Show 338, August 24, 2019: Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaOnce a year Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill in Pico Rivera hosts a series of Hatch Chile-themed events to celebrate the famous New Mexican spicy and savory pepper. First up is Chef Marco’s Hatch pepper Cooking Demonstration on Tuesday evening, August 27th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Guests will receive copies of all the Hatch-themed recipes including Drink of the Day, Appetizers, Salad, Entrees and Dessert. The seated Dinner features all the items demonstrated by Chef Marco. Guests also receive a gift certificate for a complimentary meal at Zapien’s Salsa Grill on a future visit.

Zapien’s will then host a daytime Hatch Chile Roast on September 7th were supplies of the roasted Hatch Chiles can be picked up by the case. The guest selects the level of spicy desired ranging from mild to hot. Also on Saturday, September 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. join Chef Marco and Zapien’s Salsa Grill for their special Hatch Chile Brunch featuring over ten incredible Hatch Chile inspired dishes.

We’ll entice Chef Marco away from the chile roaster for a chat.

Show 288, September 1, 2018: Chef Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaOnce a year Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill in Pico Rivera hosts a series of Hatch Chile-themed events to celebrate the famous New Mexican spicy and savory pepper. Zapien’s will orchestrate a daytime Hatch Chile Roast on September 8th where supplies of the roasted Hatch Chiles can be picked up by the case. The guest selects the level of spicy desired ranging from mild to hot. A good tip is to reserve your case in advance.

Also on Saturday, September 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. join Chef Marco and Zapien’s Salsa Grill for their special Hatch Chile Brunch featuring over ten Hatch Chile inspired dishes. Enjoy all-you-can-eat, and hand-made Tortillas, Champagne and Mimosas for a modest $24 per guest. Think Hatch “Macadillo” with macaroni baked in a spiced cheese sauce with Hatch Chile picadillo.

We’ll entice Chef Marco away from the rotating chile roaster for a flavorful chat.

Show 235, August 5, 2017: Executive Chef Marco Zapien, Hatch Chile Festivities at Zapien’s Salsa Grill

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaOnce a year Zapien’s Salsa Grill in Pico Rivera (known for from-scratch, regional Mexican fare) hosts a series of interactive Hatch Chile-themed events to celebrate the famous New Mexican spicy and savory pepper. Along with Chef Marco Zapien’s Hatch Chile Cooking Demonstration and Dinner on August 10th (Hatch Chile Verde & Hatch Chile Colorado) the restaurant hosts a festive daytime Hatch Chile Roast on September 9th were cases of the roasted Hatch Chiles can be picked up and enjoyed.

At The Roast the guest selects the level of spicy desired ranging from mild to hot. Alongside the roasting on Saturday September 9th Chef Marco will be featuring a special Hatch Chile Brunch menu at Zapien’s. And, yes, scrumptious Hatch Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert !

Chef Marco Zapien shares his Hatch Chile secrets with us. He’s just back from cooking at The Hampton’s Party of the Summer – The James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne Benefit at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard.

Show 199, November 26, 2016: Chef/Proprietor Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaIt’s our salute to Small Business Saturday and the backbone of small business, the family-owned, local dining destination.

Since 1994 Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria has been the standout Mexican restaurant in Pico Rivera. It recently underwent a major refreshening.

In 2003, Chef Marco Zapien joined The Grill full-time as the Executive Chef and partnered with his father, Jess, to become co-owner. Chef Marco has elevated the cuisine and enhanced its popularity well beyond the borders of Pico Rivera. He also operates a full-service catering firm creating dishes of global cuisine beyond the Mexican pantry.

Chef Marco has refined a unique style of cooking that incorporates two generations of his mother’s and father’s family recipes with the passionate creativity he has enhanced throughout his culinary career.

The Salsa Grill serves truly traditional Mexican food with items such as Lengua and Enchilades en Mole on the Chef’s Specialties menu, Camarones Mojo De Ajo and Tequila Fried Shrimp on its Seafood Specialty Menu, and fresh Menudo, Cocido and Pozole served daily.

They even make their own tortillas right there fresh throughout the day. This is the base of their addictive tortilla chips, too. Can’t get any fresher than this! Most everything (including all sauces) is created from scratch on site. That’s a genuine commitment to quality!

Chef Marco is our guest.

Show 136, August 29, 2015: Owner / Chef Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaIt’s New Mexico Hatch Chile roasting season. No independent restaurant in California celebrates this with the depth and flair of Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Tacqueria in Pico Rivera. He hosts a Hatch Chile cooking demo with a full menu, a chile roasting and even a special Hatch Chile Brunch on September 12th.

Join Chef Marco Zapien at Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Tacqueria in Pico Rivera for a summer celebration of the arrival of New Mexico Hatch Chiles. It’s Wednesday, September 9th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. The interactive demonstration and class will include a full menu from Soup to Dessert and all of the Hatch Chile-inspired recipes. It’s Hatch Chile Pozole Verde, Hatch Chile Cilantro Caesar Salad, Hatch Chile Braised Short Ribs, Hatch Meatloaf, Hatch Chile Green Rice, Hatch Chile Buttermilk Biscuits and Hatch Chile Tres Leches Bread Pudding with raspberry whipped cream.

Saturday, September 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is the New Mexico Hatch Chile Roasting at Zapien’s plus the special Hatch Chile Brunch with action stations. Look for the Roasted Hatch Chile Picadillo.

Chef Marco joins us with all the flavorful 411.

August 31: Orange International Street Fair

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Co-Host Kedric Francis, Producer Andy Harris and Jet Tila via Satellite
Segment Two: Scott Brandon, Chef / Proprietor of Linx in Old Towne Orange
Segment Three: Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera
Segment Four: Deanna Durigon, Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours
Segment Five: Executive Chef Greg Daniels & Managing Partner / Beverage Director Wil Dee of Provisions Market
Segment Six: Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival
Segment Seven: Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco
Segment Eight: Travis Rodgers, host of “The Travis Rodgers Show” on AM 830 KLAA

Please join us each week at our new starting time of 10:00 a.m.

Orange International Street FairToday it’s the last hurrah for the Summer. We broadcasting live from the Orange International Street Fair in Orange. This is a massive community event attracting up to 400,000 people to Old Towne Orange over the two and-one half day festival. The Fair continues until Sunday night.

All of the top quality ethnic street food available is authentically prepared by area non-profits. You have an international melting pot of flavors ranging from Australian to Swiss.

Eight entertainment stages, too!

Kedric Francis, the Executive Editor of both Coast Magazine and The Orange County Register Magazine joins us on Saturday for the festivities as co-host.

Scott Brandon of LinX DogsScott Brandon, the Chef/Proprietor of LinX Artisan Sausages at 238 W. Chapman Ave., is with us. Last year Chef Scott operated LinX out of a trailer at his location during the Fair because he hadn’t opened yet. On his menu are incredible artisan sausages.

Hand-cut Belgian fries are also top dog here. They are twice-fried and really good. They come with a variety of flavorful dipping sauces all prepared in-house.

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaChef Marco Zapien is the owner/chef of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera. It’s proudly family-owned and a locals’ favorite since 1994.

The fare represents the various regions of Mexico. They are known for lengua (tongue) and enchiladas en mole. The corn tortillas for the chips and salsa are made-in house.

On Saturday, September 7th Zapien’s is hosting their 2nd Annual Hatch Chile Roasting and brunch for charity. Hatch Chiles will be sold by the case, roasted or fresh, and Hatch Chile food and drink specials will be available.

Deanna DurigonWe’re in Old Towne Orange today. Old Towne is now home to an impressive variety of specialty restaurants. Haven Gastropub and LinX immediately come to mind along with original Bruxie.

Old Town Orange Food Walking Tours is a fun way to get introduced to the culinary delights of the area. They offer both the Orange Sampler Tour as well as the Vintage Orange Food Tour.

Co-owner Deanna Durigon, who both lives and works in Orange, is the co-owner. She joins us to provide all the appetizing details.

Greg Daniels of Haven GastropubProvisions Market, a new gourmet specialty food store, sandwich shop, and craft beer emporium, on Glassell is the talk of Old Towne Orange. 30 rotating beers are available on tap as well as Sidecar Doughnuts.

Coming soon will be a full service coffee bar operated by Portola Coffee Lab of The Mix in Costa Mesa.

Executive Chef Greg Daniels (Haven Gastropub) and Managing Partner Wil Dee will be with us to explain all the delicious elements and what’s to come.

Joshua Lurie of Food GPSThere is no better Summer picnic food than fried chicken. Leave it to Joshua Lurie of Food GPS to create a festival around incredible fried chicken!

The 2nd Annual Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 7:00 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles at LOT 613.

Eleven of L.A.’s top toques will be there showcasing multiple styles of their fried chicken for the guests to sample and enjoy at their pleasure. Also on the menu are appropriate side dishes, desserts, craft beer, and cocktails.

Chef Jason Neroni of Superba Snack Bar in Venice and producer Joshua Lurie of Food GPS join us to preview the Festival.

Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish TacosThe coolest dude in Orange County has to be the incomparable Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. It just comes to him naturally…It’s their 25th anniversary this year.

Wing is also active in many local charitable activities as well as enjoys teaching marketing. He’s also a master at guerrilla marketing.

Wing joins us in-person to reveal how he keeps Wahoo’s fresh after 25 years of increasing success…

Travis RodgersTravis Rodgers quarterbacks The Travis Rodgers Show heard weekday mornings on AM 830 KLAA from 6 to 10:00 a.m. It’s SoCal’s only live, local morning sports show. Travis actually lives in Orange County!

You might not know that Travis is equally passionate about all kinds of food. We’ll eagerly talk food with Travis and find out what he’s looking forward to tasting at The Orange International Street Fair this Weekend!

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Co-Host Kedric Francis, Producer Andy Harris and Jet Tila via Satellite
Segment Two: Scott Brandon, Chef / Proprietor of Linx in Old Towne Orange
Segment Three: Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera
Segment Four: Deanna Durigon, Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours
Segment Five: Executive Chef Greg Daniels & Managing Partner / Beverage Director Wil Dee of Provisions Market
Segment Six: Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival
Segment Seven: Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco
Segment Eight: Travis Rodgers, host of “The Travis Rodgers Show” on AM 830 KLAA