s Nancy Luna, Chicken Charlie sold 50,000 deep-fried Twinkies last year at the Fair! Twinkies are back just in time.

Other Chicken Charlie highlights are a deep-fried bacon pickle and a waffle dog.

Show 21, March 16, 2013: Muldoon’s Irish Pub & Country Kitchen

Muldoon's Pub and Country KitchenHidden in plain sight in Fashion Island in Newport Beach for the last 39 years is an authentic Irish Pub and Country Inn housed in a beautiful red brick building. It’s still proudly owned by the Schwartz Family.

Food and Beverage Director Dudley Tomasi joined us to talk about the rich St. Patrick’s Day traditions at Muldoon’s. It’s much more than Guinness on tap!

They bake their own Irish soda bread for the restaurant fresh daily. In addition to all the expected Irish specialties they also feature a variety of appealing salads and even seasonal vegetables.

The rich chocolate pudding (62 per cent dark chocolate) is the signature dessert. It’s made exclusively by Sindi Rae Schwartz, the co-owner from her own perfected recipe.