Show 358, February 2, 2020: Melting Pot Food Tours Part One

Scalia Sisters of Melting Pot Food ToursOne of the best ways to come to know a city is through its food. When we go to a new city we’ve found our best insiders introduction is by partaking of a highly regarded, local food walking tour. One of the premier food walking tour operators locally is the long-established Melting Pot Food Tours. The principals are Lisa and Diane Scalia (sisters.) The Scalias hospitably lead the background tour for us.

“Melting Pot Food Tours offers delicious food tasting tours throughout the LA area that will indulge your taste buds and delight your senses! Whether you’re looking to explore the Original Farmers Market and the eclectic Third Street area of mid-city Los Angeles, discover the vibrant past of Old Pasadena, or enjoy a fabulous guided tour through the flavors of East Los Angeles, Melting Pot Food Tours will be your guide.”

Show 358, February 2, 2020: Melting Pot Food Tours Part Two

Scalia Sisters of Melting Pot Food ToursOne of the best ways to come to know a city is through its food. When we go to a new city we’ve found our best insiders introduction is by partaking of a highly regarded, local food walking tour. One of the premier food walking tour operators locally is the long-established Melting Pot Food Tours. The principals are Lisa and Diane Scalia (sisters.) The Scalias hospitably continue the background tour for us.

One of Melting Pot’s proprietary tours is the La Espanola Meats VIP Tour and Paella Lunch. This tour, dining and shopping experience is produced by Melting Pot Food Tours in cooperation with the Dona Juana family of La Espanola Meats in Harbor City, CA. “Our two-generation family of hosts are the premier purveyors of fine, authentic Spanish charcuterie, cheeses, wines, and a myriad of imported specialties.”

“The experience begins with an exclusive tour of La Espanola’s manufacturing facilities, where premium sausages and cured meats are crafted with recipes procured from Spain’s finest master artisans. Following the tour, a specially-prepared patio lunch of tapas and paella is served with wine, plus homemade churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce.”

Show 204, December 31, 2016: Layla Ali-Ahmad, Proprietress, Beach City Food Tours, Long Beach

Layla Ali AhmadFood tours are a great way of discovering the cuisine of a city. It’s even better when you can explore on foot. One of the area’s newest food walking tours is Beach City Food Tours offering a well-planned, highly informative and incredibly tasty Downtown Long Beach food and beverage tasting experience.

Beach City Food Tours has launched the first of its kind in Long Beach, a guided walking tour that offers residents and tourists alike the opportunity to taste and sip offerings from some of the city’s most popular eateries and food shops. Attendees experience Long Beach, a growing food lover’s city, through a unique sensory journey while learning about the city’s history, art and culture along the way. The tour is currently available for Downtown Long Beach, but will eventually expand to other parts of the city.

Founded by Long Beach resident Layla Ali-Ahmad, the idea was born from a mutual love of food and travel – and Long Beach, a city she proudly calls home. “Our goal is to introduce the amazing food culture we have in Long Beach to both locals and travelers alike” says Ali-Ahmad. “Long Beach is becoming known for its great food shops and delicious restaurants, but many people are unsure where to venture first, or they simply want to try new things. Our tour is designed to give the food lover a unique and delicious view of the city, and we look forward to adding more of the unique neighborhoods to the tour options soon.”

We’ll meet proprietress Layla Ali-Ahmad.

Special Discount Offer:

Layla is graciously offering a 10 per cent discount on any bookings made in January as a perk to our Listeners.

This includes future tours and gift cards.

Use the “Discount Code” KLAA (all caps) at checkout.

We recommend Layla and the Tour based on personal experience. Please know this is not an advertisement but pure editorial support.

August 31: Orange International Street Fair

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Co-Host Kedric Francis, Producer Andy Harris and Jet Tila via Satellite
Segment Two: Scott Brandon, Chef / Proprietor of Linx in Old Towne Orange
Segment Three: Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera
Segment Four: Deanna Durigon, Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours
Segment Five: Executive Chef Greg Daniels & Managing Partner / Beverage Director Wil Dee of Provisions Market
Segment Six: Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival
Segment Seven: Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco
Segment Eight: Travis Rodgers, host of “The Travis Rodgers Show” on AM 830 KLAA

Please join us each week at our new starting time of 10:00 a.m.

Orange International Street FairToday it’s the last hurrah for the Summer. We broadcasting live from the Orange International Street Fair in Orange. This is a massive community event attracting up to 400,000 people to Old Towne Orange over the two and-one half day festival. The Fair continues until Sunday night.

All of the top quality ethnic street food available is authentically prepared by area non-profits. You have an international melting pot of flavors ranging from Australian to Swiss.

Eight entertainment stages, too!

Kedric Francis, the Executive Editor of both Coast Magazine and The Orange County Register Magazine joins us on Saturday for the festivities as co-host.

Scott Brandon of LinX DogsScott Brandon, the Chef/Proprietor of LinX Artisan Sausages at 238 W. Chapman Ave., is with us. Last year Chef Scott operated LinX out of a trailer at his location during the Fair because he hadn’t opened yet. On his menu are incredible artisan sausages.

Hand-cut Belgian fries are also top dog here. They are twice-fried and really good. They come with a variety of flavorful dipping sauces all prepared in-house.

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaChef Marco Zapien is the owner/chef of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera. It’s proudly family-owned and a locals’ favorite since 1994.

The fare represents the various regions of Mexico. They are known for lengua (tongue) and enchiladas en mole. The corn tortillas for the chips and salsa are made-in house.

On Saturday, September 7th Zapien’s is hosting their 2nd Annual Hatch Chile Roasting and brunch for charity. Hatch Chiles will be sold by the case, roasted or fresh, and Hatch Chile food and drink specials will be available.

Deanna DurigonWe’re in Old Towne Orange today. Old Towne is now home to an impressive variety of specialty restaurants. Haven Gastropub and LinX immediately come to mind along with original Bruxie.

Old Town Orange Food Walking Tours is a fun way to get introduced to the culinary delights of the area. They offer both the Orange Sampler Tour as well as the Vintage Orange Food Tour.

Co-owner Deanna Durigon, who both lives and works in Orange, is the co-owner. She joins us to provide all the appetizing details.

Greg Daniels of Haven GastropubProvisions Market, a new gourmet specialty food store, sandwich shop, and craft beer emporium, on Glassell is the talk of Old Towne Orange. 30 rotating beers are available on tap as well as Sidecar Doughnuts.

Coming soon will be a full service coffee bar operated by Portola Coffee Lab of The Mix in Costa Mesa.

Executive Chef Greg Daniels (Haven Gastropub) and Managing Partner Wil Dee will be with us to explain all the delicious elements and what’s to come.

Joshua Lurie of Food GPSThere is no better Summer picnic food than fried chicken. Leave it to Joshua Lurie of Food GPS to create a festival around incredible fried chicken!

The 2nd Annual Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 7:00 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles at LOT 613.

Eleven of L.A.’s top toques will be there showcasing multiple styles of their fried chicken for the guests to sample and enjoy at their pleasure. Also on the menu are appropriate side dishes, desserts, craft beer, and cocktails.

Chef Jason Neroni of Superba Snack Bar in Venice and producer Joshua Lurie of Food GPS join us to preview the Festival.

Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish TacosThe coolest dude in Orange County has to be the incomparable Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. It just comes to him naturally…It’s their 25th anniversary this year.

Wing is also active in many local charitable activities as well as enjoys teaching marketing. He’s also a master at guerrilla marketing.

Wing joins us in-person to reveal how he keeps Wahoo’s fresh after 25 years of increasing success…

Travis RodgersTravis Rodgers quarterbacks The Travis Rodgers Show heard weekday mornings on AM 830 KLAA from 6 to 10:00 a.m. It’s SoCal’s only live, local morning sports show. Travis actually lives in Orange County!

You might not know that Travis is equally passionate about all kinds of food. We’ll eagerly talk food with Travis and find out what he’s looking forward to tasting at The Orange International Street Fair this Weekend!

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Co-Host Kedric Francis, Producer Andy Harris and Jet Tila via Satellite
Segment Two: Scott Brandon, Chef / Proprietor of Linx in Old Towne Orange
Segment Three: Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera
Segment Four: Deanna Durigon, Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours
Segment Five: Executive Chef Greg Daniels & Managing Partner / Beverage Director Wil Dee of Provisions Market
Segment Six: Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival
Segment Seven: Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco
Segment Eight: Travis Rodgers, host of “The Travis Rodgers Show” on AM 830 KLAA

Show 37, August 3, 2013: Nancy Zaslavsky, food journalist, author, food tour guide specializing in the foods of Mexico, cooking instructor, and culinary historian

Worlds Best MargaritaIt’s prime time for Margaritas. Food journalist and Mexican cuisine-authority, Nancy Zaslavsky, joined us to share the “World’s Best Margaritas Recipe.” She picked up the intell from an accomplished bartender in Guadalajara.

She shares the four musts for creating a great margarita and the original recipe as well as her variation which a Ruby-Red Pomegranate, Cranberry, or Jamaica Margarita.

One of Nancy’s escorted food tours to Mexico is on tap for Oaxaca for October 26th to November 1st. It’s her signature “Day of the Dead” festivities tour.

Show 26, April 27, 2013: Nancy Zaslavsky, “A Cook’s Tour to Mexico”

Nancy is an author, serious home cook, cooking instructor and tour leader with a love of the culture, cuisine, and people of Mexico. She also is an active board member of the Culinary Historians of Southern California.

Her highly recommended culinary tours to various regions of Mexico are always small groups including chefs, food professionals and food-and-fun loving people in search of dynamic tastes in stimulating environments.

Nancy just returned from guiding a food tour of Morelia and Patzcuaro in Michoacan.
On June 1st is her popular L.A. Mexican Market Tour & Lunch”. It’s a whirlwind tour of Nancy’s favorite wholesale Mexican food markets in downtown Los Angeles. Also on the tour is a terrific bakery stocked with pan dulce and their famous tamales.

The final stop on the excursion is lunch at La Casita Mexicana. Nancy was a judge there for their challenge on “Bobby Flay’s Throwdown” seen on Food Network

Melting Pot Food Tours Presents “Chef Jet Tila’s Ultimate Insiders Flavors of Thai Town Tour”

City of Los Angeles Thai Town SignMelting Pot Food Tours is proud to announce the Chef Jet Tila’s Ultimate Insiders Flavors of Thai Town Tour, hosted personally by celebrity Chef Jet Tila. This is the fourth culinary tour offered by the original Los Angeles food tours company, and the first hosted by a popular food television and national media personality. For an all-inclusive price of $99, the once-monthly Sunday food tour features authentic tastings at Chef Jet Tila’s favorite restaurants, a visit to a Thai grocery store, recipes, and unique storytelling by Thai Town’s honorary Mayor himself.

“Chef Jet Tila is exactly the type of personality that we love partnering with at Melting Pot Food Tours,” exclaims Diane Scalia, founding partner. “His passion for Los Angeles – our mutual hometown, his amazing food savvy, and his kind, genuine manner are all things that make us extremely proud to be associated with him.”

The new Thai Town tasting tour, now on the regularly scheduled Melting Pot Food Tours’ menu, was once available only privately for prominent journalists and distinguished visiting chefs, including Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain. His Emmy Award-winning “No Reservations” LA show featuring Chef Jet’s exclusive insider’s view of Thai Town, whet viewers’ appetites for the epicurean treasures found in this East Hollywood neighborhood, a true hidden LA gem.

“We’re very excited about this tour,” adds Lisa Scalia. “To have a tour of this caliber in our arsenal of options is tremendous! I love that we’ve partnered with Chef Jet to make such an opportunity available in the Los Angeles market.”

Chef Jet Tila, whose father was one of the principals in founding LA’s Thai Town, grew up working in his family’s kitchens and markets. Los Angeles has the largest Thai population outside of Thailand. This unique pocket is the only officially recognized Thai Town in all of America, and is even considered Thailand’s 77th province.

Papaya SaladThis “Ultimate Insider’s Flavors of Thai Town Tour” is purposely limited to 15 persons to ensure a cozier, more personal experience. Guests enjoy authentic Thai traditions at the table alongside Chef Jet as he serves up his favorite signature dishes, including Papaya Salad, Jade Noodles, and delicate finger desserts like Banana Coconut Fritter.

In addition to tastings and Chef Jet’s unique gourmet storytelling, the tour includes a visit to a Thai grocery store, and recipes from the tasting stops.

Chef Jet notes, “I’m so very excited to be partnering with Melting Pot Food Tours! No other team can show the flavors and sights of Thai Town like we can. With Diane & Lisa’s tour expertise and my intimate knowledge of the community, there will be no better tour of this unique locale.”

The inaugural tour is set for Sunday, December 2, 2012, at 10:30am with tours scheduled for Sunday, January 6, 2013, and Sunday, February 3, 2013. Future 2013 dates to be announced in the new year. Tickets are $99 per person and can be purchased online here or by calling the Melting Pot Food Tours office at 424-247-9666. Bookings for private groups of 10 or more for this tour will be available in 2013.

Hungry visitors to Los Angeles interested in learning more about Melting Pot Food Tours may visit us here. Private groups of 10-50 are welcome for tours, and may contact Lisa Scalia at 424.247.9666 for more details.

Melting Pot Food Tours was founded by native Angeleno sisters Lisa and Diane Scalia, who share a passionate desire to put Los Angeles on the map as a world-class epicurean destination. Their pure intention is to acquaint locals and tourists with extraordinary neighborhoods and the foods that make them so special and unique. Inspired by the rise in culinary and heritage tourism, and America’s new invitation to visit its Land of Dreams, Lisa and Diane Scalia are joyfully committed to showcasing the rich culinary diversity that is Los Angeles.