Show 224, May 20, 2017: Eric Samaniego, Executive Chef, Michael’s on Naples, Long Beach

Eric SamaniegoExecutive Chef Eric Samaniego (ex-Little Sparrow) is hosting an unusual 5-course collaboration dinner with Taco Maria’s (SoCo in Costa Mesa) acclaimed chef/proprietor Carlos Salgado on May 24th at Michael’s on Naples in Long Beach. This is part of Michael’s on Naples ongoing monthly “Guest Chef’ing” series.

Among the many accomplishments of Chef Salgado is being named one of Food & Wine’s Best Chefs of 2015. Taco Maria is known for Alta California cuisine, an intriguing fusion of Mexican and American flavors and cultures.

Chef Samaniego never reveals in advance what he and his guest chef will prepare simply because he’s not quite sure himself. The evening tends to be spontaneous, much like going to a friend’s home for dinner and leaving the menu up to the host. Both chefs will shop the local farmers’ markets and visit Farm Lot 59, the local urban farm, for ingredients just days before, which will drive the creativity of their five-course dinner.

“I really like collaborating with other chefs,” said Samaniego. “I love to try new techniques and experiment with new ideas in the kitchen. It’s even more fun when you’re cooking with someone you have tremendous respect for and consider a friend. I’m looking forward to having Chef Salgado join me on May 24.”

Chefs Samaniego joins us for an enticing preview.

January 26: Pop-Ups, Eating Las Vegas, Barbara Fairchild, Bricia Lopez

Podcasts

Segment One: Helena Brown and Helen Springut, “this is not a pop-up.” Part One
Segment Two: Helena Brown and Helen Springut, “this is not a pop-up.” Part Two
Segment Three: Al Mancini, restaurant critic for CityLife (Las Vegas)
Segment Four: Barbara Fairchild, food and travel journalist, educator, former Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit Magazine
Segment Five: Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza restaurants in Koreatown and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood Part One
Segment Six: Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza restaurants in Koreatown and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood Part Two

There is a new twist in pop-ups (restaurants) locally and you’ll hear all about it.

The definitive dining guidebook to the best eating in Las Vegas is Eating Las Vegas 2013.The mastermind behind the ambitious project, Al Mancini, will be with us to explain it all.

What’s it like dining in Washington, D.C. during the recent inaugural festivities? We’ll have a report.

Our tequila and mescal expert is back with us to guide us through a tasting!

This is not a pop upWhat’s new in pop-up restaurants? Helena Brown and Helen Springut joined forces to create “this is not as pop-up.” Thursday through Sunday evenings at Square One in Los Angeles a guest chef presents a 5-course tasting menu under this umbrella for one week.

Currently cooking is Food Network’s Adam Gertler with a deli menu.

Bruce Kalman of The Churchill starts his guest chefing run next week on January 31st.

With dining prices on the rise in Las Vegas you don’t want to make a bad dining choice, and there is no reason to with the vast resources available to savvy visitors.

The best dining guide to the City is Eating Las Vegas: The 50 Essential Restaurants from Huntington Press.

It is written by the three top restaurant critics in Las Vegas who agree on very little and couldn’t be more different! Co-author Al Mancini, who developed the idea, is our guest.

Barbara FairchildBarbara Fairchild, the long-time, former editor-in-chief of Bon Appetit Magazine checks in with a report on dining in the Nation’s Capital during the just-concluded inauguration festivities.

Time to learn the finer points of Tequila and Mezcal appreciation. The delightful Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza restaurants in Koreatown and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood is in-studio to be our guide and instructor. Ole.

Podcasts

Segment One: Helena Brown and Helen Springut, “this is not a pop-up.” Part One
Segment Two: Helena Brown and Helen Springut, “this is not a pop-up.” Part Two
Segment Three: Al Mancini, restaurant critic for CityLife (Las Vegas)
Segment Four: Barbara Fairchild, food and travel journalist, educator, former Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit Magazine
Segment Five: Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza restaurants in Koreatown and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood Part One
Segment Six: Bricia Lopez of the Guelaguetza restaurants in Koreatown and Plaza Mexico in Lynwood Part Two