Show 632, June 21, 2025: Anne Marie Panoringan – Culture OC’s Food Columnist

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is Culture OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Anne Marie also contributes regularly to Eater Los Angeles, LAist, TASTE and a host of other well-respected and noteworthy publications.

Anne Marie joins us in-studio to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC and highlight her current columns. Of course, more tasty Orange County morsels will be part of the conversation including a discussion of Darkroom restaurant in Santa Ana.

First Anne Marie provides an overview of her trip to Chicago to attend the James Beard Awards, the Oscars of the food world. How did the Orange County nominees fare?

Also, Anne Marie provides an overview of her recent Culture OC’s suggestions for Summer dining and beverage picks.

Show 622, April 5, 2025: Anne Marie Panoringan – Culture OC’s Food & Drinks Contributing Writer

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie joins us in-studio to discuss her work as Food Columnist for Culture OC. The long-running fine-dining restaurant, Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian, is going on vacation for a bit. Anne Marie provides the details of what’s to come. She also highlights the just announced Orange County Nominees for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards and the new salivating food items from Executive Chef Dennis Radcliffe at Angel Stadium that caught her eye at the Media Preview.

Show 421, April 17, 2021: Anne Marie Panoringan, Voice of O.C.’s Food Columnist

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Panoringan’s prior efforts includes writing about food for 8 years at the OC Weekly in which she interviewed more than 330 chefs, restauranteurs and industry professionals for her weekly “On the Line” column.

Anne Marie joins us to talk about her top favorite new restaurants of 2020. Her inspired range of picks include “Most Involved,” “Best Looking,” “Most Likely to Succeed,” “Best Personality,” Most Popular” and “Best Location.” We’ll also get a sneak preview of Anne Marie’s next column which publishes on Voice of OC Monday, April 19^th. It’s Filipino Food Month.

Show 399, November 14, 2020: Drew Brahs of Harper Barbecue in Costa Mesa

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Adam Bell

Drew Brahs of Harper Barbecue (Costa Mesa based) is well-known in the West as the go-to builder (via word-if-mouth and Instagram) of hand-crafted, custom smokers for skilled pitmasters and backyard barbecue fans alike. He crafts everything from small backyard pits to large versions on trailers. Drew is responsible for creating the twin, 1,000 gallon smokers offset smokers used at Danny Castillo’s Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano.

Drew is a fan of the Central Texas style of barbecue. In the early stages of development and construction is his long-in-the works restaurant, Harper Barbecue, in Costa Mesa which will be a Family affair. While the restaurant is being built Drew will shift the smoker enterprise to selling stock items. Website coming soon…

We’ll meet barbecue entrepreneur Drew Brahs.

Show 395, October 17, 2020: Anne Marie Panoringan, Voice of OC’s Food Columnist Part Two

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Adam Bell

Anne Marie Panoringan is Voice of OC’s well-informed food columnist. She reports industry news, current events and trends. Panoringan’s prior efforts includes writing about food for 8 years at the OC Weekly in which she interviewed more than 330 chefs, restauranteurs and industry professionals for her weekly “On the Line” column. Anne Marie’s work has been recognized by the Orange County Press Club.

Anne Marie continues with us profiling some recent Santa Barbara dining and libation adventures. Coverage of writings (past and future previews) in Voice of OC will include the Rodeo 39 Public Market marketplace (it’s a diverse food hall with extras) in Stanton. Think Shootz for classic Hawaiian Barbecue with a California flair.

Rodeo 39 is also the home of the Bearded Tang craft brewery (with an already loyal following) where you can view the brewing process. Bearded Tang produces the craft beer styles for Capistrano Brewing Co. located at Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano.

Anne Marie’s columns can be found on the Voice of OC’s Website. Click on the “Arts & Culture” tab on the top of the Home Page.

Show 393, October 3, 2020: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Adam Bell

Barbecue afficionados are overjoyed with the launch in August of the eagerly anticipated Heritage Barbecue from proprietors Daniel and Brenda Castillo in San Juan Capistrano. They have developed a fanatical following for their Central Texas-style barbecue (that’s cooked low and slow) previously served in Orange County at popular pop-ups at area craft breweries. Daniel has trained extensively with prominent Texas pitmasters at their respective establishments. Initially the all outdoor establishment is open Wednesday through Sunday and has the capacity to serve several hundred guests per day (with proper social distancing) until the ‘cue runs out. Pitmaster Danny’s accomplished Executive Chef is Nick Echaore. We’ll pull him away from the intensive pre-opening prep for an update.

Newly released on Virtual Cinema is “A Chef’s Voyage.” The film follows Emmy (Mind of a Chef) and James Beard award-winning Chef David Kinch and his team from their 3 Star Michelin restaurant, Manresa, in Los Gatos, California for a one of a kind “four hands” collaboration in France with three legendary chefs at their iconic restaurants in Paris, Provence, and Marseille. The ambitious trip was a celebration of Manresa’s 15th Anniversary. The feature documentary was Directed (and Produced) by Remi Anfosso. He joins us from France.

Mayfield Restaurant & Market is an ambitious, modern California restaurant and market located in Downtown San Juan Capistrano in an extensively refurbished, historic building. It’s on two levels and includes a comfortable covered patio. The menu has a Mediterranean and Levant flair and there is also an extensive cocktail list along with an ample selection of craft beers and natural wines. Proprietor George Barker and Executive Chef Jayro Martinez join us.

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. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that greatly restrict guest counts. Alternately Take-Out / Delivery when you can surely helps… Ghost Kitchens in their various forms are seemingly on the fast growth track. It also includes chain restaurants with extra kitchen space that are preparing unaffiliated, branded food items To-Go and for delivery. Where is this all going? We’ll, of course, “Ask the Chef.”

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Show 393, October 3, 2020: Nick Echaore, Executive Chef, Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Adam Bell

Barbecue afficionados are overjoyed with the launch in August of Daniel and Brenda Castillo’s Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. They have developed a fanatical following for their Central Texas-style barbecue (that’s cooked low and slow) served in Orange County at popular pop-ups at area craft breweries. Daniel has trained extensively with prominent Texas pitmasters at their respective establishments. Initially the all outdoor establishment is open Wednesday through Sunday and has the capacity to serve several hundred guests per day until the ‘cue runs out.

Pitmaster Danny’s accomplished Executive Chef is Nick Echaore. We’ll pull him away from the intensive pre-opening prep for an update.

Chef Nick has experience across all segments of front and back of house. He comes to Heritage Barbecue from a corporate career at Whole Foods (where he met Pitmaster Danny.) He also spent time at Marche Bacchus in Las Vegas.

Nick is responsible for working with Danny and Lennon (the in-house butcher) to set the menu, sourcing ingredients, recipe development for the creative sides, coordinating schedules with the kitchen team and lots more. He even works the busy order window (just in back) where you’ll see him expertly cutting and packaging the barbecue orders.

Heritage is well-known for their brisket, tri-tip, massive beef ribs, chicken, ribs and sausages. All the proteins are cooked using California White Oak in twin, 1,000 gallon offset smokers crafted by Harper Barbecue in Costa Mesa. Even the selection of from-scratch sides deserve praise. A standout is the Borracho Beans with tri-tip.

October 3: Heritage Barbecue, A Chef’s Voyage, Mayfield Restaurant & Market

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Nick Echaore, Executive Chef, Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano
Segment Three: “A Chef’s Voyage” with Director Rémi Anfosso
Segment Four: Mayfield Restaurant and Market, San Juan Capistrano Part One
Segment Five: Mayfield Restaurant and Market, San Juan Capistrano Part Two
Segment Six: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef” Part One
Segment Seven: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef” Part Two

Newly released on Virtual Cinema is “A Chef’s Voyage.” The film follows Emmy (Mind of a Chef) and James Beard award-winning Chef David Kinch and his team from their 3 Star Michelin restaurant, Manresa, in Los Gatos, California for a one of a kind “four hands” collaboration in France with three legendary chefs at their iconic restaurants in Paris, Provence, and Marseille. The ambitious trip was a celebration of Manresa’s 15 Anniversary. The feature documentary was Directed (and Produced) by Remi Anfosso. He joins us from France.

Mayfield Restaurant & Market is an ambitious, modern California restaurant and market located in Downtown San Juan Capistrano in an extensively refurbished historic building. It’s on two levels and includes a comfortable covered patio. The menu has a Mediterranean and Levant flair and there is also an extensive cocktail list along with an ample selection of craft beers and natural wines. Proprietor George Barker and Executive Chef Jayro Martinez join us.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Pitmaster Danny’s accomplished Executive Chef is Nick Echaore. We’ll pull him away from the intensive pre-opening prep for an update.

Nick is responsible for working with Danny and Lennon (the in-house butcher) to set the menu, sourcing ingredients, recipe development for sides, coordinating schedules with the kitchen team and lots more.

He even works the busy order window (just in back) where you’ll see him expertly cutting and packaging the barbecue orders.

Heritage is well-known for their brisket, tri-tip, chicken, ribs and sausages. All the proteins are cooked using California White Oak in twin, 1,000 gallon offset smokers crafted by Harper Barbecue in Costa Mesa.

Newly released on Virtual Cinema is “A Chef’s Voyage.” The film follows Emmy (Mind of a Chef) and James Beard award-winning Chef David Kinch and his team from their 3 Star Michelin restaurant, Manresa, in Los Gatos, California for a one of a kind “four hands” collaboration in France with three legendary chefs at their iconic restaurants in Paris, Provence, and Marseille. The ambitious trip was a celebration of Manresa’s 15 Anniversary. The feature documentary was Directed (and Produced) by Rémi Anfosso. He joins us from France.

“Rémi Anfosso is a bi-lingual French director working in France and Los Angeles. A Chef’s Voyage (2020) is his feature film directorial debut. Other recent credits include directing/producing Love at First Heist (short/2016) with Attic Light Films, 1st assistant directing with producer Richard Linklater on I Dream Too Much (2015), starring Danielle Brooks and Diane Ladd, and producing with showrunner Nneka Onuorah on the Viceland documentary Queer & Fier(ce) (2019).”

“I believe that gastronomy, like any art, captures the real data on what it’s like to exist. In A Chef’s Voyage, it happens like a family affair: a quiet artist lives by a duty to exist and preserve his legacy within his “reassembled” family that is, his kitchen team. This is a tale of the land, the city and the sea, in which infinite labor meets loving creativity, thereby giving us faithful accounts on being alive.” – Rémi Anfosso

Friday through Saturday (and Sunday afternoon) is their Supper Club menu. It’s served family-style. The menu categories (with choices in each area) include Rip and Dip, Small Plates, Large Plates and Desserts. Already attracting a following is the Za’atar Fried Chicken with hot honey, house ranch and house pickles. (Wednesday and Thursday evenings it’s an a la carte menu with dishes designed to be shared.)

The daytime, a la carte menu (served Wednesday through Sunday,) offers menu categories of Dips, Breakfast Bits and Lunch Dishes.

The Mayfield Market is stocked with premium food products Chef Jayro makes in-house and items Mayfield uses and loves. They carry anything to do with eating and drinking well, including pantry items, natural wines, homeware, cookbooks and more.

Proprietor George Barker and Executive Chef Jayro Martinez join us with all the tempting details.

Ghost Kitchens in their various forms are seemingly on the fast growth track. It also includes national chain restaurants with extra kitchen space that are preparing unaffiliated, branded food items To-Go and for delivery. Where is this all going? Is it a fad or here for the long-run? We’ll, of course, “Ask the Chef.”

Podcasts

Show 383, July 25, 2020: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Adam Bell

Restaurateur Steve Livigni (Scopa Italian Roots & DAMA) is the Food & Beverage Partner for the newly opened June Hotel in Westchester. This is the more casual sister brand of Proper Hotel group. “The first restaurant to launch there is the breezy, Baja-inspired Caravan Swim Club, a 2-story outdoor poolside gathering place for everything from cabana drinks to fire pit gatherings, creative meetings to laid-back lounging. The menus take you on a culinary road trip from Santa Barbara to Northern Baja, Mexico. Enjoy seasonal snacks like charcuterie, ceviche and a raw bar paired with biodynamic wines, craft beer, and small-batch tequila.” Steve Livigni joins us with all the details.

Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser’s flagship restaurant Redbird in Downtown Los Angeles features Modern American cuisine that is refined yet approachable and highlights the multi-cultural influences of Fraser’s native city – Los Angeles. Wine Director Josh Wibbenmeyer’s wine list is well rounded with great finds from both established and emerging wine regions throughout the world. Redbird is open for dine-in with three desirable outdoor seating options including the original Redbird Courtyard. Easy to make reservations on Tock. Currently Redbird is also offering contactless curbside pickup with an a la carte menu, Redbird at Home. Chef Neal Fraser is our guest.

Barbecue afficionados have been eagerly anticipating the pending arrival of Daniel and Brenda Castillo’s Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. They have developed a fanatical following for their Central Texas-style barbecue (that’s cooked low and slow) served in Orange County at popular pop-ups at area craft breweries. Daniel has trained extensively with prominent Texas pitmasters at their respective establishments. The soon-to-open restaurant with the capacity to serve several hundred guests per day (seven days a week) will be all outdoors.

We pull Chef Daniel away from the custom twin offset smokers for a chat.

“The award-winning Old Vine Kitchen & Bar in THE CAMP in Costa Mesa has returned to the Orange County culinary scene by reopening on-premise dining with an emphasis on staff and guest safety and an expansion of its intimate dining experience. In addition to Old Vine’s popular backyard patio, guests can now spend evenings enjoying two newly-acquired outdoor dining spaces: The Roof and The Stairway Patio.” Chef / Proprietor Mark McDonald joins us with all the specifics.

We’ve previously introduced listeners to Darley Newman of PBS’s “Travels with Darley.” “JOURNY, the free AVOD travel channel from Ovation TV, America’s only arts network, is now presenting the first season (13 episodes) of the Daytime Emmy-Nominated show “Travels with Darley.” The series follows six-time Emmy Award-nominated host and producer Darley Newman as she travels with local people in beautiful and awe-inspiring locations (including California) to experience history, culture, food, music, art and adventure.” Darley Newman joins us from somewhere on the road to chronicle her new adventures.

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. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately Take-Out / Delivery when you can surely helps… Please keep in mind common courtesy and politeness when dining. Your server is wearing a mask and face shield for your protection. It’s hard to hear them talk so be patient. It’s never easy being a server but it’s even tougher right now. Great time to be considerate. Tip generously… We’ll, of course “Ask the Chef,” for added insight.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Show 383, July 25, 2020: Chef / Proprietor Daniel Castillo of Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano Part One

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Adam Bell

Barbecue afficionados have been eagerly anticipating the pending arrival of Daniel and Brenda Castillo’s Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. They have developed a fanatical following for their Central Texas-Style craft barbecue (that’s cooked low and slow) served in Orange County at popular pop-ups at area craft breweries. Daniel has trained extensively with prominent Texas pitmasters at their respective establishments. The soon-to-open restaurant with the capacity to serve several hundred guests per day (seven days a week) will be all outdoors.

Heritage is well-known for their brisket, tri-tip, smoked turkey, chicken, ribs and sausages. There is even a proprietary barbecue cheesecake. All the proteins are cooked using California White Oak in twin, 1,000 gallon custom offset smokers crafted by Harper Barbecue in Costa Mesa.

Kingsford, the very familiar charcoal briquet firm, has recently launched a cash award program to recognize (and encourage) barbecue chefs nationwide. Chef Daniel was awarded $10,000 in May by Kingsford with no strings attached.

We pull Chef Daniel away from the twin offset smokers for a meaty chat.