Show 546, October 7, 2023: Callum Moughan, Roving Bar Manager, Princess Cruises

Callum Moughan of Princess Cruises

Part of the cruising experience is enjoying carefully crafted specialty libations along the way. Callum Moughan is a roving Bar Manager. He moves from ship to ship ensuring the bar service and hospitality at all outlets meets Princess’ high standards. Continuous training to maintain those high standards is also part of Callum’s responsibilities.

Good Spirits® At Sea is the spot aboard Discovery Princess where every drink is an experience and tells a story, connecting you to those around you and regional flavors around the world. Based on Good Spirits, the popular TV series that traveled to far-away destinations in search of local ingredients for original cocktails, the lively bar is the perfect place to explore new drinks. Princess’ onboard mixologist immerses you in the culture of your chosen destination as he crafts your cocktail.”

“Princess’ expert Mixologist, Rob Floyd, has refreshed the cocktail menus across the entire Princess fleet using his unique blend of knowledge, technique and flair for storytelling. Exclusive cocktails from the master himself join guest favorites with locally inspired flavors to create moments remembered long beyond the last day of the voyage.”

Callum Moughan joins us with cocktail shaker in hand.

Show 326, June 1, 2019: Bar Chef / Master Mixologist Matthew Biancaniello

Celebrity Mixologist Matthew BiancanielloAcclaimed mixologist / bar chef Matthew Biancaniello creates adventurous cocktail experiences. He formulates cocktails based on farm-fresh and unique, organic ingredients. Never working off a set cocktail menu, Biancaniello visits at least five different local farmers markets a week to source his ingredients, which inspire his imaginative cocktails. This is the Art of Omakase, honoring how the customer and bartender create a special experience together.

Matthew Biancaniello, the former cocktail chef for the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s famous Library Bar, is creating cocktails the world has never tasted before. Going beyond the quotidian Whiskey Sour or Tom Collins, Biancaniello is mixing it up with imaginative drinks such as “The Heirloom Tomato Mojito”, a twenty-five-year-aged balsamic vinegar and strawberry libation named “The Last Tango in Modena,” and a fresh arugula-infused “Roquette.”

We’re artfully shaking the cocktail shaker with bar chef Matthew. He’s currently doing a Limited Residency at The Library Bar at The Hollywood Roosevelt on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight through June 26th. Matthew observes that due to the popularity of his current Residency at the Hollywood Roosevelt the look is to now extend his program there through the Summer! Cheers…

Show 296, November 3, 2018: Nick Hirsch, Property Mixologist, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula

Nick HirschWhat’s a destination resort and casino without creative and appealing libations? Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula wine country has just brought on staff a Property Mixologist with a background at high-volume Las Vegas establishments.

He’s already revamped the libation menus at three Pechanga outlets, including Lobby Bar & Grill. Look for the seasonal PSA (pumpkin spice and apple.) A new bar, Corner Bar, is soon on the way near the Pechanga Theater and High Limit Gaming Area. Look for a New Year’s Eve launch.

The Property Mixologist is Nick Hirsch and he’s shaking it up just for us.

Show 180, July 16, 2016: Dan Minjares, Restaurant Manager and Mixologist, The Ranch Restaurant

Dan MinjaresThe Ranch Restaurant in Anaheim has a tremendous commitment to using fresh fruit and vegetables in all their preparations. They incredibly have their own farm (The Farm) in Orange on over two acres of land where they grow many of the fruits and vegetables used at the bar and on the dinner menu. Executive Chef Michael Rossi actually checks the farm daily to see what can be used fresh from the field on that day’s menu.

Restaurant Manager & Mixologist Dan Minjares has recently introduced their new Summer Cocktails. Included is a selection of appealing “Farm Inspired Summer Cocktails” that use citrus, watermelon and strawberries from the farm.

Their Watermelon Mint Mule is watermelon infused Purity Vodka, fresh lime juice, mint leaves and Fever Tree Ginger Beer. It’s served in a properly chilled copper mug.

Dan is with us to explain all the refreshing specifics. Cheers.

Show 180, July 16, 2016: Dan Minjares, Restaurant Manager and Mixologist, The Ranch Restaurant Continues…

Dan MinjaresThe Ranch Restaurant in Anaheim has a tremendous commitment to using fresh fruit and vegetables in all their preparations. They incredibly have their own farm (The Farm) in Orange on over two acres of land where they grow many of the fruits and vegetables used at the bar and on the dinner menu.

Restaurant Manager & Mixologist Dan Minjares has recently introduced their new Summer Cocktails. Included is a selection of appealing “Farm Inspired Summer Cocktails” that use citrus, watermelon and strawberries from the farm.

Heirloom tomatoes are in abundance at The Farm right now. Dan uses them to create their own proprietary Bloody Mary mix. Chef Rossi’s pepper sauce (from peppers and chiles grown on The Farm) is part of the recipe.

The “Best of Award Excellence” (Wine Spectator Magazine) wine program at The Ranch includes a 500 plus bottle list with rare and reserve wines featuring over 30 wines-by-the-glass selections. They feature hand-crafted cocktails, barrel aged cocktails and, when in season, farm-to-glass cocktails from their own heirloom vegetable farm on Edwards Ranch Estates. Draft and bottle beer selections are available as well as specialty martinis, select whiskey, rye, tequila and after dinner drink libations.

Show 142, October 17, 2015: Jonathan Club’s Executive Chef Jason McClain and C-CAP’s Lisa Fontanesi Continues…

Mitzie CutlerJoin in C-CAP’s dinner benefit celebration of the founding of the Mitzie Cutler Scholarship fund to provide high school students in the L.A. area with the opportunity to attend culinary college and/or postsecondary school.

The toast to Mitzie’s 20 plus years of service to C-CAP features hors d’oeuvres and dinner from the Jonathan Club’s own distinguished Executive Chef Jason McClain and star C-CAP L.A. Alumni, along with premium wine, beer and spirits.

The C-CAP alum culinary team includes Chef Raymond Alvarez of Toca Madera and Chef Dustin Trani of Doma in Beverly Hills. Celebrity mixologist Devon Espinosa of The Church Key in West Hollywood will be serving his signature creation for the evening, “THE MITZIE.”

Extra special thanks to Chef McClain and the management of The Jonathan Club for their continued generosity to C-CAP. There are a lot of worthy causes out there. The SoCal Restaurant Show salutes you for going the extra-mile, year-round to support the important programs of C-CAP L.A. and their mission for encouraging careers in the culinary arts.

Show 126, June 13, 2015: Chef Akasha Richmond, Sambar, Culver City Continues…

Akasha RichmondSambar is open for dinner to start with an announcement of lunch to follow. Richmond’s penchant for the lighter foods of the Southern region, as well as nourishing and curative ingredients will stand out at Sāmbār, such as the Pigeon Pea Fritters, Goan Chicken Xacuti, or Lemon Rice, as well as Curries and Vegetables including a Backwater Shrimp Stir-Fry and Punjabi Mama Greens, to name a few.

Exploring new techniques, the ever-evolving menu will showcase Richmond’s culinary prowess and ambition to try inventive dishes while striking a balance with approachable and crowd-pleasing items. “While there will be vegetarian options and we won’t have beef on the menu, we will have goat, lamb, and pork dishes, there will be something for everyone,” says Richmond. Additional entrées will include Tandoori-Style dishes such as a British Raj Chicken, Pistachio Lamp Chops, and Pork Shoulder roasted with vindaloo masala served with naan focaccia.

Think Indian food only pairs with beer? Nonsense! Sāmbār’s resident mixology team will be led by Clare Ward who, together with Richmond’s influence, inspired the cocktail program at Sāmbār. Ward also serves as the lead mixologist at AKASHA, Richmond’s landmark Culver City neighborhood eatery. Spice driven cocktails, housemade bitters, and rare and interesting spirits will be found on the drinks menu including “Last Train to Goa” ̶ a punch made with Arrack and rose syrup, or East Indian Pimms made with fresh curry leaves.

The most popular Spice Trade Cocktail thus far is “The Maharaja.” It’s rye, kummel combier, carrot syrup, beet shrub and lemon juice. It goes down way too easy…

The beverage program also incorporates housemade chai and organic Indian teas. Guests can enjoy cocktails at the bar or take a front-row seat just steps from the kitchen at the chefs’ counter and share Head on Prawns with Mango Powder Marinade and Turmeric Naan, or the Sāmbār Snack Mix and a drink.

Show 120, May 2, 2015: Mixologist Dan Minjares, The Ranch Restaurant, Anaheim Part One

Dan MinjaresDaniel Minjares, a senior restaurant manager at The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon in Anaheim, has recently assumed an additional role as mixologist for the restaurant.

Minjares, a Southern Califorenia native, and a 33 year restaurant veteran was the beverage manager at SkyCity Restaurant at the Seattle Space Needle in Seattle prior to joining The Ranch team three years ago. Currently, he is combining the unique offerings of the restaurant’s heirloom vegetable farm in creating farm-to-glass cocktails, complimenting the restaurants’ seasonally driven menu.

The Edwards Ranch Estates heirloom vegetable farm is located on Ranch Owner, Andrew Edwards’s private estate and is where a portion of the produce is grown that supplies the restaurant’s menu. The farm supports Executive Chef Michael Rossi’s vision of a seasonally driven menu and provides Rossi the creative freedom and flexibility to design menus and dishes around the seasons. Initially intended for restaurant menu development, the farm will now support a seasonally driven beverage menu.

Rossi and Minjares are currently working together on plans for the upcoming season. “Having the ability to blend the flavors from fruits, herbs, peppers and heirloom vegetables grown on our own farm, creating our own unique flavors for cocktails, it just doesn’t get any better,” said Minjares. Currently Minjares is also barrel aging and crafting his own bitters and aromatics for the new Spring cocktail menu.

Expect The Ranch’s incredible heirloom tomato garden to be the base for The Ranch’s house-prepared Bloody Mary Mix. You can’t get any fresher than that.

Show 89, September 20, 2014: David Valiante, Mixologist – Roxanne’s Lounge

David VallanteDavid Valiante is the Bar Program Director at Roxanne’s Lounge and The Exhibition Room speakeasy in Long Beach. He’s been a master bartender for 14 years including a stretch as a Flair Bartender.

“I began my bartending career about 14 years ago, and learned a lot about wine and food pairings. Started at The Market Broiler in Huntington Beach, moved to other restaurants and then to a jazz club in Hollywood. I eventually moved back to restaurants.

He’s part of Sip LBC Long Beach Wine, Beer & Spirits Week taking place from September 21st to 27th

Show 84, August 16, 2014: Guest Host Chef Eric Greenspan and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris preview the show

Guest Host Celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan of Foundation Hospitality Group and Producer Andy preview the show.

Besides being all over Food TV (he bested Iron Chef Bobby Flay on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America”) Chef Eric Greenspan has made a name for himself in the rarified world of fine-dining. For almost two years he was the executive chef of Joachim Splichal’s highly-acclaimed flagship restaurant Patina. More recently he created The Foundry on Melrose Ave. In the Fall he returns to Melrose with the eagerly anticipated fine dining, Enclave.

Although Chef Eric Greenspan has created the more casual, Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese and The Roof on Wilshire, his heart and true passion remains in fine dining. We’ll talk about the future of fine-dining in Los Angeles and get Chef Eric’s perspective. We’ll also preview Chef Eric’s new series for the National Geographic Channel debuting in November.

The first Canstruction Competition is coming to Long Beach on August 21st. The resulting collections of food benefit Food Finders food rescue / food bank. It’s going to be a wild 12 hours benefiting people in need!

The Halos have an ace relief pitcher in Jason Grilli newly arrived in a trade deal with The Pittsburgh Pirates. In Pittsburgh he’s known for The Closer, a 3-decker grilled cheese sandwich using 9 different premium cheeses. He’s also part of the franchisee group bringing the popular Tom+Chee restaurants to Pittsburgh. Jason is with us live on the road from Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas to talk about it.

The 2014 Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival (4th Annual) is once again upon us taking place in Downtown Los Angeles on August 21 -24. This is one of the biggest culinary festivals staged on the West Coast with culinary masters hosting power lunches, cocktail culture merging with some of the finest chefs for spirited dinners, and first –time events such as the “Ultimate Bites of L.A. Challenge” on Opening Night hosted by Graham Elliott and Fabio Viviani.

The 3rd Annual PigOut (benefiting Inspire Artistic Minds) is set for Sunday afternoon, August 24th at the California Scenario in Costa Mesa.

The main attraction will be a 250 pound Templeton Rye Duroc Pig of the Templeton Rye Heritage Pork Project.

The KTown Night Market and Block Party is coming to Angel Stadium on Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd. It’s 60 plus food trucks and vendors (including the Seoul Sausage Co.) and a large beer garden. Also there will be live music, games and rides. We’ll chat with the co-producer and one of the young founders of the participating Seoul Sausage Co.

Meet Mixologist Chris Amirault of Harlowe, a new bar that’s attracting a lot of attention in West Hollywood. Even his standard cocktails are very special. Chris also creates unusual draft and bottled cocktails.

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