Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Host Kedric Francis & Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris preview the show
Segment Two: Rene Tuinman, Hotel Director, ms Zaandam
Segment Three: Selanne Steak Tavern
Segment Four: Vince Ferragamo, Winemaker & Certified Sommelier
Segment Five: Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi and Michelle Winner
Segment Six: Chef Holly Jivin, The Bazaar by Jose Andres
Segment Seven: Cellar Master Rod, ms Zaandam
Segment Eight: Drinkmaster Michael J. Neff

Guest Host Kedric Francis and Executive Producer & Occasional Co-Host Andy Harris preview the show.

Our always debonair “Man About Orange County,” Kedric Francis, is the Executive Editor of both The Orange County Register Magazine and Coast Magazine.

If you’re under 50 don’t be fooled. There is plenty to do (and thoroughly enjoy) on a luxury cruise ship as a relaxing vacation option. The “SoCal Restaurant Show” was aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam last week on the Vancouver, BC to San Diego sailing of a longer 22-day Inca Discovery Tour ending in Valparaiso, Chile. Over the next few weeks we’ll be giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the key people who oversee this 716 room floating luxury hotel with some 1,400 guests aboard.

A key manager aboard the ms Zaandam is the Hotel Director. He’s basically responsible for everything other than moving, navigating, and maintaining the ship. He actually supervises more of the 615 crew members aboard than the Captain!

Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach debuted with a splash about a year ago. It’s been a really great inaugural year. At the recent Golden Foodie awards Selanne was the recipient of “Best New Restaurant”  (an award decided by peers) and the people’s choice award (decided by popular vote)for “Best Steak.”

Everyone remembers Vince Ferragamo as the popular former quarterback of the L.A. Rams. What you probably don’t know is that Vince is a gentleman wine-maker in Orange County and a certified sommelier. He grows Sangiovese and Cabernet grapes on property in Orange Park Acres.

We’re continuing our report on the recent Hawaii Food & Wine Festival based on Oahu. Food, wine and travel writer Michelle Winner encores with Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguci of Lunchbox in Oahu.

Chef Holly Jivin of The Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills has just been promoted to Chef de Cuisine. She has been part of The Bazaar’s culinary team since the restaurant’s opening. Chef Holly also oversees SAAM, the intimate (and very exclusive) chef’s tasting room located within The Bazaar.

Fine wine as an accompaniment is a big part of enjoying a superb meal at one of the many dining choices aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam. Cellar Master Rod is the gracious public face of the extensive wine and spirits program on the ship. He also provides entertaining wine education programs for the passengers including an interactive Blind Wine Tasting event. His motto is that good wine doesn’t need to be expensive.

The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) presents “Cocktails for Peat’s Sake ! Scotching the Single-Malt Taboo,” the next edition of Touring the Cocktail:MOTAC Los Angeles. The seminar takes place on Monday, Oct. 20th at 6:30 p.m. at The Three Clubs in Hollywood. The evening is hosted by cocktail expert Michael J. Neff.

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

The “SoCal Restaurant Show” was aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam last week on the Vancouver, BC to San Diego sailing of a longer 22-day Inca Discovery Tour ending in Valparaiso, Chile. Over the next few weeks we’ll be giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the key people who oversee this 716 room floating luxury hotel with some 1,400 guests aboard.

A key manager aboard the ms Zaandam is the Hotel Director. He’s basically responsible for everything other than moving, navigating, and maintaining the ship. He actually supervises more of the 615 crew members aboard than the Captain ! Think of a luxury hotel General Manager who also oversees the preparation and serving of over 8,000 meals per day ranging from the casual to fine-dining.

Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach debuted with a splash about a year ago. It’s been a really great inaugural year. At the recent Golden Foodie Awards Selanne was the recipient of “Best New Restaurant” (an award decided by peers) and the people’s choice award (decided by popular vote)for “Best Steak.”

Selanne’s accomplished pastry chef, Heather Fisher, was also nominated for Golden Pastry Chef at The Golden Foodie Awards, also a prestigious peer-decided category.

Joshua Severson is the executive chef at Selanne Steak Tavern. It’s owned by legendary former Anaheim Ducks hockey player and six-time Olympian Teemu Selanne and local Orange County businessman Kevin Pratt.

Southern Californians fondly remember Vince Ferragamo as the popular former quarterback of the L.A. Rams. What you probably don’t know is that Vince is a gentleman wine-maker in Orange County and a certified sommelier. He grows Sangiovese and Cabernet grapes on property in Orange Park Acres.

He’s also been a judge at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition in Pomona.

Ferragamo’s personal cellar is some 2,000 bottles. Not surprisingly he favors Italian wines.

We’re continuing our report on the recent Hawaii Food & Wine Festival based on Oahu. Food, wine and travel writer Michelle Winner encores with Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi of Lunchbox in Oahu.

Chef Mark Noguchi was part of Laulima at Heeia, a cultural education event (and lunch) the Friday afternoon of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Oahu. Part of the effort was in both a dry and wet taro field. In Hawaii it’s traditionally used in the making of Poi.

Chef Mark also initiated the innovative LunchBox program for Hawaiian Airlines.  Healthy meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients are now on the menu for Hawaiian Airlines’ employees.

Chef Holly Jivin of The Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills has just been promoted to Chef de Cuisine. She has been part of The Bazaar’s culinary team since the restaurant’s opening. Chef Holly also oversees SAAM, the intimate (and very exclusive) chef’s tasting room located within The Bazaar.

Chef Michael Voltaggio (Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Ink and Ink Sack) originally hired her.

Fine wine as an accompaniment is a big part of enjoying a superb meal at one of the many dining choices aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam. Cellar Master Rod is the gracious public face of the extensive wine and spirits program on the ship. He also provides entertaining wine education programs for the passengers including an interactive Blind Wine Tasting event.

His motto is that good wine doesn’t need to be expensive.

Cellar Master Rod’s basic wine cellar is 9,000 bottles. He sells some 400 to 600 bottles of wine every day aboard ship.

The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) presents “Cocktails for Peat’s Sake! Scotching the Single-Malt Taboo,” the next edition of Touring the Cocktail:MOTAC Los Angeles. The seminar takes place on Monday, Oct. 20th at 6:30 p.m. at The Three Clubs in Hollywood. The evening is hosted by cocktail expert Michael J. Neff.

“Join The Museum of the American Cocktail and cocktail expert Michael J. Neff for an exploration of the ways in which single malt whisky can elevate mixed drinks. Classic and modern ideas will be evaluated and sampled under the direction of Michael Neff, playwright and author who opened the famous Ward III and Rum House in New York. Mr. Neff’s cocktails have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other publications. We are pleased that he will be serve as both presenter and drinkmaster.”

“The Three Clubs, a classic 1950s cocktail lounge and one of Hollywood’s secret delights, will host and serve a light dinner as well as gourmet chocolates.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Host Kedric Francis & Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris preview the show
Segment Two: Rene Tuinman, Hotel Director, ms Zaandam
Segment Three: Selanne Steak Tavern
Segment Four: Vince Ferragamo, Winemaker & Certified Sommelier
Segment Five: Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi and Michelle Winner
Segment Six: Chef Holly Jivin, The Bazaar by Jose Andres
Segment Seven: Cellar Master Rod, ms Zaandam
Segment Eight: Drinkmaster Michael J. Neff