Show 124, May 30, 2015: Pechanga Resort & Casino’s Executive Sous Chef, Damian Stanley

Danian StanleyWe’re previewing the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff.

On June 6th microbreweries, craft beer makers and brew pubs from throughout Southern California and beyond will descend on Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula for the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff from 1 to 5:00 p.m. in the Pechanga Grand Ballroom.

Microbrew Festival tickets are $50.00. Guests receive a two ounce souvenir glass to sample unlimited beer tastings. Designated driver tickets are available for $30.00. Both ticket levels let attendees taste all chili and other gourmet food samples, take in live music by two bands including iconic bassist Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats, and an extensive silent auction. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. For tickets or more information, visit www.Pechanga.com or call 877.711.2946.

In addition to the craft beer samples the talented Pechanga chefs are preparing eight varieties of their crowd-pleasing, house-made chili for all the guests to enjoy. The chefs are all competing for the coveted fan favorite award.

Damian Stanley the Executive Sous Chef at the Pechanga Resort & Casino is our guest providing all the tasty and thirst-satisfying details.

He’ll also talk about his own signature recipe for Black Bean Chili con Carne, Poblano Rajas with crispy pork and Shishito peppers. He’s the esteemed defending Pechanga Chili Cookoff champ.

Chef Damien has graciously shared his award-winning chili recipe with us. It’s posted on the SoCal Restaurant Show’s website.

Show 123, May 23, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Andrew GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, now, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host.

We’re always up for a premium juicy burger on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and May is National Burger Month. We’re celebrating with Chef Christian Page (ex- Short Order) who lovingly revived the iconic (and fondly remembered) Cassell’s Burgers in Koreatown six months ago. To commemorate National Hamburger Day on May 28th Cassell’s is hosting a Total Steer Grind.

Memorial Day Weekend is a perfect time to savor a local craft beer.

We’re tapping the keg to preview the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Temecula. One of the participating craft breweries is the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles and with a new brewery and tap room soon to be located across the street from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The veteran, award-winning brewmaster for the future Orange County facility, Victor Novak is our guest.

Krystyn Navarro is the Chef de Partie at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills. Last year she won the New Orleans competition for the prestigious Ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition Series. She is currently completing her stagiaire at [One] in Chapel Hill, NC. Applications (due by June 1st) are now open for the 2015 competitions in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and New York City. Krystyn Navarro joins us with all the needed 411.

When we last spoke with Celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan he was just about to compete on Food Network’s Chopped – All-Stars Tournament,” Part 1 against Madison Cowan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith. We’ll get updated on the results of that intense cook-off. Chef Eric was also about to launch a mysterious new seafood concept on what was previously the hidden back patio of The Foundry. That restaurant, now open, is Mare with a focus on fresh seafood priced at a great value. You enter through Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese. Chef Eric is with us to provide all the needed updates.

Before he went out on his own to open the popular Tar & Roses in Santa Monica in 2012, Executive Chef Andrew Kirschner was best known as Executive Chef and partner at Wilshire, also in Santa Monica.

Now Chef Kirschner is expanding the restaurant empire with the launch of the Santa Monica Yacht Club located a short walk away from Tar & Roses. Unlike Tar & Roses with its emphasis on the wood-burning grill the focus at SMYC is on seafood with small plates. Andrew Kirschner is our guest.

Don’t miss Chef Andrew Gruel’s new restaurant makeover series, “Say It To My Face” on FYI. An original episode is aired every Thursday evening with an encore episode thereafter. Check your local listings. On-line food reviewers confront restaurateurs with the shortcomings of their establishments. It’s then up to Chef Andrew and his colleague, Chef Anthony Dispensa, to coach the chef and restaurateur to achieve a much higher level of guest satisfaction when the on-line reviews return for another look! Sometimes it’s tough-love…

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

Show 123, May 23, 2015: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing

Victor Novak of Taps Fish House and Brewery in BreaMemorial Day Weekend is a perfect time to savor a distinctive local craft beer. We’re tapping the keg to preview the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Temecula inside the Pechanga Grand Ballroom. The charitable beneficiary is Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

For one price beer enthusiasts can taste unlimited samples of craft and small production brews from San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange Counties as well as selections from Northern California, the Midwest and East Coast. Ticket holders also can enjoy limitless tastes of eight varieties of homemade chili, fired-up by the award-winning chefs at Pechanga Resort & Casino. Attendees can vote for their favorite chili among the bunch.

One of the participating craft breweries is the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles. Announced is a new production brewery and tap room soon to be located across the street from Angel Stadium on E. Orangewood Ave. in Anaheim.

Golden Road Brewing will be pouring their flagship Point The Way IPA (India Pale Ale) as well as their 329 Lager (Lager) at the Pechanga Microbrew Festival.

The brewmaster for the future Orange County facility, Victor Novak, is our guest.

Show 123, May 23, 2015: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing Continues…

Victor Novak of Taps Fish House and Brewery in BreaWe’re previewing the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew and Chili Cookoff.

Microbrew Festival tickets are $50.00. Guests receive a two ounce souvenir glass to sample unlimited beer tastings. Designated driver tickets are available for $30.00. Both ticket levels let attendees taste all chili and other gourmet food samples, take in live music by two bands including iconic bassist Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats, and an extensive silent auction. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. For tickets or more information, visit www.Pechanga.com or call 877.711.2946.

One of the participating craft breweries at the Perchanga Microbrew Festival is the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles and with a new brewery and tap room soon to be located across the street from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Long-time TAPS brewmaster Victor Novak has moved to Golden Road Brewing to be the brewmaster for Orange County.

In 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible. Brewed and canned in Los Angeles, Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizern, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA.

In concluding Victor also explained the quality benefits of canning beer. Light and air are the enemies of keeping beer fresh. Cans are a great way to insure the freshness of the beer and also reduces the carbon footprint. (The weight of glass bottles becomes an issue in the shipping process.)

May 23: Christian Page, Victor Novak, Krystyn Navarro, Eric Greenspan, Andrew Kirschner

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Owner/Chef Christian Page, Cassell’s Hamburgers
Segment Three: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing Part One
Segment Four: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing Part Two
Segment Five: Ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition
Segment Six: Executive Chef/Proprietor Eric Greenspan of Mare and Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese
Segment Seven: Executive Chef/Proprietor Andrew Kirschner, Santa Monica Yacht Club and Tar & Roses, Santa Monica Part One
Segment Eight: Executive Chef/Proprietor Andrew Kirschner, Santa Monica Yacht Club and Tar & Roses, Santa Monica Part Two

Andrew GruelExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and, now, Newport Beach is today’s special Guest Host.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Now a tempting preview of Saturday’s high octane, holiday-special show.

We’re always up for a premium juicy burger on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and May is National Burger Month. We’re celebrating with Chef Christian Page (ex- Short Order) who lovingly revived the iconic (and fondly remembered) Cassell’s Burgers in Koreatown six months ago. To commemorate National Hamburger Day on May 28th Cassell’s is hosting a Total Steer Grind.

Memorial Day Weekend is a perfect time to savor a local craft beer.

We’re tapping the keg to preview the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Temecula. One of the participating craft breweries is the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles and with a new brewery and tap room soon to be located across the street from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The veteran brewmaster for the future Orange County facility, Victor Novak is our guest.

Krystyn Navarro is the Chef de Partie at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills. Last year she won the New Orleans competition for the prestigious Ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition Series. She is currently completing her stagiaire at [One] in Chapel Hill, NC. Applications (due by June 1st) are now open for the 2015 competitions in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and New York City. Krystyn Navarro joins us with all the needed 411.

When we last spoke with Celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan he was just about to compete on Food Network’s “Chopped – All-Stars Tournament,” Part 1 against Madison Cowan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith. We’ll get updated on the results of that intense cook-off. Chef Eric was also about to launch a mysterious new seafood concept on what was previously the hidden back patio of The Foundry. That restaurant, now open, is Mare with a focus on fresh seafood. You enter through Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese. Chef Eric is with us to provide all the needed updates.

Before he went out on his own to open the popular Tar & Roses in Santa Monica in 2012, Executive Chef Andrew Kirschner was best known as Executive Chef and partner at Wilshire, also in Santa Monica.

Now Chef Kirschner is expanding the restaurant empire with the launch of the Santa Monica Yacht Club located a short walk away from Tar & Roses. Unlike Tar & Roses with its emphasis on the wood-burning grill the focus at SMYC is on seafood with small plates. Andrew Kirschner is our guest.

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

Christian PageWe’re always up for a premium, juicy burger on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” and May is National Burger Month. We’re celebrating with Chef Christian Page (ex- Short Order) who lovingly revived the iconic (and fondly remembered) Cassell’s Burgers (originally established in 1948) in Koreatown six months ago. In its prime Cassell’s Hambugers was as well-known to the burger-craving, Downtown foodie crowd as The Apple Pan is to Westsiders.

The revived Cassell’s serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is located at the corner of 6th St. and Normandie Ave. on ther ground floor of the historic (and renovated) Hotel Normandie. Chef Page also provides the food for functions at the Hotel as well as room service.

“We’ve added to the original hamburger stand with a classic 50s breakfast menu, coffee bar, house made sodas and a fully stocked bar. The soul of the restaurant stays true to founder Al Cassell’s original principles of being a hamburger shop with a focus on premium beef, ground daily in-house. All of our burgers are still cooked on Al Cassell’s original crossfire broiler, ground with the original grinder and pattied with the original press.”

To commemorate National Hamburger Day on May 28th Cassell’s is hosting a Total Steer Grind.

Victor Novak of Taps Fish House and Brewery in BreaMemorial Day Weekend is a perfect time to savor a distinctive local craft beer. We’re tapping the keg to preview the 7th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Temecula inside the Pechanga Grand Ballroom. The charitable beneficiary is Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

For one price beer enthusiasts can taste unlimited samples of craft and small production brews from San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as selections from Northern California, the Midwest and East Coast. Ticket holders also can enjoy limitless tastes of eight varieties of homemade chili, fired-up by the award-winning chefs at Pechanga Resort & Casino. Attendees can vote for their favorite chili among the bunch.

One of the participating craft breweries is the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles. Announced is a new production brewery and tap room soon to be located across the street from Angel Stadium on E. Orangewood Ave. in Anaheim.

The brewmaster for the future Orange County facility, Victor Novak, is our guest.

Microbrew Festival tickets are $50.00. Guests receive a two ounce souvenir glass to sample unlimited beer tastings. Designated driver tickets are available for $30.00. Both ticket levels let attendees taste all chili and other gourmet food samples, take in live music by two bands including iconic bassist Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats, and an extensive silent auction. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. For tickets or more information, visit www.Pechanga.com or call 877.711.2946.

One of the participating craft breweries at the Perchanga Microbrew Festival is the fast-growing Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles and with a new brewery and tap room soon to be located across the street from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Long-time TAPS brewmaster Victor Novak has moved to Golden Road Brewing to be the brewmaster for Orange County.

In 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible. Brewed and canned in Los Angeles, Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizern, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA.

Krystyn Navarro and Daniel BouludKrystyn Navarro is the Chef de Partie at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills. Last year she won the New Orleans competition for the prestigious Ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition Series. She is currently completing her stagiaire at [One] in Chapel Hill, NC. Applications (due by June 1st) are now open for the 2015 competitions in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and New York City.

The Los Angeles competition is set for August 27th, 2015.

“Ment’or BKB Foundation is proud to host our 2nd annual Young Chef Competition series, designed to help find up and coming culinary leaders, identify future ambassadors for the culinary arts, and showcase the skill level and cuisine in America. These public competitions will take place in four different cities across the country. Young cooks will be asked to demonstrate their technical skills and creativity in a spirited and challenging contest.”

All chefs ages 22-27 who are currently eligible to work in the Unites States, and have at least 3 years of work experience, are invited to apply for the 2015 Young Chef Competition Series on the ment’or website.

Each 1st place team will receive a $10,000 prize, which the candidate may use towards a stage.

Krystyn Navarro joins us with all the needed 411.

Eric GreenspanWhen we last spoke with the always on the go Celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan he was just about to compete on Food Network’s Chopped – All-Stars Tournament,” Part 1 against Madison Cowan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith. We’ll get updated on the results of that intense cook-off.

Chef Eric was also about to launch a mysterious new seafood concept on what was previously the hidden back patio of The Foundry. That restaurant, now open, is Mare with a focus on fresh seafood. It’s located in the back of the Melrose Umbrella Company. You enter through Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese located next door.

Mare opens on Weeknights at 5:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday service starts at 3:00 p.m.

Current menu highlights are Fried Smelt with roasted lemon and Whole Branzino with fig pomegranate sauce. There is also a fun “Choose Your Own Shellfish” option (black mussels, clams or shrimp) with a “Choose Your Broth selection (leek and white wine, tomato fennel, pistou, spicy sausage romesco, or vadouvan green apple.)

Chef Eric is with us to provide all the needed updates.

Andrew KirschnerBefore he ventured out on his own to open the popular Tar & Roses in Santa Monica in 2012, Executive Chef Andrew Kirschner was best known as Executive Chef and partner at Wilshire, also in Santa Monica.

Now Chef Kirschner is expanding his restaurant empire with the launch of the Santa Monica Yacht Club located a short walk away from Tar & Roses on Santa Monica Blvd. Unlike Tar & Roses with its emphasis on the wood-burning grill the focus at SMYC is on seafood with small plates.

“With Tar & Roses Kirschner aims to share a restaurant that speaks to his travels and deeply ingredient-focused food philosophy. With influences from around the world and the rustic touch of a wood-burning oven, quality ingredients and bold flavors combine to create a menu that merges classical cuisine with modern sensibilities.”

Andrew Kirschner is our guest.

Now Chef Kirschner is expanding his restaurant empire with the launch of the Santa Monica Yacht Club located a short walk away from Tar & Roses in Santa Monica. Unlike Tar & Roses with its emphasis on the wood-burning grill the focus at SMYC is on seafood with small plates and an active bar.

Early menu highlights include Salt Cod Brandade Fritters with white anchovy and lemon mayo, BBQ Eel Lunch Box with rice, egg, togarashi, and sweet soy, and Spaghetti Bottarga with chili, garlic, and breadcrumbs.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel and Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Owner/Chef Christian Page, Cassell’s Hamburgers
Segment Three: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing Part One
Segment Four: Brewmaster Victor Novak, Golden Road Brewing Part Two
Segment Five: Ment’or BKB Foundation’s Young Chef Competition
Segment Six: Executive Chef/Proprietor Eric Greenspan of Mare and Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese
Segment Seven: Executive Chef/Proprietor Andrew Kirschner, Santa Monica Yacht Club and Tar & Roses, Santa Monica Part One
Segment Eight: Executive Chef/Proprietor Andrew Kirschner, Santa Monica Yacht Club and Tar & Roses, Santa Monica Part Two