Show 233, July 22, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Program Note for Saturday, July 29th. The Halos are playing the Blue Jays in Toronto during our normal broadcast time so we’re graciously stepping aside. All is still well because we simply shift to 2 to 4:00 p.m. the afternoon of July 29th only. Same packed show…Please join us then and don’t keep it a secret

Now a worthy preview of this Saturday’s abundant show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

We always look forward to sharing with you the new, creative taste sensations at The Orange County Fair on now through August 13th. Already creating excitement is Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on virtually everything edible including pizza. The master of midway food himself, Chef Dominic Palmieri, the Midway Gourmet, joins us for the tempting high calorie update.

DINE LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week is set for August 5th through August 13th, 2017. More than 60 diverse Long Beach restaurants spanning 12 neighborhoods will offer special multi-course menus at affordable prices. New to DINE LBC is Great Society Cider & Mead, Southern California’s first all-cider pub located on Broadway at the edge of Downtown. They serve an unusual selection of draft ciders and meads in addition to the expected craft beers. We’ll meet the proprietor, Otto Radtke.

On Thursday evening, August 10th Chef Amar Santana’s Vaca in Costa Mesa is hosting a sumptuous, 7-course wine-paired dinner with an abundance of passed hors d’oeuvre as a festive Friends of James Beard Foundation Benefit to celebrate South Coast Plaza’s 50th Anniversary. VACA Group Partner & CEO Ahmed Labbate provides the enticing preview.

Brea’s popular Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen has just opened a second location in The Market Place in Irvine. Proprietor Don Myers, a veteran restaurateur, is our guest.

If all the delicate, closed-door negotiations between The The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Paris and Los Angeles go well Los Angeles will host the Olympics for the third time in either 2024 or 2028. What does it all mean? Our Olympics expert, Richard B. Perelman, joins us with a true insider’s perspective. Rich was the youngest Vice President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) for the 1984 Games and also was the Editor of the official 1984 Olympic Games Final Report, a massive two-volume book.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Show 233, July 22, 2017: Restaurateur Don Myers, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen

Don Myers of Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen in Brea and IrvineBrea’s popular Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen has just opened a second location in The Market Place in Irvine.

“Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen was born out of a love and passion for Latin cuisine…”

“The Latin inspired menu adapts the culinary heritage of Mexico and Latin America to a fresh modern style. In the open kitchen guests can watch savory dishes being prepared in the wood-fired oven, while free-range Jidori chickens roast to perfection and tacos are topped with house-made fire-roasted salsa.”

Their special creation for National Tequila Day (July 24th) is the specialty margarita, the El Palomar. It’s 100 % blue agave tequila, fresh serrano chile, orange liqueur, freshly squeezed lime juice, agave nectar and a float of house-brewed Hibiscus tea.

Proprietor Don Myers (also Brunos Italian Kitchen), a veteran restaurateur, is our in-studio guest.

Show 233, July 22, 2017: Restaurateur Don Myers, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Don Myers (also Brunos Italian Kitchen), continues…

Don Myers of Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen in Brea and IrvineBrea’s popular Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen has just opened a second location in The Market Place in Irvine.

“In the Lounge the lively sound of handcrafted cocktails being shaken provides the backdrop. These tequila libations utilize freshly squeezed juices, house-made infusions, and fresh seasonal fruit. A variety of popular and boutique wineries from the Central Coast, Spain and South America also add a great complement to any meal.”

Don Myers started his restaurant career at the young age of fourteen in Tucson, Arizona at the fifty-year-old Casa Molina Mexican Restaurant. He graduated from the University of Arizona and was a four-year varsity athlete and competitive international gymnast.

In 2008, Don created P&D Restaurant Concept that now boasts two award-winning restaurants. He was later featured in OC Metro and named the “Unofficial Mayor of Brea” in 2013 for his leadership role in the revival of Brea Downtown. In 2014, Myers and his business partner Peter Serantoni were named Orange County Business Journal’s Restaurateurs of The Year.

July 23: Midway Gourmet, Great Society Cider & Mead, Vaca, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen, LA Olympics 2024

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part One
Segment Three: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part Two
Segment Four: Otto Radtke, Great Society Cider & Mead, DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week
Segment Five: Ahmed Labbate, VACA Group, Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at Vaca
Segment Six: Restaurateur Don Myers, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Part One
Segment Seven: Restaurateur Don Myers, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Part Two
Segment Eight: Olympic Historian Richard B. Perelman, Editor & Publisher – The Sports Examiner

Program Note for Saturday, July 29th. The Halos are playing the Blue Jays in Toronto during our normal broadcast time so we’re graciously stepping aside. All is still well because we simply shift to 2 to 4:00 p.m. the afternoon of July 29th only. Same packed show…Please join us then and don’t keep it a secret

Now a worthy preview of this Saturday’s abundant show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

We always look forward to sharing with you the new, creative taste sensations at The Orange County Fair on now through August 13th. Already creating excitement is Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on virtually everything edible including pizza. The master of midway food himself, Chef Dominic Palmieri, the Midway Gourmet, joins us for the tempting high calorie update.

DINE LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week is set for August 5th through August 13th, 2017. More than 60 diverse Long Beach restaurants spanning 12 neighborhoods will offer special multi-course menus at affordable prices. New to DINE LBC is Great Society Cider & Mead, Southern California’s first all-cider pub located on Broadway at the edge of Downtown. They serve an unusual selection of draft ciders and meads in addition to the expected craft beers. We’ll meet the proprietor, Otto Radtke.

On Thursday evening, August 10th Chef Amar Santana’s Vaca in Costa Mesa is hosting a sumptuous, 7-course wine-paired dinner with an abundance of passed hors d’oeuvre as a festive Friends of James Beard Foundation Benefit to celebrate South Coast Plaza’s 50th Anniversary. VACA Group Partner & CEO Ahmed Labbate provides the tempting preview.

Brea’s popular Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen has just opened a second location in The Market Place in Irvine. Proprietor Don Myers, a veteran restaurateur, is our guest.

If all the delicate, closed-door negotiations between The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Paris and Los Angeles go well Los Angeles will host the Olympics for the third time in either 2024 or 2028. What does it all mean? Our Olympics expert, Richard B. Perelman, joins us with a true insider’s perspective. Rich was the youngest Vice President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) for the 1984 Games and also was the Editor of the official 1984 Olympic Games Final Report, a massive two-volume book.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

Dominic Palmieri of Midway GourmetWe always look forward to sharing with you the new, creative taste sensations at The Orange County Fair on now through August 13th. Already creating excitement from The Midway Gourmet is Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on virtually everything edible including pizza and fresh corn.

Last year, 50% of Fairgoers surveyed said their favorite part of the Fair is the food. Fried, sugary or savory – and sometimes all three at once – the delectable edibles are some of the big stars of the OC Fair.

New from RCS Cowboy Kettle Corn is Unicorn Nitro Pop, a cotton candy ring around a colorful cup of kettle corn and whipped cream, submerged in liquid nitrogen (also available: Nitro Whip)

The master of midway food himself, Chef Dominic Palmieri, the Midway Gourmet, joins us for the tempting, high calorie update.

One of Chef Dominic’s returning star items is Fried A Fair’s deep-fried butter balls with maple syrup. Four to an order. The Orange County’s Register food staff writer, Nancy Luna, has already declared it one of her all-time Fair favorites.

Ottto RadtkeDINE LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week is set for August 5th through August 13th, 2017. More than 60 diverse Long Beach restaurants spanning 12 neighborhoods will offer special multi-course menus at affordable prices. New to DINE LBC is Great Society Cider & Mead, Southern California’s first all-cider pub located on Broadway at the edge of Downtown. They serve an unusual selection of draft ciders and meads in addition to the expected craft beers.

“A social house where fine food, craft cider and mead set the stage for conversations between old and new friends alike, Great Society has the largest selection of craft cider and meads in all of Southern California. Featuring 20 draughts and more in bottles, our extensive cider and mead list showcases craft producers from nearly every corner of the world. You’ll find flavors and profiles ranging from sweet to sour, still to sparkling, barrel-aged to hopped, rare to near-impossible to find.”

“Complementing this incredible list, our food menu fuses seasonal offerings with unexpected spicing to create dishes that don’t just taste great, but pair well with whatever profile you choose. Try our signature burger with an unfiltered whiskey barrel-aged cider from Michigan; or an artisanal cheese plate with a tart, lightly sparkling Sidra from the Basque region of Spain. There’s a variety of pairings to tantalize your taste buds.”

“With its origins lost in history, cider remains the most noble of beverages, having played a role in Old and New World alike. These ancient elixirs, fermented mainly from apples, have been the drink of kings and presidents, farmers and the working class. Though its fortunes have occasionally wavered, cider’s incredible diversity, and close connection with the land, has led to an amazing renaissance. Cider is a beverage that deserves homage and we are the first restaurant and taphouse in Southern California to feature it!”

We’ll meet the proprietor, Otto Radtke.

Ahmed LabatteOn Thursday evening, August 10th Chef Amar Santana’s Vaca in Costa Mesa is hosting a sumptuous, 7-course, premium wine-paired dinner with an abundance of passed hors d’oeuvre as a festive Friends of James Beard Foundation Benefit to celebrate South Coast Plaza’s 50th Anniversary. Chef Amar is also well-known locally for Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna beach and as the runner-up from lucky Season 13 of Bravo’s “Top Chef” in what the judges noted was the tightest final competition of the series’ long history!

Santana and partner Ahmed Labbate, whose roots together at South Coast Plaza go back to 2008 when they opened Charlie Palmer, will welcome 100 discriminating guests with a love of food and wine to the Beard dinner. Santana is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

The festivities on August 10 will include a small silent auction during an al fresco reception. While enjoying the signature Vaca Tonic and hors d’oeuvres, guests may peruse deluxe offerings, which will include a LVMH luxury Champagne experience for 16 guests; packages from South Coast Plaza, the Montage Laguna Beach and Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, unique dining experiences, luxury travel destinations, and high-end wines.

Seats are $350 and $300 for members of the James Beard Foundation, all inclusive. For reservations to the Friends of James Beard Dinner at Vaca, please register online here. For more information, please contact VACA GM Ghali Benhima at 714.463.6060. A credit card will be requested to secure the reservation.

VACA Group Partner & CEO Ahmed Labbate provides the tempting preview.

Don Myers of Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen in Brea and IrvineBrea’s popular Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen has just opened a second location in The Market Place in Irvine.

“Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen was born out of a love and passion for Latin cuisine…”

“The Latin inspired menu adapts the culinary heritage of Mexico and Latin America to a fresh modern style. In the open kitchen guests can watch savory dishes being prepared in the wood-fired oven, while free-range Jidori chickens roast to perfection and tacos are topped with house-made fire-roasted salsa.”

Proprietor Don Myers (also Brunos Italian Kitchen), a veteran restaurateur, is our guest.

“In the Lounge the lively sound of handcrafted cocktails being shaken provides the backdrop. These tequila libations utilize freshly squeezed juices, house-made infusions, and fresh seasonal fruit. A variety of popular and boutique wineries from the Central Coast, Spain and South America also add a great complement to any meal.”

Don Myers started his restaurant career at the young age of fourteen in Tucson, Arizona at the fifty-year-old Casa Molina Mexican Restaurant. He graduated from the University of Arizona and was a four -year varsity athlete and competitive international gymnast.

In 2008, Don created P&D Restaurant Concept that now boasts two award-winning restaurants. He was later featured in OC Metro and named the “Unofficial Mayor of Brea” in 2013 for his leadership role in the revival of Brea Downtown. In 2014, Myers and his business partner Peter Serantoni were named Orange County Business Journal’s Restaurateurs of The Year.

If all the hush-hush, closed-door negotiations between The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Paris and Los Angeles go well Los Angeles will host the Olympics again for the 3rd time in either 2024 or 2028. What does it all mean? Can a modern Olympics even break-even for the host city?

Rich PerelmanOur Olympics expert and historian, Richard B. Perelman, joins us with a true insider’s perspective. Rich was the youngest Vice President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) for the 1984 Games and also was the Editor of the 1984 Olympic Games Final Report, a massive two-volume book.

In his daily e-newsletter, The Sports Examiner, Perelman suggested the simultaneous dual city awards for 2024 and 2028 (and the reasoning for this unprecedented approach) weeks before it was reported on in the mainstream media as even a possibility for the IOC to consider.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part One
Segment Three: Dominic Palmieri, The Midway Gourmet, OC Fair Part Two
Segment Four: Otto Radtke, Great Society Cider & Mead, DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week
Segment Five: Ahmed Labbate, VACA Group, Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at Vaca
Segment Six: Restaurateur Don Myers, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Part One
Segment Seven: Restaurateur Don Myers, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Part Two
Segment Eight: Olympic Historian Richard B. Perelman, Editor & Publisher – The Sports Examiner

Show 110, February 14, 2015: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Producer and Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish is back in the Guest Host seat on February 21st. Now a preview of today’s abundantly overstuffed show with a dash of romance in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge is hosting its first exclusive Chef Dinner prepared by “Top Chef New Orleans’ star contestants Chef Shirley Chung and Chef Nina Compton. (Chef Nina was voted “Fan Favorite” for her season on “Top Chef.”) This fierce, highly competitive female duo is coming together to present an incredible menu for two seatings per night on Wednesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 26th. Twenty percent of ticket sales will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Chefs Shirley and Nina join us with a tempting preview of the stellar evenings.

 

American diners began to flock to Chinese restaurants more than a century ago, making Chinese food the first mass-produced cuisine in the United States. By 1980, it had become the country’s most popular ethnic cuisine. Chop Suey, USA – The Story of Chinese Food in America by Yong Chen offers the first comprehensive interpretation of the rise of Chinese food, revealing the forces that made it ubiquitous in the American gastronomic landscape and turned the country into an empire of consumption. Our guest, Yong Chen, raised by his food-loving mother in China, is a professor of history at the University of California, Irvine.

 

With Mardi Gras in full swing and Fat Tuesday coming up it’s time to talk about the wonderful tradition of King Cakes with our New Orleans food authority, Gisele Perez. Food historian and chef, Gisele Perez, is a contributor to SoFab Magazine, the official publication of the Southern Food and Beverage Institute and a New Orleans native who recently returned there after a long stay in Los Angeles. She is also the chef/proprietor of Small Pleasures, a full service boutique catering firm based in New Orleans.

 

Chef Damian Stanley is the always on the move Executive Sous Chef at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. Since the hotel tower and casino opened in 2002 at Pechanga they have enjoyed an outstanding reputation for the quality and diversity of their food and beverage offerings. Chef Damian was the project manager for one of their newest interactive fine-dining spots, Umi Sushi and Oyster Bar. Chef Damian will also preview the upcoming 2-day, Chocolate Decadence and Pechanga Wine Festival where fine chocolate and premium wines come together on February 27th and 28th.

 

 

The 10th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show brings thousands of travel options and international culture and cuisine to the Long Beach Convention Center the Weekend of February 21st and 22nd.

The nation’s largest travel show features an impressive roster of celebrity expert travel speakers including Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg and Phil Keoghan. Food, wine and travel journalist Linda Kissam is the President of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. IFWTWA is part of the L.A. Travel & Adventure Show and Linda is with us to provide an overview of the event.

It’s the 7th banner year for OC Restaurant Week coming up on March 1st (Sunday) through March 7th (Saturday.) The popular annual promotion provides a wide variety of dining options ranging from casual and family friendly establishments to upscale and fine dining. The values at every price level are especially diner-friendly. During the weeklong event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional cost. Veteran restaurateur Don Myers, the co-owner of Brunos Italian Kitchen and ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen (both in Downtown Brea) is participating in OC Restaurant Week. He’s here to provide all the delicious details.

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

 

Show 110, February 14, 2015: OC Restaurant Week 2015

OC Restaurant WeekIt’s the 7th banner year for OC Restaurant Week coming up on March 1st (Sunday) through March 7th (Saturday.) The popular annual promotion provides a wide variety of dining options at over 100 restaurants ranging from casual and family friendly establishments to upscale and fine dining. The values at every price level are especially diner-friendly. During the weeklong event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional cost. Food lovers simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like.

Veteran restaurateur Don Myers, the co-owner of Brunos Italian Kitchen and ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen (both in Downtown Brea,) is participating in OC Restaurant Week. Brunos is offering a $30 dinner menu while ChaCha’s presents a $15 lunch menu and a $20 dinner menu. Myers is here to provide all the delicious details.

February 14: Shirley Chung, Nina Compton, Chop Suey USA, Gisele Perez, Pechanga Resort Casino, Linda Kissam, OC Restaurant Week

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chefs Shirley Chung & Nina Compton of “Top Chef” Season 11
Segment Three: Chop Suey, USA – The Story of Chinese Food in America
Segment Four: Food Historian & Chef, Gisele Perez on King Cakes
Segment Five: Damian Stanley, Executive Sous Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino Part One
Segment Six: Damian Stanley, Executive Sous Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino Part Two
Segment Seven: LA Travel & Adventure Show
Segment Eight: OC Restaurant Week 2015

Producer and Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish is back in the Guest Host seat on February 21st. Now a preview of today’s abundantly overstuffed show with a dash of romance in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge is hosting its first exclusive Chef Dinner prepared by “Top Chef New Orleans’” star contestants Chef Shirley Chung and Chef Nina Compton. (Chef Nina was voted “Fan Favorite” for her season on “Top Chef.”) This fierce, highly competitive female duo is coming together to present an incredible menu for two seatings per night on Wednesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 26th. Twenty percent of ticket sales will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Chefs Shirley and Nina join us with a tempting preview of the stellar evenings.

American diners began to flock to Chinese restaurants more than a century ago, making Chinese food the first mass-produced cuisine in the United States. By 1980, it had become the country’s most popular ethnic cuisine. Chop Suey, USA – The Story of Chinese Food in America by Yong Chen offers the first comprehensive interpretation of the rise of Chinese food, revealing the forces that made it ubiquitous in the American gastronomic landscape and turned the country into an empire of consumption. Our guest, Yong Chen, raised by his food-loving mother in China, is a professor of history at the University of California, Irvine.

With Mardi Gras in full swing and Fat Tuesday coming up it’s time to talk about the tradition of King Cakes with our New Orleans food authority, Gisele Perez. Food historian and chef, Gisele Perez, is a contributor to SoFab Magazine, the official publication of the Southern Food and Beverage Institute and a New Orleans native who recently returned there after a long stay in Los Angeles. She is also the chef/proprietor of Small Pleasures, a full service boutique catering firm based in New Orleans.

Chef Damian Stanley is the always on the move Executive Sous Chef at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. Since the hotel tower and casino opened in 2002 at Pechanga they have enjoyed an outstanding reputation for the quality and diversity of their food and beverage offerings. Chef Damian was the project manager for one of their newest interactive fine-dining spots, Umi Sushi and Oyster Bar. Chef Damian will also preview the upcoming 2-day, Chocolate Decadence and Pechanga Wine Festival where fine chocolate and premium wines come together on February 27th and 28th.

The 10th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show brings thousands of travel options and international culture and cuisine to the Long Beach Convention Center the Weekend of February 21st and 22nd. The nation’s largest travel show features an impressive roster of celebrity expert travel speakers including Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg and Phil Keoghan. Food, wine and travel journalist Linda Kissam is the President of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. IFWTWA is part of the L.A. Travel & Adventure Show and Linda is with us to provide an overview of the event.

It’s the 7th banner year for OC Restaurant Week coming up on March 1st (Sunday) through March 7th (Saturday.) The popular annual promotion provides a wide variety of dining options ranging from casual and family friendly establishments to upscale and fine dining. The values at every price level are especially diner-friendly. During the weeklong event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional cost. Veteran restaurateur Don Myers, the co-owner of Brunos Italian Kitchen and ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen (both in Downtown Brea) is participating in OC Restaurant Week. He’s here to provide all the delicious details.

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

Shirley ChungThe newly launched Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge is hosting its first exclusive Chef Dinner prepared by “Top Chef New Orleans’” star contestants Chef Shirley Chung and Chef Nina Compton. (Chef Nina was voted “Fan Favorite” for her season on “Top Chef.”) This fierce, highly competitive female duo is coming together to present an incredible menu for two seatings per night on Wednesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 26th.

Twenty percent of ticket sales will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. The organization is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need with nutritious food and teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals.

Chef Shirley and Chef Nina will present a seven-course collaborative menu. Each chef will present three courses inspired by their competition dishes on “Top Chef” Season 11.The dinner will feature two seatings from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night on Wednesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 26th. Tickets for the Top Chef Duo Dinner are priced at $168 per guest ($68 for wine and cocktail pairings.)

Chefs Shirley and Nina join us with a tempting preview of the stellar evenings.

 Chop Suey USA The Story of Chinese Food in AmericaAmerican diners began to flock to Chinese restaurants more than a century ago, making Chinese food the first mass-produced cuisine in the United States. By 1980, it had become the country’s most popular ethnic cuisine. Chop Suey, USA – The Story of Chinese Food in America by Yong Chen offers the first comprehensive interpretation of the rise of Chinese food, revealing the forces that made it ubiquitous in the American gastronomic landscape and turned the country into an empire of consumption.

“Engineered by a politically disenfranchised, numerically small, and economically exploited group, Chinese food’s tour de America is an epic story of global cultural encounter. It reflects not only changes in taste but also a growing appetite for a more leisurely lifestyle. Americans fell in love with Chinese food not because of its gastronomic excellence but because of its affordability and convenience. This explains why Americans preferred the quick and simple dishes of China while shunning its haute cuisine. Epitomized by chop suey, American Chinese food was a forerunner of McDonald’s, democratizing the once-exclusive dining-out experience for such groups as marginalized Anglos, African Americans, and Jews.”

Chop Suey, USA just received honorable mention in the 2015 PROSE Awards in the category of American History.

Our guest, Yong Chen, raised by his food-loving mother in China, is a professor of history at the University of California, Irvine.

Gisele PerezWith Mardi Gras in full swing and Fat Tuesday coming up it’s time to talk about the tradition of King Cakes with our New Orleans food authority, Gisele Perez. Food historian and chef, Gisele Perez, is a contributor to SoFab Magazine, the official publication of the Southern Food and Beverage Institute and a New Orleans native who recently returned there after a long stay in Los Angeles. She is also the chef/proprietor of Small Pleasures, a full service boutique catering firm based in New Orleans.

One of the most popular foods during Mardi Gras is the King Cake, consumed by the carload and traditionally sold in bakeries, grocery stores and delis from January 6th to Ash Wednesday. Locals and visitors alike eat King Cakes for breakfast, coffee break, and dessert. In fact, almost any excuse to grab a slice will do.

The tradition of King Cakes dates back to the Middle Ages when a popular devotion during Christmas was placed on the Three Wise Men (or Kings) who followed the North Star to find Christ. The twelfth night after the birth of Christ marks the end of Christmas and the celebration of the Epiphany. Thus, Twelfth Night in some cultures becomes a time for pageants and giving special presents to children. Along with gifts came the celebratory cake, or King Cake.

Danian StanleyChef Damian Stanley is the always on the move Executive Sous Chef at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. Since the hotel tower and casino opened in 2002 at Pechanga they have enjoyed an outstanding reputation for the quality and diversity of their food and beverage offerings. Chef Damian was the project manager for one of their newest interactive fine-dining spots, Umi Sushi and Oyster Bar.

Chef Damian will also preview the upcoming 2-day, Chocolate Decadence and Pechanga Wine Festival where fine chocolate and premium wines come together on February 27th and 28th.

Hundreds of wine varieties, sweet and savory chocolate confections, food samples from acclaimed Pechanga Resort & Casino Restaurants, live music, silent auction and helping out a good cause are all on the agenda for the two days of events inside the Pechanga Resort & Casino Grand Ballroom in Temecula, CA.

Chocolate Decadence on Friday, February 27th features more than 30 wine varietals that have been shown to masterfully partner with chocolate and other sweet desserts. The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is $50 per guest.

The 7th annual Pechanga Wine Festival goes from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th. Tickets for this unforgettable event are $65.00. Combo tickets for entry into both events are available for $100.00. Proceeds from both events benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Attendees on Saturday will get to partake in wine varietals from the Temecula Valley, Central California, Napa/Sonoma, the Pacific Northwest, as well as international winemaking regions. Pechanga Resort & Casino’s chefs will prepare delectable tastes for guests to savor with their favorite wines. Country/pop live music will be performed by singer Alaina Blair and her band.

Umi Sushi and Oyster Bar at Pechanga Resort and CasinoChef Damian was the project manager for one of their newest interactive fine-dining spots, Umi Sushi and Oyster Bar which launched after Thanksgiving in 2013. Umi means “sea” in Japanese. Sushi, sashimi, nigiri, rolls, oysters on the half shell, seafood platters, specialty cocktails and lots more are on the varied menu at Umi Sushi and Oyster Bar.

There is a hint of the South on the menu, too. Look for authentically prepared gumbo and jambalaya. The specialty bouillabaisse has clams, fish, shrimp, scallop, and mussels in the hearty seafood broth.

Linda KissamThe 10th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show brings thousands of travel options and international culture and cuisine to the Long Beach Convention Center the Weekend of February 21st and 22nd.

The nation’s largest travel show features an impressive roster of celebrity expert travel speakers including Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg and Phil Keoghan.

The event will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies and countries representing some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, tour offerings and travel experiences. The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show promises a weekend of discovery and inspiration to help travelers “dream it, plan it and book it.” Event attendees will be able to shop exclusive travel deals, attend travel seminars on three educational stages and meet prominent travel experts.

Food, wine and travel journalist Linda Kissam is the President of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. IFWTWA is part of the L.A. Travel & Adventure Show and Linda is with us to provide an overview of the event.

OC Restaurant WeekIt’s the 7th banner year for OC Restaurant Week coming up on March 1st (Sunday) through March 7th (Saturday.) The popular annual promotion provides a wide variety of dining options at over 100 restaurants ranging from casual and family friendly establishments to upscale and fine dining. The values at every price level are especially diner-friendly. During the weeklong event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional cost. Food lovers simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like.

Veteran restaurateur Don Myers, the co-owner of Brunos Italian Kitchen and ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen (both in Downtown Brea,) is participating in OC Restaurant Week. Brunos is offering a $30 dinner menu while ChaCha’s presents a $15 lunch menu and a $20 dinner menu. Myers is here to provide all the delicious details.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chefs Shirley Chung & Nina Compton of “Top Chef” Season 11
Segment Three: Chop Suey, USA – The Story of Chinese Food in America
Segment Four: Food Historian & Chef, Gisele Perez on King Cakes
Segment Five: Damian Stanley, Executive Sous Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino Part One
Segment Six: Damian Stanley, Executive Sous Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino Part Two
Segment Seven: LA Travel & Adventure Show
Segment Eight: OC Restaurant Week 2015

Show 101, December 13, 2014: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris

Andy Harris at the KLAA StudiosProducer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s abundant show…

Urban Seoul is one of the 20 plus distinctive dining destinations in the Diamond Jamboree in Irvine. It’s an energetic restaurant that celebrates passion for food and its remarkable ability to adapt. The food is mostly a creative mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors. The highly successful concept was created by Orange County restaurateur Bronnie Lee and Chef Kacy Jun. Chef Jun is our guest.

P Moss is a tiki historian and acclaimed fiction author who also owns the legendary Double Down Saloons in Las Vegas and New York City as well as the popular Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas. Frankie’s Tiki Room is the world’s only 24/7 tiki bar, known for its blend of Polynesian tradition with a hint of Las Vegas kitsch, welcoming ambience and one-of-a-kind tropical drinks that draw tiki aficionados from all over the world. These magical libations have now been poured into a book format. 77 previously secret recipes, stunning photography and illustrations are included in the newly released, Liquid Vacation.

P Moss pulls out the little cocktail umbrellas for us.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude in Beverly Hills was the Best New Restaurant of the Year for both LA Weekly and Eater L.A.

Every month there is a new theme ingredient around which a 9-course tasting menu is created. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

Chef Vic Vegas last joined us to discuss his new restaurant in Henderson, NV, Café V. He’s now hosting (along with Laila Ali) “Late Nite Chef Fight” on FYI on Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. Based on the real after hours’ chef competition (originally created by local culinary personality Jolenne Mannina) that takes place in Las Vegas, each episode of “Late Nite Chef Fight” has two leading, Vegas-based chefs competing against each other in a food truck they have never stepped foot inside before.

ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate good toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year. Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

A festive new taco has arrived at Mercadito at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas as part of Mercadito Hospitality’s national Tacos for Strength Campaign. This December, Mercadito will feature a winter-inspired taco created by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin Star award-winning chef Paul Virant of Vie and Perennial Virant in Chicago.A portion of the proceeds will go to Share Our Strength. Mercadito at Red Rock Resort opened mid-summer. Executive Chef & Owner Patricio Sandoval is our guest.

Eric Klein is the Executive Chef and Partner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Las Vegaslocated in the Forum Shops, his first fine-dining restaurant in Las Vegas. It led the way for other prominent fine-dining chefs to establish destination restaurants in Las Vegas. Chef Eric has been the highly visible face of Spago Las Vegas since 2007. Spago is now celebrating their 22nd anniversary with a throwback menu (think Smoked Salmon Pizza) and retro prices from December 15th through 19th.

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

 

Show 101, December 13, 2014: ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen’s Toy Drive

Don MyersChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year.

Once all the toys are collected and wrapped, Cha Cha’s hosts a special evening for those grateful recipient families that includes a meal featuring signature dishes. Each year, over fifty guests get to enjoy a very touching evening that concludes with a visit from a very loyal guest of Cha Cha’s (Santa Claus) who spends time passing out gifts to the appreciative children.

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen features a California – Latin inspired menu that adapts the culinary heritage of Mexico and Latin America to a fresh modern style. The highlight of the open kitchen is the wood-fired oven. The hand-crafted cocktails are prepared with fresh fruit juices, house-made infusions and seasonal fresh fruit.

Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

December 13: Urban Seoul, P Moss, Maude, Vic Vegas, Patricio Sandoval, Eric Klein

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Urban Seoul Borderless Kitchen
Segment Three: Frankie’s Tiki Room
Segment Four: Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude
Segment Five: Chef Vic Vegas and “Late Night Chef Fight”
Segment Six: ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen’s Toy Drive
Segment Seven: Mercadito Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas
Segment Eight: Spago Las Vegas

Andy Harris at the KLAA StudiosProducer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s feast…

Urban Seoul is one of the 20 plus distinctive dining destinations in the Diamond Jamboree in Irvine. It’s an energetic restaurant that celebrates passion for food and its remarkable ability to adapt. The food is mostly a creative mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors. The highly successful concept was created by Orange County restaurateur Bronnie Lee and Chef Kacy Jun. Chef Jun is our guest.

P Moss is a tiki historian and acclaimed fiction author who also owns the legendary Double Down Saloons in Las Vegas and New York City as well as the popular Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas. Frankie’s Tiki Room is the world’s only 24/7 tiki bar, known for its blend of Polynesian tradition with a hint of Las Vegas kitsch, welcoming ambience and one-of-a-kind tropical drinks that draw tiki aficionados from all over the world. These magical libations have now been poured into a book format. 77 previously secret recipes, stunning photography and illustrations are included in the newly released, Liquid Vacation.

P Moss pulls out the little cocktail umbrellas for us.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude in Beverly Hills was the Best New Restaurant of the Year for both Los Angeles Weekly and Eater L.A.

Every month there is a new theme ingredient around which an elaborate 9-course tasting menu is created. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

Chef Vic Vegas last was with us to discuss his new restaurant in Henderson, NV, Café V. He’s now hosting (along with Laila Ali) “Late Nite Chef Fight” on FYI on Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. Based on the real after hours’ chef competition (originally created by local culinary personality Jolenne Mannina) that takes place in Las Vegas, each episode of “Late Nite Chef Fight” has two leading, Vegas-based chefs competing against each other in a food truck they have never stepped foot inside before.

ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year. Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

A festive new taco is coming to Mercadito at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas as part of Mercadito Hospitality’s national Tacos for Strength Campaign. This December, Mercadito will feature a winter-inspired taco created by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin Star award-winning chef Paul Virant of Vie and Perennial Virant in Chicago. A portion of the proceeds will go to Share Our Strength. Mercadito at Red Rock Resort opened mid-summer. Executive Chef & Owner Patricio Sandoval is our guest.

Eric Klein is the Executive Chef and Partner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Las Vegas located in the Forum Shops, his first fine-dining restaurant in Las Vegas. It led the way for other prominent fine-dining chefs to establish destination restaurants in Las Vegas. Chef Eric has been the highly visible face of Spago Las Vegas since 2007. Spago is now celebrating their 22nd anniversary with a throwback menu (think Smoked Salmon Pizza) and retro prices from December 15th through 19th.

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

Kacy Jun of Urban SeoulUrban Seoul is one of the 20 plus distinctive dining destinations in the Diamond Jamboree in Irvine. It’s an energetic restaurant that celebrates passion for food and its remarkable ability to adapt. The food is mostly a creative mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors. The highly successful concept was created by Orange County restaurateur Bronnie Lee and Chef Kacy Jun.

Chef Jun is our guest.

Brad A. Johnson, the fare-reaching restaurant critic for The Orange County Register, is a big fan of their Chorizo Kimchi Fried Rice. It’s chorizo, pork belly, pickled red onions, kimchi, garlic, rice and a sunny side up egg.

P MossP Moss is a tiki historian and acclaimed fiction author who also owns the legendary Double Down Saloons in Las Vegas and New York City as well as the popular Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas. Frankie’s Tiki Room is the world’s only 24/7 tiki bar, known for its blend of Polynesian tradition with a hint of Las Vegas kitsch, welcoming ambience and one-of-a-kind tropical drinks that draw tiki aficionados from all over the world.

These magical libations have now been “poured” into a book format. 77 previously secret recipes, stunning photography and illustrations are included in the newly released, Liquid Vacation – 77 Refreshing Tropical Drinks from Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas.

“All of us need a break now and then, whether it’s from the stress of everyday life or the boredom that comes from routine. You’ll find Liquid Vacation, a colorful, sometimes wild walk through the tiki culture in Las Vegas, from the early days of the Stardust Hotel to the present as it’s embodied by Frankie’s Tiki Room, located just minutes from the famous Strip.”

Author P Moss is here to walk us through the swaying palms, whispering bamboo and rustling grass skirts of the tiki world.

Ben Aviram of Maude RestaurantCelebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s (Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and Food Network’s “Kitchen Inferno”) Maude in Beverly Hills was the Best New Restaurant of the Year for both LA Weekly and Eater L.A.

Every month there is a new theme ingredient around which a totally original, 9-course tasting menu is created. December is “Winter Squash.” The monthly ingredient themes for 2015 are already posted on Maude’s Website. Because it’s so small you politely advised to make your reservation well in advance. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. There is a carefully considered wine pairing option available, too.

General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

Vic VegasChef Vic Vegas last joined us to discuss his new restaurant in Henderson, NV, Café V.

He’s now hosting (along with Laila Ali) “Late Nite Chef Fight” on FYI on Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. Based on the real after hours’ chef competition (originally created by local culinary personality Jolenne Mannina) that takes place in Las Vegas, each episode of “Late Nite Chef Fight” has two leading, Vegas-based chefs competing against each other in a food truck they have never stepped foot inside before.

Using a diverse and exotic range of unfamiliar ingredients left behind in the food trucks, the chefs create three unique dishes in three fast-paced rounds.

Vic Vegas, a self-taught restaurant chef, worked his way up the culinary ladder from dishwasher to Executive Chef at several Las Vegas hotels including Rumor, Hard Rock Hotel and The Sahara House of Lords to mention just a few.

Don MyersChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year.

Once all the toys are collected and wrapped, Cha Cha’s hosts a special evening for those grateful recipient families that includes a meal featuring signature dishes. Each year, over fifty guests get to enjoy a very touching evening that concludes with a visit from a very loyal guest of Cha Cha’s (Santa Claus) who spends time passing out gifts to the appreciative children.

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen features a California – Latin inspired menu that adapts the culinary heritage of Mexico and Latin America to a fresh modern style. The highlight of the open kitchen is the wood-fired oven.

Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

Patricio SandovalA festive new taco is coming to Mercadito at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas as part of Mercadito Hospitality’s national Tacos for Strength Campaign. This December, Mercadito will feature a winter-inspired taco created by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin Star award-winning chef Paul Virant of Vie and Perennial Virant in Chicago. A portion of the proceeds will go to Share Our Strength.

Mercadito at Red Rock Resort opened with great anticipation among savvy locals mid-summer. Drawing from culinary experiences in Mexican Markets, Mercadito features a wide variety of creative tacos made with handmade corn masa tortillas, guacamoles, refreshing ceviche and classic dishes like enchiladas and chile rellenos.

Executive Chef & Owner Patricio Sandoval is our guest.

Eric KleinEric Klein is the Executive Chef and Partner at Wolfgang Puck’s celebrated Spago Las Vegas located in the Forum Shops, his first fine-dining restaurant in Las Vegas. It led the way for other prominent fine-dining chefs to establish destination restaurants in Las Vegas. Celebrity Chef restaurants in Las Vegas (typically located on The Strip) are now the norm.

Chef Eric has been the highly visible face of Spago Las Vegas since 2007. The adjacent more casual Café, has a people-watching view of the throngs of shoppers navigating the Forum Shops. He supervised the successful remodeling and refreshing of the classic restaurant.

Spago is now celebrating their 22nd anniversary with a throwback menu (think Smoked Salmon Pizza) and retro prices from December 15th through 19th.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Urban Seoul Borderless Kitchen
Segment Three: Frankie’s Tiki Room
Segment Four: Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude
Segment Five: Chef Vic Vegas and “Late Night Chef Fight”
Segment Six: ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen’s Toy Drive
Segment Seven: Mercadito Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas
Segment Eight: Spago Las Vegas