Show 119, April 25, 2015: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

It’s celebrity chef season on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and we’re well-represented ! Now a preview of today’s delightfully overstuffed show.

First, a recap of “The Big Cheese” Grilled Cheese Festival & Competition held last Monday night, April 20th at Provisions Market in Orange hosted by The OC Baking Co. and Provisions Market and benefiting You Are Special, a local nonprofit that operates a food pantry to feed the hungry in the Orange Community.

One of the most exciting collections of Awards presented by the James Beard Foundation annually is the America’s Classics. This honor is given to regional establishments, often family-owned, that are treasured for their quality food, local character, and lasting appeal. One of the five recipients for 2015 is Los Angeles’ Guelaguetza located in Koreatown and founded in 1994. Representing the second generation of proud family ownership is our in-studio guest, Bricia Lopez.

A really unusual Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner featuring incredible vintage years from Spain’s Bodegas Faustino is coming up at Scott’s Restaurant in Costa Mesa on Thursday evening May 7th. This is part of the ongoing Wine Exchange’s Wine + Food series. The 2001 Gran Reserva was selected by Decanter magazine as their “Wine of the Year” in 2013. Scott’s Executive Chef Michael Doctulero has created a dazzling four-course menu especially for the evening. Chef Doctulero and Wine Exchange’s Kyle Meyer join us with all the salivating details.

Chef Jet Tila, the Emeritus Host of the “SoCal Restaurant Show,” really needs no introduction. He’s the Royal Thai Government’s official Culinary Ambassador to the United States. Jet is the most-used permanent solo judge on Food Network’s hit series, “Cutthroat Kitchen” with host Alton Brown. Jet is with us to discuss his participation in Food Network’s upcoming “Chopped All-Stars Tournament.” A cool $75,000 is on the line for the winning celebrity chef’s charity!

ou know celebrity chef Eric Greenspan from his National Geographic Channel series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry.” Chef Eric is back on Food Network with the “Chopped All-Star Tournament: Part 1.” It premiers on Tuesday, April 28th. Each celebrity chef is playing for the $75,000 grand prize for their favorite charity. In Heat 1 Chef Eric is pitted against Madison Cowan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith.

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar presents its 7th Annual “Sunday in the Vineyard” fundraiser on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The benefit features a wine tasting with more than 80 wines, many of which are considered unique and rare finds from boutique wineries spanning the globe. The walk-around event will be held alongside a collection of rare automobiles at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin. It benefits the Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Eddie Guardado Foundation. The afternoon also includes a sampling of passed hors d’oeuvres by The Winery’s Executive Chef and Partner, Yvon Goetz along with live and silent auctions. Priscilla Marconi, representing The Marconi Foundation For Kids, is our guest.

San Diegans fondly remember Chef Riko Bartolome as the chef/proprietor of the highly regarded Asia –Vous in Escondido. Chef Riko is now the executive chef of Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui where he oversees all culinary experiences there including the resort’s signature restaurant, Cane & Canoe. Chef Riko joins us from Maui.

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

April 25: Bricia Lopez, Wine Exchange, Scott’s Restaurant, Jet Tila, Eric Greenspan, Marconi Foundation For Kids, Montage Kapalua Bay

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Bricia Lopez, Guelaguetza, Los Angeles
Segment Three: Wine Exchange’s Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan
Segment Six: Sunday in the Vineyard Benefit
Segment Seven: Executive Chef Riko Bartolome, Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui
Segment Eight: Bricia Lopez and Fernando Lopez, Jr, Guelaguetza

It’s celebrity chef season on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and we’re well-represented ! Now a preview of today’s delightfully overstuffed show.

One of the most exciting collections of Awards presented by the James Beard Foundation annually is the America’s Classics. This honor is given to regional establishments, often family-owned, that are treasured for their quality food, local character, and lasting appeal. One of the five recipients for 2015 is Los Angeles’ Guelaguetza located in Koreatown and founded in 1994. Representing the second generation of proud family ownership is our in-studio guest, Bricia Lopez.

A really unusual Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner featuring incredible vintage years from Spain’s Bodegas Faustino is coming up at Scott’s Restaurant in Costa Mesa on Thursday evening May 7th. This is part of the ongoing Wine Exchange’s Wine + Food series. The 2001 Gran Reserva was selected by Decanter magazine as their “Wine of the Year” in 2013. Scott’s Executive Chef Michael Doctulero has created a dazzling four-course menu especially for the evening. Chef Doctulero and Wine Exchange’s Kyle Meyer join us with all the salivating details.

Chef Jet Tila, the Emeritus Host of the “SoCal Restaurant Show,” really needs no introduction. He’s the Royal Thai Government’s official Culinary Ambassador to the United States. Jet is the most-used permanent solo judge on Food Network’s hit series, “Cutthroat Kitchen” with host Alton Brown. Jet is with us to discuss his participation in Food Network’s upcoming “Chopped All-Stars Tournament.” A cool $75,000 is on the line for the winning celebrity chef’s charity!

ou know celebrity chef Eric Greenspan from his National Geographic Channel series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry.” Chef Eric is back on Food Network with the “Chopped All-Star Tournament : Part 1.” It premiers on Tuesday, April 28th. Each celebrity chef is playing for the $75,000 grand prize for their favorite charity. In Heat 1 Chef Eric is pitted against Madison Cowan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith.

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar presents its 7th Annual “Sunday in the Vineyard” fundraiser on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The benefit features a wine tasting with more than 80 wines, many of which are considered unique and rare finds from boutique wineries spanning the globe. The walk-around event will be held alongside a collection of rare automobiles at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin. It benefits the Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Eddie Guardado Foundation. The afternoon also includes a sampling of passed hors d’oeuvres by The Winery’s Executive Chef and Partner, Yvon Goetz, along with live and silent auctions. Priscilla Marconi, representing The Marconi Foundation For Kids, is our guest.

San Diegans fondly remember Chef Riko Bartolome as the chef/proprietor of the highly regarded Asia –Vous in Escondido. Chef Riko is now the executive chef of Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui where he oversees all culinary experiences there including the resort’s signature restaurant, Cane & Canoe. Chef Riko joins us from Maui.

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

Bricia LopezOne of the most exciting series of Awards presented by the James Beard Foundation annually is the America’s Classics. This honor is given to regional establishments, often family-owned, that are treasured for their quality food, local character, and lasting appeal. One of the five recipients for 2015 is Los Angeles’ Guelaguetza located in Koreatown and founded in 1994. This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the 25th anniversary James Beard Foundation Awards taking place on Monday, May 4th at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Guelaguetza, founded by Fernando Lopez in 1994, is the center of Oaxacan life in Los Angeles, and the setting for countless quinceaneras, weddings, and anniversaries. A sprawling restaurant located in Koreatown, it features live music on a bandstand every night. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant draws both homesick Oaxacans and outlanders in search of honest Oaxacan foods.

Representing the proud second generation of family ownership is our in-studio guest, Bricia Lopez.

Michael DoctuleroA really unusual Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner featuring a series of incredible vintage years from Spain’s Bodegas Faustino is coming up at Scott’s Restaurant in Costa Mesa on Thursday evening May 7th. This is part of the ongoing Wine Exchange’s Wine + Food series. Scott’s Executive Chef Michael Doctulero has created a dazzling, all-original four-course menu for the evening.

The 2001 Gran Reserva was selected by Decanter magazine as their “Wine of the Year” in 2013. The Bodegas Faustino wines show the love for the land and the expertise of a family of winemakers with a tradition of winemaking for over 150 years.

Being poured at the Scott’s evening are the 1964, ’71, ’85, ’87, ’90, ’91 and 2001 Gran Reserva vintages, as well as a preview of the heralded 2004 Gran Reserva.

Tickets are $179 per guest, all inclusive. The evening will sell-out.

Chef Doctulero and Wine Exchange’s Kyle Meyer (President and Director of Purchasing) join us with all the salivating details.

Jet Tila and a heritage pig at Cochon 555 in 2013Chef Jet Tila, the Emeritus Host of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” really needs no introduction. He’s the Royal Thai Government’s official Culinary Ambassador to the United States. He’s involved with Stir Market on Beverly Blvd. Jet is the most-used permanent solo judge on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen with host Alton Brown.

Jet is with us to discuss his participation in Food Network’s upcoming “Chopped All-Stars Tournament.” A cool $75,000 is on the line for the winning celebrity chef’s charity!

Jet’s heat is “All-Stars Tournament: Part 4” where there is just one more spot in the Grand Finale up for grabs. Competing with Chef Jet are Rocco DiSpiritio, Fabio Viviani and Lee Anne Wong. “The All-Stars open the appetizer baskets and find a succulent seafood and an Asian pastry. In the entrée round, the chefs will need to get creative in order to cook a perfect piece of beef in time. And some fish-shaped snacks meet crystals that pop in the dessert round.”

Look for Chef Jet in the new PBS series, Lucky Chow with hostess Danielle Chang the creator of the Lucky Rice festivals. Jet’s episode is celebrating Thai New Year with stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and in New York at the James Beard Foundation.

Eric GreenspanYou probably recognize celebrity chef Eric Greenspan from his National Geographic Channel series, Eric Greenspan is Hungry.” Chef Eric is also the proprietor of Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese and The Roof on Wilshire, both in Los Angeles.

Chef Eric is back on Food Network with the “Chopped All-Stars Tournament : Part 1.” It premiers on Tuesday, April 28th. Each celebrity chef is playing for the $75,000 grand prize for their favorite charity. In Heat 1 Chef Eric is pitted against Madison Cowan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith.

In the first round, a slimy ingredient provokes some disgusted reactions from the competitors and judges. In the entrée round, the beautiful fish in the basket leads the chefs to make some surprising mistakes. And when the two finalists go in totally different directions with their desserts, it’s up in the air which approach will be more pleasing to the judges. Judges for this episode are Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Amanda Freitag.

Priscilla MarconiThe Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar presents its 7th Annual “Sunday in the Vineyard” fundraiser on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The benefit features a premium wine tasting with more than 80 wines, many of which are considered unique and rare finds from boutique wineries spanning the globe.

The event will be held alongside a collection of rare automobiles at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin. It benefits the Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Eddie Guardado Foundation. The afternoon also includes a sampling of passed hors d’oeuvres by The Winery’s Executive Chef and Partner, Yvon Goetz, along with live and silent auctions.

“This is our seventh year hosting “Sunday in the Vineyard” and, judging by the success of the first six years, during which we raised approximately $308,000, it’s well on its way to becoming an event that will continue to make a positive impact by raising significant funds for worthy organizations in our community,” commented JC Clow, Managing Partner at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar. “We’re delighted to have formed a long-term partnership with the Marconi Foundation for Kids that will continue to support the efforts of nonprofits.”

Priscilla Marconi, representing The Marconi Foundation For Kids, is our guest.

Riko BartolomeSan Diegans fondly remember Chef Riko Bartolome as the chef/proprietor of the highly regarded Asia –Vous in Escondido. Chef Riko is now the executive chef of Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui where he oversees all culinary experiences there including the resort’s signature restaurant, Cane & Canoe. With extensive Hawaiian experience, Bartolome created a menu at Cane & Canoe inspired by the Island’s multicultural heritage serving modern Hawaiian fare, with Asian influences.

Known for his signature Asian fusion style Chef Riko graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and began his career at Hyatt Regency Aventine in La Jolla, CA. Bartolome has directed culinary programs at luxury hotels including Grand Wailea Maui, Hawaii, as well as Hotel Nikko’s Pangaea (Los Angeles), Hotel Del Coronado’s Crown Room, W Hotel, and Asia-Vous, all located in the San Diego area.

Earlier in the year Chef Riko participated in the Maui Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s “cultural chef exchanges” series. The culinary tour sent top Maui chefs to the West Coast to join chefs in their own kitchens in Los Angeles and San Francisco to create joint food experiences.

Chef Riko joins us from Maui.

Bricia LopezOne of the most exciting series of Awards presented by the James Beard Foundation annually is the America’s Classics. This honor is given to regional establishments, often family-owned, that are treasured for their quality food, local character, and lasting appeal. One of the five recipients for 2015 is Los Angeles’ Guelaguetza located in Koreatown and founded in 1994. This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the 25th anniversary James Beard Foundation Awards taking place on Monday, May 4th at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Bricia Lopez, one of the four children of Fernando Lopez and Maria de Jesus, now runs the restaurant along with her brother, Fernando Lopez, Jr., and her sister, Paulina Lopez. They have added a mescal bar and often bring in top producers from Mexico for seminars. The real star, however, remains the soulful Oaxacan food, including enfrijolados, tamales steamed in banana leaves with mole, bowls of goat stew, and big rounds of tiayudas, baked corn tortillas topped with semi-dried beef, Oaxacan cheese, and sometimes even grasshoppers.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Bricia Lopez, Guelaguetza, Los Angeles
Segment Three: Wine Exchange’s Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan
Segment Six: Sunday in the Vineyard Benefit
Segment Seven: Executive Chef Riko Bartolome, Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui
Segment Eight: Bricia Lopez and Fernando Lopez, Jr, Guelaguetza

Show 60, February 8, 2013: Linda Kissam, Food, Wine & Travel Journalist, 1st Vice President, IFWTWA

Linda KissamThe very well-traveled Linda Kissam is a respected food, wine, and travel writer who is on the go most of the time. She serves as the 1st Vice President of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. She is also an author and the Global Wine & Travel Editor-at-Large for Luxe Beat Magazine.

Late last year Linda was invited to Spain to tour the Penedes wine region, the heart of cava sparkling wine production. Her mission was to taste and evaluate 50 fine cavas over an intensive five day period. Linda shares the highlights of this very special experience with us.