Show 411, February 6, 2021: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

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

Jet Tila and a heritage pig at Cochon 555 in 2013

Our emeritus host, Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, has a Lunar New Year promotion going on courtesy of Melissa’s and Lee Kum Kee. Ten Lucky winners (announced on March 1st) will be awarded a one-hour virtual cooking class with Chef Jet. In addition the First Prize is $1,500. The Lunar New Year Cook Off is a surprise challenge (think a virtual “Chopped”) where the recipes to be made arrive via email. Contestants sign-up for the challenge and then receive an email with the “mystery” ingredient/recipe. The entrant then makes the recipe and posts it in order to be entered to win. Eligible winners are selected at random. All the info on the contest is here.

Chef Aliye Aydin teaches cooking classes and is a culinary coach to a growing network of inspired home cooks. In 2019 she noticed from her students that there was a serious interest in learning more about spice blends and how to use them to creatively perk up meals. Chef Aliye then launched the Spice Club where home cooks could source her proprietary spice blends either individually or as part of a yearly Spice Blend Membership which includes a quarterly delivery of a spice blend, recipes, a meal planning guide and a series of interactive cooking classes. “All spice products are organic and/or sourced from suppliers working to end inequality and exploitation in the spice trade, meaning more dollars going directly to a farmer in the country where the spice is grown.” We’re cooking in the kitchen with Chef Aliye.

For 16 years, Providence in Hollywood has elevated the standard of modern American seafood restaurants along with providing exemplary service. For Valentine’s Day Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) guests can experience Chef Michael Cimarusti’s award-winning cuisine for curbside takeaway. The extravagant Valentine’s feast (for 2) starts with Morro Bay Gold Oyster and Kaluga Caviar with Crème Fraiche and concludes with a Tarte au Chocolat with Pudwill Farms raspberries. Restaurateur, Co-Proprietor of Providence and graciously welcoming host Donato Poto is with us to talk about Valentine’s Day, the return of patio dining at sister establishment Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood and look to the future when dine-in (inside) can safely return.

Anthony Zaller, Esq. is the principal of the Zaller Law Group, PC based in El Segundo. His boutique firm specializes in representing restaurants in labor and employment issues specifically related to California. His firm is a partnered law firm of the California Restaurant Association. He serves on the Los Angeles Chapter of the Board of Directors of the California Restaurant Association and also is the Chair of the California Restaurant Association Foundation. As the restaurant business in California ever so slowly begins to recover from the impact of COVID 19 Anthony joins us to preview the top employment law issues facing California restaurants in 2021.

Everyone loves a good cinnamon roll, but did you know cinnamon can help your hair grow longer and stronger? In food journalist’s Nancy Lin Chen’s, 101 Amazing Uses for Cinnamon, discover the many ways this simple spice can improve your health, your home, and of course, your food. From improving memory to aiding digestion to supporting a healthy garden, add some spice to your life with cinnamon. Nancy Chen is a wellness blogger, content creator, and fitness instructor with a family background in herbal medicine. She’s known for creating easy-to-follow recipes and giving effective health and lifestyle guidance on her blog, Nourish by Nancy.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants which is a genuine (and increasingly growing) concern. Last week restaurants in Southern California were finally allowed to reopen for outside/patio dining at reduced capacities with all the requisite COVID 19 safety precautions. How is it going thus far? We’ll “Ask the Chef.” Sunday afternoon is the annual celebration of the “Big Game.” “Big Game” snacks worthy of the occasion (this year probably celebrated at home) are a must. Chef Andrew shares a few inspired ideas beyond the expected guacamole.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

February 6: Spice Club, Providence and Connie & Ted’s, Anthony Zaller Esq., Nancy Chen

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef & Culinary Coach Aliye Aydin of Spice Club, Long Beach
Segment Three: Restaurateur Donato Poto, Co-Owner of Providence and Connie & Ted’s Part One
Segment Four: Restaurateur Donato Poto, Co-Owner of Providence and Connie & Ted’s Part Two
Segment Five: Anthony Zaller, Esq., Zaller Law Group Part One
Segment Six: Anthony Zaller, Esq., Zaller Law Group Part Two
Segment Seven: Author & Wellness Blogger Nancy Chen, 101 Amazing Uses for Cinnamon
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

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

Chef Aliye Aydin teaches cooking classes and is a culinary coach to a growing network of inspired home cooks. In 2019 she noticed from her students that there was a serious interest in learning more about spice blends and how to use them to creatively perk up meals. Chef Aliye then launched the Spice Club where home cooks could source her proprietary spice blends either individually or as part of a yearly Spice Blend Membership which includes a quarterly delivery of a spice blend, recipes, a meal planning guide and a series of interactive cooking classes. “All spice products are organic and/or sourced from suppliers working to end inequality and exploitation in the spice trade, meaning more dollars going directly to a farmer in the country where the spice is grown.” We’re cooking in the kitchen with Chef Aliye.

For 16 years, Providence in Hollywood has elevated the standard of modern American seafood restaurants along with exemplary service. For Valentine’s Day Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) guests can experience Chef Michael Cimarusti’s award-winning cuisine for curbside takeaway. The extravagant Valentine’s feast (for 2) starts with Kaluga Caviar with Crème Fraiche and concludes with a Tarte au Chocolat with Pudwill Farms raspberries. Restaurateur, Co-Proprietor of Providence and graciously welcoming host Donato Poto is with us to talk about Valentine’s Day, the return of patio dining at sister establishment Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood and look to the future when dine-in (inside) can safely return.

Anthony Zaller, Esq. is the principal of the Zaller Law Group, PC based in El Segundo. His boutique firm specializes in representing restaurants in labor and employment issues specifically related to California. His firm is a partnered law firm of the California Restaurant Association. He serves on the Los Angeles Chapter of the Board of Directors of the California Restaurant Association and also is the Chair of the California Restaurant Association Foundation. As the restaurant business in California ever so slowly begins to recover Anthony joins us to preview the top employment law issues facing California restaurants in 2021.

Everyone loves a good cinnamon roll, but did you know cinnamon can help your hair grow longer and stronger? In food journalist’s Nancy Lin Chen’s, 101 Amazing Uses for Cinnamon, discover the many ways this simple spice can improve your health, your home, and of course, your food. From improving memory to aiding digestion to supporting a healthy garden, add some spice to your life with cinnamon. Nancy Chen is a wellness blogger, content creator, and fitness instructor with a family background in herbal medicine. She’s known for creating easy-to-follow recipes and giving effective health and lifestyle guidance on her blog, Nourish by Nancy.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants which is a genuine (and increasingly growing) concern. Last week restaurants in Southern California were finally allowed to reopen for outside/patio dining at reduced capacities with all the requisite COVID 19 safety precautions. How is it going thus far? We’ll “Ask the Chef.” Sunday afternoon is the annual celebration of the “Big Game.” “Big Game” snacks worthy of the occasion (this year probably celebrated at home) are a must. Chef Andrew shares a few inspired ideas beyond the expected guacamole.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Chef Aliye Aldin

Chef Aliye Aydin teaches cooking classes and is a culinary coach to a growing network of inspired home cooks. In 2019 she noticed from her students that there was a serious interest in learning more about spice blends and how to use them to creatively perk up meals. Aliye then launched the Spice Club where home cooks could source her proprietary spice blends either individually or as part of a yearly Spice Blend Membership which includes a quarterly delivery of a spice blend, recipes, a meal planning guide and a series of interactive cooking class.

“All spice products are organic and/or sourced from suppliers working to end inequality and exploitation in the spice trade, meaning more dollars going directly to a farmer in the country where the spice is grown.” “Spice Club spices are always freshly ground and filled to order.” “The spice blends are proprietary recipes inspired by Chef Aliye’s Turkish heritage and her 25 plus years working as a professional chef. The Spice Club blends are packed in a home kitchen in Long Beach, CA according to Cottage Food Bill of California, inspected annually by the Long Beach Health Department.

We’re cooking in the kitchen with Chef Aliye.

Donato Poto of Providence plus Connie and Ted's

For 16 years, Providence in Hollywood has elevated the standard of modern American seafood restaurants along with exemplary service. For Valentine’s Day Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) guests can experience Chef Michael Cimarusti’s award-winning cuisine for curbside takeaway. The extravagant Valentine’s feast (for 2) starts with Kaluga Caviar with Crème Fraiche and concludes with a Tarte au Chocolat with Pudwill Farms raspberries.

“Chef Cimarusti is completely dedicated to procuring the finest sustainable seafood—from regional coasts and international waters—and treats those ingredients with uncompromising respect and sophisticated technique. “First and foremost, what guides us here is sustainability,” Cimarusti says. “We use only wild-caught, sustainable products, mostly from American waters, and look to highlight their finest qualities.””

Also on offer is the Valentine’s Day Edition of The Providence Pantry. If you already have your meal planned tantalizing gourmet enhancements are available. Think local, house-smoked black cod, black truffle brie, black truffle pasta kits, signature cocktails, and a special wine pairing chosen especially for the Valentine’s menu.

Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood Chef Michael’s and Donato’s (along with Craig Nickoloff’s) more casual, full-service Dinner House has reopened for outside patio dining. They are serving Dinner nightly Wednesday through Sunday.

Restaurateur, Co-Proprietor of Providence and graciously welcoming host Donato Poto is with us to talk about Valentine’s Day and look to the future when dine-in (inside) can return.

Anthony Zaller of Zaller Law Group PC

Anthony Zaller, Esq. is the principal of the Zaller Law Group, PC based in El Segundo. His boutique firm specializes in representing restaurants in labor and employment issues specifically related to California. His firm is a partnered law firm of the California Restaurant Association. He serves on the Los Angeles Chapter of the Board of Directors of the California Restaurant Association and also is the Chair of the California Restaurant Association Foundation.

As the restaurant business in California ever so slowly begins to recover Anthony joins us to preview the top employment law issues facing California restaurants in 2021.

Cookbook Author Nancy Chen

Everyone loves a good cinnamon roll, but did you know cinnamon can help your hair grow longer and stronger? In in food journalist’s Nancy Lin Chen’s, 101 Amazing Uses for Cinnamon, discover the many ways this simple spice can improve your health, your home, and of course, your food. From improving memory to aiding digestion to supporting a healthy garden, add some spice to your life with cinnamon.

Nancy Chen is a wellness blogger, content creator, and fitness instructor with a family background in herbal medicine. She’s known for creating easy-to-follow recipes and giving effective health and lifestyle guidance on her blog, Nourish by Nancy.

Chef Andrew Gruel savoring a New Jersey style Pizza

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants which is a genuine (and increasingly growing) concern. Last week restaurants in Southern California were finally allowed to reopen for outside/patio dining at reduced capacities with all the requisite COVID 19 safety precautions. How is it going so far? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Sunday afternoon is the annual celebration of the “Big Game” being hosted in Tampa. “Big Game” snacks worthy of the occasion (this year probably celebrated at home) are a must. Chef Andrew shares a few inspired ideas beyond the expected guacamole.

Chef Andrew also updates us on the inspiring progress for the grass-roots, “86 Restaurant Struggle” campaign to benefit out-of-work and struggling restaurant workers. Chef Andrew and his wife, Lauren, have already distributed over $300,000 in small grants to deserving restaurant workers in need. All applications are carefully vetted by the Gruel’s. The need continues…

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef & Culinary Coach Aliye Aydin of Spice Club, Long Beach
Segment Three: Restaurateur Donato Poto, Co-Owner of Providence and Connie & Ted’s Part One
Segment Four: Restaurateur Donato Poto, Co-Owner of Providence and Connie & Ted’s Part Two
Segment Five: Anthony Zaller, Esq., Zaller Law Group Part One
Segment Six: Anthony Zaller, Esq., Zaller Law Group Part Two
Segment Seven: Author & Wellness Blogger Nancy Chen, 101 Amazing Uses for Cinnamon
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”