Show 552, November 18, 2023: Desert Brewfest, Cathedral City with Luchador Brewing Company Part One

Jamie Benson of Luchador Brewing Company

“The partners in the popular Luchador Brewing Company are hosting the family-friendly Desert Brewfest: The First Coachella Valley Beer Festival on Sunday December 10th at the Cathedral City Amphitheater in Cathedral City. It’s a festive holiday-themed outdoor craft beer festival with music, Lucha Libre wrestling, local food vendors, pictures with Santa, and beer sampling from distinctive craft breweries near and far. In the spirit of the season the Luchador Brewing Company is also raising funds for charities. It’s a beer lovers paradise.”

CRAFT BEER: Unlimited craft beers to sample from local and non-local breweries.

LIVE BANDS: They have some amazing performances lined up for you! Enjoy the incredible sounds of Queen Nation, a Queen tribute band, and Metalachi, a heavy metal Mariachi band. Their MC, DJ Carlos, will keep the energy high with great tunes and even give out prizes in between sets.

LUCHA LIBRE WRESTLING: Throughout the day, there will be thrilling Lucha Libre matches.

FOOD TRUCKS: They know that good food is essential, so they have many outstanding food trucks on-site to keep guests’ bellies full and satisfied throughout the day.

SANTA CLAUS: Get into the holiday spirit and take your picture with jolly old St. Nick himself! Don’t forget to wear your UGLY SWEATERS to impress Santa and everyone around you.

TOY DRIVE: Help Desert Brewfest spread joy this holiday season by bringing an unwrapped toy valued over $10. By doing so, you’ll have a chance to win prizes. The goal is to collect over 250 gifts for children in need, so let’s make a difference together.

The partners in Luchador Brewing CompanyJaime Benson and Brent Miller join us to tap the keg on Desert Brewfest.

Show 552, November 18, 2023: Desert Brewfest, Cathedral City with Luchador Brewing Company Part Two

Brent Miller of Luuchador Brewing

“The partners in the popular Luchador Brewing Company are hosting the family-friendly Desert Brewfest: The First Coachella Valley Beer Festival on Sunday December 10th at the Cathedral City Amphitheater in Cathedral City. It’s a festive holiday-themed outdoor craft beer festival with music, Lucha Libre wrestling, local food vendors, pictures with Santa, and beer sampling from distinctive craft breweries near and far. In the spirit of the season the Luchador Brewing Company is also raising funds for charities. It’s a beer lovers paradise.”

CRAFT BEER: Unlimited craft beers to sample from local and non-local breweries.

LIVE BANDS: They have some amazing performances lined up for you! Enjoy the incredible sounds of Queen Nation, a Queen tribute band, and Metalachi, a heavy metal Mariachi band. Their MC, DJ Carlos, will keep the energy high with great tunes and even give out prizes in between sets.

LUCHA LIBRE WRESTLING: Throughout the day, there will be thrilling Lucha Libre matches.

FOOD TRUCKS: They know that good food is essential, so they have many outstanding food trucks on-site to keep guests’ bellies full and satisfied throughout the day.

SANTA CLAUS: Get into the holiday spirit and take your picture with jolly old St. Nick himself! Don’t forget to wear your UGLY SWEATERS to impress Santa and everyone around you.

TOY DRIVE: Help Desert Brewfest spread joy this holiday season by bringing an unwrapped toy valued over $10. By doing so, you’ll have a chance to win prizes. The goal is to collect over 250 gifts for children in need, so let’s make a difference together.

The partners in Luchador Brewing Company, Jaime Benson and Brent Miller continue with us tapping the keg on all things Desert Brewfest.

Show 485, July 30, 2022: Maui Culinary & Beverage Highlights with “SoCal Restaurant Show’s” Adam Bell

Adam Bell of dataTV

Our bargain-loving, Social Media and Website authority, Adam Bell, was fortunate enough to spend a few glorious days in Maui in late April and early May. Maui is an ever-popular destination for Californians. Adam was based in Kihei which is near Wailea. Adam previously shared some informative trip highlights including the roundtrip experience on Hawaiian Airlines, the condo option to a hotel and a standout Dinner and Breakfast.

For Adam’s concluding installment it’s the best in Hawaiian coffee and local craft beer (actually brewed in Hawaii.) Also, an overview of food truck parks featuring delicious Island bites prepared with a side of Aloha. Along the way Adam discovered a stationary food truck (Kitoko) unusually operated by a former fine-dining pastry chef from the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

Show 474, May 14, 2022: “Ask the Chef” with Co-host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Restaurants are still suffering from the devastating economic impact of the pandemic. Last month the House of Representatives approved more than $40 billion in assistance for restaurant owners who previously applied but were unable to receive financial assistance from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Chef Andrew shares where this sits currently.

Arthur Gonzalez of Panxa Cocina

Chef Andrew also remembers his long-time friend and colleague Chef Arthur (Art) Gonzalez (Panxa Cocina and Roe Seafood in Long Beach) who sadly left us way too soon this week. He was only 47. Chef Art was our resident expert on Hatch Chiles from New Mexico and spent time there cooking in fine-dining restaurants. Chef Art was of great assistance to Chef Andrew in the early stages of Slapfish when they were operating with multiple Food Trucks.

Show 449, October 30, 2021: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Happy Halloween. As always we’re all “treats” with absolutely no tricks on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.”

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie joins us in-studio talking about her just concluded cruise of the Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas with a focus on the expansive variety of food & beverage offerings. We’ll also get a tantalizing preview of Anne Marie’s next Voice of OC column which publishes on Thursday, November 4th. Anne Marie profiles local, veteran-owned restaurants in anticipation of Veterans Day including a Long Beach discovery in a bit of an unexpected location.

“From the creator of Clean Eating Kitchen, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist Michelle Dudash presents The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook with simple, plant-focused recipes for lifelong health. “The Mediterranean diet holds the top rank for being easy to follow and delivering proven results for improved heart health and blood sugar management, decreased risk of cancer, and increased longevity. This cookbook combines the best aspects of the Mediterranean diet with more than 100 nutritious recipes that help the whole family eat clean including 60 meals that can be prepared in 30-minutes or less.” Michelle Dudash is our guest with tongs at the ready.

To the best of our knowledge Ryan Kraemer at The Bungalow Kitchen in Long Beach at 2nd & PCH is the only Certified Sommelier in Long Beach actually on the floor interacting with guests. He is a Certified Sommelier with over 15 years of experience in hospitality. Ryan’s specialty is creating (in concert with The Bungalow’s culinary team) extraordinary custom food and wine-pairing experiences for his guests at all levels of wine knowledge. Ryan has just returned from St. Louis where he took the intensive, 3-day exam for the Advanced Sommelier designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ryan joins us to uncork that experience and talk about the elevated beverage program at The Bungalow Kitchen.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Lobster prices have gone sky high. Chef Andrew provides his informed perspective on this as well as insight on the increases in fresh seafood pricing in general.

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

October 30: Anne Marie Panoringan, Michelle Dudash, Bungalow Kitchen

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Anne Marie Panoringan, Food Columnist, Voice of OC Part One
Segment Three: Anne Marie Panoringan, Food Columnist, Voice of OC Part Two
Segment Four: Clean Eating Kitchen’s Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist – The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook Part One
Segment Five: Clean Eating Kitchen’s Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist – The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook Part Two
Segment Six: Ryan Kraemer, Sommelier, The Bungalow Kitchen, Long Beach Part One
Segment Seven: Ryan Kraemer, Sommelier, The Bungalow Kitchen, Long Beach Part Two
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

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

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie joins us in-studio talking about her just concluded cruise of the Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas with a focus on the expansive variety of food & beverage offerings. She also talks about the disappearing Food Trucks in the OC and the impact of the recent oil pipeline leak on sourcing local seafood. We’ll lastly get a tantalizing preview of Anne Marie’s next Voice of OC column which publishes on Thursday, November 4th. Anne Marie profiles local, veteran-owned restaurants in anticipation of Veterans Day.

“From the creator of Clean Eating Kitchen, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist Michelle Dudash presents The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook with simple, plant-focused recipes for lifelong health.”

“The Mediterranean diet holds the top rank for being easy to follow and delivering proven results for improved heart health and blood sugar management, decreased risk of cancer, and increased longevity. This cookbook combines the best aspects of the Mediterranean diet with more than 100 nutritious recipes that help the whole family eat clean including 60 meals that can be prepared in 30-minutes or less.” Michelle Dudash is our guest with tongs at the ready.

To the best of our knowledge Ryan Kraemer at The Bungalow Kitchen in Long Beach at 2nd & PCH is the only Certified Sommelier in Long Beach actually on the floor interacting with guests. He is a Certified Sommelier with over 15 years of experience in hospitality. Ryan’s specialty is creating (in concert with The Bungalow’s culinary team) extraordinary custom food and wine-pairing experiences for his guests at all levels of wine knowledge. Ryan has just returned from St. Louis where he took the intensive, 3-day exam for the Advanced Sommelier designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ryan joins us to uncork that experience and talk about the elevated beverage program at The Bungalow Kitchen.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Lobster prices have gone sky high. Chef Andrew provides his informed perspective on this as well as insight on the increases in fresh seafood pricing in general.

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

Food Journalist Anne Marie Panoringan

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends.

Anne Marie joins us in-studio talking about her just concluded cruise of the Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas with a focus on the expansive variety of food & beverage offerings. She also talks about the disappearing Food Trucks in the OC and the impact of the recent oil pipeline leak on sourcing local seafood.

We’ll lastly get a tantalizing preview of Anne Marie’s next Voice of OC column which publishes on Thursday, November 4th. Anne Marie profiles local, veteran-owned restaurants in anticipation of Veterans Day.

Michelle Dudash RDN

“From the creator of Clean Eating Kitchen, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist Michelle Dudash presents The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook with simple, plant-focused recipes for lifelong health.”

“The Mediterranean diet holds the top rank for being easy to follow and delivering proven results for improved heart health and blood sugar management, decreased risk of cancer, and increased longevity. This cookbook combines the best aspects of the Mediterranean diet with more than 100 nutritious recipes that help the whole family eat clean including 60 meals that can be prepared in 30-minutes or less.”

“Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook delivers the benefits of the Mediterranean diet with fewer carbs, satisfying a mostly plant- and seafood-based regimen that is higher in protein and good fats. This book includes the healthiest, most crave-worthy ingredients and flavors of the Mediterranean diet that are sure to induce wanderlust. Included are satisfying dishes ranging from Creamy Spinach Pie with Almond Flour Crust to Sheet Pan Chickpea and Broccoli Dinner.”

“With low-carb and low-sugar recipes packed with protein, you and your family can stay healthy by following one of the best eating lifestyles in the world. Enjoy simple, wholesome meals that leave everyone around the table happy and satisfied with the Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Diet Cookbook.”

Michelle Dudash joins us with us with tongs at the ready.

Ryan Kraemer of the Bungalow Kitchen

To the best of our knowledge Ryan Kraemer at The Bungalow Kitchen in Long Beach at 2nd & PCH is the only Certified Sommelier in Long Beach actually on the floor interacting with guests. He is a Certified Sommelier with over 15 years of experience in hospitality. Ryan’s specialty is creating (in concert with The Bungalow’s culinary team) extraordinary custom food and wine-pairing experiences for his guests.

Ryan has just returned from St. Louis where he took the intensive 3-day exam for the Advanced Sommelier designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ryan joins us to uncork that experience and talk about the serious beverage program at The Bungalow Kitchen.

“The Bungalow Kitchen brings a chic and bohemian atmosphere, California Cuisine heavily inspired by local, seasonal ingredients, a classic cocktail program, and an expansive wine list to an unbeatable marina waterfront destination. Menu highlights include pristine shellfish served either ice-cold or hot charcoal-grilled; garden “punch” bowl, featuring crunchy, ice-cold garden vegetables served with Gazpacho shooters and three dipping sauces: Green Goddess, romesco and lemon-poppyseed; a comforting Short Rib ‘Pop-Tart’ topped with crispy shallots and drizzled with sauce bordelaise; signature house-made pizzas such as the Carbonara Pizza white pie with Crispy Guanciale, Yukon Gold potatoes, Pecorino Romano and drizzled with a poached farm egg; and Chef Michael Mina’s signature decadent Lobster Pot Pie featuring a whole Maine lobster, truffle-lobster bisque and root vegetables served tableside.”

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. 

Lobster prices have gone sky high. Chef Andrew provides his informed perspective on this unfortunate development as well as insight on the increases in fresh seafood pricing in general.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Anne Marie Panoringan, Food Columnist, Voice of OC Part One
Segment Three: Anne Marie Panoringan, Food Columnist, Voice of OC Part Two
Segment Four: Clean Eating Kitchen’s Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist – The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook Part One
Segment Five: Clean Eating Kitchen’s Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist – The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook Part Two
Segment Six: Ryan Kraemer, Sommelier, The Bungalow Kitchen, Long Beach Part One
Segment Seven: Ryan Kraemer, Sommelier, The Bungalow Kitchen, Long Beach Part Two
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Show 174, June 4, 2016: Chef Suzanne Goin, The Lucques Group, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine

Suzanne GoinOur heartiest congratulations to multi-James Beard Award nominee, Suzanne Goin. On May 1st in a black-tie ceremony at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House Chef Goin was the recipient of the Outstanding Chef honors. This is the top culinary award presented annually by The James Beard Foundation.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has recently announced the dynamic new offerings from Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 2016 summer season. Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine — developed with the LA Phil, local restaurateurs James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, and Sodexo Sports & Leisure  — will offer patrons a broad range of enticing new, reimagined culinary experiences.

The vision is brought to life by Goin and Styne, whose restaurants, Lucques, a.o.c., Tavern and the Larder, have defined, and advanced, Los Angeles culinary tastes since 1998. Chef Suzanne Goin now joins us with all the tempting 411 on the diverse, revamped food selections.

“Dining has long been an integral part of an evening at the Hollywood Bowl,” stated Gail Samuel, Executive Director of the LA Phil. “With the combined creativity and excellence of our new team, we have developed exciting new culinary options that will enhance the concert-going experience and contribute to making a night at the Bowl unforgettable.”

Whether it’s a picnic, a bottle of wine, street food from around the globe, supper in your box seat or dining at one of the on-site restaurants, visitors can take advantage of a wide variety of options for all tastes and preferences, including signature vegetarian dishes. The full spectrum also extends to catered events with a variety of locations for both small and large groups.

Additional highlights of the new Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine choices include:

the backyard – Inspired by the gorgeous hills surrounding the Bowl, this newly designed al fresco space has the feel of your coolest friend’s chic backyard. Two large wood-burning grills are the focus of this farmers’ market-driven family-style restaurant serving shared plates of grilled fish, chops, steaks, grains, greens and an extensive raw bar. Menu Highlight: Wood-Grilled Swordfish with Green Olives and Preserved Lemon

Street Food and Snacks – Located throughout the Bowl grounds, these venues feature the diverse multi-cultural foods of Los Angeles: Bahn Mi; Specialty Hot Dogs and Sausages; Street Tacos; BBQ; and the Sweet Shop, featuring cupcakes and s’mores made onsite, as well as Larder Baking Company signature desserts and confections.

Buzz McCoy’s Marketplace – Located on the west side of the Bowl, Buzz McCoy’s Marketplace features freshly made grab-and-go salads, sandwiches and other hot and cold picnic-friendly foods as well as being home to the Sushi Bar — a pristine display kitchen where chefs prepare premium sushi which can be pre-ordered as well as purchased from the Marketplace. Menu HighlightKabamba Roll – Chili Mango

Food Trucks – In the main plaza and walkways, three retro-styled food trucks bring a sense of nostalgia through their vibrant visual design and selections of Rotisserie Chicken, Wood Fired Pizzas and Fish Tacos.

Show 142, October 17, 2015: Quebec Street Food Association and Montreal’s Festival YULEAT

Grumman 78 Food Truck in Montreal at the Yuleat FestivalGourmet food trucks are the norm in California these days but the evolution (and legalization) in Montreal and Quebec Province, Canada was a much more recent development. Quality trucks there prepare such eye-popping delicacies as foie gras poutine (Au Pied de Cochon) which is an incredible item !

The co-founders of the very organized Quebec (Canada) Street Food Association (Guy Vincent Melo & Gaelle Cerf) are with us to report on the recent developments. They also coordinated the food elements at the recent YULEAT Festival over Labor Day Weekend at the Old Port of Montreal. The Festival attracted some 100,000 guests.

The very best of Quebec’s food trucks were serving their signature items there. A truck was even baking pizzas to order from a wood-burning oven!

Canadian culinary celebrities including “Cooking Channel’s” Chef Chuck Hughes were in attendance doing cooking demos or on panels.

Gaelle is a partner in the pioneering food truck, Grumman 78. This was the first food truck in Montreal. They specialize in street tacos using soft tortillas. Their most popular is the bahn mi taco! That’s a culinary mash-up for the ages…The original inspiration came as a result of the partners 2010 visit to Cabo San Lucas.

Sign-up on the YULEAT website for their newsletter to keep tabs on the upcoming 2016 event which should return over Labor Day Weekend.

Show 84, August 16, 2014: Guest Host Chef Eric Greenspan and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris preview the show

Guest Host Celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan of Foundation Hospitality Group and Producer Andy preview the show.

Besides being all over Food TV (he bested Iron Chef Bobby Flay on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America”) Chef Eric Greenspan has made a name for himself in the rarified world of fine-dining. For almost two years he was the executive chef of Joachim Splichal’s highly-acclaimed flagship restaurant Patina. More recently he created The Foundry on Melrose Ave. In the Fall he returns to Melrose with the eagerly anticipated fine dining, Enclave.

Although Chef Eric Greenspan has created the more casual, Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese and The Roof on Wilshire, his heart and true passion remains in fine dining. We’ll talk about the future of fine-dining in Los Angeles and get Chef Eric’s perspective. We’ll also preview Chef Eric’s new series for the National Geographic Channel debuting in November.

The first Canstruction Competition is coming to Long Beach on August 21st. The resulting collections of food benefit Food Finders food rescue / food bank. It’s going to be a wild 12 hours benefiting people in need!

The Halos have an ace relief pitcher in Jason Grilli newly arrived in a trade deal with The Pittsburgh Pirates. In Pittsburgh he’s known for The Closer, a 3-decker grilled cheese sandwich using 9 different premium cheeses. He’s also part of the franchisee group bringing the popular Tom+Chee restaurants to Pittsburgh. Jason is with us live on the road from Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas to talk about it.

The 2014 Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival (4th Annual) is once again upon us taking place in Downtown Los Angeles on August 21 -24. This is one of the biggest culinary festivals staged on the West Coast with culinary masters hosting power lunches, cocktail culture merging with some of the finest chefs for spirited dinners, and first –time events such as the “Ultimate Bites of L.A. Challenge” on Opening Night hosted by Graham Elliott and Fabio Viviani.

The 3rd Annual PigOut (benefiting Inspire Artistic Minds) is set for Sunday afternoon, August 24th at the California Scenario in Costa Mesa.

The main attraction will be a 250 pound Templeton Rye Duroc Pig of the Templeton Rye Heritage Pork Project.

The KTown Night Market and Block Party is coming to Angel Stadium on Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd. It’s 60 plus food trucks and vendors (including the Seoul Sausage Co.) and a large beer garden. Also there will be live music, games and rides. We’ll chat with the co-producer and one of the young founders of the participating Seoul Sausage Co.

Meet Mixologist Chris Amirault of Harlowe, a new bar that’s attracting a lot of attention in West Hollywood. Even his standard cocktails are very special. Chris also creates unusual draft and bottled cocktails.

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

Show 84, August 16, 2014: KTOWN Night Market & OC Block Party

Koreatown Night MarketThe KTown Night Market and Block Party is coming to Angel Stadium on Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd. It’s 60 plus food trucks and vendors (including the Seoul Sausage Co.) and a large beer garden. Also there will be live music, games and rides.

Seoul Sausage Co., the Season 3 winners of Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race,” are curating the all-star mobile culinary experience. The 20 food truck lineup includes fan favorites such as Coolhaus, Slangin Corea, and Fluff Ice.

We’ll chat with the co-producer Danny Park and Yong Kim, one of the young founders of the participating Seoul Sausage Co.

Admission is $3.00 per guest but Danny has a special offer for our AM 830 KLAA radio audience. If you put “Angels” in as the promo code when buying tickets then the first 250 listeners will get in for free!