Show 341, September 21, 2019: Carolynn Carreno, Valle Food & Wines Fest, Event Founder and Producer Part One

Author Carolyn Carreno=The 3rd annual Valle Food & Wine Festival, hosted by celebrity chefs Nancy Silverton and Javier Plascencia, returns to Valle de Guadalupe, the hottest new wine-travel destination in the west, on Saturday, October 5, 2019 with a stellar list of over 30 award-winning culinary talents from both sides of the United States-Mexico border.

The festival is unique in drawing a lineup of top chefs from as far as Mexico City and New York City to promote and celebrate the bounty of the region and the cuisine and wines of Baja California, both now being recognized world-wide.

“I fell in love with the Valle de Guadalupe while cooking a dinner there two summers ago,” says Nancy Silverton. “I knew I wanted to come back and to give back to this place. By the end of a marvelous weekend under the stars in this magical place, Javier, Carolynn, and I had decided to start a festival.”

James Beard Award-winning writer Carolyn Carreno, Event Co-Founder and Producer, joins us from the Guadalupe Valley with the alluring preview of Valle Food & Wine Festival.

Show 341, September 21, 2019: Carolynn Carreno, Valle Food & Wines Fest, Event Founder and Producer Part Two

Author Carolyn CarrenoThe 3rd annual Valle Food & Wine Festival, hosted by celebrity chefs Nancy Silverton and Javier Plascencia, returns to Valle de Guadalupe, the hottest new wine-travel destination in the west, on Saturday, October 5, 2019 with a stellar list of over 30 award-winning culinary talents from both sides of the United States-Mexico border.

The festival is unique in drawing a lineup of top chefs from as far as Mexico City and New York City to promote and celebrate the bounty of the region and the cuisine and wines of Baja California, both now being recognized world-wide.

James Beard Award-winning writer Carolynn Carreno, Event Co-Founder and Producer, continues the preview of Valle Food & Wine Festival from Finca Altozano (the Fest site) in the Guadalupe Valley in northern Baja.

Show 196, November 5, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Brea, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Rams and USC Football, is back as today’s Guest Host. San Clemente is launching next. In May in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association’s annual conclave he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Now an appetizing preview of Saturday’s fully-loaded show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

Puerto Vallarta is a welcoming visitor destination in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. This November 11th to 20th, 2016 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta. Festival Co-founder, Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, joins us from Mexico with the needed 411.

Simran Sethi is a journalist, author and educator focused on food, sustainability and social change. Her new book, Bread, Wine Chocolate tells the story of what we are losing, how we are losing it, and the inspiring people and places that are bringing back the foods we love. Simran Sethi is our guest.

The Loews Coronado Bay Resort is situated on a private 15-acre peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Coronado Bay. Executive Chef Chris Aguirre joined the property earlier this year. He oversees all of the resort’s restaurants and day-to-day culinary operations. We’ll meet him.

For James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist Javier Plascencia, the U.S. – Mexico Border is not a barrier between two countries, but rather the inspiration for his signature Baja Peninsula cuisine. On September 30th Chef Javier presented his Bracero Cocina de Raiz dinner at the James Beard Foundation in Manhattan. Tuesday night, Nov. 1st Chef Javier recreated that special menu at Bracero in San Diego as a benefit for the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food. Bracero’s GM J.M. Woody Van Horn shares that incredible evening with us.

The Dean of French Chefs in San Diego is Maitre Cuisiner de France Bernard Guillas the executive chef of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, the Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, and the landmark AAA, 4-Diamoind Award Marine Room Restaurant. Chef Bernard is our guest.

It’s been almost 10-years in the planning but dirt is being moved at Europa Village winery in Temecula to prepare for the construction of three wine themed European resorts on prime vineyard land that was previously home to Callaway. Europa Village’s Agent Du Vin Gregg English provides the preview of what’s to come.

Our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group, is in the know. He now shares a new list of personally researched and hand-selected “Finds” with us. Previously suggested were primo breakfast spots that are a bit hidden, fast food breakfast items that are real standouts, child friendly restaurants in the OC that are chef-driven, better burger spots and more…Today fresh seafood is on his mind.

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

November 5: Thierry Blouet, Simran Sethi, Loews Coronado Bay, Bracero Cocina de Raiz, Bernard Guillas, Europa Village

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Thierry Blouet, Executive Chef / Proprietor, Café des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Segment Three: Food Journalist & Author Simran Sethi, Bread, Wine, Chocolate – The Slow Loss of Foods We Love
Segment Four: Executive Chef Chris Aguirre, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado
Segment Five: J.M. Woody Van Horn, General Manager, Javier Plascencia’s Bracero Cocina de Raiz, San Diego
Segment Six: Bernard Guillas, Executive Chef, Director of Food and Beverage, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, The Marine Room, La Jolla
Segment Seven: Gregg English, Agent Du Vin, Europa Village Winery, Temecula, CA
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group

Please join us at the special time of 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. PDT only for this Saturday, November 5th. We’re back to our usual broadcast time of 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon on November 12th. Thanks for sticking with us…

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Brea, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for Rams and USC Football, is back as today’s Guest Host. San Clemente is launching next. In May in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association’s annual conclave he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Puerto Vallarta is a welcoming visitor destination in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. This November 11th to 20th, 2016 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta. Festival Co-founder, Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, joins us from Mexico with the needed 411.

Simran Sethi is a journalist, author and educator focused on food, sustainability and social change. Her new book, Bread, Wine Chocolate tells the story of what we are losing, how we are losing it, and the inspiring people and places that are bringing back the foods we love. Simran Sethi is our guest.

The Loews Coronado Bay Resort is situated on a private 15-acre peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Coronado Bay. Executive Chef Chris Aguirre joined the property earlier this year. He oversees all of the resort’s restaurants and day-to-day culinary operations. We’ll meet him.

For James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist Javier Plascencia, the U.S. – Mexico Border is not a barrier between two countries, but rather the inspiration for his signature Baja Peninsula cuisine. On September 30th Chef Javier presented his Bracero Cocina de Raiz dinner at the James Beard Foundation in Manhattan. Last Tuesday night, Nov. 1st Chef Javier recreated that special menu at Bracero in San Diego as a benefit for the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food. Bracero’s GM J.M. Woody Van Horn shares that incredible evening with us.

The Dean of French Chefs in San Diego is Maitre Cuisiner de France Bernard Guillas the executive chef of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, the Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, and the landmark AAA, 4-Diamoind Award Marine Room restaurant. Chef Bernard is our guest.

It’s been almost 10-years in the planning but dirt is being moved at Europa Village in Temecula to prepare for the construction of three wine themed European resorts on prime vineyard land that was previously home to Callaway. Europa Village’s Agent Du Vin Gregg English provides the preview of what’s to come.

Our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group, is in the know. He now shares a new list of personally researched and hand-selected “Finds” with us. Previously suggested were primo breakfast spots that are a bit hidden, fast food breakfast items that are real standouts, child friendly restaurants in the OC that are chef-driven, better burger spots and more…

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

Thierry BlouetPuerto Vallarta is a welcoming visitor destination in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. This November 11th to 20th, 2016 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta. Festival Co-founder, Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes joins from Mexico us with the needed 411.

“Exclusivity, elegance and comfort of its many gourmet-chic environments distinguish the Café des Artistes, which for 25 years has earned the crown as the icon restaurant in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay, Jalisco. It’s synonymous with tradition, art and distinction for local, national and foreign guests.”

The Gourmet Festival turns 22! In 1995 Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize originated the idea of promoting and upgrading the culinary standards to competitive international levels by interacting with new methods and the creativity of highly qualified chefs.

The first Gourmet Festival took place in 1995 with the participation of six hotels and six independent restaurants. The original format remains unchanged; each one of the participant restaurants invites a celebrity in the culinary scene.

In 2000, Chef Roland Menetrey joined the team and since then the festival has been organized by the three musketeers.

In twenty-two years changes are seen in the growth and expansion of the Festival to the Riviera Nayarit and Tepic. Twenty-five, first – class hotels and restaurants will be participating this year.

To date, The Festival Gourmet International has hosted and pampered almost half a million gourmet fans, and five hundred chef-celebrities have visited. The Festival strives to improve every year.

Simran SethiSimran Sethi is a journalist, author and educator focused on food, sustainability and social change.

Her new book, Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love part memoir of a journey to six continents in pursuit of delicious and endangered tastes, part investigation of the loss of biodiversity from soil to plate – tells the story of what we are losing, how we are losing it, and the inspiring people and places that are bringing back the foods we love.

Join award-winning journalist Simran Sethi as she travels from wild coffee forests in Ethiopia to cocoa plantations of Ecuador, from the brewery to the bakery and the temple, to meet scientists, farmers, chefs, wine makers, beer brewers, coffee roasters and chocolate connoisseurs to discuss the reasons for this loss and learn what it means to experience food in a whole new way, tasting foods more deeply through each one of our senses in order to savor – and save – the foods we love.

Chris AguirreThe Loews Coronado Bay Resort is situated on a private 15-acre peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Coronado Bay. Executive Chef Chris Aguirre joined the property earlier this year in March. Most recently he was at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

He oversees all of the resort’s restaurants including Mistral Restaurant, the Market Café, Market to Go, the Cays Lounge, the Cantina Restaurant, banquets and room service. We’ll meet him.

Aguirre has deep roots in the restaurant industry. His grandmother ran a steakhouse in Texas during the Great Depression along with a speakeasy – so it could be said he was born for the culinary world. Growing up in Los Angeles with three brothers, he developed a passion for food at a young age. “We were all big eaters and loved to hold cooking competitions to see who could make the best dish in the house,” recalls Aguirre. His dad, a foodie himself, always held the position of official “taste tester.”

Aguirre found himself in professional kitchens at the young age of 15. After high school he soon realized his true passion was in the kitchen. He graduated from the Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, and worked at a variety of Southern California restaurants including the St. Regis Hotel before moving to Texas.

There, he worked closely with Jean Georges Vongerichten at Bank – a formative experience in his culinary career. “Working with Jean Georges greatly influenced my style of cooking. I believe in sourcing the best ingredients you can, and from there, just keeping it simple – allowing the true natural flavors shine through,” said Aguirre.

JM Woody Von HornFor James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist Javier Plascencia, the U.S. – Mexico Border is not a barrier between two countries, but rather the inspiration for his signature Baja Peninsula cuisine.

On September 30th Chef Javier presented his Bracero Cocina de Raiz dinner at the James Beard Foundation in Manhattan. Last Tuesday night, Nov. 1st. Chef Javier recreated that special 5-course menu at Bracero in San Diego as a benefit for the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food. Each course was paired with a Palloni wine from Baja.

Bracero’s GM J.M. Woody Van Horn (a previous AIWF scholarship recipient) shares that incredible evening with us.

Bernard GxuillasThe Dean of French Chefs in San Diego is Maitre Cuisiner de France Bernard Guillas the executive chef of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, the Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, and the landmark AAA, 4-Diamond Award Marine Room Restaurant.

Guillas has been invited as guest chef to the prestigious James Beard House in New York on many occasions. Selected as San Diego’s “Best Chef” numerous times, including the Gold Medallion Awards (California Restaurant Association, San Diego Chapter), Chef Magazine, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles Magazine Readers Poll and San Diego Magazine People’s and Critic’s Choice, Guillas continues to infuse the local culinary scene with his unique talent and engaging personality.

Chef Guillas is also participating in 3 events as part of the upcoming San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival running November 14th to 20th.

Chef Bernard is our guest.

Europa Village WineryIt’s been almost 10-years in the planning but dirt is finally now being moved at Europa Village in Temecula to prepare for the construction of three wine themed European resorts on prime vineyard land that was previously home to Callaway.

What is planned is a European village consisting of three distinct and separate wineries – including a 60-room Italian villa style hotel with a European Spa.  The three wineries will be a French, Spanish, and Italian winery. When completed this complex will be one of the most spectacular winery operations in the world.

Europa Village’s designs are on display on site for those of you that would like to see what they have planned.

Europa Village’s Agent Du Vin Gregg English provides the preview of what’s to come.

Andrew and William GruelOur Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group, is in the know. He now shares a new list of personally researched and hand-selected “Finds” with us.

Previously suggested were primo breakfast spots that are a bit hidden, fast food breakfast items that are real standouts, child friendly restaurants in the OC that are chef-driven, better burger spots and more…

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Thierry Blouet, Executive Chef / Proprietor, Café des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Segment Three: Food Journalist & Author Simran Sethi, Bread, Wine, Chocolate – The Slow Loss of Foods We Love
Segment Four: Executive Chef Chris Aguirre, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado
Segment Five: J.M. Woody Van Horn, General Manager, Javier Plascencia’s Bracero Cocina de Raiz, San Diego
Segment Six: Bernard Guillas, Executive Chef, Director of Food and Beverage, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, The Marine Room, La Jolla
Segment Seven: Gregg English, Agent Du Vin, Europa Village Winery, Temecula, CA
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group

Show 180, July 16, 2016: Christy Vega, Proprietress Casa Vega, Sherman Oaks, CA

Christy VegaThe classic Casa Vega is a family-owned Mexican restaurant that has been a Sherman Oaks landmark for 60 years. They are celebrating their 60th Anniversary in style with cocktails and a special seven- course menu this Saturday night, July 16th. It’s a benefit for the L.A. Regional Food Bank.

The celebrity guest chef is Baja’s Javier Plascencia (Bracero and Mision 19) He will alternate courses with the Casa Vega culinary team. Think Evo Poached Baja Hiramassa with guacachile, yuzu, crunchy eggplant, and yellow tomato tartar.

Casa Vega is a family-owned Mexican restaurant that has been a Los Angeles landmark for 60 years. Opened in 1956 by Rafael “Ray” Vega, Casa Vega serves authentic Mexican food and drinks in a warm, festive atmosphere. You don’t survive in the highly competitive San Fernando Valley for 60 years unless you give your guests a compelling reason to return and bring their friends.

Today Ray’s daughter, Christina “Christy” Vega (as seen on Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games,” NBC’s “TODAY” Show, CBS’s “This Morning,” ABC’s “The View,” and more) is at the helm of the time-honored restaurant. From crowd-pleasing dishes such as traditional chicken mole, burritos, enchiladas, and tostadas, to tasty house-made margaritas and mojitos (the margarita base is a treasured house-recipe) and mojitos, Casa Vega features an extensive and time-tested menu.

2nd generation proprietress Christy Vega is our guest.

Show 142, October 17, 2015: Celebrate the Craft Festival – Lodge at Torrey Pines

Jeff JacksonThe 13th Annual Celebrate The Craft Festival is coming to The Lodge at Torrey Pines on Sunday, October 25th from 11:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A star collection of local chefs, farmers, ranchers, vintners and brewers come together for an eagerly anticipated annual celebration of the very best of California’s culinary offerings. It’s a great one-stop overview of the food scene in San Diego County.

Participating area chefs include Jason Knibb of Nine-Ten, Javier Plascencia of Bracero, and Carl Schroeder of Market Restaurant.

Prestigious farmers (well-known in the SoCal hospitality business) including Coleman Farms, Crows Pass Farms, McGrath Family Farms and Windrose Farm will be there, too.

Executive Chef Jeff Jackson of The Lodge at Torrey Pines has the preview. He created this event 13 years ago after he relocated from a luxury hotel property in Santa Monica to San Diego to open The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Chef Jackson oversees the culinary concept and menu development at the 170-room California Craftsman style property, which features a signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien, two loungers and a casual restaurant, The Grill, as well as meeting and banquet facilities.

Show 141, October 10, 2015: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Greetings, and now a mouthwatering preview of Saturday’s high octane show and not, with apologies, for dieters. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

We respectfully again move aside this morning for Notre Dame football at 11:30 a.m.

The proudly Family-owned Terlato Wine Group is a holding company for several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. They are probably best known for pioneering the popularity of Pinot Grigio in the United States. Representing the 2nd generation of Family ownership is John Terlato, our guest.

The Habit Burger Grill (which started locally in Santa Barbara in 1969) partnered with No Kid Hungry for the month of September to raise funds to wipe out childhood hunger in the United States. A minimum of $200,000 will be contributed. The Habit’s Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Hood, joins us with all the joyful details.

Rejoice. It’s National Seafood Month. Mussels seem to be the forgotten and underappreciated mollusk in the United States. They are incredibly popular in Europe. The meat is tougher than a oyster or clam but it’s still delicious with a mildly sweet flavor. Great health benefits, too. Our resident seafood authority and co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel, will spread the joy of mussels. They are really good eating. There is life beyond oysters !

The Wolfgang Puck of Northern Baja is acclaimed Chef Javier Plascencia. Savvy Southern Californians have enjoyed dining at both Romesco in Bonita and Mision 19 in Tijuana. His newest restaurant, Bracero Cocina de Raiz is located in San Diego’s Little Italy. He’s been all over Food TV including visits with Anthony Bourdain and Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern. His General Manager and Sommelier at Bracero, JM Woody van Horn is our guest.

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

Show 141, October 10, 2015: Bracero Cocina de Raiz and General Manager JM Woody van Horn

JM Woody Von HornThe “Wolfgang Puck” of Northern Baja is acclaimed Chef Javier Plascencia. Savvy Southern Californians have enjoyed dining at both Romesco in Bonita and Mision 19 in Tijuana. His newest restaurant, Bracero Cocina de Raiz is located in San Diego’s Little Italy.

He’s been all over Food TV in recent years including visits with Anthony Bourdain and Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern. He’s also been profiled in The New York Times.

Chef Javier will be preparing a special 9 course wine-paired tasting menu on Monday evening, Oct. 19th at Bracero for American Institute of Wine & Food – San Diego Chapter’s members and guests. Distinguished Winemakers from Northern Baja will be there, too.

Javier Plasencia’s General Manager and Sommelier at Bracero, JM Woody van Horn is our guest.

Woody is a past recipient (twice) of an AIWF-San Diego culinary education scholarship. The San Diego Chapter of the AIWF is one of the most active chapters in the United States. They host a creative series of ongoing culinary events and activities for their members including visits to wineries and artisan food purveyors in Northern Baja. They were very early in recognizing the promise of Chef Javier Plascencia.

Show 141, October 10, 2015: Bracero Cocina de Raiz and General Manager JM Woody van Horn Continues…

Chef Javier Plasencia’s General Manager and Sommelier at the new Bracero Cocina de Raiz in San Diego’s Little Italy, JM Woody van Horn continues…

The restaurant is on two levels. Reservations are taken, and the lower level is left for walk-ins. Also check Open Table. A few reservations typically become available “day of.

Of his new restaurant, Chef Javier says, “The traditional Mexican kitchen is a central gathering place, where lively talk resonates and generations of home-crafted meals are envisioned, created and enjoyed. So it is at Bracero Cocina de Raiz. We celebrate memorable dishes and specialty cocktails, and raise a toast to the heart and soul of those who have nurtured each and every plant that has produced what goes into recipes that are both reminiscent, and perfected in a way that has never tasted quite so good.”

October 10: John Terlato, Habit Burger Grill, Andrew Gruel, Bracero Cocina

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: John Terlato, Terlato Wine Group
Segment Three: No Kid Hungry & The Habit Burger Grill
Segment Four: chef Andrew Gruel, Mussels and National Seafood Month
Segment Five: Bracero Cocina de Raiz and General Manager JM Woody Von Horn Part One
Segment Six: Bracero Cocina de Raiz and General Manager JM Woody Von Horn Part Two

Greetings, and now a mouthwatering preview of Saturday’s high octane show and not, with apologies, for dieters. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

We respectfully again move aside this morning for Notre Dame football at 11:30 a.m.

The proudly Family-owned Terlato Wine Group is a holding company for several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. They are probably best known for pioneering the popularity of Pinot Grigio in the United States. Representing the 2nd generation of Family ownership is John Terlato, our guest.

The Habit Burger Grill (which started locally in Santa Barbara in 1969) partnered with No Kid Hungry for the month of September to raise funds to wipe out childhood hunger in the United States. A minimum of $200,000 will be contributed. The Habit’s Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Hood, joins us with all the joyful details.

Rejoice. It’s National Seafood Month. Mussels seem to be the forgotten and underappreciated mollusk in the United States. They are incredibly popular in Europe. The meat is tougher than a oyster or clam but it’s still delicious with a mildly sweet flavor. Great health benefits, too. Our resident seafood authority and co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel, will spread the joy of mussels. They are really good eating. There is life beyond oysters !

The Wolfgang Puck of Northern Baja is acclaimed Chef Javier Plascencia. Savvy Southern Californians have enjoyed dining at both Romesco in Bonita and Mision 19 in Tijuana. His newest restaurant, Bracero Cocina de Raiz is located in San Diego’s Little Italy. He’s been all over Food TV including visits with Anthony Bourdain and Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern. His General Manager and Sommelier at Bracero, JM Woody van Horn is our guest.

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

John TerlatoThe proudly Family-owned Terlato Wine Group based in a Chicago suburb is a holding company for several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. They are probably best known for pioneering the popularity of Pinot Grigio in the United States. That’s no small accomplishment…

The Terlatos started out in the wine business as retailers in 1955. Over the years, they have been involved in every facet of the business as wine distributors and importers, as well as winery owners and vineyard developers. No other company in the industry has successfully operated throughout all channels. This vertical integration and diversity of experience shaped the Terlato family’s unique perspective and approach to luxury wine marketing, sales and production.

Chairman Anthony Terlato’s philosophy that “Quality Endures” has guided the growth of the Terlato family’s businesses and provided opportunities to lead, rater than follow, industry trends.

Representing the 2nd generation of Family ownership is Vice Chairman John Terlato, our guest.

Habit Burger with Fries and Onion RingsThe Habit Burger Grill (which started locally in Santa Barbara in 1969) partnered with No Kid Hungry for the month of September to raise funds to wipe out childhood hunger in the United States. A minimum of $200,000 will be contributed. We’ll hear the good news about the grand total…

Doing its part to help end the problem of childhood hunger in America, The Habit Restaurants, Inc. launched a partnership with No Kid Hungry in which guests were encouraged to donate at the register and, in return, received a certificate to enjoy a complimentary Charburger with cheese on their next visit through October 31, 2015.

The campaign, which ran nationwide at participating Habit Burger Grill locations through September 30, 2015, addresses the serious issue of childhood hunger in the United States where 1 in 5 children cannot count on their next meal.  During the campaign guests at The Habit who donated $2 to No Kid Hungry, a national campaign from the nonprofit Share Our Strength, received a certificate for a free Charburger with cheese good on a future visit.

The Habit/No Kid Hungry partnership raised funds from 120 Habit restaurants nationwide and donations will directly support No Kid Hungry’s mission to wipe out childhood hunger in the U.S. by connecting kids in need with nutritious food and teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals.

The Habit’s Chief Marketing Officer Matt Hood, joins us with all the noteworthy results.

It’s National Seafood Month and as our Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel points out there is a massive deficit of seafood in the American diet. For example Americans, on average, only consume 16 pounds of seafood a year. Compare that to Japan where the average consumption per person is 170 pounds per year. “The SoCal Restaurant Show” encourages all of our listeners to enjoy more seafood as a part of their regular diet. It’s both tasty and healthy…

Mussels seem to be the forgotten and underappreciated mollusk in the United States. They are incredibly popular in Europe. The meat is a bit tougher than an oyster or clam but it’s still delicious with a mildly sweet flavor.

Mussels are an ancient food of early man going back over 20,000 years.

The “SoCal Restaurtant Show” was recently on Prince Edward Island in Canada. We enjoyed mussels there simply steamed in white wine, craft beer, and with tomatoes. The broth is equally delicious, too.

Our resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, will spread the joy of mussels. They are really good eating. There is life beyond oysters!

JM Woody Von HornThe “Wolfgang Puck” of Northern Baja is acclaimed Chef Javier Plascencia. Savvy Southern Californians have enjoyed dining at both Romesco in Bonita and Mision 19 in Tijuana. His newest restaurant, Bracero Cocina de Raiz is located in San Diego’s Little Italy.

He’s been all over Food TV in recent years including visits with Anthony Bourdain and Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern. He’s also been profiled in The New York Times.

Chef Javier will be preparing a special 9 course wine-paired tasting menu on Monday evening, Oct. 19th at Bracero for American Institute of Wine & Food – San Diego Chapter’s members and guests.

Javier Plasencia’s General Manager and Sommelier at Bracero, JM Woody van Horn is our guest.

Of his new restaurant, Chef Javier says, “The traditional Mexican kitchen is a central gathering place, where lively talk resonates and generations of home-crafted meals are envisioned, created and enjoyed. So it is at Bracero Cocina de Raiz. We celebrate memorable dishes and specialty cocktails, and raise a toast to the heart and soul of those who have nurtured each and every plant that has produced what goes into recipes that are both reminiscent, and perfected in a way that has never tasted quite so good.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: John Terlato, Terlato Wine Group
Segment Three: No Kid Hungry & The Habit Burger Grill
Segment Four: chef Andrew Gruel, Mussels and National Seafood Month
Segment Five: Bracero Cocina de Raiz and General Manager JM Woody Von Horn Part One
Segment Six: Bracero Cocina de Raiz and General Manager JM Woody Von Horn Part Two