Show 623, April 12, 2025: Nat Bletter, PhD of Madre Chocolate, Oahu

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Adam Bell

Dr. Nat Bletter is the Founder and Chocolate ‘flavormeister’ of Madre Chocolate, based on Oahu. “Madres purchases raw, fermented beans directly from farmers and cooperatives to roast and process in small batches to craft its chocolate bars. Nat was inspired to start his traditional ingredient and artisanal chocolate company after researching plants such as cacao while working on his doctorate in ethnobotany. He also works at the University of Hawai‘i Manoa researching plants and making chocolate from scratch. For the Big Island Chocolate Festival Dr. Bletter annually facilitates the festival’s Best Cacao Bean competition.”

Dr Nat is our guest with a ripe cacao pod in hand.

Show 492, September 24, 2022: Nile Dreiling, Co-Founder, Holey Grail Donuts, Kauai, Oahu and Los Angeles, CA Part One

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Adam Bell

“Founded in Hanalei by siblings Hana and Nile Dreiling, Holey Grail has built a cult-following for its donuts made with taro-based dough and unique Hawaiian-inspired flavors using ethically sourced ingredients from locally owned farms. From the 2018 opening of its first food truck, originally starting with a little red hamburger trailer and $100 fryer, they quickly garnered hours long lines of people. Holey Grail now operates two storefronts in Hawaii and a food truck in Waikiki, and has become a much-loved stalwart of the island. This year, Holey Grail made its debut on the mainland, as they prepare to open two shops in Los Angeles [Santa Monica & Larchmont] in addition to a food truck currently parked at the Platform in Culver City and usually at the Mar Vista Farmers Market on Sunday.”

“Holey Grail Donuts are made with taro, an ancient superfood revered for its nutritional, medicinal and ecological benefits, and are fried in organic, fair trade coconut oil. Holey Grail has created more than 60 flavors since its founding, as it strives to spotlight the best of Hawaiian-grown ingredients. Flavors include Strawberry Fields (Kula farms Maui strawberries with a Mizuba matcha swirl), Island Chocolate (glazed in Lydgate Farms single estate dark chocolate), L & L (lemon zest infused sugar, lime curd, finger lime caviar and begonia petals), and Chaga Chai (hot dough rolled in chai spices, chaga mushroom, cinnamon and sugar), among others. Holey Grail has also recently collaborated with various chefs & culinary personalities such as Alexis Deboschnek, Mei Lin and Rick Martinez.”

“While the team is still committed to showcasing Hawaiian flavors, Holey Grail is not compromising on its sourcing ethics as it grows, and will partner with California farmers to source produce, in addition to maintaining its relationships with Hawaiian growers for ingredients like organic taro, coconut oil and cacao. With thoughtful and ethical sourcing, handmade recipes and indulgent flavors, Holey Grail is setting out to offer the world’s greatest donut experience.”

Holey Grail’s Co-founder Nile Dreiling joins us.

Show 492, September 24, 2022: Nile Dreiling, Co-Founder, Holey Grail Donuts, Kauai, Oahu and Los Angeles, CA Part Two

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Adam Bell

Holey Grail’s Co-founder Nile Dreiling continues with us.

Show 130, July 11, 2015: Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi, Mission Social Hall & Cafe, Honolulu

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Adam Bell

Hawaii Chef Mark Noguchi is based on Oahu. He has been a previous guest on the show talking about the Hawaii Wine & Food Festival. (which he, again, will be part of in 2015.)

“I cook from an ‘aina based perspective. It’s important for us to know where our food comes from. It defines who we are. The awareness of this intimate connection keeps me grounded.” – Chef Mark Noguchi

His latest project is providing the food at the historic Hawaii Mission Houses with the Mission Social Hall & Café. It’s in Downtown Honolulu. It’s a lunch café that features healthy grab-n-go choices such as sandwiches, salads and soups along with contemporary Hawaiian food inspired by dishes of the 19th-century missionary era.

In June Chef Mark was part of the highly exclusive chefs’ group participating in the James Beard Foundation’s 7^th Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change at Glynwood in Cold Spring, New York. The site was a 225-acre agricultural nonprofit’s farm.

This series of workshops provided the chefs with the policy and advocacy skills they need to be effective champions for their chosen food-system causes.

Chef Mark Noguchi joins us to bring us up-to-date on his various efforts.

Show 92, October 11, 2014: Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi and Michelle Winner

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Adam Bell

We’re continuing our report on the recent Hawaii Food & Wine Festival based on Oahu. Food, wine and travel writer Michelle Winner encores with Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi of Lunchbox in Oahu.

Chef Mark Noguchi (along with Christa Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar in New York) was part of Laulima at Heeia, a cultural education event (and lunch) the Friday afternoon of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Oahu. Part of the effort was in both a dry and wet taro field. The chefs got dirty…In Hawaii it’s traditionally used in the making of Poi.

Chef Mark also initiated the innovative LunchBox program for Hawaiian Airlines. Healthy meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients are now on the menu for Hawaiian Airlines’ employees at their company cafe.

In the wings for chef Mark is Mission, opening soon at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic site in Kakaako. It’s a lunch café. On the menu will be “Contemporary Hawaii foods” sourced from local ingredients.

Show 87, September 6, 2014: Travel Writer Michelle Winner, President, IFWTWA

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Adam Bell

Food, wine & travel writer Michelle Winner is the President of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.). She will be talking to us from Hawaii.

Over Labor Day Weekend Michelle was part of the Kaanapali Fresh – A Culinary Experience on Maui and right now she is in the middle of the 4th Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Oahu.

At Kaanapali Fresh, Michelle was a judge for the “Kaanapali Range to Sea.” Each competing chef was paired with a farmer and utilized his produce or product. The winning dish (vegetarian) was Ti Leaf Wrapped Corn Tamale with Syl’s Produce, corn truffle salsa in a smoked tomato emulsion. The winning chef was Raymond Nicasio of the Sheraton Maui Resort.

Michelle also talked about the revitalization of the well-known Maui Gold pineapple brand. These coveted pineapples are only grown on Maui. It’s an agriculture success story of quality over quantity.

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival event Michelle attended Thursday evening was the sold out “A Lucky Modern Buddha Belly” at The Modern Honolulu. The event put a spotlight on Hawaii’s unique location as a culinary hub of the Pacific where East Meets West. 14 esteemed chefs (including Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto) showcased dishes inspired by the Lucky Buddha who is known for happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment.

Ti Leaf Wrapped Corn Tamales with Corn Truffle Salsa and Smoked Tomato Emulsion

Recipe yield: 6 x 4” tamales or 12 x 2” tamales
Recipes for Corn Tamales

1 ½ cups Fresh Corn kernels
½ cup Vegetable Shortening
1 cup Masa harina (Tamales flour)
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Corn Stock or water
3 each Ti leaf
1/2 cup Corn Truffle Salsa (separate recipe below)
1 cup Smoked Tomato emulsion

Procedure:

Clean and remove husk from the corn. Using a knife scrape the corn kernel off the cob and reserve corn cob to make corn stock. Place ¾ cup of fresh corn kernel in a blender or food processor and grind the corn until almost smooth, set aside. Place vegetable shortening in an electric mixing bowl with a wire whip attachment. Set mixer on medium high and whip the shortening until light and fluffy.
On a separate mixing bowl place Masa Harina, cornmeal, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, baking powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated. Heat up corn stock or water to lukewarm and gradually stir stock or water to the flour mix until it forms a thick dough.
Change the whip attachment to dough hook attachment. Transfer the dough to the mixing bowl and add the grinded corn and the rest of the corn kernels mix thoroughly. The dough will be quite sticky.
Remove the spine off the ti leaf wash, pat dry and line on a flat suface. Using a pastry piping bag, pipe dough on to the leaf and proceed to roll the dough on the leaf making sure it is completely wrapped.
On a steamer or pot with a wire rack with boiling water, steam the tamales for 45 minutes. Cut to desired length. Remove the tamales from the leaf and serve with corn truffle salsa and smoked tomato emulsion.

Corn Truffle salsa recipe

1 can Corn truffle or Cuitlacoche (4 oz) can be found in latin specialty store
1 cup Fresh corn kernels
1 1/2 tbs white balsamic vinegar
1 tbs Red bell peppers, small dice
1 tbs Maui Onions, small dice
2 tbs Olive oil

Put cuitlacoche in a blender and puree until smooth.
Heat saute pan, saute onions and bell pepper until tender
Add corn to the pan and sauté until it is tender and has slight caramelized color.
Add pureed corn truffle. Stir until completely coated.
Remove from heat and add white balsamic vinegar. Stir until well incorporated.

Smoked Tomato salsa

4 ea Vine riped tomato, cut in half
1 ea Maui onion, cut in half
1 ea Jalapeno, cut in half and seeds removed
1 ea Red Bell Pepper, seeds removed and cut in half
4 cloves Garlic, peeled
2 Tbs Liquid smoke
3 Tbs Olive oil
1 ea juice of lime
1 tbs Cilantro, chopped
1 Tbs Salt
1 Tbs Chipotle in adobo sauce, use only the sauce

In a mixing bowl, place cut tomato, onion, peeled garlic, jalapeno, bell pepper, olive oil, and liquid smoke. Mix well until well coated with olive oil and transfer to a baking sheet or pan. Season with 1 tablespoon of salt.
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F, place the mixture in the oven and roast for about 30 minutes or until vegetables have a slight char.
Transfer to a food processor bowl and add the chipotle adobo sauce, lime juice and cilantro. Process the mixture to a slight smoothness.
Season with the remaining salt.

September 6: Andrew Gruel, Carolyne Styne, McConnell’s Ice Cream, Michelle Winner, Melissa’s Produce, Geeta Bansal, 12 Bottle Bar

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris preview the show
Segment Two: LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade
Segment Three: McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
Segment Four: Travel Writer Michelle Winner, President, IFWTWA
Segment Five: Corporate Chef Ida Rodriguez, Melissa’s Produce
Segment Six: Executive Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Seven: Chef Geeta Bansal of Clay Oven
Segment Eight: The 12 Bottle Bar

Guest Host Executive Chef Andrew Gruel, CEO of Slapfish Restaurant Group and Producer Andy Harris preview the show.

The 5th Annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade culinary cookout returns this year on Saturday, September 20th. When it comes to having the most impressive roster of nationally-known celebrity chefs cooking locally for charity this Benefit is the clear standout. It’s hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin, her business partner Caroline Styne (Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern) along with Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat.)

McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream is a 70-year old iconic brand of super premium ice cream which is still based where it was founded in Santa Barbara. Michael Palmer (winemaker) and his wife Eva Ein (chef) purchased this heritage brand in 2012. A McConnell’s scoop shop recently opened in the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles.

Food, wine & travel writer Michelle Winner is the President of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.). She will be talking to us from Hawaii. Over Labor Day Weekend she was part of the Kaanapali Fresh – A Culinary Experience on Maui and right now she is in the middle of the 4th Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Oahu.

Ida Rodriguez is the long-time Corporate Chef for Melissa’s / World Variety Produce. Until the end of the month it’s Hatch Chile season. Over Labor Day Weekend Chef Ida was in Hatch, New Mexico for the annual Hatch Chile Festival. It gets crazy there. Chef Ida is with us to give us the flavorful report.

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel is CEO of Slapfish Restaurant Group with locations in Huntington Beach, Laguna, Dubai, and soon – Newport Beach. Chef Andrew is a guest judge on Food Network’s upcoming “Food Truck Face-Off” series, was a participant on Sept. 5th at OC Weekly’s 11th Annual Decadence 2014 Tasting Event, and has a new video our explaining the secrets of preparing Slapfish’s Clobster Roll to the Orange County Register’s distinguished food writer, Cathy Thomas.

It’s a singular honor as a chef & restaurateur to be invited to prepare and present a meal at The James Beard Foundation in New York. Chef Geeta Bansal of Clay Oven has that distinct honor on September 27th. On Monday, Sept. 15th Clay Oven will be previewing that same grand five-course, wine-paired menu for a small group of lucky locals. Not one to miss…

David Solmonson and Lesley Jacobs Solmonson have penned a new kind of cocktail book, The 12 Bottle Bar. Just twelve bottles create over 200 distinct and seasonal cocktails, including beer and wine cocktails. When we first interviewed the Solmonsons we ran out of time before we could discuss the clever “Acknowledgements” section of their book. We’ll resume the conversation…

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

The new location is Wilson Plaza at UCLA in Westwood.

The 5th Annual Benefit invites food and wine lovers from all corners of the globe for an afternoon of fantastic fare, cocktails for a cause, children’s activities, silent and live auctions, and a whole lot more. The incredible chef brigade includes big name cooks ranging from Giada De Laurentiis to Tom Colicchio.

The late Jim McCoy owned McConnell’s from 1963 until he needed to sell the business due to ill health in 2012. It was very important to him that this be maintained as a family business based in Santa Barbara.That was his legacy.

75 per cent of McConnell’s ingredients come from within 60 miles of Santa Barbara.

Food, wine & travel writer Michelle Winner is the President of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.). She will be talking to us from Hawaii.

Over Labor Day Weekend Michelle was part of the Kaanapali Fresh – A Culinary Experience on Maui and right now she is in the middle of the 4th Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Oahu.

Ida Rodriguez is the long-time Corporate Chef for Melissa’s / World Variety Produce. Until the end of the month it’s still Hatch Chile season.

Over Labor Day Weekend Chef Ida was in Hatch, New Mexico as a participant for the annual Hatch Chile Festival. It gets really crazy there. Chef Ida joins us to give us the flavorful chile report.

Weekend Hatch chile roasting continue through this month at select supermarkets. Check the Melissa’s website for the schedule, times, and locations.

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel is CEO of Slapfish Restaurant Group with locations in Huntington Beach, Laguna, Dubai, and soon – Newport Beach.

Chef Andrew is a guest judge on Food Network’s upcoming “Food Truck Face-Off” series, was a participant on Sept. 5th at OC Weekly’s 11th Annual Decadence 2014 Tasting Event, and has a new video out explaining the secrets of preparing Slapfish’s Clobster Roll to the Orange County Register’s distinguished food writer, Cathy Thomas.

It’s a singular honor as a chef & restaurateur to be invited to prepare and present a meal at The James Beard Foundation in New York. Wolfgang Puck was the very first chef to do so.

Chef Geeta Bansal of Clay Oven has that distinct honor on Saturday evening, September 27th. On Monday, Sept. 15th Clay Oven will be previewing that same grand five-course, wine-paired menu for a small group of lucky locals. Not one to miss…

At Clay Oven, chef/owner Geeta Bansal updates traditional Indian recipes with modern culinary techniques and vibrant California bounty. Incorporating the changing colors, flavors, and aromas of each season into her rotating menus, she honors Ayurvedic principles while bringing haute Indian cuisine to the forefront of Southern California’s dining landscape.

David Solmonson and Lesley Jacobs Solmonson have penned a new kind of cocktail book, The 12 Bottle Bar. Just twelve bottles create over 200 distinct and seasonal cocktails, including beer and wine cocktails. When we first interviewed the Solmonsons we ran out of time before we could discuss the clever “Acknowledgements” section of their book. We’ll resume the conversation…

On Saturday, September 13th at 10:30 a.m. the Solmonsons will present “Sin and the Silver Screen: The Age of the Hollywood Nightclub.” It’s a free program in the Mark Taper Auditorium at the Los Angeles Central Library.

To celebrate the release of The 12 Bottle Bar the Solmonsons will lead two Los Angeles-based barhops in September (Sept. 7th ) and October (Oct.5th.,) each one stopping at three bars over one evening. Each event includes one spirit-focused mini-cocktail at each location, appetizers/small plates, a copy of The 12 Bottle Bar book, and more!

Podcasts

Show 30, June 1, 2013: Jeffrey Vigilla, executive chef of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Adam Bell

Jeffrey Vigilla is the accomplished executive chef of the 2,860 room Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu on 22 lush tropical acres. It’s the largest hotel property on the famed Waikiki Beach with the widest stretch of sandy beach.

Chef Vigilla is going local with as much of his function and banquet menu ingredients as possible. His chocolate is from Waialua Estates on the North Shore of Oahu and he even sources local honey. Chef Vigilla is responsible for all the banquet food serving 150,000 square feet of banquet space.

Unfortunately we missed connecting with Chef Vigilla and hope to have him on at a later date.

Meanwhile Jet talked about his new frozen dessert concept, Kuma Snow Cream, which soft opened in the Chinatown district of Las Vegas last week.

Jet also asked Producer Andy to highlight his favorite single taste of both Oahu and The Big Island.

Show 30, June 1, 2013: Les Apoliona, Land Asset Manager, Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools of Hawaii

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Adam Bell

Kamehameha Schools is the incredible 125 year-old legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Their ambitious goal is to educate children of native Hawaiian ancestry from preschool to 12th Grade. They have private school campuses on Oahu, Maui, and The Big Island of Hawaii. Public Schools also benefit from the trust’s largess.

Kamehameha Schools is Hawaii’s largest private landowner with some 365,000 acres on The Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. They own the choice land in Waikiki that is the site of the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the associated upscale Royal Hawaiian Center retail complex.

Over 181,000 acres of this land is agricultural. 88,000 acres represents high-potential agricultural lands that require respectful stewardship. One of their new initiatives is to support value added agriculture with entrepreneurial leaseholders of their land. Two out of three coffee estates in the Kona area, for instance, are on Kamehameha Schools leased land.

Les Apoliona, is the land asset manager for the north Kona district for the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools. One of his objectives in managing the Kamehameha Schools agricultural land is to encourage farmers and ranchers to grow and raise basic foodstuffs efficiently thereby making The Big Island more self sufficient in the production of food. Les has a background in food service and hotel management and is well-known in the restaurant community of The Big Island. Les has lived in Kona for over 21 years and is a KS alumnus.

On the North Shore of Oahu one of their pilot projects is on former sugar cane land in Punalu’u. KS has created a basic infrastructure there for the farmers including irrigation. One enthusiastic young farmer is growing taro and selling all he can produce/harvest at the local farmers’ market. He also has a test project raising tilapia in clean fresh water ponds on the property.

June 1: Hawaiian Food and Restaurant Special

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Hawaii Food Tours’Chef Matthew Gray
Segment Two: Jeffrey Vigilla, executive chef of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu
Segment Three: Celebrity Chef Alan Wong, Alan Wong’s, Honolulu
Segment Four: Chuck Furuya, Master Sommelier and partner in DK Restaurants, Honolulu
Segment Five: Celebrity Chef Sam Choy, Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai, The Big Island, Hawaii
Segment Six: Les Apoliona, Land Asset Manager, Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools of Hawaii

Summer is upon us and the vacation travel season is at hand. Both Jet and Producer Andy have recently been to Hawaii. Saturday will be our Hawaii special bringing you the best (and tastiest) tips for visits to Oahu and The Big Island.

Chef and food critic Matthew Gray has been objectively observing the Oahu food scene since 1993. He was previously the food critic for the local newspaper, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Whether it’s a joint in Chinatown making their own noodles or the best in high-end cuisine Matthew knows the territory.

Some six years ago he created Hawaii Food Tours to provide visitors with highly entertaining, one-of-a-kind food adventures. His signature food tour is his Hole-in-the-Wall Food Tour where you discover the rich history of Honolulu through food. Matthew takes his guests to unusual places they would never discover on their own.

Jeffrey Vigilla is the accomplished executive chef of the 2,860 room Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu on 22 lush tropical acres. It’s the largest hotel property on the famed Waikiki Beach with the widest stretch of beach. Chef Vigilla is going local with as much of his menu ingredients as possible. His chocolate is from Waialua Estates on Oahu and he even sources local honey.

Hawaii’s Alan Wong is one of the pioneers of Hawaiian Regional cuisine. Now, sourcing and serving the freshest local ingredients is in vogue. In Hawaii, Alan owns the flagship Alan Wong’s in Honolulu as well as the more casual Pineapple Room in Ala Moana Center. On Maui his most recent establishment is Amasia at the Grand Wailea.

The President dines with the First Lady at Alan Wong’s on his yearly vacations on Oahu.

On Sunday, June 2nd Chef Alan will be one of the celebrity chefs cooking at the Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation Benefit at Studio at Montage Laguna Beach.

Chuck Furuya of the D.K. Restaurant Group with hugely successful properties on Oahu, Maui, and The Big Island was only the 10th person in the United States to pass the rigorous Master Sommelier examination. He’s the recognized leader in the Islands in furthering wine education. He loves to introduce undiscovered wines to his guests and good value is always part of his mission. No wine snobbery here…

The Big Island’s Sam Choy is known as Hawaii’s culinary ambassador to the world. He has a new restaurant on The Big Island, Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai, with a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. He’s also known as the “Godfather of Poke” which is his signature dish. Chef Sam is the author of 16 cookbooks and is a regular culinary celebrity chef aboard Crystal Cruises.

Kamehameha Schools is Hawaii’s largest private landowner with some 365,000 acres on The Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. They own the choice land in Waikiki that are the sites of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and associated upscale retail complex. One of their new initiatives is to support value added agriculture with entrepreneurial leaseholders of their land. Two out of three coffee estates in the Kona area are on Kamehameha Schools leased land.

Les Apoliona, a land asset manager for the north Kona district for the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha joins us to talk about the inventive effort to support these businesses and the move to make The Big Island more self sufficient in the production of food. Les has a background in food service and hotel management and is well-known in the restaurant community of The Big Island.