Show 489, September 3, 2022: L.A. Weekly’s Food Editor, Michele Stueven on The Tam O’Shanter at 100 Part One

Michele Stueven of LA Weekly

The venerable and architecturally significant Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village is celebrating it’s 100th birthday this year. Always a favorite of Walt Disney it’s currently overseen by the fourth-generation of the founding Frank and Van de Kamp families. Their CEO (Ryan O’Melveny Wilson) is an accomplished chef.

A culmination of the anniversary festivities was a six-course centennial repast held in mid-July. The elaborate Sunday dinner highlighted significant dishes from various eras of the Tam’s historic past. Of course the signature Lawry’s Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding was on the evening’s menu. Would you believe beef tamales, too?

LA Weekly’s well-respected Food Editor, Michele Stueven, was the co-host. Michele joins us to recap the memorable evening and the historical significance of the Tam O’Shanter on the Los Angeles restaurant scene.

Show 489, September 3, 2022: L.A. Weekly’s Food Editor, Michele Stueven on The Tam O’Shanter at 100 Part Two

Michele Stueven of LA Weekly

The venerable and architecturally significant Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village is celebrating it’s 100th birthday this year. Always a favorite of Walt Disney it’s currently overseen by the fourth-generation of the founding Frank and Van de Kamp families. Their CEO (Ryan O’Melveny Wilson) is an accomplished chef.

A culmination of the anniversary festivities was a six-course centennial repast held in mid-July. The elaborate Sunday dinner highlighted significant dishes from various eras of the Tam’s historic past. Of course the signature Lawry’s Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding was on the evening’s menu. Would you believe beef tamales, too (and there is a story behind that)?

LA Weekly’s well-respected Food Editor, Michele Stueven, was the co-host. Michele continues with us to recap the memorable evening and the historical significance of the Tam O’Shanter on the ever-changing Los Angeles restaurant scene.

Show 355, January 11, 2020: Show Preview with Co-Host & Executive Producer Andy Harris

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s scrumptious show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will hopefully leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it without you.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us from the road with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. Where is the restaurant business headed in the new decade? Is fine dining in transition ? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Dine LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week is presenting a special, one day screening of Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste at The Art Theatre in Long Beach on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste is a documentary executive-produced by the late Anthony Bourdain and aims to change the way people buy, cook, recycle, and eat food. Through the eyes of chef-heroes like Bourdain, Dan Barber, Massimo Bottura, and Danny Bowien, audiences will see how the world’s most influential chefs make the most of every kind of food, transforming what most people consider scraps into incredible dishes that create a more secure food system. Dine LBC’s Terri Henry is our guide. 

The iconic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar was established in 1965 and is a member of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants, which includes Lawry’s The Prime Rib with domestic locations in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and the historic Tam O’Shanter in Los Angeles. Lawry’s Carvery, with locations in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, and at L.A. LIVE, Los Angeles, represents the company’s unique quick-service concept. SideDoor, Corona del Mar’s first and only English gastropub, is housed within Five Crowns. We gently pull Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla out of her busy kitchen for a chat.

Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, located in an historic former residence in Ashland, Oregon, is as popular with the locals as well as visitors for a memorable dining experience with inventive cocktails and an artfully selected wine list. Proprietor Drew Gibbs is also a Certified Sommelier. It’s housed on the ground floor of The Winchester Inn. Drew gently pulls the cork on Alchemy Restaurant and Bar for us.

Located in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the heart of historic downtown, the Santa Fe School of Cooking is an internationally acclaimed, recreational culinary school and Online Market specializing in foods of the American Southwest for 30 years. They offer Hands-On Cooking ClassesDemonstration Classes, an intensive 3-day cooking program they call Southwest Culinary Boot Camp and extremely popular Restaurant Walking Tours led by Santa Fe School of Cooking’s chefs. Nicole Ammerman, the Director of the Santa Fe School of Cooking & Market, represents the 2nd generation of family ownership and is our guest.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

January 11: Dine LBC, Five Crowns, Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, Santa Fe School of Cooking

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host & Executive Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”
Segment Three: Screening of Emmy-winning documentary, “Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste” in Long Beach organized by DINE LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week
Segment Four: Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla, Five Crowns & SideDoor Part One
Segment Five: Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla, Five Crowns & SideDoor Part Two
Segment Six: Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, Ashland, Oregon
Segment Seven: Santa Fe School of Cooking, Santa Fe, New Mexico Part One
Segment Eight: Santa Fe School of Cooking, Santa Fe, New Mexico Part Two

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s scrumptious show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will hopefully leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it without you.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us from the road with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. Where is the restaurant business headed in the new decade? Is fine dining in transition ? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Dine LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week is presenting a special, one day screening of Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste at The Art Theatre in Long Beach on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste is documentary executive-produced by the late Anthony Bourdain and aims to change the way people buy, cook, recycle, and eat food. Through the eyes of chef-heroes like Bourdain, Dan Barber, Massimo Bottura, and Danny Bowien, audiences will see how the world’s most influential chefs make the most of every kind of food, transforming what most people consider scraps into incredible dishes that create a more secure food system. Dine LBC’s Terri Henry is our guide.

The iconic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar was established in 1965 and is a member of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants, which includes Lawry’s The Prime Rib with domestic locations in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and the historic Tam O’Shanter in Los Angeles. Lawry’s Carvery, with locations in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, and at L.A. LIVE, Los Angeles, represents the company’s unique quick-service concept. SideDoor, Corona del Mar’s first and only English gastropub, is housed within Five Crowns. We gently pull Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla out of her busy kitchen for a chat.

Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, located in an historic former residence in Ashland, Oregon, is as popular with the locals as well as visitors for a memorable dining experience with inventive cocktails and an artfully selected wine list. Proprietor Drew Gibbs is also a Certified Sommelier. It’s housed on the ground floor of The Winchester Inn. Drew gently pulls the cork on Alchemy Restaurant and Bar for us.

Located in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the heart of historic downtown, the Santa Fe School of Cooking is an internationally acclaimed, recreational culinary school and Online Market specializing in foods of the American Southwest for 30 years. They offer Hands-On Cooking ClassesDemonstration Classes, an intensive 3-day cooking program they call Southwest Culinary Boot Camp and extremely popular Restaurant Walking Tours led by Santa Fe School of Cooking’s chefs. Nicole Ammerman, the Director of the Santa Fe School of Cooking & Market, represents the 2nd generation of family ownership and is our guest.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us from the road with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. Where is the restaurant business headed in the new decade? Is fine dining in transition ? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

 

Terri Henry of Dine LBC and Terri Henry MarketingDine LBC is proud to present a one day screening of Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste at The Art Theatre on Saturday, January 18th at 11am. Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste is an Emmy-winning documentary executive-produced by the late Anthony Bourdain and aims to change the way people buy, cook, recycle, and eat food. Through the eyes of chef-heroes like Bourdain, Dan Barber, Massimo Bottura, and Danny Bowien, audiences will see how the world’s most influential chefs make the most of every kind of food, transforming what most people consider scraps into incredible dishes that create a more secure food system.

WASTED! exposes the criminality of food waste and how it’s directly contributing to climate change and shows us how each of us can make small changes – all of them delicious – to solve one of the greatest problems of the 21st Century. The film is a must see for chefs, restaurant owners, home cooks and anyone interested in protecting the environment.

Dine LBC’s Terri Henry is our informed guide.

Alejandra Padilla of Five Crowns and SidedoorThe iconic Five Crowns in Corona del Mar was established in 1965 and is a member of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants, which includes Lawry’s The Prime Rib with domestic locations in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and the historic Tam O’Shanter in Los Angeles. Lawry’s Carvery, with locations in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, and at L.A. LIVE, Los Angeles, represents the company’s unique quick-service concept.

SideDoor gastropub, recipient of Orange Coast Magazine’s “2010 Restaurant of the Year” Award and Corona del Mar’s first and only English gastropub, is also housed within the historic Five Crowns building; its primary entrance is on Poppy Street. They will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary in March.

Five Crowns has a new seasonal menu courtesy of Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla. Guests will experience the vibrant flavors of the season’s most inspiring ingredients to complement Five Crown’s cherished classic dishes. Think Lamb Shank with scallion potato pancake, horseradish puree and caramelized onion jus.

“SideDoor is soon presenting the next eagerly anticipated Ultimate Cheese & Charcuterie Party, culminating from another successful creamery takeover series, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a special Cheese Education Class from 5:30-6 p.m. led by SideDoor’s own certified cheesemonger, sommelier and cicerone, Tracy Nelsen.”

“Known for its award-winning cheese and charcuterie offerings, SideDoor started the monthly series to highlight unique creameries, dedicating one evening a month to small batch cheesemakers and specialty cheeses. Twice a year the series reaches its pinnacle with the ultimate celebration of fromage. The indulgent evening will showcase the previous five months of creameries in the series including Haystack Creamery from Colorado (August), Boutique creameries from Sonoma County (September), Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese from Kentucky (October), River’s Edge Chevrè from Oregon (November), and Cowgirl Creamery from California (December).”

We gently pull Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla away from her busy kitchen for a chat.

Drew Gibbs of the Alchemy Restaurant and BarAlchemy Restaurant and Bar, located in an historic former residence in Ashland, Oregon, is as popular with the locals as well as visitors for a memorable dining experience with inventive cocktails and an artfully selected wine list. Proprietor Drew Gibbs is also a Certified Sommelier. It’s housed on the ground floor of The Winchester Inn.

“Alchemy Restaurant and Bar…Cuisine Transformed.” “Come explore the world of Alchemy…Tinctures, Elixirs and Transmutations. We focus on craft cocktails, boutique wines, and innovative cuisine to transform your experience into something truly memorable. Serving dinner, bistro fare and Sunday brunch in a setting that melds classic and contemporary in one breath.”

“The Winchester Inn is an award-winning hotel that has been a landmark in Ashland, Oregon for over 35 years. A family run establishment since it was founded in 1983, the inn and restaurant have provided luxury and comfort with a touch of familiarity and home to thousands of guests.”

“The 21-room inn offers guests supreme levels of quality, luxury and service: rooms, suites, cottages, tiered English gardens, award winning dining at Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, and convenient access to shopping, art galleries, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in downtown Ashland.”

“The inn has received numerous accolades, including Conde Nast “Best in the US”, placing it in the ‘Top 75’ list. The New York Times has described the Winchester Inn as “Ashland’s premier historic inn.””

Drew artfully pulls the cork on Alchemy Restaurant and Bar for us.

Nicole Curtis AmmermanLocated in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the heart of historic downtown, the Santa Fe School of Cooking is an internationally acclaimed, recreational culinary school and Online Market specializing in foods of the American Southwest for 30 years. They offer Hands-On Cooking ClassesDemonstration Classes, and an intensive 3-day cooking program they call Southwest Culinary Boot Camp, and extremely popular Restaurant Walking Tours, led by Santa Fe School of Cooking’s chefs.

“Raised on a ranch near the banks of the Snake River in Idaho, the Founder of the Santa Fe School of Cooking, Susan Curtis, truly has good food in her blood. Fishing, hunting and foraging added to the bounty of a communal table laden with fresh garden produce and home-cured meats. She raised her Santa Fe family in the same way, instinctively aware that a convivial sharing of work and pleasure makes life taste that much sweeter.”

“In 1989, Susan’s desire for a new chapter in life and her love for the traditional foods of Santa Fe anticipated the cultural shift towards a local sustainable lifestyle. Her foresight, focus and passion have made the Santa Fe School of Cooking a home-grown success story. Still actively involved at the School, Susan has co-authored numerous cookbooks on the foods of New Mexico and remains deeply committed to her family, her community, and to the original philosophy of the School, to celebrate and share the distinctive techniques and flavors of regional Santa Fe cuisine.”

“A Santa Fe native, the School’s Director of Operations, Nicole Curtis Ammerman, has immersed herself fully in the goals laid out by her mother, Susan Curtis. Nicole’s love of family and friends drew her back home to Santa Fe in 1993, and combined with business and marketing skills she honed at the University of Arizona, her dedication to New Mexico culinary traditions has enriched the scope and abilities of Santa Fe’s original cooking school.”

“Nicole added longer Culinary Boot Camp experiences to the School’s signature roster of traditional Santa Fe cooking classes and created our popular Restaurant Walking Tours, which not only benefit the School’s guests but also provide exposure for local Santa Fe restaurants. She has wholeheartedly embraced the School’s mission to support the Santa Fe food community, sourcing some of the School’s produce from employee gardens.”

Nicole Ammerman, the Director of the Santa Fe School of Cooking & Market, represents the 2nd generation of family ownership and is our guest.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host & Executive Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”
Segment Three: Screening of Emmy-winning documentary, “Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste” in Long Beach organized by DINE LBC Long Beach Restaurant Week
Segment Four: Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla, Five Crowns & SideDoor Part One
Segment Five: Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla, Five Crowns & SideDoor Part Two
Segment Six: Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, Ashland, Oregon
Segment Seven: Santa Fe School of Cooking, Santa Fe, New Mexico Part One
Segment Eight: Santa Fe School of Cooking, Santa Fe, New Mexico Part Two

Show 301, December 8, 2018: Ryan Wilson, Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Part One

Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson, an accomplished chef, is part of the fourth generation of proud Frank / Van de Kamp family ownership of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Most recently he served a s Vice President and Corporate Executive Chef but recently transitioned to an expanded position with Lawry’s Restaurants.

Ten years ago when he started with Lawry’s his first project was developing (with his colleagues) the uber successful SideDoor in Corona del Mar adjacent to Five Crowns.

We’ll talk to Ryan about the 80th Anniversary of Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills this year as well as his new, expanded responsibilities.

Show 301, December 8, 2018: Ryan Wilson, Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Part Two

Status

Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson, an accomplished chef, is part of the fourth generation of proud Frank / Van de Kamp family ownership of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Most recently he served as Vice President and Corporate Executive Chef but recently transitioned to an expanded position with Lawry’s Restaurants.

With a new Stanford Graduate School of Business Master of Science in Management for Experienced Leaders degree Ryan has transitioned into the new post as Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for Lawry’s leading into the future.

Show 283, July 28, 2018: Tommy Martin, Guest Ambassador, Five Crowns, 50 Years of Service

Tommy MartinBrit Tommy Martin started as a Bartender at Corona del Mar’s Five Crowns back in 1968. 50 years later Tommy is the longest serving, active co-worker at Five Crowns. Earlier this Summer he was recognized with a very special honor.

“In 1968, our favorite Brit, Tommy Martin, moved to Orange County from the East Coast. Seeing Five Crowns’ Tudor architecture and red English phone booth, he quickly applied for a job, sensing he and the restaurant would be a perfect fit. Lucky for us he was right. Little did we know that half a century later, after working as bartender, wine captain and now as our Guest Ambassador, Tommy would be Lawry’s longest serving active co-worker.”

“His energetic, positive attitude and genuine desire to make every moment memorable have endeared him to two generations of guests. For many, a night at Five Crowns without a visit tableside from him doesn’t quite seem the same. For first-timers, meeting such a colorful and charming character, English accent and all, has been a wonderful introduction to the restaurant, its hospitality and its history.”

When you see Tommy at Five Crowns ask him about the night Elizabeth Taylor came in and had a special request…

Five Crown’s Guest Ambassador, Tommy Martin is our guest.

Show 200, December 3, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group

Andrew Gruel and Andy Harris celebrating the fourth anniversary of the SoCal Restaurant Show at SideDoor in Corona del MarWe’re a bit tardy but this Saturday we festively marked the 4th Anniversary of the debut of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on AM 830 KLAA. Please join us via this podcast as we celebrate with a really big brunch show at SideDoor in Corona del Mar. Do I hear “Green Eggs” & Ham” Benedict” with hash browns and Applewood smoked bacon?

Executive 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.

On to a tasty preview of this Saturday’s show…

The most eagerly anticipated restaurant opening of the year is the long-in-the-works Farmhouse Café at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar. The executive chef/proprietor is Rich Mead. Rich is fondly remembered by local foodies for Sage and Sage on the Coast. Rich pops out of the busy Farmhouse kitchen for a bit to join us.

CulinaryLab Contemporary Cooking School in Tustin offers an immersive, hands-on education for all levels of cooks including aspiring chefs, serious home cooks and industry professionals. Chef Director Ryan Wagner, C.E.C. is the founder of the program. We’ll meet him.

Ryan Wilson> is the Vice President and Executive Chef for Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. the parent company of SideDoor. He represents the 4th generation of Frank/Van de Kamp Family ownership. Executive Chef Ryan is our guest.

Orange County craft beer enthusiasts know Victor Novak as the long-time, acclaimed head brewer of Taps in Brea. He’s also responsible for graciously mentoring many of the prominent young brewers among the new wave of award-winning OC craft breweries. In late 2014 he joined the brewing team at the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing and is now their Brewmaster. Victor is tapping a fresh keg with us.

When it comes to world-class, artisan coffee roasters in Orange County the veteran bean roaster in chief is Martin Diedrich. He grew up on a coffee farm in Guatemala! Martin now oversees busy neighborhood Kean Coffee coffee shops in Tustin and Newport Beach. He joins us.

The innovative cocktail program at SideDoor is an important attraction. New to SideDoor is Lead Barman, Randy Thais. Randy is an adjunct professor by day and a barman by night. He’s crafting something special for us as a guest…

The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula has a long Holiday tradition of baking and decorating eye-catching gingerbread houses for sale until Christmas to their appreciative guests. Their acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-Jacques Granet (he has worked on three continents) joins us with all the sweet details.

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

December 3: Our 4th Anniversary Show from Sidedoor Gastropub in Corona del Mar

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Proprietor / Executive Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
Segment Three: Chef Director Ryan Wagner, CulinaryLab Contemporary Cooking School, Tustin
Segment Four: Ryan Wilson, Vice President and Executive Chef for Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc.
Segment Five: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing
Segment SIx: Artisan Coffee Roaster, Martin Diedrich, Kean Coffee
Segment Seven: SideDoor’s Lead Barman, Randy Thais
Segment Eight: Jean-Jacques Granet, Executive Pastry Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula

Entrance to Sidedoor Gastropub in Corona del MarWe’re a bit tardy but this Saturday we’re festively marking the 4th Anniversary of the debut of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” Please join us on the airwaves (or via our live stream) as we celebrate with a really big brunch show at SideDoor in Corona del Mar.

Executive 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.

On to a tasty preview of Saturday’s show…

The most eagerly anticipated restaurant opening of the year is the long-in-the-works Farmhouse Café at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar. The executive chef/proprietor is Rich Mead. Rich is fondly remembered by local foodies for Sage and Sage on the Coast. Rich pops out of the busy Farmhouse kitchen for a bit to join us.

CulinaryLab Contemporary Cooking School in Tustin offers an immersive, hands-on education for all levels of cooks including aspiring chefs, serious home cooks and industry professionals. Chef Director Ryan Wagner, C.E.C. is the founder of the program. We’ll meet him.

Ryan Wilson is the Vice President and Executive Chef for Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. the parent company of SideDoor. He represents the 4th generation of Frank/Van de Kamp Family ownership. Executive Chef Ryan is our guest.

Orange County craft beer enthusiasts know Victor Novak as the long-time, acclaimed head brewer of Taps in Brea. He’s also responsible for graciously mentoring many of the prominent young brewers among the new wave of award-winning OC craft breweries. In late 2014 he joined the brewing team at the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing and is now their brewmaster. Victor is tapping a fresh keg with us.

When it comes to world-class, artisan coffee roasters in Orange County the veteran bean roaster in chief is Martin Diedrich. He grew up on a coffee farm in Guatemala! Martin now oversees busy neighborhood Kean Coffee coffee shops in Tustin and Newport Beach. He joins us.

The innovative cocktail program at SideDoor is an important attraction. New to SideDoor is Lead Barman, Randy Thais. Randy is an adjunct professor by day and a barman by night. He’s crafting something special for us as a guest…

The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula has a long Holiday tradition of baking and decorating eye-catching gingerbread houses for sale until Christmas to their appreciative guests. Their acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-Jacques Granet (he has worked on three continents) joins us with all the sweet details.

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

Rich MeadThe most eagerly anticipated restaurant opening of the year in Orange County is the long-in-the-works Farmhouse Café at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar. Guests are actually dining in the Roger’s Garden’s lush gardens. Lunch reservations are “fully committed” for the balance of the year. Guests at lunch (without reservations) line-up early (11:00 a.m. or before) to nab one of the “first come, first-served” seats available at the bar.

The executive chef/proprietor is Rich Mead. Rich is fondly remembered by local foodies for Sage and Sage on the Coast. He’s been creatively shopping at the Wednesday morning Santa Monica Farmers Market for fresh, seasonal ingredients long before it was trendy.

Roger’s Gardens and Chef Rich Mead have partnered in establishing a unique and sustainable field-to-fork dining experience at Farmhouse Café located within Roger’s Garden.

Located in the heart of Newport Beach, the Café is nestled on over 6 acres in a garden-like setting. The Farmhouse offers the freshest, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to create a healthy based cuisine.

On the libation side there is even a signature Farmers Market Cocktail of The Week. The key ingredient is something fresh from the Santa Monica Farmers Market that week.

Chef Rich pops out of the busy Farmhouse kitchen for a brief moment to join us.

Ryan Wagner of CulinaryLabCulinaryLab Contemporary Cooking School in Tustin offers an immersive, hands-on education for all levels of cooks including aspiring chefs, serious home cooks and industry professionals.

“What’s the best way to learn about working in a professional kitchen?  To work in one, of course.  Students who choose our apprenticeship program will have the opportunity to work approximately 1,500 hours as a paid apprentice at one of our partner restaurants, gaining hours of practice and real world experience that is normally reserved for those who have already graduated culinary school.  By reinforcing what they’re learning while simultaneously working in a real professional kitchen, our students are faster, more skilled and better prepared to excel in the foodservice industry.”

“Instead of spending countless hours reading culinary textbooks as homework or sitting through uninspired lectures, our students watch comprehensive video demonstrations and navigate online curriculum.”

“At CulinaryLab we measure our success by how our students perform in the real world.

If they fail, so do we. When they succeed, we do too. We put it all on the line for them.”

– Ryan Wagner, Chef Director

Chef Director Ryan Wagner, C.E.C. is the founder of the program. We’ll meet him.

Ryan WilsonRyan Wilson is the Vice President and Executive Chef for Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. the parent company of SideDoor and Five Crowns. He represents the 4th generation of Frank/Van de Kamp Family ownership.

Before pursuing his culinary ambitions around the world, Ryan grew up creating dishes for his mother and sister. He officially stepped into the family business in 2002 as the prep cook at the Tam O’Shanter and later transitioned to the Five Crowns kitchen as a line cook. After following culinary opportunities outside the Lawry’s realm, he returned as the opening chef for The Prime Rib restaurants in China and Japan. Stateside, he served as opening chef for Lawry’s Carvery at L.A. Live and in 2008 returned to the Tam O’Shanter as Executive Chef.

During his time at the Tam O’Shanter, Ryan worked closely on the concept and execution for SideDoor in Corona del Mar and later became the Executive Chef for both SideDoor and Five Crowns. In 2014, Ryan assisted in opening the SideDoor gastropub in Chicago and remains focused on providing the highest quality food service available through his corporate and operational roles. Chef Ryan’s responsibilities have grown to include the operational oversight of the six licensed Lawry’s Prime Rib locations in Asia and the future growth of Lawry’s international portfolio.

Executive Chef Ryan Wilson is our guest.

Victor Novak of Taps Fish House and Brewery in BreaOrange County craft beer enthusiasts know Victor Novak as the long-time (15 years), acclaimed head brewer of Taps in Brea. He’s also responsible for graciously mentoring many of the prominent young brewers among the new wave of award-winning OC craft breweries.

In late 2014 he joined the brewing team at the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing and is now their brewmaster.

“In 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible.  Golden Road is committed to engaging and supporting the growing community of socially-minded beer enthusiasts.”

“Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA. Along with the core beers, Golden Road brewers are constantly experimenting with the freshest ingredients through a collection of rotating, seasonal and limited-edition brews including the Custom IPA Series, a line-up of diverse, hop-forward IPAs.”

A new brewery in Anaheim (across E. Orangewood Ave. from the South entrance to Angel Stadium) with a Tasting Room was added this year with a rotating selection of 20 styles on tap. Eventually the evolving facility will include a full-service restaurant.

Head Brewer Victor is tapping a fresh keg with us.

Martin DiedrichWhen it comes to world-class, artisan coffee roasters in Orange County the veteran bean roaster in chief is Martin Diedrich. He grew up on a coffee farm in Guatemala! Martin now oversees busy neighborhood Kean Coffee coffee shops in Tustin and Newport Beach.

“Kéan Coffee™ is the newest, most exciting coffeehouse concept by coffeehouse visionary Martin Diedrich. Our mission is to purvey fresh-roasted artisan coffee the way it is meant to be, in a beautiful, eclectic coffeehouse environment. Martin is craft roasting the finest coffees from around the globe on-site, many organic and fair-trade. This enables us to serve our coffee so fresh, most days it has been roasted within hours of the moment it reaches your cup. Our expertly trained baristas are creating the most innovative, cutting edge coffee beverages to be had.”

“Martin, local coffeehouse pioneer and founder of the Diedrich Coffee chain, left behind the world of corporate culture to return to his origins as an independent coffeehouse operator in order to stay true to his ideals of what a coffeehouse should be and what coffee culture should be.”

“Along with his wife Karen Varese Diedrich, Martin spent two years putting all of his creativity, inspiration and community and global awareness into bringing Kéan Coffee to reality. Martin and Karen Diedrich aptly named this next generation of coffeehouse after their son, Kean.”

Martin joins us.

Randy TheisThe innovative cocktail program at SideDoor is an important attraction. New to SideDoor is Lead Barman, Randy Thais. Randy is an adjunct professor by day and a barman by night.

Now leading the libation charge at SideDoor, Randy’s knowledge of English culture aligns perfectly with the gastropub’s British history and inspiration. His vision is to continue to make SideDoor the ultimate destination for cocktails, and believes that executing an Old Fashioned with precision will lead to a loyal clientele.

One of Randy’s newest creations on the SideDoor cocktail menu is the Ugly Gentleman, also known as “Steve.” Steve is a boozy, long and savory rye cocktail poured over hand-cute ice. The glassware covers a spot of burning maple wood while the cocktail is being prepared, and through science or magic, the smoke rests inside the glass even after the whiskey is poured.

He’s surely crafting something special for us as a guest…

Jean Jacques GranetThe Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula has a long Holiday tradition of baking and decorating eye-catching gingerbread houses for sale at a very reasonable price until Christmas to their appreciative guests.

“This holiday season, housing starts inside of one southern California casino/resort will more than double after last year’s sales numbers topped expectations. Pechanga Resort & Casino’s in-house bakery team is preparing, constructing and decorating hand-crafted gingerbread houses and offering them to prospective buyers at a nominal cost for home ownership. These units, which may be purchased individually or several at a time to create neighborhood continuity, come fully loaded and turnkey for gift giving, or for hanging onto for one’s own sweet tooth satisfying gratification.”

“Those looking for a brand new gingerbread home can find them in easily accessed locations at the 24-hour Caffe Cocoa inside the popular Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga or at Blends Coffee & Wine Bar just inside the Pechanga Hotel Lobby. Each home features distinct décor and amenities such as hand-drawn insulation (icing) and real curb appeal with colorful holiday sweet treats lining the outside. If buyers are careful transporting the homes, no insurance is required, property tax is waived and goodwill equity can be earned by giving one of the Pechanga gingerbread homes to someone else. These handmade gingerbread houses come in 10-inch by six-inch floor plan for $35. They will be on the market until Christmas, or until all units have been snapped up by buyers.”

Pechanga’s acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-Jacques Granet (he has worked on three continents) joins us with all the sweet details.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Proprietor / Executive Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
Segment Three: Chef Director Ryan Wagner, CulinaryLab Contemporary Cooking School, Tustin
Segment Four: Ryan Wilson, Vice President and Executive Chef for Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc.
Segment Five: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing
Segment SIx: Artisan Coffee Roaster, Martin Diedrich, Kean Coffee
Segment Seven: SideDoor’s Lead Barman, Randy Thais
Segment Eight: Jean-Jacques Granet, Executive Pastry Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula

Show 149, December 5, 2015: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

We’re really in the Holiday spirit on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” this week with intriguing libations and equal measures of Holiday cheer. Settle back and join us for two hours of the very best in food conversation.

Now an appetizing preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately loaded show and not, with apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

It was only a matter of time…! Our friends at West Coast Prime Meats have published the perfect cookbook for the Holidays : West Coast Prime Meats Cooks – Professional Recipes for the Home Kitchen. The volume includes enticing kitchen tested recipes for BIG meat, Poultry and Seafood from the best chefs in Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii. In the spirit of the Holidays the proceeds benefit two important Veterans’ charities. Authors Craig and Amy Nickoloff join us.

The Museum of the America Cocktail is shaking it up once again with their provocative December 15th evening at Faith & Flower in Downtown Los Angeles. The program is “Oh, James! Imbibing 007.” From aphrodisiacs to villain concoctions, free-flowing alcohol abounds in the James Bond books and movies. Food historian Linda Civitello (our guest) guides us on the path to getting our Bond on.

They always do it B-I-G in Las Vegas. What’s billed as the culinary event of the year, Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence, hosted by The Venetian and The Palazzo, will take culinary extravagance to new levels, December 17th through the 20th. The highlight of the festivities will be the competition to select Team USA representing the United States in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or international cooking competition in Lyon, France in early 2017. This is the Olympics of the culinary arts. Sebastien Silvestri, Vice President of Food & Beverage for The Venetian and The Palazzo is our guest.

The Five Crowns in Corona del Mar (part of the Lawry’s group of restaurants) is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. In the grand English tradition fine, classic cocktails have been a hallmark in their rich history. A “Mad Bar Scientist” (Amber Billiard) is now creating the cocktails. Amber joins us to share some spirited Holiday cocktails.

What’s the dining out scene like in Old Havana and Cuba? Do locals eat in restaurants? Our next guest, Tori Klein, the Director of University of Nevada Las Vegas’s (UNLV) Foundation Events was just there. We’ll get an informed perspective from someone who really knows the restaurant business. It’s, unfortunately, a lot more primitive in Cuba than you know but the long-suffering Cuban people are remarkably resilient.

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