Show 529, June 10, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

The Bells Up Winery’s (Newberg, Oregon) Story…“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?” That’s the question Sara Specter asked husband, Dave 13 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40. The answer, for The Specters, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So they turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.” Winemaker Dave Specter is our guest pulling the cork on all that is Bells Up Winery.

Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef / Partner Emilio Cuyuch provide their guests a chef driven, neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar. Both sides feature the freshest, highly sourced ingredients, cocktails, great coffee, craft beers & friendly service. All are offered in a very social environment. Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Food is served either as separate items for each guest or family style to share amongst everyone at your table.” Chef / Proprietor Raphael Lunetta is our guest.

It’s hard to believe but before late 2018 Hitching Post Wines (made famous in the Oscar-winning 2004 feature motion picture, “Sideways,”) never had a tasting room. That all changed for the better in 2018 when acclaimed winemakers Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini debuted a mid-century farmhouse, destination Tasting Room (with lunch service delivered from Hitching Post 2) adjacent to Chef Ostini’s prominent Hitching Post 2 restaurant in Buellton. Lunch on the back Patio of The Hitching Post Wines Tasting Room is now provided with full service. Think Grilled Artichoke with Smoked Tomato Mayo and a Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Brioche Bun, South Carolina-style. Gray Hartley joins us popping the cork on a bottle of their signature Highliner for us.

The Garagiste Wine Festival returns to Los Angeles at Glendale Civic Auditorium for the eighth time on Saturday, June 17th with over 40 micro-production, commercial ‘garagiste’ California wineries from Malibu, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Baja California, and more. The festival, which takes place at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, also offers a VIP tasting seminar on Santa Barbara County’s smallest, but perhaps most intriguing AVA, ‘Happy Canyon’, and features winemakers Dusty Nabor (Dusty Nabor Wines), Anna Lancucki (Final Girl Wines) and Jessica Gasca (Story of Soil). The festival also includes a “No Repeats Rare and Reserve” early access hour.” “We love bringing The Garagiste Festival to Los Angeles because it is the only wine event in L.A. that brings together so many high quality, small-production winemakers from so many different areas,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Doug Minnick. “It’s a whole California winery road trip all in one place on one day.” Co-Founder Doug Minnick joins us to pull the cork on all that is Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure.

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 of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Finally egg prices are descending from the stratosphere. Unfortunately beef prices continue to rise. What’s going on? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

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

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure with Co-Founder Doug Minnick

Doug Minnick of Garagiste Wine Festival

“The Garagiste Wine Festival returns to Los Angeles at the Glendale Civic Auditorium for the eighth time on Saturday, June 17th with over 40 micro-production, commercial ‘garagiste’ California wineries from Malibu, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Baja California, and more. The festival, which takes place at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, also offers a VIP tasting seminar on Santa Barbara County’s smallest, but perhaps most intriguing AVA, ‘Happy Canyon’, and features winemakers Dusty Nabor (Dusty Nabor Wines), Anna Lancucki (Final Girl Wines) and Jessica Gasca (Story of Soil). The festival also includes a “No Repeats Rare and Reserve” early access hour.”

“We love bringing The Garagiste Festival to Los Angeles because it is the only wine event in LA that brings together so many high quality, small-production winemakers from so many different areas,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Doug Minnick. “It’s a whole California winery road trip all in one place on one day.”

“The Garagiste Festival showcases under-the-radar, innovative, commercial winemakers who handcraft 1,500 cases or less of wine and is renowned for its passionate winemakers who pour in-person at the festival, as well as for its diversity of handcrafted wines, renegade spirit, and rules-breaking, ‘no snobs allowed’ ethos. The festival has been described as “tasting nirvana,” “strange and wondrous,” and “one not to miss” by the Los Angeles Times and ‘beloved by geeks near and far” by Sonoma Magazine. About its wineries says the Sonoma Sun: “if corporate mega-wineries are like the dinosaurs of rock music, these are the garage bands,” and, wrote Vinography’s Alder Yarrow: “they offer a sense of discovery. I’ve watched many a wine brand start out small…and end up an established name on the California Wine scene.”

Tickets are very limited for the Garagiste Festivals and always sell out.

Founder Doug Minnick joins us to pull the cork on all that is Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure.

June 10: Bells Up Winery, Lunetta, Hitching Post Wines, Garagiste Wine Festival

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR with Winemaker Dave Specter Part One
Segment Three: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR with Winemaker Dave Specter Part Two
Segment Four: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part One
Segment Five: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part Two
Segment Six: Hitching Post Wines, Buellton, with Gray Hartley
Segment Seven: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure with Co-Founder Doug Minnick
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

The Bells Up Winery’s (Newberg, Oregon) Story…“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?” That’s the question Sara Specter asked husband, Dave 13 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s professional mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40. The answer, for The Specters, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So they turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.” Winemaker Dave Specter is our guest pulling the cork on all that is Bells Up Winery.

Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef/ Partner Emilio Cuyuch provide their guests a chef driven, neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar. Both sides feature the freshest, highly sourced ingredients, cocktails, great coffee, craft beers & friendly service. All are offered in a very social environment. Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Food is served either as separate items for each guest or family style to share amongst everyone at your table.” Chef / Proprietor Raphael Lunetta is our guest.

It’s hard to believe but before late 2018 Hitching Post Wines (made famous in the Oscar-winning 2004 feature motion picture, “Sideways,”) never had a tasting room. That all changed for the better in 2018 when acclaimed winemakers Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini debuted a mid-century farmhouse, destination Tasting Room (with lunch service delivered from Hitching Post 2) adjacent to Chef Ostini’s prominent Hitching Post 2 restaurant in Buellton. Lunch on the back Patio of The Hitching Post Wines Tasting Room is now with full service. Think Grilled Artichoke with Smoked Tomato Mayo and a Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Brioche Bun, South Carolina-style. Gray Hartley joins us popping the cork on a bottle of their signature Highliner for us.

“The Garagiste Wine Festival returns to Los Angeles for the eighth time on Saturday, June 17th with over 40 micro-production, commercial ‘garagiste’ California wineries from Malibu, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Baja California, and more. The festival, which takes place at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, also offers a VIP tasting seminar on Santa Barbara County’s smallest, but perhaps most intriguing AVA, ‘Happy Canyon’, and features winemakers Dusty Nabor (Dusty Nabor Wines), Anna Lancucki (Final Girl Wines) and Jessica Gasca (Story of Soil). The festival also includes a “No Repeats Rare and Reserve” early access hour.” “We love bringing The Garagiste Festival to Los Angeles because it is the only wine event in L.A. that brings together so many high quality, small-production winemakers from so many different areas,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Doug Minnick. “It’s a whole California winery road trip all in one place on one day.” Co-Founder Doug Minnick joins us to pull the cork on all that is Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Finally egg prices are descending from the stratosphere. Unfortunately beef prices continue to rise. What’s going on? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

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

Dave Specter of Bells Up Winery

The Bells Up Winery’s (Newberg, Oregon) Story…

“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?”

“That’s the question Sara Specter asked husband, Dave 13 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s professional mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40.”

“The answer, for The Specters, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So they turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.”

“Dave left the legal field, dedicating himself full-time to learning the business of making wine as a professional at Henke Winery while the Family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

“After Dave won two different amateur national winemaking competitions with two different wines, The Specters decided to relocate to Newberg, Oregon. In 2013, they established Bells Up Winery and their winemaking dreams took root.”

“Today — micro-boutique, un-domaine and open exclusively for one winemaker-hosted tasting experience at a time — Bells Up composes handcrafted, classically-styled Oregon Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes sourced from their estate vineyard and from micro-sites in the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon.”

“The name “Bells Up” refers to a dramatic moment in classical music where the composer instructs French horn players to lift the bells of their instruments up and project sound with maximum intensity. Dave, a French horn player who performed throughout high school and college, says the winery is his “Bells Up” moment.

“Today, Bells Up invites guests to experience their own #bellsupmoment with a full-sensory private wine tasting experience guided by Winemaker Dave, where he shares their wines and our story. One of the best parts of being a micro-boutique winery is the opportunity to build lasting personal relationships with each and every person who comes through their door. That’s why Bells Up Winery exclusively offers private wine tastings dedicated solely to your group — and never double-booked.”

Winemaker Dave Specter is our guest pulling the cork on all that is Bells Up Winery.

Raphael Lunetta of Lunetta All Day

“Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef / Partner Emilio Cuyuch provide their guests a chef driven neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar. Both sides feature the freshest, highly sourced ingredients, cocktails great coffee, craft beers & friendly service. All are offered in a very social environment.”

“Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Food is served either as separate items for each guest or family style to share amongst everyone at your table.”

Lunetta built spacious patios so that guests can continue the al fresco dining-out experience. Lunetta has the All-Day dining room that opens for lunch, happy hour and dinner and the Fireplace dining room and Gallery Room for dinner or a private event.

The OG patio is the outdoor seating area connected to the all-day restaurant. The Cove patio is the covered seating area in the middle of the parking lot.

Lunetta serves breakfast items until 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. The dinner menu is offered in both the all-day dining room and at night in the back fireplace dining room and Moon Bar.

“At Lunetta people matter most, seasonal makes sense, authenticity rules, quality governs, deliciousness is undeniable, pretense is absurd, comfort feels good, fun tastes better, teamwork and pride sustain it all.”

On-site parking in the rear as well as street parking.

Chef / Proprietor Raphael Lunetta is our guest.

Gray Hartley of Hitching Post 2

It’s hard to believe but before late 2018 the well-respected Hitching Post Wines (made famous in the Oscar-winning 2004 feature motion picture, “Sideways,”) never had a tasting room. That all changed for the better in 2018 when acclaimed winemakers Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini debuted a mid-century farmhouse, destination Tasting Room (with lunch service delivered from Hitching Post 2) adjacent to Chef Ostini’s Hitching Post 2 restaurant in Buellton.

Leading the Hitching Post Wines team are the creators and two long-time friends, Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini, who have been making wines in Santa Barbara County, California since 1979. Long before Hollywood discovered the winemaking landmark and its excellent wines, Gray Hartley, a former Alaskan salmon fisherman and Frank Ostini, chef and owner of the famed Hitching Post 2 Restaurant in Buellton, were brought together by their love of wine and winemaking. Over the years their backyard hobby has turned into a highly acclaimed winemaking enterprise.

Lunch on the back Patio of The Hitching Post Wines Tasting Room is now accommodated with full service. Think Grilled Artichoke with Smoked Tomato Mayo and a Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Brioche Bun, South Carolina-style.

Most of the Hitching Post Wines are available by the glass in the alfresco Patio Dining area. The various Tasting Flights (Traditional and Reserve Tasting) are available inside the front HPW Tasting Room.

Gray Hartley joins us popping the cork on a bottle of their signature Highliner for us.

Doug Minnick of Garagiste Wine Festival

“The Garagiste Wine Festival returns to Los Angeles for the eighth time on Saturday, June 17th with over 40 micro-production, commercial ‘garagiste’ California wineries from Malibu, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Baja California, and more. The festival, which takes place at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, also offers a VIP tasting seminar on Santa Barbara County’s smallest, but perhaps most intriguing AVA, ‘Happy Canyon’, and features winemakers Dusty Nabor (Dusty Nabor Wines), Anna Lancucki (Final Girl Wines) and Jessica Gasca (Story of Soil). The festival also includes a “No Repeats Rare and Reserve” early access hour.”

“We love bringing The Garagiste Festival to Los Angeles because it is the only wine event in LA that brings together so many high quality, small-production winemakers from so many different areas,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Doug Minnick. “It’s a whole California winery road trip all in one place on one day.”

“The Garagiste Festival showcases under-the-radar, innovative, commercial winemakers who handcraft 1,500 cases or less of wine and is renowned for its passionate winemakers who pour in-person at the festival, as well as for its diversity of handcrafted wines, renegade spirit, and rules-breaking, ‘no snobs allowed’ ethos. The festival has been described as “tasting nirvana,” “strange and wondrous,” and “one not to miss” by the Los Angeles Times and ‘beloved by geeks near and far” by Sonoma Magazine. About its wineries says the Sonoma Sun: “if corporate mega-wineries are like the dinosaurs of rock music, these are the garage bands,” and, wrote Vinography’s Alder Yarrow: “they offer a sense of discovery. I’ve watched many a wine brand start out small…and end up an established name on the California Wine scene.”

Tickets are very limited for the Garagiste Festivals and always sell out.

Founder Doug Minnick joins us to pull the cork on all that is Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure.

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the recently launched, full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Finally egg prices are descending from the stratosphere. Unfortunately beef prices continue to rise. A bit of a mixed message… What’s going on? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR with Winemaker Dave Specter Part One
Segment Three: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR with Winemaker Dave Specter Part Two
Segment Four: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part One
Segment Five: Executive Chef & Partner Raphael Lunetta, Lunetta All Day, Santa Monica Part Two
Segment Six: Hitching Post Wines, Buellton, with Gray Hartley
Segment Seven: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure with Co-Founder Doug Minnick
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

Show 483, July 16, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Coleman Family Farms in Carpinteria (and Ventura) is under the management of 2nd generation family farmer, Romeo Coleman. Their produce is available locally at both the Wednesday and Saturday mornings Farmers Markets in Santa Monica. Many of the finer restaurants in the area utilize their seasonal produce and flowers including Chef Rich Mead of Farmhouse in Corona del Mar. Right now they have cherry tomatoes and an assortment of basil. Well known for exceptional heirloom tomatoes in season. Romeo joins us with a full report on the season’s best.

“The 7th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure celebrating the artisan winemaker returns to the historic Glendale Civic Auditorium with a full schedule of events on July 22nd and 23rd.
Discover and taste amazing, cutting-edge wines from over 40 high-quality, micro-production, commercial winemakers from all over California – Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Livermore, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, and more. As with all Garagiste events, only the winemakers and/or owners (often the same person) will be pouring the wines. Come meet these artists who are making some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the world. And no snobs allowed!” Garagiste Co-Founder Doug Minnick joins us to uncork all the details.

The 2022 OC Fair opened the gates on Friday, July 15th. Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s fame on the RCS Carnival Midway. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now through August 14th with Chef Dominic himself.

The beloved OC Fair is back in Costa Mesa from July 15th through August 14th. If you love to cook or love to eat, this is the place to meet! “Culinary Arts is again taking center stage at the 2022 OC Fair in the OC Promenade. The Main Stage there is booked every day throughout the fair and will be host to chefs, bakers, farmers, floral artists, food bloggers, mixologists, brewers, butchers and more. (Every evening there’s a great band to provide music.)” The OC Fair’s long-time Agriculture Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor, Evy Young, is our guide to all the delights including the happenings in Centennial Farm.

Team USA (Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel) competed in Santiago, Chile, last Thursday in the Bocuse d’Or Americas Selection vying to be one of the five teams of eight participating to be able to move on to the bi-annual Bocuse d’Or international culinary competition in Lyon, France in January of 2023. We have the results!

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

Show 483, July 16, 2022: Doug Minnick, Co-Founder, Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure

Doug Minnick

The 7th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure celebrating the artisan winemaker returns to the historic Glendale Civic Auditorium with a full schedule of events on July 22nd and 23rd.

“Discover and taste amazing, cutting- edge wines from over 40 high-quality, micro-production, commercial winemakers from all over California – Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Livermore, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, and more.”

“The majority of the Garagiste Festival wineries do not have tasting rooms, cannot be found on “wine country” maps, and their wines can be very hard to find on store shelves. Garagiste make it easy for you to find a world of new wine discoveries all under one roof.”

“Unlike Garagiste Wine Festival’s regional events, Urban Exposure will be showcasing wineries from pretty much every California AVA all in one day, in one place! This is a cornucopia of grapes and styles not to be repeated or available at any other wine event.”

“As with all Garagiste events, only the winemakers and/or owners (often the same person) will be pouring the wines. Come meet these artists who are making some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the world. And no snobs allowed!”

Co-Founder Doug Minnick joins us to uncork all the details.

July 16: Coleman Family Farms, Garagiste Wine Festival, OC Fair with the Midway Gourmet and Evy Young

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Romeo Coleman, Coleman Family Farm, Carpinteria, CA Part One
Segment Three: Romeo Coleman, Coleman Family Farm, Carpinteria, CA Part Two
Segment Four: Doug Minnick, Co-Founder, Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure
Segment Five: Chef Dominic Palmieri, Midway Gourmet, previewing the cuisine of the OC Fair Part One
Segment Six: Chef Dominic Palmieri, Midway Gourmet, previewing the cuisine of the OC Fair Part Two
Segment Seven: OC Fair Preview with Evy Young, Agricultural Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor Part One
Segment Eight: OC Fair Preview with Evy Young, Agricultural Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor (Part Two) and Team USA’s Finish at Bocuse d’Or Americas Selection

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

Coleman Family Farms in Carpinteria is under the management of 2nd generation family farmer Romeo Coleman. Their produce is available locally at both the Wednesday and Saturday mornings Farmers Markets in Santa Monica. Many of the finer restaurants in the area utilize their seasonal produce and flowers including Chef Rich Mead of Farmhouse in Corona del Mar. Right now they have cherry tomatoes and an assortment of basil. Well known for exceptional heirloom tomatoes in season. Romeo joins us with a full report on the season’s best.

“The 7th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure celebrating the artisan winemaker returns to the historic Glendale Civic Auditorium with a full schedule of events on July 22nd and 23rd.

Discover and taste amazing, cutting edge wines from over 40 high-quality, micro-production, commercial winemakers from all over California – Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Livermore, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, and more. As with all Garagiste events, only the winemakers and/or owners (often the same person) will be pouring the wines. Come meet these artists who are making some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the world. And no snobs allowed!” Garagiste Co-Founder Doug Minnick joins us to uncork all the details.

The 2022 OC Fair opened the gates on Friday, July 15th. Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s fame on the RCS Carnival Midway. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now through August 14th with Chef Dominic himself.

The beloved OC Fair is back in Costa Mesa from July 15th through August 14th. If you love to cook or love to eat, this is the place to meet! “Culinary Arts is again taking center stage at the 2022 OC Fair in the OC Promenade.The Main Stage there is booked every day throughout the fair and will be host to chefs, bakers, farmers, floral artists, food bloggers, mixologists, brewers, butchers and more. (Every evening there’s a great band to provide music.)” The OC Fair’s long-time Agriculture Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor, Evy Young, is our guide to all the delights including the happenings in Centennial Farm.

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

Romeo Coleman of Coleman Family Farm

Coleman Family Farms in Carpinteria is under the management of 2nd generation family farmer Romeo Coleman. Their produce is available at both the Wednesday and Saturday mornings Farmers Markets in Santa Monica.

Many of the finer restaurants in the area utilize their seasonal produce and flowers including acclaimed Chef Rich Mead of Farmhouse in Corona del Mar. Right now they have cherry tomatoes and an assortment of basil. Well known for exceptional heirloom tomatoes in season.

Romeo joins us with a full report on the season’s best.

Doug Minnick

The 7th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure celebrating the artisan winemaker returns to the historic Glendale Civic Auditorium with a full schedule of events on July 22nd and 23rd.

“Discover and taste amazing, cutting- edge wines from over 40 high-quality, micro-production, commercial winemakers from all over California – Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Livermore, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County, and more.”

“The majority of the Garagiste Festival wineries do not have tasting rooms, cannot be found on “wine country” maps, and their wines can be very hard to find on store shelves. Garagiste make it easy for you to find a world of new wine discoveries all under one roof.”

“Unlike Garagiste Wine Festival’s regional events, Urban Exposure will be showcasing wineries from pretty much every California AVA all in one day, in one place! This is a cornucopia of grapes and styles not to be repeated or available at any other wine event.”

“As with all Garagiste events, only the winemakers and/or owners (often the same person) will be pouring the wines. Come meet these artists who are making some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the world. And no snobs allowed!”

Co-Founder Doug Minnick joins us to uncork all the details.

Dominic Palmieri of Midway Gourmet

The 2022 OC Fair opened the gates on Friday, July 15th. Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s fame on the RCS Carnival Midway.

Chef Dominic has noticed a taste trend in addition to the continuing appeal of spicy flavors. The creative minds at The Midway Gourmet have found spicy inspiration and now perfected a line of chicken sandwiches including the Hot Cheeto Chicken Sandwich, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and Cap’n Crunch Chicken Sandwich (topped with cereal.)

Also a juicy, Flaming Hot Cheeseburger topped with Hot Cheetos with premium Angus beef. It’s a flame-grilled charbroiled burger sandwiched between a toasted buttery bun dipped in melted cheddar cheese then rolled in ground-up hot Cheetos. The burger is then topped with melted cheese and whole crunchy hot Cheetos.

In the new, and over-the-top department is a Hot Cheeto Float which is a lemon-lime float topped with Hot Cheetos.

Think there is nothing new in the proud Fair tradition of funnel cakes? How about a warm Cap’n Crunch Funnel Cake?

We’ll find out what other indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now through August 14th with Chef Dominic.

Evy Young of the OC Fair

The beloved OC Fair is back in Costa Mesa from July 15th through August 14th. for “Feel the Sunshine.” If you love to cook or love to eat, this is the place to meet! “Culinary Arts is again taking center stage at the 2022 OC Fair in the OC Promenade. The Main Stage there is booked every day throughout the fair and will be host to chefs, bakers, farmers, floral artists, food bloggers, mixologists, brewers, butchers and more. (Every evening there’s a great band to provide music.)”

The OC Fair’s long-time Agriculture Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor, Evy Young, is our guide to all the delights including the happenings in Centennial Farm.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Romeo Coleman, Coleman Family Farm, Carpinteria, CA Part One
Segment Three: Romeo Coleman, Coleman Family Farm, Carpinteria, CA Part Two
Segment Four: Doug Minnick, Co-Founder, Garagiste Wine Festival – Urban Exposure
Segment Five: Chef Dominic Palmieri, Midway Gourmet, previewing the cuisine of the OC Fair Part One
Segment Six: Chef Dominic Palmieri, Midway Gourmet, previewing the cuisine of the OC Fair Part Two
Segment Seven: OC Fair Preview with Evy Young, Agricultural Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor Part One
Segment Eight: OC Fair Preview with Evy Young, Agricultural Education and Culinary Arts Supervisor (Part Two) and Team USA’s Finish at Bocuse d’Or Americas Selection

Show 328, June 15, 2019: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now an appealing preview of this Saturday’s decadent 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 that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Couldn’t do it without you.

Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco is at it again with a special promotion…Ride OC Transit and get a free taco (with purchase) on Tuesdays from any Southern California Wahoo’s Fish Taco location. It’s Taco Transit Tuesday. Riding in with all the details is Wing Lam and Jennifer Bergner, OCTA’s (Orange County Transit Authority) Chief Operating Officer.

Liko Lehua Butters, a line of Hawaii-made (with a splash of Aloha,) gourmet butters flavored with tropical Island fruits, was started modestly by two sisters in 1996. The butters are packed in glass jars and prepared in small batches to maintain strict quality control. The product line is all-natural without any preservatives or additives. Liko Lehua Butters is now under the watchful stewardship of the second generation of the founding Family. Principals Matt and Dawn Kaneali’i -Kleinfelder join us to spread the Aloha.

The Manufactory, in Downtown Los Angeles at ROW DTLA, is a collaboration between acclaimed chefs Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson of San Francisco’s iconic Tartine Bakery, and Chris Bianco of Phoenix’s legendary Pizzeria Bianco. The project occupies nearly 40,000 square feet and includes a bakery, a market, Tartine Bianco (an all-day cafe and bar), Alameda Supper Club (a dinner-only restaurant), and a coffee roastery. It launched in February 2019. Providing the verbal grand tour are Camden Hershberger, Chef de Cuisine for Tartine Bianco and Scott Boggs, Vice President of Operations for Tartine. 

At Irvine & Roberts Vineyards they grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the distinctive Rogue Valley AVA. The Rogue Valley is the region where the first Oregon vineyard was planted in the 19th Century. Irvine & Roberts employs site specific, small block plantings that are farmed and fermented individually. This approach underscores their commitment to search wines that best express the unique character of the vineyard. Principals Doug & Dionne Irvine uncork the details for us.

You’ll find out why USA Today named The Garagiste Festival the “#1 Best Wine Festival in America” when you discover over 50 of the best, hard-to-find, high-quality micro-production wineries from all over California at The 6th Annual Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure held this year for the first time in Glendale, CA. on June 21st & 22nd. Co-Founder Doug Minnick pulls the cork on all the quaffable particulars for us.

Our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, the Founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us from the road where he is in the process of opening new Slapfish restaurants. We’re continuing the popular “Ask the Chef” segments responding to your questions about all things culinary. To our benefit Chef Andrew is a real, working chef.

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

Program Note:
On Saturday, June 22nd we usually follow the Halos game (versus the St. Louis Cardinals) at the special time of 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please join us.

Show 328, June 15, 2019: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2019

Doug MinnickYou’ll find out why USA Today named The Garagiste Festival the “#1 Best Wine Festival in America” when you discover over 50 of the best, hard-to-find, high-quality micro-production wineries from all over California at The 6th Annual Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure held this year for the first time in Glendale, CA. on June 21st & 22nd.

“The majority of the Garagiste Festival wineries do not have tasting rooms, cannot be found on “wine country” maps, and their wines can be very hard to find on store shelves. We make it easy for you to find a world of new wine discoveries all under one roof.”

“As with all Garagiste events, only the winemakers and/or owners (often the same person) will be pouring the wines. Come meet the artists who are making some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the world. And no snobs allowed!”

Co-Founder Doug Minnick pulls the cork on all the quaffable particulars for us.

June 15: Wahoo’s Taco Transit Tuesday, Liko Lehau Butters, The Manufactory, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Garagsite Festival

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Taco Transit Tuesday with Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco and OCTA’s Jennifer Bergner
Segment Three: Liko Lehua Butters with Matt & Dawn Kaneali’i – Kleinfelder
Segment Four: The Manufactory at ROW DTLA, Building 3
Segment Five: Irvine & Roberts Vineyards with Doug & Dionne Irvine Part One
Segment Six: Irvine & Roberts Vineyards with Doug & Dionne Irvine Part Two
Segment Seven: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2019
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder and CEO of The Slapfish Restaurant Group

Now an appealing preview of this Saturday’s decadent 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 that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Couldn’t do it without you.

Program Note: For today only we usually follow Angels Baseball from 3 to 5:00 p.m. Please don’t miss a flavor-packed morsel at this special time…

Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco is at it again with a special promotion…Ride OC Transit and get a free taco (with purchase) on Tuesdays from any Southern California Wahoo’s Fish Taco location. It’s Taco Transit Tuesday. Riding in with all the details is Wing Lam and Jennifer Bergner, OCTA’s (Orange County Transit Authority) Chief Operating Officer.

Liko Lehua Butters, a line of Hawaii-made (with a splash of Aloha,) gourmet butters flavored with tropical Island fruits, was started by two sisters in 1996. The butters are packed in glass jars and prepared in small batches to maintain strict quality control. The product line is all-natural without any preservatives or additives. Liko Lehua Butters is now under the watchful stewardship of the second generation of the founding Family. Principals Matt and Dawn Kaneali’i join us to spread the Aloha.

The Manufactory, in Downtown Los Angeles sat ROW DTLA, is a collaboration between acclaimed chefs Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson of San Francisco’s iconic Tartine Bakery, and Chris Bianco of Phoenix’s legendary Pizzeria Bianco. The project occupies nearly 40,000 square feet and includes a bakery, a market, Tartine Bianco (an all-day cafe and bar), Alameda Supper Club (a dinner-only restaurant), and a coffee roastery. It launched in February 2019. Providing the verbal grand tour are Camden Hershberger, Chef de Cuisine for Tartine Bianco and Scott Boggs, Vice President of Operations for Tartine.

At Irvine & Roberts Vineyards they grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the distinctive Rogue Valley AVA. The Rogue Valley is the region where the first Oregon vineyard was planted in the 19th Century. Irvine & Roberts employs site specific, small block plantings that are farmed and fermented individually. This approach underscores their commitment to search wines that best express the unique character of the vineyard. Principals Doug & Dionne Irvine uncork the details for us.

You’ll find out why USA Today named The Garagiste Festival the “#1 Best Wine Festival in America” when you discover over 50 of the best, hard-to-find, high-quality micro-production wineries from all over California at The 6th Annual Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure held this year for the first time in Glendale, CA. on June 21st & 22nd. Co-Founder Doug Minnick pulls the cork on all the quaffable particulars for us.

Our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, the Founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us from the road where he is in the process of opening new Slapfish restaurants. We’re continuing the popular “Ask the Chef” segments responding to your questions about all things culinary. To our benefit Chef Andrew is a real, working chef.

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

Wing and Levi Lam at the KLAA StudiosWing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco is at it again with a special promotion…Ride OC Transit and get a free taco (with purchase) on Tuesdays from any Southern California Wahoo’s Fish Taco location. It’s Taco Transit Tuesday.

The ongoing program, which began in April, allows transit riders to visit any participating Wahoo’s restaurant in Southern California each Tuesday, and when they show a valid OC Bus, OC Flex or Metrolink pass, they can get a free taco with the purchase of a taco.

Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s is a supporter of public transit to help sustain the environment.

“We all need to do our part: Use less plastic straws and bags, recycle what we can, and use public transportation when possible,” Lam said when the promotion began.

OCTA operates more than 500 buses in the OC Bus system, helping people get to their destinations across Orange County for $2 per ride or $5 per day.

Riding in on an OC Bus with all the details are Wing Lam and Jennifer Bergner, OCTA’s (Orange County Transit Authority) Chief Operating Officer.

Matthew Kaneali'i of Liko Lehua ButtersLiko Lehua Butters, a line of Hawaii-made (with a splash of Aloha,) gourmet butters flavored with tropical Island fruits, was started by two sisters in 1996. The butters are packed in glass jars and prepared in small batches to maintain strict quality control. The product line is all-natural without any preservatives or additives. Liko Lehua Butters is now under the watchful stewardship of the second generation of the founding Family.

Island flavors include, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Tahitian Lime, Coconut, Guava and Mango.

Great on pancakes and waffles. Spread on your favorite breads and toasts instead of butter or preserves. Add as a flavorful condiment to grilled meats, chicken and fish.

There is also a café, Liko Lehua at Pauahi.

Principals Matt and Dawn Kaneali’i join us to spread the aloha.

Camden Hershberger of Tartine Bianco and the ManufactoryThe Manufactory, in Downtown Los Angeles at ROW DTLA, is a collaboration between acclaimed chefs Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson of San Francisco’s iconic Tartine Bakery, and Chris Bianco of Phoenix’s legendary Pizzeria Bianco. The project occupies nearly 40,000 square feet and includes a bakery, a market, Tartine Bianco (an all-day cafe and bar), Alameda Supper Club (a dinner-only restaurant), and a coffee roastery. It launched in February 2019.

The three chefs, all James Beard Foundation Award-winners and noted experts in their respective disciplines, are collaborating on all aspects of the project and together creating something truly unique and original.

“Tartine Bianco is predicated on the idea that every ingredient and product has a story, and the chefs endeavor to understand and respect that story. They’ve carefully cultivated relationships with purveyors and farmers like Cairnspring Mills, which sources from local grain farmers, Cream Co. Meats which provides meat grown sustainably and with superior flavor in mind, and Bianco DiNapoli’s California vine ripened and organically grown, canned tomatoes.”

Providing the verbal grand tour are Camden Hershberger, Chef de Cuisine for Tartine Bianco and Scott Boggs, Vice President of Operations for Tartine.

Doug and Dionne Irvine of Irvine and Roberts VineyardsAt Irvine & Roberts Vineyards they grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the distinctive Rogue Valley AVA. The Rogue Valley is the region where the first Oregon vineyard was planted in the 19th Century.

Irvine & Roberts employs site specific, small block plantings that are farmed and fermented individually. This approach underscores their commitment to search wines that best express the unique character of the vineyard.

Principals Doug & Dionne Irvine uncork the details for us.

“Irvine & Roberts Family Vineyards is an alluring family winery in Ashland, Oregon, where we practice sustainable farming and produce ultra-premium Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Our high altitude vineyard is adorned with distinctive soils, climate, and east facing slopes that produce wines with extraordinary balance, flavor and intensity. We believe great wines come from great soil, so we strive to be conscientious stewards of the land, protecting our vineyard soils through practices that are certified sustainable by LIVE and Salmon Safe. We admit to being obsessive with our grape growing practices to ensure quality in the vineyard, keeping grape yields low and production limited to ensure the optimal health of the vine; allowing us to produce exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with elegance and balance.”

“In 1997, Doug & Dionne Irvine returned to their roots in Oregon with the desire to raise their daughters in the same place that they had such fond childhood memories. Choosing Ashland, they soon discovered that the 80- acre ranch they would call home turned out to be an incredibly unique vineyard site. The first vines were planted in 2007, and the journey continued from there when Doug’s sister and brother in law, Kelly and Duane Roberts, joined Doug and Dionne and created Irvine and Roberts Vineyards.”

Principals Doug & Dionne Irvine continue the conversation…

Doug MinnickYou’ll find out why USA Today named The Garagiste Festival the “#1 Best Wine Festival in America” when you discover over 50 of the best, hard-to-find, high-quality micro-production wineries from all over California at The 6th Annual Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure held this year for the first time in Glendale, CA. on June 21st & 22nd.

“The majority of the Garagiste Festival wineries do not have tasting rooms, cannot be found on “wine country” maps, and their wines can be very hard to find on store shelves. We make it easy for you to find a world of new wine discoveries all under one roof.”

“As with all Garagiste events, only the winemakers and/or owners (often the same person) will be pouring the wines. Come meet the artists who are making some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the world. And no snobs allowed!”

Co-Founder Doug Minnick pulls the cork on all the quaffable particulars for us.

Andrew and Lauren Gruel at Fort RileyOur Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, the Founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us from the road where he is in the process of opening new Slapfish restaurants. We’re continuing the popular “Ask the Chef” segments responding to your questions about all things culinary. To our benefit Chef Andrew is a real, working chef.

Always doing his part to generously serve and give back to the community Chef Andrew was just at Fort Riley, Kansas volunteering for the US Army as part of their Healthy Army Communities. We’ll chat about it.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Taco Transit Tuesday with Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco and OCTA’s Jennifer Bergner
Segment Three: Liko Lehua Butters with Matt & Dawn Kaneali’i – Kleinfelder
Segment Four: The Manufactory at ROW DTLA, Building 3
Segment Five: Irvine & Roberts Vineyards with Doug & Dionne Irvine Part One
Segment Six: Irvine & Roberts Vineyards with Doug & Dionne Irvine Part Two
Segment Seven: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2019
Segment Eight: “Ask the Chef” with Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder and CEO of The Slapfish Restaurant Group

Show 308, January 26, 2019: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Now an enticing preview of Saturday’s mouthwatering 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, and upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always thanks for being a part of our loyal listening audience.

Geraldine Gilliland is a well-known and long-time restaurateur in Santa Monica. Her flagship establishment on Main Street is the long-running Lula Cocina Mexicana launched in 1991. She is also a veteran resident of Malibu and dedicated to animal rescue with Chiquita’s Friends. There is a new printing of Geraldine’s The Lula Cocina Cookbook – My favorite Recipes, from Mexico to Malibu. All of the proceeds from book sales generously benefit Chiquita’s Friends.

Why aren’t we using vegetables in desserts? They are as sweet as many fruits when caramelized or marinated, and offer incredible flavors and visual appeal, and of course wonderful nutrition! Vegetable Cakes – The most fun way to five a day! by Ysanne Spevack brings us a wonderful kale and coconut gateau, asparagus and sesame cake, carrot and plant-based cheesecakes made with fennel, pumpkin, and arugula. We’re in the bountiful produce garden with Ysanne.

Escondido’s Restaurant Week is happening January 27 to February 2, 2019. It’s a week of unrivaled deliciousness. No tickets needed… just show up, order the special at a participating restaurant, and make new memories! The Wooden Spoon Restaurant is participating. We’ll meet Chef/Owner Jesse Paul.

This marks the seventh year that the Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure has showcased the wines of some of California’s best small production winemakers in one of California’s most charming small towns, which is celebrating its 107th anniversary this year. Solvang is in the heart of the renowned Santa Ynez Valley wine country, just north of picturesque Santa Barbara, California. Garagiste Festival Co-founder Doug Minnick uncorks the details for us.

Faye Levy is an internationally acclaimed cookbook author and food journalist. Most recently she collaborates with her husband, Yakir, who is also their resident photographer. In the book Foodwork: Jobs in the Food Industryand How to Get Them, with a foreword by the late Julia Child, Faye and Yakir Levy were profiled as the role models for cookbook authors. We’re talking about the delights of Middle Eastern cuisine with the very knowledgeable Faye and Yakir.

On the “SoCal Restaurant Show” we know Terri Henry as the resourceful Producer of the annual DINE LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week launching on August 3rd. In her spare time she is a fearless world traveler and prefers to explore the less obvious destinations. She just returned from a 7-day stay in Cambodia. Terri will share with us highlights of her edible experiences there and her impressions of Cambodia and the people.

Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel joins us with another informative segment of “Ask the Chef.” It’s of considerable value to have a real, working chef in our radio kitchen! Last week Chef Andrew was the keynote panelist at the Global Seafood Market Conference in Coronado. Conference highlights are on the discussion menu.

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