Show 513, February 18, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Conscious Bean is a wellness-based, boutique micro roaster and caffeination design firm, focusing on cafe development, event services, custom tailored coffee subscriptions and corporate coffee programs for elite private and commercial application. Born in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, on November 11, 2011, with headquarters in Orange County, California, Conscious Bean is the brain child of founder and caffeine visionary, Matthew Evilsizor.” Conscious Coffee’s Matt Evilsizor is our guest with the perfectly brewed cup of premium coffee in hand.

“In late January Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi, Commis Franco Fugel and Head Coach Robert Sulatycky (Team USA 2023) represented their country at the world’s most prestigious cooking competition, The Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in Lyon, France.
Teams of some of the most brilliant culinary minds from 24 countries across the world gathered in Lyon, France, where they competed in the most rigorous and celebrated cooking competition in the world.

Team USA (supported by the Ment’or Foundation) competed on Monday, January 23rd and presented their platter “Postcard From Hawaii,” an homage to Chef Hayashi’s home. Their platter presentation contained the mandatory protein of monkfish, which was roasted and featured monkfish jus, ragout of mussels, hen egg custard and avocado green goddess. To further test each country’s creative abilities, each team developed a “Feed the Kids” menu, featuring a three-course meal highlighting pumpkin and egg as the main ingredients.” Team USA’s Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel are our guests.

“Helmed by Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer, Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa) is an award-winning modern brasserie centered around the antique art of butchery. The menu boasts dry-aged meats and rustic brasserie-style dishes representative of his hometown Toulouse in the south of France. From the kitchen to the bar, craftsmanship is displayed as chefs expertly trim and truss premium cuts of meat while bartenders stir and shake soju-based spirits into French-inspired elixirs. With an atmosphere of warm masculinity, the dining room at Butcher’s House allows guests to escape into a rich bottle of Bordeaux, while its sunny courtyard-facing patio presents the perfect locale for a chilled glass of rose.” Chef Jeoffrey Offer joins us with antique clever in hand.

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. We were going to chat with Chef Andrew about some oddities of the current tipping situation in restaurants and added charges that, perhaps, require a bit of explanation but the ghost of cell phone drop got in the way of connecting with Chef Andrew and keeping him on the air. No fear…We’ll pick up the conversation with Chef Andrew next Saturday morning. Apologies…

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

Show 513, February 18, 2023: Matthew Evilsizor, Founder, Conscious Bean – “The Coffee Whisperer” Part One

Matthew Evilsizor

Conscious Bean is a wellness-based, boutique micro roaster and caffeination design firm, focusing on cafe development, event services, custom tailored coffee subscriptions and corporate coffee programs for elite private and commercial application. Born in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, on November 11, 2011, with headquarters in Orange County, California. Conscious Bean is the brainchild of founder and caffeine visionary, Matthew Evilsizor.”

“Coffee to Conscious Bean, is the manifestation of love. It’s the dedication of many hands, hearts & the recurring gift of mother earth. Conscious Bean works daily to honor this gift, sharing their vision of earth’s exceptional offerings, crafted for your ritual.”

“It is dedication, vigilance, obsessive attention to detail and honest partnership. Conscious Bean’s visionary coffees are the tangible representation of owner Matthew Evilsizor and long- time friend and master roaster, Shawn Anderson of Old Town Roastery fame. Their dedicated partnership, along with a long chain of advocates, farms, importers and a few secret weapons, manifest some of the most rare and exceptional offerings from around the planet. Without the passion, vigilance, and skill of these souls, what Conscious Bean represents would not be possible.”

“Conscious Bean also handcrafts award-winning coffee in small batches for one-of-a-kind coffee subscriptions.”

“20% of Conscious Bean’s wholesale sales go to interest free loans for small coffee farms around the world.”

Conscious Coffee’s Matt Evilsizor is our guest with the perfectly brewed cup of premium coffee in hand which he graciously shared with our coffee-loving staff. A truly great cup of coffee speaks for itself!

Show 513, February 18, 2023: Matthew Evilsizor, Founder, Conscious Bean – “The Coffee Whisperer” Part Two

Matthew Evilsizor

Conscious Bean is a wellness-based, boutique micro roaster and caffeination design firm, focusing on cafe development, event services, custom tailored coffee subscriptions and corporate coffee programs for elite private and commercial application. Born in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, on November 11, 2011, with headquarters in Orange County, California. Conscious Bean is the brainchild of founder and caffeine visionary, Matthew Evilsizor.”

“Coffee to Conscious Bean, is the manifestation of love. It’s the dedication of many hands, hearts & the recurring gift of mother earth. Conscious Bean works daily to honor this gift, sharing their vision of earth’s exceptional offerings, crafted for your ritual.”

“It is dedication, vigilance, obsessive attention to detail and honest partnership. Conscious Bean’s visionary coffees are the tangible representation of owner Matthew Evilsizor and long- time friend and master roaster, Shawn Anderson of Old Town Roastery fame. Their dedicated partnership, along with a long chain of advocates, farms, importers and a few secret weapons, manifest some of the most rare and exceptional offerings from around the planet. Without the passion, vigilance, and skill of these souls, what Conscious Bean represents would not be possible.”

“Conscious Bean also handcrafts award-winning coffee in small batches for one-of-a-kind coffee subscriptions.”

“20% of Conscious Bean’s wholesale sales go to interest free loans for small coffee farms around the world.”

Conscious Coffee’s Matt Evilsizor continues as our guest refreshing our cup of perfectly brewed premium coffee.

February 18: Conscious Bean, Team USA at Bocuse d’Or, Butcher’s House Brasserie

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Matthew Evilsizor, Founder, Conscious Bean – “The Coffee Whisperer” Part One
Segment Three: Matthew Evilsizor, Founder, Conscious Bean – “The Coffee Whisperer” Part Two
Segment Four: Team USA 2023 with Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel, Bocuse d’Or Culinary Competition Part One
Segment Five: Team USA 2023 with Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel, Bocuse d’Or Culinary Competition Part Two
Segment Six: Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa) with Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer Part One
Segment Seven: Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa) with Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer Part Two

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

“Conscious Bean is a wellness-based, boutique micro roaster and caffeination design firm, focusing on cafe development, event services, custom tailored coffee subscriptions and corporate coffee programs for elite private and commercial application. Born in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, on November 11, 2011, with headquarters in Orange County, California, Conscious Bean is the brainchild of founder and caffeine visionary, Matthew Evilsizor.” Conscious Coffee’s Matt Evilsizor is our guest with the perfectly brewed cup of premium coffee in hand.

In late January Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi, Commis Franco Fugel and Head Coach Robert Sulatycky (Team USA 2023) represented their country at the world’s most prestigious cooking competition, The Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in Lyon, France.

Teams of some of the most brilliant culinary minds from 24 countries across the world gathered in Lyon, France, where they competed in the most rigorous and celebrated cooking competition in the world.

“Team USA (supported by the Ment’or Foundation) competed on Monday, January 23rd and presented their platter “Postcard From Hawaii,” an homage to Chef Hayashi’s home. Their platter presentation contained the mandatory protein of monkfish, which was roasted and featured monkfish jus, ragout of mussels, hen egg custard and avocado green goddess. To further test each country’s creative abilities, each team developed a “Feed the Kids” menu, featuring a three-course meal highlighting pumpkin and egg as the main ingredients.” Team USA’s Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel are our guests.

“Helmed by Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer, Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa) is an award-winning modern brasserie centered around the antique art of butchery. The menu boasts dry-aged meats and rustic brasserie-style dishes representative of his hometown Toulouse in the south of France. From the kitchen to the bar, craftsmanship is displayed as chefs expertly trim and truss premium cuts of meat while bartenders stir and shake soju-based spirits into French-inspired elixirs. With an atmosphere of warm masculinity, the dining room at Butcher’s House allows guests to escape into a rich bottle of Bordeaux, while its sunny courtyard-facing patio presents the perfect locale for a chilled glass of rose.” Chef Jeoffrey Offer joins us with antique clever in hand.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Some full-service restaurants are now adding a “Mandatory Service Charge” to restaurant bills for parties of less than 6 guests. Is this a tip? What about a 4 to 5 per cent surcharge added for “employee health care”? When you use a credit card some of the signature printouts give you suggested tip amounts. Some calculate the suggested tip based on the includes sales tax and others calculate net of tax. What’s right? We’ll ask the chef.

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

Matthew Evilsizor

Conscious Bean is a wellness-based, boutique micro roaster and caffeination design firm, focusing on cafe development, event services, custom tailored coffee subscriptions and corporate coffee programs for elite private and commercial application. Born in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, on November 11, 2011, with headquarters in Orange County, California. Conscious Bean is the brainchild of founder and caffeine visionary, Matthew Evilsizor.”

“Coffee to Conscious Bean, is the manifestation of love. It’s the dedication of many hands, hearts & the recurring gift of mother earth. Conscious Bean works daily to honor this gift, sharing their vision of earth’s exceptional offerings, crafted for your ritual.”

“It is dedication, vigilance, obsessive attention to detail and honest partnership. Conscious Bean’s visionary coffees are the tangible representation of owner Matthew Evilsizor and long- time friend and master roaster, Shawn Anderson of Old Town Roastery fame. Their dedicated partnership, along with a long chain of advocates, farms, importers and a few secret weapons, manifest some of the most rare and exceptional offerings from around the planet. Without the passion, vigilance, and skill of these souls, what Conscious Bean represents would not be possible.”

“Conscious Bean also handcrafts award-winning coffee in small batches for one-of-a-kind coffee subscriptions.”

“20% of Conscious Bean’s wholesale sales go to interest free loans for small coffee farms around the world.”

Conscious Coffee’s Matt Evilsizor is our guest with the perfectly brewed cup of premium coffee in hand.

Jeffrey Hayashi is the head chef for the 2021 Bocuse D'Or

In late January Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi, Commis Franco Fugel and Head Coach Robert Sulatycky (Team USA 2023) represented their country at the world’s most prestigious cooking competition, The Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in Lyon, France.

“Teams of some of the most brilliant culinary minds from 24 countries across the world gathered in Lyon, France, where they competed in the most rigorous and celebrated cooking competition in the world.”

“Team USA (supported by the Ment’or Foundation) competed on Monday, January 23rd and presented their platter “Postcard From Hawaii,” an homage to Chef Hayashi’s home. Their platter presentation contained the mandatory protein of monkfish, which was roasted and featured monkfish jus, ragout of mussels, hen egg custard and avocado green goddess. The platter presentations were designed by Martin Kastner of Crucial Detail, LLC. To further test each country’s creative abilities, each team developed a “Feed the Kids” menu, featuring a three-course meal highlighting pumpkin and egg as the main ingredients. Team USA artfully presented their menu, drawing inspiration from childhood fairy tales of “Cinderella,” “The Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs,” and “Snow White.””

Commis Franco Fugel

Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi notes, “I am honored to have represented Team USA at this esteemed global culinary competition. I would not be here without the support of all the members of Team USA, but particularly that of my Commis, Franco Fugel and our Head Coach Robert Sulatycky. This was an opportunity of a lifetime for a chef and I will treasure this experience throughout my culinary journey.””

Ment’or is the non-profit organization that is responsible for recruiting, training and supporting Team USA.

Team USA’s Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel are our guests.

Jeoffrey Offer of Butcher's House Brasserie

Butcher’s House Brasserie, the award-winning brasserie helmed by Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer, celebrated its 1st Anniversary last December. In its first year, Butcher’s House garnered critical acclaim as the ‘2022 Restaurant of the Year’ by Orange Coast Magazine and earned coveted recognition in the Orange County Register’s ‘75 Best Restaurants’ list. The restaurant, now in its second year, has introduced a new menu that artfully juxtaposes the antique craft of butchery with contemporary French dining.”

“Butcher’s House celebrates cuisine du terroir, focusing on wood-fired steaks, dry-aged, and butchered in-house. Classic and contemporary converge on Offer’s new menu as time-honored techniques intersect with his inspirations from the avant-garde dining culture of modern France. The new menu is complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine program offering guests an exploration through the various growing regions of France.”

“If you were to visit France today, you’d find that restaurants shaping the modern dining scene focus on simple, good food served in a warm, inviting atmosphere. That is what we’re creating at Butcher’s House,” adds Offer. “Simply prepared dishes allow the quality and seasonality of ingredients to take center stage. There is beauty in simplicity, and my style of cooking reflects that.”

“New-to-the-menu starters include a woodfire-grilled Rustic Carpaccio with thinly sliced thyme and garlic-marinated filet with Gribiche sauce; and a Burrata with grilled acorn squash topped with basil, olive oil, and saba. Accompaniments like Ratatouille and duck-fat Roasted Potatoes serve as classic complements to Offer’s selection of Butcher’s Choice cuts, while playful options like Butcher’s Fries are topped with pork belly and melted raclette cheese. Dishes like the Merguez Boulette (beef & lamb marinated with traditional spices) and the signature Butcher’s Burger with dry-aged beef, confit onions, and Comté cheese provide a glimpse into France’s contemporary dining scene. Offer’s hometown is celebrated in traditional dishes like the Toulouse Sausage, while his classical French training shines through dishes like Duck Confit, a slow-cooked duck leg marinated in duck fat served with Cassoulet-style beans.”

“To complement his new dinner menu, Offer also launched a new wine program that expertly explores France’s most illustrious growing regions. A curated list features everything from elegant Champagnes and bold grand cru Burgundies to robust blends from the sun-drenched vineyards of the Southern Rhone.  In 2023 guests can look forward to a monthly series of multi-course wine-paired dinners exploring each growing region and its unique cuisine du terroir. Offer has tapped special co-hosts and wine experts to guide guests with tasting notes for each region.”

Butcher’s House is located at SoCo in Costa Mesa (3321 Hyland Ave. Ste. D) and is open for dinner nightly from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and weekend brunch from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the recently launched, full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Some full-service restaurants are now adding a “Mandatory Service Charge” to restaurant bills for parties of less than 6 guests. Is this a tip ? What about a 4 to 5 per cent surcharge added for “employee health care”? When you use a credit card some of the signature printouts give you a range of suggested tip amounts. Some calculate the suggested tip based on the included sales tax and others calculate net of tax. What’s right? (In parts of California this can add an additional 1 per cent to the bill.) We’ll ask the chef.

Chef Andrew and Lauren Gruel have a new fast casual concept, Burger 101, coming soon to the 2-level, Kitchen United complex on the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica. It’s Chef Andrew’s version of a value-priced, honest burger (and loaded fries) using quality ingredients including a premium burger patty sourced from West Coast Prime Meats. He’ll also launch a casual Mexican concept there, Lolo’s Tacos, specializing in clean and simple tacos, burritos and standout specialty sauces.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Matthew Evilsizor, Founder, Conscious Bean – “The Coffee Whisperer” Part One
Segment Three: Matthew Evilsizor, Founder, Conscious Bean – “The Coffee Whisperer” Part Two
Segment Four: Team USA 2023 with Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel, Bocuse d’Or Culinary Competition Part One
Segment Five: Team USA 2023 with Head Chef Jeffery Hayashi and Commis Franco Fugel, Bocuse d’Or Culinary Competition Part Two
Segment Six: Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa) with Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer Part One
Segment Seven: Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa) with Chef-Owner Jeoffrey Offer Part Two