Whatever you’re celebrating the happiest of Happy Holidays from the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM 830 KLAA radio. Time (almost) to unwrap 2026.
A tip of the toque to Chef James Trees, Timeless Hospitality, Eric Gladstone and Rio Las Vegas for graciously hosting our live show last Saturday from High Steaks at Rio Las Vegas located in the Masquerade Tower 50 floors above the Vegas Strip. We hope to be invited back in 2026!
“Stepping onto MOHI Farm in Morgan Hill, CA feels like finding a peaceful oasis in the heart of a vibrant community. Nestled among the allure of Morgan Hill’s rich agricultural history, MOHI Farm is where farm-to-table dining, thoughtful event hosting, and a passion for fresh, local ingredients come together. Whether attending a special event, sharing a meal with family, or hosting your dream celebration, MOHI Farm offers warmth, style, and authenticity in every corner.” Also showcased are the local Leal Vineyards wines, an affiliated operation. Executive Chef Lance Ramburst takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.
Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications. Anne Marie joins us in-studio for her final visit of 2025 to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, more tasty Orange County morsels will be part of the conversation including a recent column (November 26, 2025) highlighting her favorite spots in the OC for fried chicken. There are a few surprises… Anne Marie earlier in the Month was on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera aboard the Royal Princess. She will talk about that experience.
“Former aspiring professional surfer-turned-chef Craig Hopson (an Aussie native) is behind this California-kissed French-Australian neighborhood bistro in Mar Vista, Electric Bleu, for special nights and every night. The menu changes frequently. After working at storied kitchens around the world including Guy Savoy and Le Cirque, Hopson flexes his French training in dishes like steak au poivre with green peppercorn cognac sauce while also nodding to his Perth hometown in sides like electric fries with chicken salt (a favorite Aussie condiment).” There’s also a $59 four-course tasting menu option available with a premium wine or sake pairing. In an accommodation to the neighborhood’s 4-legged guests there is a dog-friendly patio on the Woodgreen St. side of Electric Bleu. Craig Hopson takes a break from his busy dinner prep to join us.
For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew looks back on the many concerns of restaurants this year and then looks ahead to the future challenges of 2026. Is there reason for optimism?
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
“Former aspiring professional surfer-turned-chef Craig Hopson is behind this California-kissed French-Australian neighborhood bistro in Mar Vista, Electric Bleu, for special nights and every night. The menu changes frequently. After working at storied kitchens around the world including Guy Savoy and Le Cirque, Hopson flexes his French training in dishes like steak au poivre with green peppercorn cognac sauce while also nodding to his Perth hometown in sides like electric fries with chicken salt (a favorite Aussie condiment).”
There’s also a $59 four-course tasting menu option available with a premium wine or sake pairing. The menu changes often.
In an accommodation to the neighborhood’s 4-legged guests there is a dog-friendly patio on the Woodgreen St. side of Electric Bleu. There is also (free) parking located in the rear of the building.
“Chef Hopson grew up in Perth, chasing waves with dreams of becoming a pro surfer. A restaurant job let him surf by day and cook by night, but it didn’t take long for him to realize his true passion was in the kitchen. He headed to Europe to train under culinary icons like Michel Troisgros, Alain Senderens and Guy Savoy before making his mark in New York running some of Manhattan’s most celebrated kitchens, including Picholine and Le Cirque. At Electric Bleu Chef Craig is excited to pour his heart into a place that blends great food and world-class hospitality for the residents of Mar Vista and Los Angeles.”
Craig Hopson takes a break from his busy dinner prep to join us.
Whatever you’re celebrating the happiest of Happy Holidays from the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM 830 KLAA radio. Time (almost) to unwrap 2026.
A tip of the toque to Chef James Trees, Timeless Hospitality, Eric Gladstone and Rio Las Vegas for graciously hosting our live show last Saturday from High Steaks at Rio Las Vegas located 50 floors above the Vegas Strip. We hope to be invited back in 2026!
“Stepping onto MOHI Farm in Morgan Hill, CA feels like finding a peaceful oasis in the heart of a vibrant community. Nestled among the allure of Morgan Hill’s rich agricultural history, MOHI Farm is where farm-to-table dining, thoughtful event hosting, and a passion for fresh, local ingredients come together. Whether attending a special event, sharing a meal with family, or hosting your dream celebration, MOHI Farm offers warmth, style, and authenticity in every corner.” Also showcased are the local Leal Vineyards wines, an affiliated operation. Executive Chef Lance Ramburst takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.
Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications. Anne Marie joins us in-studio for her final visit of 2025 to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, more tasty Orange County morsels will be part of the conversation including a recent column (November 26, 2025) highlighting her favorite spots in the OC for fried chicken. Anne Marie earlier in the Month was on a cruise of the Mexican Riveria aboard the Royal Princess. She will talk about that experience.
“Former aspiring professional surfer-turned-chef Craig Hopson Electric Bleu, for special nights and every night. The menu changes frequently. After working at storied kitchens around the world including Guy Savoy and Le Cirque, Hopson flexes his French training in dishes like steak au poivre with green peppercorn cognac sauce while also nodding to his Perth hometown in sides like electric fries with chicken salt (a favorite Aussie condiment).” There’s also a $59 four-course tasting menu option available with a premium wine or sake pairing. In an accommodation to the neighborhood’s 4-legged guests there is a dog-friendly patio on the Woodgreen St. side of Electric Bleu. Craig Hopson takes a break from his busy dinner prep to join us.
For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew looks back on the many concerns of restaurants this year and then looks ahead to the challenges of 2026. Is there reason for optimism?
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
“MOHI Farm, the vision of proprietor Frank Leal, is committed to celebrating Morgan Hill’s agricultural heritage while appealing to the refined tastes of today’s health-conscious urban community. Their commitment lies in reducing waste through sustainable practices in sourcing, food preparation, and design.”
“MOHI Farm prides itself on procuring the freshest, most abundant ingredients directly from local farmers including the four-acre MOHI Ranch. The menu (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) is a reflection of the seasons, dynamically changing with each harvest to showcase the vibrant flavors of the region’s bounty in every culinary creation.”
“Stepping onto MOHI Farm in Morgan Hill feels like finding a peaceful oasis in the heart of a vibrant community. Nestled among the allure of Morgan Hill’s rich agricultural history, MOHI Farm is where farm-to-table dining, thoughtful event hosting, and a passion for fresh, local ingredients come together. Whether attending a special event, sharing a meal with family, or hosting your dream celebration, MOHI Farm offers warmth, style, and authenticity in every corner.”
Also featured are the local Leal Vineyards wines, an affiliated operation.
Executive Chef Lance Ramburst takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.
Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications.
Anne Marie joins us in-studio to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, more tasty Orange County morsels will be part of the conversation including a recent column (November 26, 2025) highlighting her favorite spots in the OC for fried chicken. Anne Marie earlier in the Month was on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera aboard the Royal Princess. She will talk about that experience. Anne Marie is our resident Disneyland Resort authority. Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian has been closed since April for a major refurbishment and reimagining. Curious minds want to know when in 2026 Napa Rose will relaunch? We’ll ask Disneyland Resort aficionado Anne Marie.
“Former aspiring professional surfer-turned-chef Craig Hopson is behind this California-kissed French-Australian neighborhood bistro in Mar Vista, Electric Bleu, for special nights and every night. The menu changes frequently. After working at storied kitchens around the world including Guy Savoy and Le Cirque, Hopson flexes his French training in dishes like steak au poivre with green peppercorn cognac sauce while also nodding to his Perth hometown in sides like electric fries with chicken salt (a favorite Aussie condiment).”
There’s also a $59 four-course tasting menu option available with a premium wine or sake pairing.
In an accommodation to the neighborhood’s 4-legged guests there is a dog-friendly patio on the Woodgreen St. side of Electric Bleu.
“Chef Hopson grew up in Perth, chasing waves with dreams of becoming a pro surfer. A restaurant job let him surf by day and cook by night, but it didn’t take long for him to realize his true passion was in the kitchen. He headed to Europe to train under culinary icons like Michel Troisgros, Alain Senderens and Guy Savoy before making his mark in New York running some of Manhattan’s most celebrated kitchens, including Picholine and Le Cirque. At Electric Bleu Chef Craig is excited to pour his heart into a place that blends great food and world-class hospitality for the residents of Mar Vista and Los Angeles.”
Craig Hopson takes a break from his busy dinner prep to join us.
Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.
Chef Andrew looks back on the multiple concerns of restaurants this year and then looks ahead to 2026. What has been resolved? Is there reason for some optimism in 2026?
Andrew Gruel’s Family Cookbook is available with signed copies at his Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach.
