Show 275, May 26, 2018: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on May 28, 2018 by abell

Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy, relax and be safe.

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s big Memorial Day Weekend show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing… Keep in mind we’re here with you live every Saturday morning, including Holiday Weekends, with a fresh show.

Chef Vincent Nattress grew up on Whidbey Island, WA and departed. In 2015 Vincent realized his dream of returning to Whidbey with his wife, Tyla, and creating a culinary destination there, Orchard Kitchen. It’s a teaching kitchen, destination restaurant and a five-acre organic farm in Langley, WA. We’re pulling Chef Vincent away from a cooking class for a brief chat.

Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign invites Los Angeles residents to sip and sample the area’s most celebrated culinary creations to help kids in need at this year’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry on June 3. Hosted at Culver City’s Media Park, the annual tasting event will feature gourmet cuisine and libations crafted by the city’s top chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists as they unite to raise funds to ensure all children in America have access to the healthy food they need, every day. One-hundred-percent of proceeds from the event benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America. “Top Chef” alum Chef Dakota Weiss (Sweetfin Poke) is the local Chef Chair. She joins us with the delectable details.

If you have diabetes, knowing which foods to eat is a bit of a tricky business. That’s why the American Diabetes Association wrote Quick Diabetic Recipes For Dummies^®—to answer all your food-related questions. It offers more than 100 tasty, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare recipes to keep you satisfied and healthy for life. Chef Amy Riolo, a best-selling cookbook author, edited the book and created the recipes and is the National Spokesperson for it with the American Diabetes Association. Amy is our guest.

Centrally located on Whidbey Island, WA in Coupeville, the Oystercatcher has proudly served simple, good, food for more than 18 years. Chef Tyler Hansen (3^rd chef/proprietor) and his team create a harmonious and authentic farm-to-table menu to showcase all of what the island, and the region has to offer. They even make the extraordinary effort to bake all the breads used in the restaurant. Chef Tyler is about to go into his lunch service so he’d breaking away to chat with us.

Temecula’s EcoCulture Farms’ mission is to use regenerative agricultural techniques in order to utilize and improve the productivity of the environment from which we draw our sustenance. They practice responsible land stewardship in order to harvest from and simultaneously improve our ecosystem. Cory Shallow, Co-owner & Farm Manager has all the 411 for us.

Craft beers, gourmet chili and entertainment take center stage at the upcoming 10^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Fest & Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 9^th from Noon to 5 p.m. at Pechanga’s new Summit Event Center. Event proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Senior & Disabled Person Programs. The “Toast of Menifee,” The Mason Jar Brewing Company (a discovery of ours from two years ago) is back in the Fest for the 3^rd time. Brewmaster & Proprietor Robert Carter is our guest. Cheers…

Chef Andrew Gruel, the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.” When you’ve at your favorite fast casual or quick service restaurant are you faced with the dilemma of way too many choices as the line lengthens in back of you ? Does it take 4 complicated steps to customize a simple salad ? Are there dozens of possible adds? Is this a matter of having choices or utter confusion? We’ll get Chef Andrew’s informed thoughts. This discussion is inspired by Wall Street Journal’s Julie Jargon from her May 11^th piece, “Today’s Special: Way Too Many Options for One Sandwich.”

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

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May 26: Orchard Kitchen, Dakota Weiss, Amy Riolo, Oystercatcher, EcoCulture Farms, Mason Jar Brewing

Posted on May 23, 2018 by abell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef / Proprietor Vincent Nattress, Orchard Kitchen, Bayview, Whidbey Island, WA
Segment Three: LA’s Share Our Strength’s Taste of The Nation Chef Chair, Dakota Weiss
Segment Four: Culinary Personality & Author, Amy Riolo, Editor, Quick Diabetic Recipes for Dummies
Segment Five: Chef / Proprietor Tyler Hansen, the Oystercatcher, Coupeville, Whidbey Island, WA
Segment Six: Farmer Cory Shallow, Co-owner & Farm Manager, EcoCulture Farms, Temecula
Segment Seven: Robert Carter, Brewmaster, The Mason Jar Brewing Co., Menifee, CA
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group

Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy, relax and be safe.

If you have diabetes, knowing which foods to eat is a bit of a tricky business. That’s why the American Diabetes Association wrote Quick Diabetic Recipes For Dummies^®—to answer all your food-related questions. It offers more than 100 tasty, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare recipes to keep you satisfied and healthy for life. Chef Amy Riolo, a best-selling cookbook author, edited the book and is the National Spokesperson for it with the American Diabetes Association. Amy is our guest.

Temecula’s EcoCulture Farms’ mission is to use regenerative agricultural techniques in order to utilize and improve the productivity of the environment from which we draw our sustenance. They practice responsible land stewardship in order to harvest from and simultaneously improve our ecosystem. Cory Shallow, Co-owner & Farm Manager has all the 411 for us.

Craft beers, gourmet chili and entertainment take center stage at the upcoming 10^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Fest & Chili Cookoff on Saturday, June 9^th from Noon to 5 p.m. at Pechanga’s new Summit Event Center. Event proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Senior & Disabled Person Programs. The “Toast of Menifee,” The Mason Jar Brewing Company (a discovery of ours from two years ago) is back in the Fest for the 3^rd time. Brewmaster & Proprietor Robert Carter is our guest. Cheers…

Chef Andrew Gruel, the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group, joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.” When you’ve at your favorite fast casual or quick service restaurant are you faced with the dilemma of way too many choices as the line lengthens in back of you ? Does it take 4 complicated steps to customize a simple salad ? Are there dozens of possible adds? Is this a matter of having choices or utter confusion? We’ll get Chef Andrew’s informed thoughts.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Chef Vincent Nattress actually grew up on Whidbey Island, WA and departed. In 2015 Vincent realized his dream of returning to Whidbey with his wife, Tyla, and creating a culinary destination there, Orchard Kitchen. It’s a teaching kitchen, destination restaurant and a five-acre organic farm in Langley, WA.

“An Omnivore’s dining destination with a farm-to-table ethos, our restaurant is located in the very heart of our organic farm. Collaborating with local farmers, vintners, cheesemakers, chefs and oystermen, we bring you an ever-changing, four-course menu showcasing the season’s best ingredients. We offer one seating for thirty-two guests at our community tables. We look forward to feeding you soon!”

In 2005, Vincent joined Meadowood Napa Valley as the Executive Chef with the express mandate of restoring the property to culinary glory. Vincent was a part of an amazing team, including Patrick Davila, Joseph Humphrey and Christopher Kostow, that set the stage for Meadowood to become a culinary Mecca.

We pull Chef Vincent away from a cooking class for a brief chat.

One in six children in America struggles with hunger, including more than 1.8 million kids in California. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger nationwide by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger to more than 775 million meals.

In 2017, Los Angeles’ Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry raised enough to connect hungry kids in need up to 1 million healthy meals. Local beneficiaries include California Association of Food Banks, California Food Policy Advocates, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and West Side Food Bank.

Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry tickets are $110/adult and $25/child for General Admission. VIP tickets, including early access to the event and exclusive tastings, are available for $160. Executive Cabana packages, priced at $5,000, include 10 VIP tickets, a private cabana with seating for 10, and bottle and butler service. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit right here.

Chef Amy Riolo, a best-selling cookbook author and past guest, edited the book and is the National Spokesperson for it with the American Diabetes Association. Amy is our guest.

Quick Diabetic Recipes For Dummies is the perfect guide to help you start making healthier food choices and cooking delicious diabetes-friendly recipes at home. It provides expert tips on the types of food you should keep stocked in your kitchen, advice on healthy cooking techniques, ways to lower fat, and, most importantly, information on what to eat with diabetes.

Centrally located on Whidbey Island, WA in Coupeville, the Oystercatcher has proudly served simple, good, food for more than 18 years. Chef Tyler Hansen (3^rd chef/proprietor) and his team create a harmonious and authentic farm-to-table menu to showcase all what the island, and the region has to offer. They even make the extraordinary effort to bake daily all the breads used in the restaurant. The bread is so popular that it’s sold to other Island restaurants.

“Historically the island provided an abundance of food, with the prairie serving as a sacred place for those who lived there. We honor that tradition at the restaurant today working with the farmers who continue to keep that heritage alive on the island.”

“Creating the entire experience from scratch is what makes the restaurant tick. The first wheat fields on Whidbey were harvested in September to mill the local flour for the bread. Being involved with the growing process to the finished product on the plate is the passion that drives the kitchen.”

Chef Tyler is about to go into his lunch service so he’d breaking away to chat with us.

One of their very satisfied restaurant accounts is Old Town Temecula’s revered E.A.T. Extraordinary Artisan Table and Chef Leah. E.A.T. sources produce and fresh eggs from EcoCulture Farms as well as other products.

“We strive to steward a highly functioning ecosystem in order to produce an abundance and variety of edible and salable products. Closing the waste stream, improving relationships with our local community, spreading knowledge and awareness around food and agriculture are central to the functioning of the farm. Each enterprise of the farm has the ability to stand alone, yet each play a pivotal role in each other’s functionality and efficiency. Our livestock, vegetable production, fruit tree cultivation, and soil building programs feed and support each other in a cohesive and harmonious manner.”

Cory Shallow, Co-owner & Farm Manager has all the 411 fir us.

The “Toast of Menifee,” The Mason Jar Brewing Company (a discovery of ours from two years ago), is back in the Fest for the 3^rd time. Brewmaster & Proprietor Robert Carter is our guest.

One of the smallest craft breweries participating in the Pechanga Microbrew Festival, Mason Jar Brewing, was founded in 2014. It’s the creation of the determined husband and wife team of Robert Carter and Grace Santiago. They transitioned into becoming a production brewery from their hobby as passionate and award-winning home-brewers.

Husband and wife team, Robert Carter and Grace Santiago, are active and participating residents of Menifee, California. Robert, a home inspector/youth football coach and Grace a local Real Estate agent, have both found their true creative calling in brewing beer.

Cheers…

Chef Andrew Gruel the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us with another installment of “Ask the Chef.”

When you’ve at your favorite fast casual or quick service restaurant are you faced with the dilemma of way too many choices as the line lengthens in back of you? Does it take 4 complicated steps to customize a simple salad ? Are there dozens of possible adds? Is this a matter of having choices or utter confusion?

We’ll get Chef Andrew’s informed thoughts.

Podcasts

Show 225, May 27, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Hosts Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel

Posted on May 30, 2017 by abell

Thanks for joining us for Memorial Day Weekend.

Now an alluring preview of Saturday’s packed Memorial Day Weekend show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Long-time Santa Monica restaurateur Chef Geraldine Gilliland is represented there on Main Street with Lula Cocina and Finn McCool’s. The Lula Cocina Cookbook has just been released in paperback. Proceeds benefit Gerri’s 501 (c) 3 animal rescue agency. We’ll meet her.

The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula wine country is hosting its 9^th Annual Microbrew Festival & Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 10th from 1 to 5:00 p.m. 100s of different styles of craft beer will be conveniently available for the tasting. Pechanga’s executive chef, Duane Owen, joins us with a thirst-quenching preview.

Tarit Tanjasiri is the founder of the ever-popular Crema Café and Artisan Bakery in Seal Beach. His booming wholesale business has recently expanded into a new production facility in Irvine. Crema Artisan Bakery is now suppling their baked goods to all the Portola Coffee Roasters locations. We’ll break bread (hopefully a Kouign-Amann pastry) with Tarit.

It’s about that time to again uncork it with our resident wine authority Kyle Meyer of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange. Is bag-in-a-box wine worthy of purchase? We ask Kyle for his informed opinion. Rose’ has improved in quality and gaining popularity. It’s the perfect Summer picnic wine. We’ll get Kyle’s thoughts.

It’s time for barbecue. The South’s Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern Barbecue Perfection by Matt Moore (the quintessential Southern cook) will delight home cooks with the long kept secrets behind some of America’s greatest ‘cue. Matt joins us.

Pickled vegetables are finding their way on to better restaurant menus as intriguing side dishes and components of entrees. Our own Chef Andrew offers pickled veggies at his new Butterleaf as well as at Two Birds and Slapfish. We’ll get all the tips and hints from Chef Andrew .

All of this and generous heaping helpings of extra Memorial Day Holiday Weekend deliciousness on this week’s show!

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May 27: Geraldine Gilliland, Pechanga Microbrew Festival, Creme Café, Wine Exchange, Matt Moore

Posted on May 25, 2017 by abell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Hosts Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Chef & Restaurateur, Geraldine Gilliland, Santa Monica
Segment Three: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula
Segment Four: Restaurateur & Artisan Baker Tarit Tanjasiri, Crema Café and Crema Artisan Bakery, Seal Beach and Irvine
Segment Five: Kyle Meyer, Co-Proprietor, Wine Exchange, Santa Ana
Segment Six: Matt Moore, “The Quintessential Southern Cook” and author of The South’s Best Butts – Pitmaster Secrets
Segment Seven: Chef Andrew Gruel’s Tutorial on Pickled Vegetables
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel on the National Restaurant Association’s Trade Show in Chicago

We have a Family 4-Pack of Halo tickets for Sunday June 4^th versus the Minnesota Twins to award to one lucky listener. Be alert…

Now an alluring preview of this Saturday’s packed Memorial Day Weekend show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Tarit Tanjasiri is the founder of the ever-popular Crema Café and Artisan Bakery in Seal Beach. His booming wholesale business has recently expanded into a new production facility in Irvine. Crema Café is now suppling their baked goods to the Portola Coffee Roasters. We’ll break bread (hopefully a Kouign-Amann) with Tarit.

It’s about that time to again uncork it with our resident wine authority Kyle Meyer of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange. Is bag-in-a-box wine worthy of purchase? We’ll ask Kyle. Rose has improved in quality and gaining popularity. It’s the perfect Summer picnic wine. We’ll get Kyle’s thoughts.

It’s time for barbecue. The South’s Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern Barbecue Perfection by Matt Moore (the quintessential Southern cook) will delight home cooks with the long kept secrets behind some of America’s greatest ‘cue. Matt joins us.

Pickled vegetables are finding their way on to better restaurant menus as intriguing side dishes and components of entrees. Our own Chef Andrew offers pickled veggies at his new Butterleaf. We’ll get all the tips and hints from Chef Andrew.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show!

With The Lula Cocina Cookbook – My favorite Recipes, from Mexico to Malibu, chef, author and accomplished restaurateur Geraldine Gilliland takes you on a fun, easy to read tour of her favorite recipes from Mexico, all the way to her hilltop Ranch in Malibu.

Learn not only her best recipes, but how to put your own spin on them to create your own signature dishes…all while helping a great cause.

“All proceeds from this book will go to benefit the non-profit, Chiquita’s Friends,” I founded that is dedicated to helping abused, neglected and abandoned dogs in and around the Southern California area. We have rescued and successfully placed over 1,000 dogs in loving homes with the help of this network of allies in the fight against animal negligence and abuse.” Geraldine Gilliland

If you’ve been wanting to try out the burgeoning Southern California craft brew scene, this June in Temecula is your chance. Craft beer makers throughout Southern California and beyond will all come together in Temecula Wine Country for a festival in support of Habitat for Humanity. The 9^thAnnual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cook-off is Saturday, June 10, from 1 – 5 p.m. inside the Pechanga Resort & Casino Grand Ballroom.

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 even the 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. Pechanga chefs go head-to-head each year to determine the AAA Four Diamond property’s best chili maker.

In addition to sampling some of the best craft beers and chili varieties and enjoying live music, the 9^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival features a silent auction with prizes including getaway stays, golf outings, sports memorabilia, fine wine and beer gift baskets, and much more. Proceeds from the event support Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley programs including homebuilding, free Healthy Homes and Financial Wellness workshops, neighborhood revitalization, and home improvement on behalf of veterans.

VIP festival tickets are available and are a great choice for guests who seek a more intimate environment to taste and appreciate the more than 100 beers and chili varieties on hand. VIP tickets are $65 and allow pass holders an early entry at 12 p.m. instead of 1 p.m. for general admission.

General admission Pechanga Microbrew Festival tickets are $50. Guests receive a two-ounce souvenir glass to sample unlimited beer tastings. Designated driver tickets are available for $30. Both ticket levels allow guests to indulge in the homemade chili and other gourmet food samples, enjoy live music by San Diego’s Safety Orange and participate in the extensive silent auction.

Guests must be 21 or older to attend. For tickets or for more information, visit Pechanga’s website or call (877) 711-2946.

Pechanga’s executive chef, Duane Owen, joins us with a thirst-quenching preview.

Tarit Tanjasiri is the founder of the ever-popular Crema Café and Artisan Bakery in Seal Beach. His booming wholesale business has recently expanded into a new production facility in Irvine. Crema Café is now supplying their baked goods to the Portola Coffee Roasters.

“The Crema Cafe is a European-inspired restaurant and bakery in beautiful downtown Seal Beach, California. We serve breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. Our menu offers classic favorites and delicious new alternatives. From our famous sweet and savory crepes to our tempting pastries, hearty sandwiches and fresh salads, we offer a variety of breakfast and lunch choices.”

“Our Artisan Bakery offers a full range of fresh-baked goods. We use the finest ingredients like real butter and wholesome grains. Our assortment of handcrafted breads includes our signature 7-grain Crema Multigrain bread, sourdough and raisin pecan. You can also indulge your sweet tooth with our enticing array of cookies, muffins, scones, sweet croissants, and macarons— baked to perfection.”

We’ll break bread (hopefully a Kouign-Amann) with Tarit.

t’s about that time to again uncork it with our resident wine authority Kyle Meyer of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange.

Is bag-in-a-box wine worthy of purchase? We’ll ask Kyle.

Rose has improved in quality and is gaining popularity. It’s the perfect Summer picnic wine. We’ll get Kyle’s thoughts.

Using the almighty pork butt – long considered to be one of the South’s most revered cuts – as his cornerstone, Matt leaves no pits, ovens, grills, or smokers unturned, as he interviews the famous and not-so-famous pitmasters of America’s Southern barbecue region for the techniques and recipes that have made their barbecue some of the most sought after from Texas to Tennessee.

While pork butt is the star here (according to Matt, “True Southern BBQ has one and only one common denominator : pig.”) , the book includes almost every rub, sauce, and grilling technique for the sought after cut. The South’s Best Butt’s also features everything from Smoked Turkey Sandwiches to Pork Belly Tonkatsu Ramen to Fried Banana Pudding and all of the starters, sides, and desserts in between within its 150 plus recipes.

The son of a cattleman and a grandson of a butcher, Matt Moore is the quintessential Southern cook.

Matt joins us.

Pickled vegetables are finding their way on to better restaurant menus as intriguing side dishes and components of entrees.

Our own Chef Andrew offers pickled veggies at his new Butterleaf in Irvine. We’ll get all the snappy tips and hints from Chef Andrew.

Chef Andrew was just in Chicago around the National Restaurant Association’s annual gathering. He was the recipient of industry honors as well as was a guest speaker on some high-profile industry/trade panels. We’ll hear all about it.

Podcasts

Show 199, November 26, 2016: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort & Casino

Posted on November 28, 2016 by abell

Chef Marlene Moore is the high-energy chef at the popular Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. She is famous for the signature Pechanga Fried Chicken.

Earlier this year she successfully defended her title as Pechanga’s Chili Champ by, again, besting eight other talented Pechanga chefs in the 8^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Fest & Chili Cook-off which was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Her winning chili creation is “Temptation” Hearty Southern Style Chili.

Chef Moore, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, retained her title despite stiff competition from Chef Ronnel Capacia of Kelsey’s, who serves southwestern chili in his appetizer selections for lunch and dinner every day. Now in its eighth year, 1,459 people came to enjoy craft and microbrews, chili and music at the 2016 Pechanga Microbrew Festival.

We’ll catch-up with the always on-the-move Chef Marlene.

Keep in mind the “Temptation” Hearty Southern Style Chili is an inspired side dish for Holiday entertaining and the upcoming college football bowl game viewing parties in late December. The recipe is posted on our Website courtesy of Chef Marlene :

Also, by popular demand, Chef Marlene’s championship “Temptation” Hearty Southern Style Chili (with a side of Chef Marlene’s signature corn bread) will be available at American Classics in the Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga for December, January & February.

Pechanga is your Personal Chef for the Holidays. Complete Christmas dinners (Turkey or Bone-in Prime Rib) are available to go with all the trimmings. Convenient pickup on December 25^th between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Hotel Valet adjacent to Blends Coffee & Wine Bar. Call (951) 770-2307. Please order by December 23^rd.

We’ll catch-up with the always on-the-move Chef Marlene.

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Show 175, June 11, 2016: Last Name Brewing, Upland (previously known as Dale Bros. Brewing)

Posted on June 13, 2016 by abell

Last Name Brewing (formerly known as Dale Bros Brewing in Upland) is one of the fine craft breweries participating in the Pechanga Microbrew Festival. Co-owners Andy Dale and Karen McMillen join us to tap the keg.

“[LAST NAME] Brewing is a craft brewery and tap room in Upland, CA. We brew the kind of beer we like to drink. Beer that’s smooth, balanced and that pairs up well with food. Turns out other people like to drink it, too. Sometimes, they even like it enough to give it a gold medal (or two.) We’re not brewing beer to put trophies on our mantels, but it’s nice to be appreciated.”

“From the first foamy sip to the last, our goal has always been to create beer that tastes great. Our base ingredients are deceptively simple: San Francisco Lager Yeast. Two-Row Malt. Yet the fullness and depth of flavor come from knowing how to make those ingredients (and a few select others) shine.”

Last Name Brewing’s signature label is Pomona Queen. It’s an amber lager.

“Her Majesty Pomona Queen, our California Amber Lager, offers a medium-bodied beer with notes of nuts and toffee, and just enough hops to balance the full malt flavor. We brew this jewel with San Francisco lager yeast and ferment it at higher temperatures to produce fuller flavors. Celebrate her reign by pairing her with your favorite meal, or with your favorite friends. Long Live the Queen!”

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Show 175, June 11, 2016: Mason Jar Brewing Company, Menifee

Posted on June 13, 2016 by abell

One of the smallest craft breweries participating in the Pechanga Microbrew Festival is Mason Jar Brewing in Menifee founded in 2014. It’s the creation of the determined husband and wife team of Robert Carter and Grace Santiago. They transitioned into becoming a production brewery from their hobby as passionate and award-winning home-brewers.

Their tagline : “Life and beer have one thing in common…Chill for Best Results!”

Now, they have launched their next dream. . . Menifee’s first Craft Brewery! Locally known for their homebrew, Robert and Grace have won 22 medals out of 24 competitions entered over their last two years as home brewers for their delicious traditional and dessert inspired beers.

The most recent medal won as home brewers (2014) was in the fruit beer category at the National Homebrew Competition (NHC). At NHC, they took home a GOLD medal for their dark chocolate, raspberry, coconut stout besting hundreds of competitors.

Robert’s favorite style is Swamp Water. It’s a very unusual black rye Kolsch.

Last year at the Microbrew Fest their Coco Loco attracted long lines until it was gone. It’s a refreshing coconut-lime pale ale.

Currently on tap is their signature IPA. It’s characterized by nice citrus notes, a slightly dry finish and is incredibly tasty! 7.2% ABV and 58 IBU.

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Show 174, June 4, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel

Posted on June 6, 2016 by abell

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, most recently, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host. He’s just back from Chicago where he received Nation’s Restaurant News’ Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish.

Congrats to our friends at Chefs’ Toys, Steve Dickler and Mike Krepistman, on being awarded the 2016 Top Achiever-Dealer honor by Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine. They received this prestigious award on May 21^st at a reception at The Four Seasons Chicago as part of the recent National Restaurant Association annual gathering in Chicago.

Now a provocatively tempting preview of Saturday’s abundant show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. The way we see it that’s actually a pretty good thing…

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has recently announced the dynamic new offerings from Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 2016 summer season. Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine — developed with the LA Phil, local restaurateurs James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, and Sodexo Sports & Leisure — will offer patrons a broad range of enticing new, reimagined culinary experiences. The vision is brought to life by Goin and Styne, whose restaurants, Lucques, a.o.c., Tavern and the Larder, have defined, and advanced, Los Angeles’ culinary tastes since 1998. Chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne join us with all the tempting 411.

The 8^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew & Craft Beer Festival and Chili Cook-off returns to the Pechanga Grand Ballroom on Saturday, June 11^th. The “SoCal Restaurant Show” will be there broadcasting live from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon when the taps officially open. Pechanga’s Executive Chef, Duane Owen, is our guest. He’ll be chatting about the chili cook-off, a fiery annual competition among the talented Pechanga chefs.

Paley restaurant is located in Columbia Square, the birthplace of the Golden Age of Hollywood. During its heyday, the restaurant at Columbia Square was home to the celebrities, executives and others working in the area. Paley reimagines that creative culture for the modern age. Chef Greg Bernhardt (ex-Church & State), at the forefront of the California farm to table movement, serves a dynamic menu of seasonal and local ingredients in classic dishes with a modern twist. He joins us.

Three superstar cocktailians: Dale DeGroff, Gaz Regan, and Adam Seger, share the stories behind cocktails they created and named when The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) presents its next Los Angeles seminar, “Cocktail Genesis & the Language of Libations,” Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Executive Chef Sherry Yard’s newest fine dining destination, The Tuck Room at iPic Theaters Westwood. Properly shaking the potent libations for us with their usual finesse are MOTAC’s creator, Dale DeGroff and MOTAC’s Philip Dobard.

It’s the 100^th anniversary of the opening of the Looff Hippodrome on the classic Santa Monica Pier. Since 2010 the familiar Carousel Building there has been the home to Soda Jerk’s, an authentic, period soda fountain. Proprietor Kevin McCafferty has created a limited-edition sweet-salty potato-chip sundae to commemorate the occasion. He’s full-scooping as our guest.

There is a legitimate concern about rising mercury levels in certain seafood. No reason to panic. Our resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us to separate the honest truth from fanciful (and needlessly alarming) fiction. Find out what you really need to be concerned about. Remain calm…

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

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June 4: Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne, Pechanga Microbrew Festival, Greg Bernhardt, Dale DeGroff, Philip Dobard, Soda Jerk’s, Andrew Gruel

Posted on June 2, 2016 by abell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Caroline Styne, The Lucques Group, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine
Segment Three: Chef Suzanne Goin, The Lucques Group, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine
Segment Four: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort and Casino
Segment Five: Chef Greg Bernhardt, Paley Restaurant, Hollywood
Segment Six: Museum of the American Cocktail’s Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff and Philip Dobard
Segment Seven: Kevin McCafferty of Soda Jerk’s, Looff Hippodrome, Santa Monica Pier
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel – Mercury in Fish

Now a provocatively tempting preview of Saturday’s abundant show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has recently announced the dynamic new offerings from Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 2016 summer season. Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine — developed with the LA Phil, local restaurateurs James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, and Sodexo Sports & Leisure — will offer patrons a broad range of enticing new, reimagined culinary experiences. The vision is brought to life by Goin and Styne, whose restaurants, Lucques, a.o.c., Tavern and the Larder, have defined, and advanced, Los Angeles’ culinary tastes since 1998. Chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne join us with all the tempting 411.

The 8^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew & Craft Beer Festival and Chili Cook-off returns to the Pechanga Grand Ballroom on Saturday, June 11^th. The “SoCal Restaurant Show” will be there broadcasting live from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon when the taps officially open. Pechanga’s Executive Chef, Duane Owen, is our guest. He’ll be chatting about the chili cook-off, a fiery annual competition among the talented Pechanga chefs.

Three superstar cocktailians: Dale DeGroff, Gaz Regan, and Adam Seger, share the stories behind cocktails they created and named when The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) presents its next Los Angeles seminar, “Cocktail Genesis & the Language of Libations,” Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Executive Chef Sherry Yard’s newest fine dining destination, The Tuck Room at iPic Theaters Westwood. Properly shaking the libations for us are MOTAC’s creator, Dale DeGroff and MOTAC’s Philip Dobard.

It’s the 100^th anniversary of the opening of the Looff Hippodrome on the classic Santa Monica Pier. Since 2010 the familiar Carousel Building has been the home to Soda Jerk’s, an authentic, period soda fountain. Proprietor Kevin McCafferty has created a limited-edition sweet-salty potato-chip sundae to commemorate the occasion. He’s full-scooping as our guest.

There is a legitimate concern about rising mercury levels in certain seafood. No reason to panic. Our resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us to separate the honest truth from fanciful (and alarming) fiction. Find out what you really need to be concerned about. Remain calm…

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

The vision is brought to life by Goin and Styne, whose restaurants, Lucques, a.o.c., Tavern and the Larder, have defined, and advanced, Los Angeles culinary tastes since 1998. Beverage Maven Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group now uncorks the details of the new beverage program.

Highlights include:
The Wine Bar by a.o.c. – L.A.’s favorite wine bar comes to life at the Bowl featuring artisanal cheese and charcuterie, market-fresh salads, grilled fish and meats. The wine list, curated by Caroline Styne, features only wines that are farmed sustainably, organically or biodynamically, and are made by small-production, artisanal winemakers. A selection of craft brew and farmers’ market-driven cocktails made with soju and other wine-based liquors complete the offerings. Menu Highlight: Soft Polenta with Wild Mushrooms, Mascarpone and Gremolata

Marketplace – Goin and Styne’s casual Larder café-marketplace comes to the Bowl offering grab-and-go salads, hot entrées that include rotisserie chicken, barbecued beef brisket and mac n’ cheese, as well as other picnic-friendly sandwiches, cheese plates and foods prepared with the best local produce and products. Choose from a large selection of hand-picked wines, craft beers, sodas and waters as well as salty and sweet snacks such as Larder Baking Company cookies and brownies, candy, nuts and crackers. Menu Highlight: Slow-Roasted Salmon with Cucumber Yogurt, Quinoa and Turmeric

Lucques at the Circle – Fine dining for subscribers of the Pool Circle with a seasonal made-to-order menu and exceptional wine list styled from the award winning cuisine of Lucques, one of the defining restaurants of Los Angeles. Menu Highlight: Grilled Pork Chop with Cornbread-Chorizo Stuffing and Glazed Bing Cherries

Chef Suzanne Goin now joins us with all the tempting 411 on the diverse, revamped food selections.

“Dining has long been an integral part of an evening at the Hollywood Bowl,” stated Gail Samuel, Executive Director of the LA Phil. “With the combined creativity and excellence of our new team, we have developed exciting new culinary options that will enhance the concert-going experience and contribute to making a night at the Bowl unforgettable.”

Whether it’s a picnic, a bottle of wine, street food from around the globe, supper in your box seat or dining at one of the on-site restaurants, visitors can take advantage of a wide variety of options for all tastes and preferences, including signature vegetarian dishes. The full spectrum also extends to catered events with a variety of locations for both small and large groups.

In addition to sampling over 100 styles of craft beer guests have the opportunity to taste and savor eight varieties of house-prepared chili, fired up by the award-winning chefs at Pechanga Resort & Casino. It’s a yearly highlight.

A new chili champion was crowned by the guests last year at the annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff. Temptations Food Court chef, Marlene Moore, tantalized the sold-out crowd with her “Temptation” Hearty Southern Style Chili. She edged out seven other Pechanga chefs’ chili varieties which included Texas-style chili with trio of meat, steak chili mac, and black bean chili con carne, with poblano rajas, crispy pork and shishito peppers. In a spirited competition Chef Marlene will be defending her title on June 11^th.

With 219 votes out of a total of 914 from 2015 Microbrew Festival attendees, Chef Moore, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, unseated Chef Damian Stanley (the Executive Sous Chef of Pechanga) who had held the chili throne for two years. Stanley received third place with 153 votes. Kelsey’s chef, Ronnel Capacia, came in a close second with 155 votes.

One secret ingredient is out…We know that Chef Ronnel’s chili creation for 2016 will use Golden Road Brewing’s Get Up Offa That Brown, a toasty brown ale, in the recipe.

Paley restaurant is located in the restored Columbia Square, the birthplace of the Golden Age of Hollywood. During its heyday, the restaurant at Columbia Square was home to the celebrities, executives and others working in the area.

Paley reimagines that creative culture for the modern age. Chef Greg Bernhardt (ex-Church & State), at the forefront of the California farm to table movement, serves a dynamic menu of seasonal and local ingredients in classic dishes with a modern twist. He joins us.

Paley is named in celebration of the artistic and innovative era shaped by Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) CEO and progressive visionary William S. Paley. Chef Greg Bernhardt serves a menu of dynamic and modern California cuisine with influences from L.A.’s multicultural heritage matched with unobtrusive service and a spirit of warmth and respect.

Owned and operated by worldwide hospitality group Plan Do See, Paley is named in celebration of the artistic and innovative era shaped by CBS visionary William S. Paley and his wife, Babe.

With the opening of Columbia Square in 1939, William S. Paley ushered in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Paley strives to reintroduce the glamour and excitement of Hollywood’s glory days.

Paley is now open for lunch, dinner and Weekend Brunch. Breakfast is coming soon…Paley features distinct dining areas. Inside, guests are greeted by the elegant bar with lounge seating, an intimate dining area at the core and a chef’s counter and table overlooking the open kitchen. An inviting shaded, landscaped outside patio located in the Courtyard of the former Columbia Square is another appealing dining area of Paley.

Three superstar cocktailians: Dale DeGroff, Gaz Regan, and Adam Seger, share the stories behind cocktails they created and named when The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) presents its next Los Angeles seminar, “Cocktail Genesis & the Language of Libations,” Tuesday, June 14, 2016 @ 6:30 p.m. at Executive Chef Sherry Yard’s newest fine dining destination, The Tuck Room at iPic Theaters Westwood. Properly shaking the libations for us are MOTAC’s creator, Dale DeGroff and MOTAC’s Philip Dobard.

Ever wonder how a new cocktail is created? What goes into it: base spirit(s), modifiers, and garnish? And then how it’s named? Well, on June 14 MOTAC brings together three living legends, one of them, Dale DeGroff, aka “King Cocktail,” a James Beard Foundation Award Winner and Who’s Who Inductee, to tell the origin stories of five signature cocktails they themselves created, and why they carry the names so synonymous with their creators. Come pass a rich evening of storytelling and drinking, all while enjoying a spread of gourmet appetizers courtesy of dual James Beard Foundation Award Winner, Sherry Yard.

It’s the 100^th anniversary on Sunday, June 12^th of the opening of the Looff Hippodrome on the classic Santa Monica Pier. Since 2010 the familiar Carousel Building has been the home to Soda Jerk’s, an authentic, period soda fountain.

Proprietor Kevin McCafferty has created a limited-edition sweet-salty potato-chip sundae to commemorate the occasion. He’s full-scooping as our guest.

For foodies seeking a special dessert conceived from the opening era, this is a rare opportunity to indulge in a limited-edition sweet-salty potato-chip sundae inspired by Pier history and created by Kevin McCafferty, dessert historian and owner of Soda Jerk’s soda fountain. The Brass Ring Sundae is one scoop of salted caramel topped with caramel sauce, one scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate, all covered in crushed potato chips with a single chip (the brass ring) on top.

The Looff Hippodrome is on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987 and was declared a Santa Monica Landmark in 1976. “When it first opened, the sound of the band organ from the Carousel could be heard all the way to downtown Santa Monica,” explains Jim Harris, historian for the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp. and author of the acclaimed book, Santa Monica Pier – A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier. “In many ways, it was and remains the heart of the city and we are excited to celebrate Looff’s dream 100 years later. It is a testament to his great vision that the Hippodrome has withstood the test of time.”

100 years later, the Looff Hippodrome remains an example of timeless design and continues to stand as a testament to Looff’s vision. The 100-year celebration will take place on Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 11am – 7:00pm.

There is a legitimate concern about rising mercury levels in certain seafood. No reason to panic. Our resident seafood authority, Chef Andrew Gruel, joins us to separate the honest truth from fanciful (and alarming) fiction. Find out what you really need to be concerned about. Remain calm…

Podcasts

Show 124, May 30, 2015: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on June 1, 2015 by abell

Congrats to our Emeritus Host, Chef Jet Tila. He battled his way into the entrée round of The Finals of Food Network’s high octane “Chopped All-Stars Tournament.” He bested 9 other seasoned celebrity chefs along the way. Food Network’s Anne Burrell won the $75,000 grand prize for her charity. Chef Jet was competing for K9s for Warriors. They were so appreciative of the national exposure (and contributions) Chef Jet generated for this worthy effort that a future assistance/service dog matched with a returning Vet (with either physical or mental challenges) will be named “Jet Tila.”

Now a provocative preview of Saturday’s delightfully over-stuffed show. We’re not counting calories…

Earlier in the month the Los Angeles branch of the national Careers Through Culinary Arts Program presented over $600,000 in scholarships and cash awards to 28 deserving high school seniors at the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Montage Beverly Hills. These students will now advance their education in the culinary arts. Food TV producer and media personality Eric Boardman (a long-time Advisory Board Member of C-CAP Los Angeles) joins us with the details.

Bricia Lopez, the engaging co-owner of Guelaguetza in Koreatown is back with us. On May 4^th she was in Chicago at The James Beard Foundation Awards to receive the America’s Classics Award. This is an especially noteworthy honor as the Award for Guelaguetza was the only Beard Award received by a Southern California chef or restaurant this year. We’ll hear about her once-in-a-lifetime adventures in Chicago with her Family and the true luminaries of the food world. Perhaps a bit of Champagne was enjoyed along the way…

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 7^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff from 1 to 5:00 p.m. in the Pechanga Grand Ballroom. 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. Bragging rites are at stake! Damian Stanley, the Executive Sous Chef at the Pechanga Resort & Casino, is our guest providing all the details.

Anita Lau is the well-known and closely followed Diary of a Mad Hungry Woman blogger. She principally shares her Orange County and San Diego finds with her followers but there is an occasional Los Angeles find, too. Her prose comes to life with her accompanying food photos. We’ll catch-up with Anita with both a profile of a worthy San Diego (Catania in La Jolla) and Orange County restaurant (Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge.)

The always eloquent Philip Dobard is a Board member of The Museum of the American Cocktail which is part of the SoFAB Institute in New Orleans. Dobard is also the Vice President of SoFAB Institute. He is based in Los Angeles and produces their local programming in addition to a lot more duties. This time we’re talking about MOTAC’s Tuesday Tastings at The Three Clubs in Hollywood and MOTAC’s first permanent Los Angeles exhibit, curated by Joe Keeper, at Seven Grand Whiskey Bar.

Anne Marie Panoringan is one of the highly readable food writers for OC Weekly. She has earned the respect of her peers. Her signature pieces are nuanced chef interviews and coverage of the emerging Long Beach restaurant scene. She is always out there doing her research…Anne Marie just returned from Portland, a new foodie paradise. She will share some of her dining adventures there including eating (multiple times) at the most famous food cart in Portland! Of course there is a story…

Don’t miss Guest Host 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!

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Tag Archives: Pechanga Microbrew Festival

Show 275, May 26, 2018: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

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Show 124, May 30, 2015: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris