Show 683, June 13, 2026: Picala Spanish Kitchen, Cumulus District, L.A. with Executive Chef Luis Sierra

Luis Sierra of Picala

Acme Hospitality, renowned for its distinctive independent restaurants and boutique hotels across California, proudly unveils its latest endeavor, Picala. Positioned as a landmark dining destination, Picala will anchor the innovative Cumulus District, located in the West Adams neighborhood at the crossroads of where Culver City, South Los Angeles, and West Los Angeles come together.”

“Rooted in the Spanish tradition of sharing food in community, it’s a restaurant designed for connection where dinner, drinks, and chisme naturally come together. Guests can stop by the bar for a quick tapa and cocktail, linger with friends on the patio, or settle into the dining room for a complete live-fired feast. Ingredient-driven, fresh, and welcoming, Picala aspires to be where West L.A. comes to eat, drink, and belong.”

“At the culinary helm is Chef Luis Sierra, who brings a deep respect for culinary tradition to Picala, shaped by a career rooted in curiosity, craft, and place. His journey began not in a kitchen, but under the ground in archaeology, studying ancient hearths across the American Southwest. There, early cooking practices and regional ingredients sparked a fascination with how people cook and gather, a thread that would follow him into kitchens around the world.” Chef Luis takes a short break from his busy kitchen to join us.

“Before joining Picala, Sierra served as Chef de Cuisine at Lulu in Los Angeles’s Hammer Museum, founded by Alice Waters and David Tanis. At Picala, he channels that range into a seasonal live-fired menu of soulful, shareable dishes inspired by Spain and shaped by California, where every dish celebrates the beauty of cooking simply, eating communally, and gathering often.”

Show 482, July 9, 2022: Matthieu Mangenot, Technical Director, Domaines Albert Bichot, Beaune, France Part One

Matthieu Mangenot of Domaines Albert Bichot

Matthieu Mangenot is the Technical Director for Domaines Albert Bichot based in Beaune, France. His last stop on his recent mid-May tour of the United States was at the new Restaurant Lulu at The Hammer Museum in Westwood overseeing a lunch and tasting of Albert Bichot wines for a select group of food and wine journalists. Matthieu joins us from Beaune, France (Burgundy) to pull the cork on all that is Domaines Albert Bichot.

“The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. From 1350, the family was established in Burgundy, at its stronghold on Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. The family’s coat of arms has not changed since then, nor has its symbol, a deer. Since 1996, Alberic Bichot has represented the 6th generation to run the house.

“Albert Bichot is present all along Burgundy with more than 250 acres shared by 6 prestigious estates.”

“Albert Bichot’s expertise is based on respect for terroir and for nature. Using organic and sustainable viticultural practices, based on observation, prevention and attention to Nature’s equilibrium, Albert Bichot strives to preserve this fertile land for future generations.”

“Each domaine is in the hands of a dedicated viticulture team and vinification team who tailors wines with a perfect sense of terroir. This is unique in Burgundy.”

“Matthieu Mangenot joined the Albert Bichot team in 2007 as manager of the Domaine Long-Depaquit estate in Chablis. His dual training as an agronomist and an oenologist allows him to have a comprehensive approach to winemaking, from vineyard management to bottling.”

Show 482, July 9, 2022: Matthieu Mangenot, Technical Director, Domaines Albert Bichot, Beaune, France Part Two

Matthieu Mangenot of Domaines Albert Bichot

Matthieu Mangenot is the Technical Director for Domaines Albert Bichot based in Beaune, France. His last stop on his recent mid-May tour of the United States was at the new Restaurant Lulu at The Hammer Museum in Westwood overseeing a lunch and tasting of Albert Bichot wines for a select group of food and wine journalists. Matthieu joins us from Beaune, France (Burgundy) to pull the cork on all that is Domaines Albert Bichot.

“The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. From 1350, the family was established in Burgundy, at its stronghold on Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. The family’s coat of arms has not changed since then, nor has its symbol, a deer. Since 1996, Alberic Bichot has represented the 6th generation to run the house.

“Albert Bichot is present all along Burgundy with more than 250 acres shared by 6 prestigious estates.”

“Albert Bichot’s expertise is based on respect for terroir and for nature. Using organic and sustainable viticultural practices, based on observation, prevention and attention to Nature’s equilibrium, Albert Bichot strives to preserve this fertile land for future generations.”

“Each domaine is in the hands of a dedicated viticulture team and vinification team who tailors wines with a perfect sense of terroir. This is unique in Burgundy.”

“Matthieu Mangenot joined the Albert Bichot team in 2007 as manager of the Domaine Long-Depaquit estate in Chablis. His dual training as an agronomist and an oenologist allows him to have a comprehensive approach to winemaking, from vineyard management to bottling.”