August 27: Western Foodservice Expo, Corti Brothers, LA Loves Alex’s, Meathead Goldwyn, Tuxton China, The Taste, Curtis Stone

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Ron Mathews, Vice President, Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Segment Three: Caroline Styne, Lucques Restaurant Group, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Benefit
Segment Four: Meathead Goldwyn, AmazingRibs.com, MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling
Segment Five: Jennifer Rolander, Marketing Director, Tuxton China, Inc.
Segment Six: Los Angeles Times The Taste, Preview
Segment Seven: Chefs Curtis Stone (Maude and Gwen) and Dominique Crenn (Altier Crenn and Petit Crenn)

A preview of today’s show and what you need to know for a chance for a free, premium fried chicken sandwich on August 31^st to celebrate the last day of National Sandwich Month!

The largest annual gathering of foodservice executives, chefs and restaurateurs in the West is the 2016 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo on August 28^th to 30^th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s for the trade, only. Ron Mathews, Vice President of the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo joins us with a preview.

Noted gourmand Darrell Corti of Corti Brothers gourmet grocery and spirit purveyors in Sacramento is the Chairman of the globally respected L.A. International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. We’ll chat about the Southern Hemisphere tasting and lots more, and how the public can sample some of the winning oils at the upcoming L.A. County Fair. TheDailyMeal.com has dubbed him one of the coolest people in food and drink in America.

Prominent chefs from across the country are set to return to Los Angeles for the 7^th Annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade culinary cookout benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 12-4pm at UCLA’s Royce Quad. The event — hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin, business partner Caroline Styne (Lucques, a.o.c.,Tavern) along with Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat) – will offer fantastic food, wine and cocktails prepared by the nation’s best chefs, winemakers and mixologists, all to fight childhood cancer. Lucques Restaurant Group’s Caroline Styne joins us with an enticing preview.

He’s back…Meathead Goldwyn is the founder, barbecue and grilling whisperer, and hedonism evangelist behind AmazingRibs.com. the world’s most popular outdoor cooking website. His new book is MEATHEAD : The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling . Just in time for Labor Day cookouts…

Tuxton China Company started business in 1999, but it has a long family history which has contributed to its success. Three generations of the founding Lam family continue to run Lynn’s and Tuxton China, and with the addition of William Burden (former owner of Burden China Co., Inc.) who became Tuxton’s President in 2001, Tuxton has become one of the top suppliers in the foodservice industry. In September Tuxton is donating a percentage of their total sales to support the Careers through Culinary Arts Program C-CAP. Tuxton’s Marketing Director, Jennifer Rolander, joins us with all the needed 411.

The Los Angeles Times’ The Taste is back Labor Day Weekend on the backlot at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. It’s perhaps the ultimate Summer epicurean pop-up and block party featuring the talents of the area’s best chefs, bartenders and restaurateurs. Our guests are Sunday Block Party’s Host, Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Michael Flood of the L.A. Regional Food Bank.

Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude in Beverly Hills features monthly changing prix fixe menus with the courses designed around a key ingredient. For instance the featured ingredient for August is the Plum. For 2 very special nights San Francisco’s Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn and Petit Crenn) is cooking a special benefit menu at the Chef’s Counter at Maude with Chef Curtis. Curtis Stone joins us with the details.

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

The largest annual gathering of foodservice executives, chefs and restaurateurs in the West is the 2016 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo on August 28^th to 30^th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. There will be over 8,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors. It’s for the trade, only.

It’s 3-days of menu trends, state of the art design and décor, and the best in business education.

Ron Mathews, Vice President of the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo joins us with a preview.

Prominent chefs from across the country are set to return to Los Angeles for the 7^th Annual LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade culinary cookout benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 12-4pm at UCLA’s Royce Quad.

The event — hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin, business partner Caroline Styne (Lucques, a.o.c.,Tavern) along with Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat) – will offer fantastic food, wine and cocktails prepared by the nation’s best chefs, winemakers and mixologists, all to fight childhood cancer.

Joining host Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and David Lentz will be another stellar lineup of the nation’s culinary superstars. Returning chefs include Adam Perry Lang, Giada De Laurentiis, Michael Voltaggio, April Bloomfield, Nancy Silverton, Chris Bianco, Donald Link, Jonathan Waxman, Michael Cimarusti, and Marc Vetri. The founders also announce an outstanding group of first-time participating chefs – Derek Dammann, Aarón Sánchez, Frank Stitt, Walter Manzke, Dominique Crenn, Timothy Hollingsworth and Ori Menasche. The event will also feature leading vintners and mixologists from around the country.

The day is filled with delicious foods from coast to coast, cocktails for a cause, a treasure trove of children’s activities, live and silent auctions of exclusive experiences and packages as well as the signature Alex’s Lemonade Stand manned by youth volunteers.

From its inception in 2010, the event has sold tickets to capacity and raised over $3.2 million for the Foundation’s efforts in funding research for childhood cancer treatment and cures. In addition to the generous backing of the community, prominent personalities from the entertainment industry – long time attendee Jimmy Kimmel, Lena Dunham, Laura Dern, Joe Mantegna, Timothy Olyphant, Kirsten Vangsness and others – have become champions to the cause.

Lucques Restaurant Group’s Caroline Styne joins us with an enticing preview.

He’s back…Meathead Goldwyn is the founder, barbecue and grilling whisperer, and hedonism evangelist behind AmazingRibs.com. the world’s most popular outdoor cooking website. His new book is MEATHEAD: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Just in time for Labor Day cookouts…

The emphasis on this encore segment is Meathead’s take on grilling and smoking veggies. Meadhead goes Veghead ! Who knew…?

The founder of the destination website amazingribs.com applies the latest scientific research to barbecuing and grilling, including 200 recipes for succulent results every time, nothing is more crucial than understanding the science behind the interaction of fire and food.

In this definitive guide to the concepts, methods, and equipment of barbecuing and grilling, “Meathead” Goldwyn shatters the myths that stand in the way of perfection. “Busted” misconceptions include:

Meat should be brought to room temperature before cooking: In fact, cold meat absorbs smoke better.

Hardwood charcoal is better than briquets: Actually, there’s no difference in flavor, and briquets last longer.

Meat needs to rest after grilling to reabsorb its juices: Tests show it does not take up juices but can become cold and overcooked.

Meathead reveals everything backyard heroes need to know, including how to decide when to use a dry rub or a brine and a detailed roundup of equipment—from grills and grates to the best thermometers.

Lavishly designed with full-color photos and illustrations, this book contains all the sure-fire recipes for traditional American favorites: Tennessee Hollerin’ Sauce, Last Meal Ribs, Simon & Garfunkel Chicken, Schmancy Smoked Salmon, Roman-Style No-Knead Pizza, and Ultimate Corn on the Cob.

Tuxton China Company started business in 1999, but it has a long family history which has contributed to its success. Back in 1963 T.Y. Lam founded what came to be known as the world famous Chinese Ceramic Arts Import and Export Company. Due to his renowned reputation and the fact that the Chinese Government was privatizing factories, Mr. Lam took over a government factory in order to continue expanding his business. So in 1989 The Lynn’s Group (which currently makes chinaware for the retail industry) was formed in conjunction with his other business.

While the Lynn’s Group continued to grow, Mr. Lam recruited his children to help run the company and keep his legacy alive. Eventually they opened offices in Hong Kong, China and the United States. While Lynn’s kept up the retail manufacturing, the company also began to manufacture for numerous well-known companies in the U.S. foodservice industry. This move led to the founding of Tuxton China Inc.

Three generations of the Lam family continue to run Lynn’s and Tuxton China, and with the addition of William Burden (former owner of Burden China Co., Inc.) who became Tuxton’s President in 2001, Tuxton has become one of the top suppliers in the foodservice industry.

For more than a decade, Tuxton has been anchored by its core values of passionate dedication to customer service, excellence in product quality, high integrity, embracing innovation, and last but not least, a positive and humble attitude. These values, along with Tuxton’s dedication to its employees and customers, continue to drive the company to be the best in the industry.

In September Tuxton is donating a percentage of their total sales to support the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP,) an extraordinary non-profit that transforms the lives of at-risk high school students through the culinary arts. In Los Angeles alone, C-CAP was able to work with 3,200 students in 22 schools and awarded over $765,000 in scholarships in the 2015-2016 academic year. There are also programs in Arizona, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Virginia and Washington D.C.

Tuxton’s Marketing Director, Jennifer Rolander, joins us with all the needed 411.

The Los Angeles Times’ The Taste is back Labor Day Weekend on the backlot at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. It’s perhaps the ultimate epicurean pop-up and block party featuring the talents of chefs, bartenders and restaurateurs. Our guests are Sunday Block Party’s Host, Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Michael Flood of the L.A. Regional Food Bank.

A panel of the Sunday Block Party hosted by Noelle Carter is “Waste Not Want Not : Sustainable Uses for Food Waste.” It’s at 12:45 p.m. on September 4^th. on the Taste Bar Stage. Noelle is the moderator and Michael Flood of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is a panelist.

Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude in Beverly Hills features monthly changing prix fixe menus with the courses designed around a key ingredient. For instance, the featured ingredient for August is the Plum.

For 2 very special nights San Francisco’s Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn and Petit Crenn) is cooking a spectacular benefit menu at the Chef’s Counter at Maude with Chef Curtis. Curtis Stone joins us with the tantalizing details.

It’s been quite a year for Chef Dominique Crenn. She was named the World’s Best Female Chef by San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. She was also nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef: West.

Podcasts

Show 101, December 13, 2014: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Adam Bell

Andy Harris at the KLAA Studios Producer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s abundant show…

Urban Seoul is one of the 20 plus distinctive dining destinations in the Diamond Jamboree in Irvine. It’s an energetic restaurant that celebrates passion for food and its remarkable ability to adapt. The food is mostly a creative mash-up of Korean and Mexican flavors. The highly successful concept was created by Orange County restaurateur Bronnie Lee and Chef Kacy Jun. Chef Jun is our guest.

P Moss is a tiki historian and acclaimed fiction author who also owns the legendary Double Down Saloons in Las Vegas and New York City as well as the popular Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas. Frankie’s Tiki Room is the world’s only 24/7 tiki bar, known for its blend of Polynesian tradition with a hint of Las Vegas kitsch, welcoming ambience and one-of-a-kind tropical drinks that draw tiki aficionados from all over the world. These magical libations have now been poured into a book format. 77 previously secret recipes, stunning photography and illustrations are included in the newly released, Liquid Vacation.

P Moss pulls out the little cocktail umbrellas for us.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude in Beverly Hills was the Best New Restaurant of the Year for both LA Weekly and Eater L.A.

Every month there is a new theme ingredient around which a 9-course tasting menu is created. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

Chef Vic Vegas last joined us to discuss his new restaurant in Henderson, NV, Café V. He’s now hosting (along with Laila Ali) “Late Nite Chef Fight” on FYI on Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. Based on the real after hours’ chef competition (originally created by local culinary personality Jolenne Mannina) that takes place in Las Vegas, each episode of “Late Nite Chef Fight” has two leading, Vegas-based chefs competing against each other in a food truck they have never stepped foot inside before.

ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate good toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year. Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

A festive new taco has arrived at Mercadito at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas as part of Mercadito Hospitality’s national Tacos for Strength Campaign. This December, Mercadito will feature a winter-inspired taco created by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin Star award-winning chef Paul Virant of Vie and Perennial Virant in Chicago.A portion of the proceeds will go to Share Our Strength. Mercadito at Red Rock Resort opened mid-summer. Executive Chef & Owner Patricio Sandoval is our guest.

Eric Klein is the Executive Chef and Partner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Las Vegaslocated in the Forum Shops, his first fine-dining restaurant in Las Vegas. It led the way for other prominent fine-dining chefs to establish destination restaurants in Las Vegas. Chef Eric has been the highly visible face of Spago Las Vegas since 2007. Spago is now celebrating their 22^nd anniversary with a throwback menu (think Smoked Salmon Pizza) and retro prices from December 15^th through 19^th.

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

Show 101, December 13, 2014: Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Adam Bell

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s (Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and Food Network’s “Kitchen Inferno”) Maude in Beverly Hills was the Best New Restaurant of the Year for both LA Weekly and Eater L.A.

Because it’s so small you politely advised to make your reservation well in advance. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. There is a carefully considered wine pairing option available, too.

At the beginning of a new month reservations open for dining in the next month. Be aware the restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday. Reservation hours are on open days from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Also Maude will be closed for vacation the first two weeks of January.

General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

December 13: Urban Seoul, P Moss, Maude, Vic Vegas, Patricio Sandoval, Eric Klein

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Urban Seoul Borderless Kitchen
Segment Three: Frankie’s Tiki Room
Segment Four: Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude
Segment Five: Chef Vic Vegas and “Late Night Chef Fight”
Segment Six: ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen’s Toy Drive
Segment Seven: Mercadito Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas
Segment Eight: Spago Las Vegas

Producer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s feast…

P Moss pulls out the little cocktail umbrellas for us.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone’s Maude in Beverly Hills was the Best New Restaurant of the Year for both Los Angeles Weekly and Eater L.A.

Every month there is a new theme ingredient around which an elaborate 9-course tasting menu is created. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

Chef Vic Vegas last was with us to discuss his new restaurant in Henderson, NV, Café V. He’s now hosting (along with Laila Ali) “Late Nite Chef Fight” on FYI on Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. Based on the real after hours’ chef competition (originally created by local culinary personality Jolenne Mannina) that takes place in Las Vegas, each episode of “Late Nite Chef Fight” has two leading, Vegas-based chefs competing against each other in a food truck they have never stepped foot inside before.

ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year. Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

A festive new taco is coming to Mercadito at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas as part of Mercadito Hospitality’s national Tacos for Strength Campaign. This December, Mercadito will feature a winter-inspired taco created by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin Star award-winning chef Paul Virant of Vie and Perennial Virant in Chicago. A portion of the proceeds will go to Share Our Strength. Mercadito at Red Rock Resort opened mid-summer. Executive Chef & Owner Patricio Sandoval is our guest.

Eric Klein is the Executive Chef and Partner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Las Vegas located in the Forum Shops, his first fine-dining restaurant in Las Vegas. It led the way for other prominent fine-dining chefs to establish destination restaurants in Las Vegas. Chef Eric has been the highly visible face of Spago Las Vegas since 2007. Spago is now celebrating their 22^nd anniversary with a throwback menu (think Smoked Salmon Pizza) and retro prices from December 15^th through 19^th.

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

Chef Jun is our guest.

Brad A. Johnson, the fare-reaching restaurant critic for The Orange County Register, is a big fan of their Chorizo Kimchi Fried Rice. It’s chorizo, pork belly, pickled red onions, kimchi, garlic, rice and a sunny side up egg.

These magical libations have now been “poured” into a book format. 77 previously secret recipes, stunning photography and illustrations are included in the newly released, Liquid Vacation – 77 Refreshing Tropical Drinks from Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas.

“All of us need a break now and then, whether it’s from the stress of everyday life or the boredom that comes from routine. You’ll find Liquid Vacation, a colorful, sometimes wild walk through the tiki culture in Las Vegas, from the early days of the Stardust Hotel to the present as it’s embodied by Frankie’s Tiki Room, located just minutes from the famous Strip.”

Author P Moss is here to walk us through the swaying palms, whispering bamboo and rustling grass skirts of the tiki world.

Every month there is a new theme ingredient around which a totally original, 9-course tasting menu is created. December is “Winter Squash.” The monthly ingredient themes for 2015 are already posted on Maude’s Website. Because it’s so small you politely advised to make your reservation well in advance. It’s only 7 tables and 25 seats with an open kitchen. There is a carefully considered wine pairing option available, too.

General Manager and Wine Director Ben Aviram joins us to take us through the extraordinary dining experience at Maude.

Chef Vic Vegas last joined us to discuss his new restaurant in Henderson, NV, Café V.

He’s now hosting (along with Laila Ali) “Late Nite Chef Fight” on FYI on Saturdays at 10:00 p.m. Based on the real after hours’ chef competition (originally created by local culinary personality Jolenne Mannina) that takes place in Las Vegas, each episode of “Late Nite Chef Fight” has two leading, Vegas-based chefs competing against each other in a food truck they have never stepped foot inside before.

Using a diverse and exotic range of unfamiliar ingredients left behind in the food trucks, the chefs create three unique dishes in three fast-paced rounds.

Vic Vegas, a self-taught restaurant chef, worked his way up the culinary ladder from dishwasher to Executive Chef at several Las Vegas hotels including Rumor, Hard Rock Hotel and The Sahara House of Lords to mention just a few.

ChaCha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is kicking off its Third Annual Toy Drive to benefit local families in need. Guests are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy at Cha Cha’s in exchange for a $15 certificate toward the Flamenco Sunday Brunch to be redeemed in The New Year.

Once all the toys are collected and wrapped, Cha Cha’s hosts a special evening for those grateful recipient families that includes a meal featuring signature dishes. Each year, over fifty guests get to enjoy a very touching evening that concludes with a visit from a very loyal guest of Cha Cha’s (Santa Claus) who spends time passing out gifts to the appreciative children.

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen features a California – Latin inspired menu that adapts the culinary heritage of Mexico and Latin America to a fresh modern style. The highlight of the open kitchen is the wood-fired oven.

Co-owner (and veteran restaurateur) Don Myers has all the details.

Mercadito at Red Rock Resort opened with great anticipation among savvy locals mid-summer. Drawing from culinary experiences in Mexican Markets, Mercadito features a wide variety of creative tacos made with handmade corn masa tortillas, guacamoles, refreshing ceviche and classic dishes like enchiladas and chile rellenos.

Executive Chef & Owner Patricio Sandoval is our guest.

Eric Klein is the Executive Chef and Partner at Wolfgang Puck’s celebrated Spago Las Vegas located in the Forum Shops, his first fine-dining restaurant in Las Vegas. It led the way for other prominent fine-dining chefs to establish destination restaurants in Las Vegas. Celebrity Chef restaurants in Las Vegas (typically located on The Strip) are now the norm.

Chef Eric has been the highly visible face of Spago Las Vegas since 2007. The adjacent more casual Café, has a people-watching view of the throngs of shoppers navigating the Forum Shops. He supervised the successful remodeling and refreshing of the classic restaurant.

Spago is now celebrating their 22^nd anniversary with a throwback menu (think Smoked Salmon Pizza) and retro prices from December 15^th through 19^th.

Podcasts

February 1: Curtis Stone, Cookies for a Koz, Hans Rockenwagner, Puck’s Tavern, Pacific Coast Wine Festival

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Host Jet Tila and Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Curtis Stone, Owner/Chef of Maude, Beverly Hills Part One
Segment Three: Curtis Stone, Owner/Chef of Maude, Beverly Hills Part Two
Segment Four: Roberta Koz Wilson, Cookies for a Koz
Segment Five: Chef Hans Rockenwagner, Rockenwagner Bakery and Café Rockenwagner Part One
Segment Six: Chef Hans Rockenwagner, Rockenwagner Bakery and Café Rockenwagner Part Two
Segment Seven: Matt Bencivenga, Wolfgang Puck Catering and Puck’s Tavern at Honda Center
Segment Eight: Tristen Beamon and Kyle Meyer, BestWinesOnline.com and Pacific Coast Wine Festival

Chef Jet and Producer Andy preview the show.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so plan ahead and don’t panic. It falls on a Friday this year. Friday is an especially tough day for restaurants due to Valentine’s Day anxiety so if you want to be a bit more relaxed make your plans for Saturday or Sunday instead. Still the Valentine’s Day orbit but a bit less crazed for the restaurant. You’ll definitely have better service…

Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen” with host Alton Brown is back on Sunday nights for Season 2. Our own Chef Jet Tila is the most frequently appearing solo judge on this tough competition show that requires strategy as well as cooking chops. Look for Jet’s new episodes starting in February.

Congrats to Chef Chris Oh of Seoul Sausage Co. in West Los Angeles. Last Sunday (Jan. 26th.) he competed against three other chefs on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen.” He won big and took home the most cash of any winner to date!

Everyone’s favorite sexy Aussie Chef is Curtis Stone. He’s opening an intimate new restaurant on Feb. 1st and we’ll get all the 411 right from the source. Fine dining chef Hans Rockenwagner, in recent years, has become known for his line of artisan breads. He’s just opened his most ambitious bakery café to date in Brentwood and joins us to provide the details. Wolfgang Puck is back in Orange County with the newly launched Puck’s Tavern at Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks. The executive chef of Wolfgang Puck Catering is with us to preview what’s on the menu.

All of that and lots more incredible deliciousness on the “SoCal Restaurant Show.”

You know Aussie celebrity chef, Curtis Stone, from Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” which he hosts. He’s now a resident of Los Angeles.

What you may not know is that he has a serious culinary background. He trained with the legendary English Chef, Marco Pierre White. Chef Curtis worked his way up Marco Pierre White’s tall culinary ladder and eventually became the Head Chef of Quo Vadis in London.

On February 1st Curtis Stone opens Maude in Beverly Hills. Maude is named after his grandmother. It’s an intimate 25 seats and Chef Curtis will actually be there cooking. The menu will change monthly and all of the nine tasting plates served each night will contain a featured ingredient.

His most recent cookbook, What’s for Dinner?: Delicious Recipes for a Busy Life was published last year by Ballantine Books Hardcover. The concept is getting dinner on the table without a hassle. The book features 130 effortless and inspired recipes that carry Chef Curtis’ promise of working.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and what more thoughtful edible gift than absolutely delicious chocolate chip cookies baked in small batches! The big plus is that each sale benefits The Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Roberta Koz Wilson (jazz saxophone great Dave Koz’s sister) of Cookies for a Koz joins us to share the inspirational story. The cookies are a tribute to their late mother, Audrey, who created the original cookie recipe. The truth is that these famous cookies opened a lot of doors for Dave in his early days as a struggling musician!

The Red Velvet Cookie was originally created as a Valentine’s Day special. It became so popular that it was added to the year-round line. It’s their take on a moist and delicious Red Velvet Cupcake.

Chef Hans Rockenwagner burst on the local Venice dining scene in 1985 when he opened the original (40 seat) Rockenwagner on Abbot Kinney Blvd. where Joe’s is now.

In 1991 Rockenwagner moved to a much larger space in the Frank Gehry-designed Edgemar Complex in Santa Monica.

White asparagus, in season, became a signature menu item.

Hans eventually discovered there was more money in artisan bread and eventually closed Rockenwagner to concentrate on his growing wholesale bread baking business. He now has 60 bakers working around the clock seven days a week! Rockenwagner Bakery is a fixture at area Farmers Markets including the Sunday Beverly Hills Farmers Market.

In addition to the growing wholesale bakery Hans Rockenwagner has a network of busy bakery cafes in Santa Monica, Venice, and Mar Vista. The most ambitious café to date just launched in Brentwood. This Café Rockenwagner is in the bw (a high-rise luxury apartment building) at the corner of Barrington Ave. and Wilshire Blvd.

Besides a full food menu there is on an on-site pastry chef here so there is an impressive selection of fresh breakfast pastries, desserts, breads and pretzels available.

Celebrated chef Wolfgang Puck and Wolfgang Puck Catering have just launched two new dining destinations at Honda Center, the home of the Anaheim Ducks. They are Puck’s Tavern, an approachable fine-dining restaurant serving modern comfort food and The Window at Puck’s Tavern, a made-to-order pizza concession stand. Both operations are located on the South Side of the arena’s main level.

Open during Honda Center’s events, Puck’s Tavern (230 seats) caters to both the general public and ticketholders alike. The 7,000 square-foot, indoor-outdoor restaurant features a direct entrance to the arena allowing a seamless transition from a sit-down meal or private event to the evening’s entertainment.

Matt Bencivenga, Executive Chef and Partner of Wolfgang Puck Catering joins us to chat about the opening of Puck’s Tavern and Wolfgang’s high-profile return to Orange County.

If you’re a wine lover then the upcoming Pacific Coast Wine Festival evening on March 1st at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach to benefit the Pacific Symphony is definitely for you.

The evening starts off with tastings from highly touted wineries including Domaine Faively and Nickel & Nickel. The live and silent auction will feature renowned selections such as Margaux, Mouton, Paul Hobbs, and Screaming Eagle. The sumptuous dinner will be followed by a select chocolate and port tasting.

All the impressive wine selections for the benefit and auctions have been meticulously curated by Tristen Beamon and Kyle Meyer of Orange County’s Bestwinesonline.