Show 538, August 12, 2023: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Adam Bell

“After a three-year hiatus, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Cookout, hosted by James Beard Foundation award-winners Chef Suzanne Goin and partner Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group) along with Chef David Lentz, returns on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. on UCLA’s Royce Quad. Goin, Styne and Lentz have again (for the 11th time) enlisted the support and generosity of their culinary-superstar friends around the country who will donate their time and services to raise funds and awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and its mission to find better treatments and cures for all kids with cancer. Philadelphia’s acclaimed Chef Marc Vetri (Vetri Cucina,) a long-time supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, will again be cooking at Alex’s L.A. He joins us with all the craveable details. Chef Vetri’s The Great Chefs Event, Philadelphia, supporting the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, was the inspiration behind Caroline, Suzanne and David bringing the Benefit to Los Angeles.

“Holey Grail Donuts is the Hawaiian-born, LA-rooted donut shop with area locations in Santa Monica and Larchmont Village that specializes in fried to order taro donuts with a weekly revolving menu highlighting local Hawaiian and Californian ingredients, which are sustainably and ethically sourced from locally owned farmers, who Holey Grail has cultivated deep relationships with over the years.” Available until August 23rd is a collaboration donut as part of their Breaking Bread program, the Cosmic Churro Donut, with Chef Ludo Lefebvre. Ludo recently started a new venture, Shaman Ramen, the world’s first adaptogenic superfood ramen, where he is a partner and flavor creator for the brand. “The collaborative flavor, Cosmic Churro Donut, includes Holey Grail Donut’s signature taro donut fried to order in coconut oil, adaptogenic cinnamon & sugar (sourced from Shaman Ramen) and brulee banana.” Holey Grail Donuts Hawaii-based Co-Founder, Hana Dreiling, is our guest with a warm Cosmic Churro Donut in hand.

“This year the Murphy family is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the handsome Presqu’ile Tasting Room in Santa Maria Valley where for a decade they’ve been sharing their estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté, Gamay, Nebbiolo and méthode champenoise sparkling wines.” “The winery began in 2007, but the opening of the architecturally-distinctive modern-meets-rustic hospitality center marked a new chapter in the Murphy’s unwavering dedication to growing, producing and sharing premium cool-climate estate wines in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley.” Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

Vegetarian Salad for Dinner – Inventive Plant-Forward Meals is the vegetarian sequel to culinary educator and edible garden expert Jeanne Kelley’s highly successful cookbook Salad for Dinner (2012). “This inspiring single-subject cookbook with 80 recipes reimagines the traditional idea of a salad as a main course meal. The salads range from familiar to exotic, taking the idea beyond the traditional tossed bowl, with creative categories such as classic salads, grain salads, pulse salads, salads with seeds, pasta salads, bread salads, and roasted and toasted salads.” Jeanne Kelley is our guest with salad tongs at the ready along with a bunch of fresh heirloom carrots.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. We planned to chat with Chef Andrew this morning about the cancellation of the annual commercial fishing season for Chinook salmon in coastal California waters but Chef Andrew experienced some unexpected flight delays and was in the air during his scheduled segment. We’ll reel in the Chinook salmon for next week. Instead Producer Andy highlighted what some generous restaurants in Las Vegas are already doing to support vitally needed fire relief aid in West Maui. Las Vegas is unofficially known as the “Ninth Island” as Vegas is a popular destination for Hawaiians when they are on vacation to the Mainland.

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

Show 538, August 12, 2023: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria with Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales Part One

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Adam Bell

This year the Murphy family is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the handsome Presqu’ile Tasting Room in Santa Maria Valley “where for a decade they’ve been sharing their estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté, Gamay, Nebbiolo and méthode champenoise sparkling wines.”

“The winery began in 2007, but the opening of the architecturally significant modern-meets-rustic hospitality center marked a new chapter in the Murphy’s unwavering dedication to growing, producing and sharing premium cool-climate estate wines in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley.”

“Wine should be inspiring, joyous and relaxed, so we share our wines with enthusiasm but without pretense,” says Matt Murphy, Presqu’ile’s president. “We like to think of it as an elevated wine experience steeped in our family’s tradition of laidback Southern hospitality.”

Since opening, the estate’s guest experiences have evolved and expanded. Presqu’ile now offers five different guest experiences open to the public. The Wine & Food Experience, for example, features a curated tasting flight paired with Chef Julie Simon’s Mezze Picnic. “Chef Julie’s menus are crafted from the winery’s organic one-acre vegetable and herb garden and feature the seasonal bounties of the Santa Maria Valley’s top purveyors.”

Another standout experience is the “Wine & Food Tour which includes a private walking tour through Presqu’ile’s wine caves, the winery and up to their estate hilltop pond. Guests then settle into a private, 5^th floor lookout terrace for a sumptuous food and wine pairing while taking in the unobstructed views of the vineyard, the San Rafael Mountains, Solomon Hills, and Pacific Ocean.”

Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

Show 538, August 12, 2023: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria with Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales Part Two

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Adam Bell

Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, continues with us gently pulling the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

August 12: Marc Vetri, Holey Grail Donuts, Presqu’ile, Jeanne Kelley

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Restaurateur and Chef Mark Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia and Las Vegas
Segment Three: Hana Dreiling, Co-Founder, Holey Grail Donuts, Santa Monica & Larchmont Village
Segment Four: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria with Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales Part One
Segment Five: Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria with Tim Wanner, Director of Hospitality and Sales Part Two
Segment Six: Vegetarian Salad for Dinner with Author Jeanne Kelley Part One
Segment Seven: Vegetarian Salad for Dinner with Author Jeanne Kelley Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel with “Ask the Chef”

Andy Harris, Executive Producer and Co-host previews the show.

“After a three-year hiatus, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Cookout, hosted by James Beard Foundation award-winners Chef Suzanne Goin and partner Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group) along with Chef David Lentz, returns on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. on UCLA’s Royce Quad. Goin, Styne and Lentz have again (for the 11^th time) enlisted the support and generosity of their culinary-superstar friends around the country who will donate their time and services to raise funds and awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and its mission to find better treatments and cures for all kids with cancer. Philadelphia’s acclaimed Chef Marc Vetri (Vetri Cucina,) a long-time supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, will again be cooking at Alex’s L.A. He joins us with all the craveable details. Chef Vetri’s The Great Chefs Event, Philadelphia, supporting the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, was the inspiration behind Caroline, Suzanne and David bringing the Benefit to Los Angeles.

Holey Grail Donuts is the Hawaiian-born, LA-rooted donut shop with area locations in Santa Monica and Larchmont Village that specializes in fried to order taro donuts with a weekly revolving menu highlighting local Hawaiian and Californian ingredients, which are sustainably and ethically sourced from locally owned farmers, who Holey Grail has cultivated deep relationships with over the years. Available until August 23^rd is a collaboration donut as part of their Breaking Bread program, the Cosmic Churro Donut, with Chef Ludo Lefebvre. Ludo recently started a new venture, Shaman Ramen, the world’s first adaptogenic superfood ramen, where he is a partner and flavor creator for the brand.

The collaborative flavor, Cosmic Churro Donut,includes Holey Grail Donut’s signature taro donut fried to order in coconut oil, adaptogenic cinnamon & sugar (sourced from Shaman Ramen) and brulee banana.

Holey Grail Donuts Hawaii-based Co-Founder, Hana Dreiling, is our guest with a warm Cosmic Churro Donut in hand.

This year the Murphy family is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the handsome Presqu’ile Tasting Room in Santa Maria Valley where for a decade they’ve been sharing their estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté, Gamay, Nebbiolo and méthode champenoise sparkling wines. “The winery began in 2007, but the opening of the architecturally-distinctive modern-meets-rustic hospitality center marked a new chapter in the Murphy’s unwavering dedication to growing, producing and sharing premium cool-climate estate wines in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley.” Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

Vegetarian Salad for Dinner – Inventive Plant-Forward Meals is the vegetarian sequel to culinary educator and edible garden expert Jeanne Kelley’s highly successful cookbook Salad for Dinner(2012). This inspiring single-subject cookbook with 80 recipes reimagines the traditional idea of a salad as a main course meal. The salads range from familiar to exotic, taking the idea beyond the traditional tossed bowl, with creative categories such as classic salads, grain salads, pulse salads, salads with seeds, pasta salads, bread salads, and roasted and toasted salads. Jeanne Kelley is our guest with salad tongs at the ready along with a bunch of fresh heirloom carrots.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. We all typically enjoy fresh salmon as a seafood go-to but certain varieties in California are now in short supply. The Chinook salmon season for commercial fisherman along coastal California waters has been cancelled this year. Chef Andrew will explain what’s behind this and the types of sustainably raised salmon that you can still enjoy on your table and in restaurants.

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

After a three-year hiatus, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Cookout, hosted by James Beard Foundation award-winners Chef Suzanne Goin and partner Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group) along with Chef David Lentz returns on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. on UCLA’s Royce Quad. Goin, Styne and Lentz have again (for the 11^th time) enlisted the support and generosity of their culinary-superstar friends around the country who will donate their time and services to raise funds and awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and its mission to find better treatments and cures for all kids with cancer.”

Featuring fabulous food, wine and cocktails prepared by the nation’s best chefs, winemakers and mixologists, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade is an afternoon of fantastic fare, cocktails for a cause, children’s activities, extravagant silent and exhilarating live auctions, and much more.”

Philadelphia’s acclaimed Chef Marc Vetr i (Vetri Cucina,) a long-time supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation will again be cooking at L.A. Loves Alex’s. He joins us with all the craveable details. Chef Vetri’s The Great Chefs Event, Philadelphia supporting the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was the inspiration behind Caroline, Suzanne and David undertaking the considerable effort to bring the Benefit to Los Angeles.

“Holey Grail Donuts is the Hawaiian-born, LA-rooted donut shop with locations in Santa Monica and Larchmont Village that specializes in fried to order taro donuts with a weekly revolving menu highlighting local Hawaiian and Californian ingredients, which are sustainably and ethically sourced from locally owned farmers, who Holey Grail has cultivated deep relationships with over the years.”

Available until August 23^rd is a collaboration donut as part of their Breaking Bread program, the Cosmic Churro Donut, with Chef Ludo Lefebvre. Ludo recently started a new venture, Shaman Ramen, the world’s first adaptogenic superfood ramen, where he is a partner and flavor creator for the brand.

“The collaborative flavor, Cosmic Churro Donut, includes Holey Grail Donut’s signature taro donut fried to order in coconut oil, adaptogenic cinnamon & sugar (sourced from Shaman Ramen) and brulee banana. An ode to nostalgic flavors, Holey Grail and Chef Ludo created this donut to showcase their deep passion for elevated ingredients that expand the mind and palate.”

Holey Grail Donuts Hawaii-based Co-Founder, Hana Dreiling, is our guest with a warm Cosmic Churro Donut in hand.

“Located less than two miles from Highway 101 in Northern Santa Barbara County, the hilltop Tasting Room and encompassing ranch are designed to complement the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Presqu’ile’s organic vineyards, while delivering a respite for guests and wine club members. From the arrival down the private mile-long drive, to the fireside alfresco lounge spaces, every detail is designed to create lasting memories for guests.”“Wine should be inspiring, joyous and relaxed, so we share our wines with enthusiasm but without pretense,” says Matt Murphy, Presqu’ile’s president. “We like to think of it as an elevated wine experience steeped in our family’s tradition of laidback Southern hospitality.”Since opening, the estate’s guest experiences have evolved and expanded. Presqu’ile now offers five different guest experiences open to the public. The Wine & Food Experience, for example, features a curated tasting flight paired with Chef Julie Simon’s Mezze Picnic. Chef Julie’s menus are crafted from the winery’s organic one-acre vegetable and herb garden and feature the seasonal bounties of the Santa Maria Valley’s top purveyors.

Another standout experience is the Wine & Food Tour which includes a private walking tour through Presqu’ile’s wine caves, the winery and up to their estate hilltop pond. Guests then settle into a private, 5^th floor lookout terrace for a sumptuous food and wine pairing while taking in the unobstructed views of the vineyard, the San Rafael Mountains, Solomon Hills, and Pacific Ocean.

Tim Wanner, Presqu’ile’s Director of Hospitality and Sales, joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Presqu’ile.

“People love a good salad! This hunger for salad is matched by a genuine desire for good vegetarian dinner ideas and better plant-based recipes. Jeanne Kelley shares a new collection of creative, easy-to-follow, and foolproof salad recipes for lifelong vegetarians looking for inspiration, omnivores looking to up their meatless Monday game, and general salad enthusiasts. With bold flavors influenced by the fresh produce and the vibrant dining scene of the author’s hometown Los Angeles, the recipes are innovative yet approachable, satisfying experienced and novice cooks alike.”

“The salads range from familiar to exotic, taking the idea beyond the traditional tossed bowl, with creative categories such as classic salads, grain salads, pulse salads, salads with seeds, pasta salads, bread salads, and roasted and toasted salads.”

“The recipes vary from suitable for busy weeknight—like Warm Brussel Sprout Caesar with Poached Egg, Tostada Salad with Creamy Lime-Avocado Dressing, and Chinese No Chicken Salad—to weekend showstoppers such as Herby Fattoush, Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Mung Beans and Black Tahini, Vietnamese-Style Salad Rolls, and North African–Style Chickpea Pancake with Salad Turnips, Greens, and Harissa.”

Jeanne Kelley is our guest with salad tongs at the ready along with a bunch of fresh heirloom carrots.

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

We all typically enjoy fresh salmon as a seafood go-to but certain varieties in California are now in short supply. The Chinook salmon season for commercial fisherman along coastal California waters has been cancelled this year. Chef Andrew will explain what’s behind this and the types of sustainably raised salmon that you can still enjoy without reservation on your home table and in restaurants.

Podcasts

Show 300, December 1, 2018: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Adam Bell

Now a tempting preview of this Saturday’s incredibly delectable show. We’re in the Holiday spirit…It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, and upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Solvang, named by MSN.com as one of the “50 Best Christmas Towns in All 50 States” and “America’s 50 Most Charming Small Towns for the Holidays” as well as Time Magazine’s “Most Christmassy Towns in America” will sparkle again during the 2018 annual Solvang Julefest (pronounced Yule-Fest) from December 1, 2018 through January 4, 2019. This year will feature the return of the popular Free Nisse Adventure Hunt, the Free Candlelight Tours and the addition of new VIP Candlelight Tours. Laura Kath, SCVB’s Media Relations Director lights the tree for us.

The statistics are grim: Americans currently produce 133 pounds of food waste every year, and 40 percent of food in this country goes uneaten. For the first time ever, the USDA has set a nationwide goal to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030. Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking with Scraps (Workman Publishing, $19.95, October 30, 2018) provides 85 creative, delicious, and inspired recipes to help home cooks meet this important goal. We’ll meet her.

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to crafting exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Made using grapes from their own sustainably certified Presqu’ile Vineyard, and from a handful of the finest winegrowing sites in the valley, Presqu’ile wines capture the essence of their vineyards and vintage, and have earned acclaim for their elegance and balance. Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje pulls the cork for us.

We last spoke with Chef Mathew Peters early last year after he won the first ever Gold Medal for Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition, a never-before achieved highlight for the American culinary arts! Chef Peters is part of the Culinary Council of the ment’or BKB Foundation which supports Team USA. On Wednesday, December 12^th in Las Vegas ment’or BKB is staging their Young Chef and Commis Competition. The food-loving public can support the non-profit ment’or BKB Foundation (and the culinary arts in the USA) and attend. Chef Matt, who will be a competition judge, joins us with all the mouthwatering details.

Twenty years ago Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar launched at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. It’s been a huge success. As they have branched over the years (now 70 US locations) a signature for them has become their carefully curated wine program. Each Fleming’s has a part of their wine list with the hand-picked selections of that location’s Operating Partner. Our guest with the well-traveled corkscrew is Stephen Blevins, Fleming’s Director of Wines who was previously the Operating Partner at the Flagship Newport Beach Fleming’s.

Frequent show guest Sherry Yard (Restaurateur & Chef and three-time James Beard Award-recipient for culinary excellence) is the Chief Operating Officer of iPic Entertainment where she oversees all theater and culinary operations for iPic. Sherry is back on Food TV as the new judge for Season 4 of ABC’s “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” popping out of the oven on Thursday evening, December 6^th. We’re talking baking with Sherry.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel joins us with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. With the Holidays upon us it’s great to have a real working chef in our corner providing handy advice!

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

Show 300, December 1, 2018: Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje, Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Adam Bell

Situated high atop a hill, with stunning ocean and vineyard views, Presqu’ile offers one of California’s most memorable wine tasting experiences. Join the Murphy Family, and enjoy a taste of southern hospitality on California’s beautiful Central Coast.

“A cool-climate Pinot Noir specialist, and one of the Central Coast’s rising star winemakers, Dieter Cronje brings a unique perspective, gained in two hemispheres, to Presqu’ile. As the winery’s founding winemaker, Dieter had the rare opportunity to contribute his insights to the original planting of Presqu’ile’s 73-acre estate vineyard, an experience that gave him an intimate knowledge of the vineyard’s rich diversity.”

“He also collaborated with Presqu’ile’s founders, the Murphy family, during the design of Presqu’ile’s purpose-built winery. In this gravity-flow winery, Dieter preserves the vineyard’s diversity by working in small lots, and applying a gentle, minimalist approach that accentuates the character of the vineyards. The resulting wines offer the purity, elegance and signature spice that have made Santa Maria Valley famous among connoisseurs of great cool-climate Pinot Noir.”

Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje pulls the cork for us.

December 1: Solvang’s Julefest, Lindsay-Jean Hard, Presqu’ile, Matthew Peters, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Sherry Yard

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Solvang Julefest, Laura Kath, Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau
Segment Three: Food Journalist Lindsay-Jean Hard, Cooking With Scraps – Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds, And Stems Into Delicious Meals
Segment Four: Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje, Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria
Segment Five: Chef Matthew Peters, Gold Medalist, Team USA, Bocuse d’Or 2017
Segment Six: Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 20th Anniversary, Stephen Blevins, Director of Wines
Segment Seven: Restaurateur & Chef Sherry Yard, COO of iPic Entertainment
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group, “Ask the Chef”

Solvang, named by MSN.com as one of the “50 Best Christmas Towns in All 50 States” and “America’s 50 Most Charming Small Towns for the Holidays” as well as Time Magazine’s “Most Christmassy Towns in America” will sparkle again during the 2018 annual Solvang Julefest (pronounced Yule-Fest) from December 1, 2018 through January 4, 2019. This year will feature the return of the popular Free Nisse Adventure Hunt, the Free Candlelight Tours and the addition of new VIP Candlelight Tours. Laura Kath, SCVB’s Media Relations Director lights the tree for us.

The statistics are grim: Americans currently produce 133 pounds of food waste every year, and 40 percent of food in this country goes uneaten. For the first time ever, the USDA has set a nationwide goal to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030. Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking with Scraps (Workman Publishing, $19.95, October 30, 2018) provides 85 creative, delicious, and inspired recipes to help home cooks meet this important goal. We’ll meet her.

We last spoke with Chef Mathew Peters early last year after he won the first ever Gold Medal for Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition, a never-before achieved highlight for the American culinary arts! Chef Peters is part of the Culinary Council of the ment’or BKB Foundation which supports Team USA. On Wednesday, December 12^th in Las Vegas ment’or BKB is staging their Young Chef and Commis Competition. The food-loving public can support the non-profit ment’or BKB Foundation (and the culinary arts in the USA) and attend. Chef Matt, who will be a competition judge, joins us with all the mouthwatering details.

Twenty years ago Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar launched at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. It’s been a huge success. As they have branched over the years a signature for them has become their carefully curated wine program. Each Fleming’s has a part of their wine list with the hand-picked selections of that location’s Operating Partner. Our guest with the corkscrew is Stephen Blevins, Fleming’s Director of Wines who was previously the Operating Partner at the Flagship Newport Beach Fleming’s.

Frequent show guest Sherry Yard (Restaurateur & Chef and three-time James Beard Award-recipient for culinary excellence) is the Chief Operating Officer of iPic Entertainment where she oversees all theater and culinary operations for iPic. Sherry is back on Food TV as the new judge for Season 4 of ABC’s “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” popping out of the oven on Saturday evening, December 8^th. We’re talking baking with Sherry.

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

More 2018 Solvang Julefest highlights include the Free Visits with Santa “Julemanden” in Solvang Park; free Nisse Adventure; Shop, Mingle & Jingle Weekends; Holiday Wine & Beer Walk “Skål Stroll!”; Community Tree-lighting Ceremony, Julefest Parade and free Nativity Pageant. Especially with free parking throughout the village, the incredible variety of more than 150 one-of-a-kind boutiques and specialty shops makes Solvang a perfect destination to shop for gifts and create holiday memories.

Plus, there will be additional open houses at local retailers, special concerts and more taking place throughout the season—with activities continually being updated at Solvang USA’s website.

Laura Kath, SCVB’s Media Relations Director lights the tree for us.

The statistics are grim: Americans currently produce 133 pounds of food waste every year, and 40 percent of food in this country goes uneaten. For the first time ever, the USDA has set a nationwide goal to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030. Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking with Scraps – Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds, Stems and other Odds and Ends into Delicious Meals (Workman Publishing, $19.95, October 30, 2018) provides 85 creative, delicious, and inspired recipes to help home cooks meet this important goal.

By learning the basics behind transforming food waste into treasure, readers can take advantage of ingredients such as outdated produce, cheese rinds, stale bread, and other oft-discarded foods to create budget-conscious, sustainable, and highly satisfying meals.

Lindsay-Jean explains the rationale behind her choices in the recipes: “What lies unused in one’s fridge or pantry is not a purposeless object destined for the waste bin! For the most part, you’ll find recipes for the often unused parts—I’m assuming that if you buy carrots you already know how to use the carrot’s root, but you might not know how to make use of the greens—but every now and then I’ll touch on how to incorporate the whole item. For an ingredient to make it into the book, it had to be “worth it” to me as a scrap. For example, when buying broccoli, generally enough of the stem is sold along with it that it makes sense to put it to use, but you won’t find a recipe focused around ginger peels, because not only does it not really need to be peeled, but even if you do peel it, you won’t generate enough of it at one time to turn into something else.”

“Lindsay-Jean Hard received her Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. Her education and passion for sustainability went on to inform and inspire her work in the garden, home, and community. The seeds of this book were planted in her Food52 column of the same name. Today she works to share her passion for great food and great communities as a marketer at Zingerman’s Bakehouse. She lives, writes, loves, and creates in Ann Arbor, Michigan.”

We’ll meet Lindsay-Jean.

Founding Winemaker Dieter Cronje pulls the cork for us.

We last spoke with Chef Mathew Peters early last year after he won the first ever Gold Medal for Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition, a never-before achieved highlight for the American culinary arts! He’s now Austin, Texas based and is in the process of launching his own destination restaurant there.

Chef Peters is part of the Culinary Council of the ment’or BKB Foundation which supports and funds Team USA. On Wednesday, December 12^th in Las Vegas ment’or BKB is staging their Young Chef and Commis Competition. The food-loving public can support the non-profit ment’or BKB Foundation (and the culinary arts in the USA) and attend.

“All competitors in the Young Chef and Commis Competitions are paired with mentors from the Foundation’s Culinary Council or previous Bocuse d’Or Team USA representatives, in tandem with the foundation’s goal of inspiring culinary excellence and fostering a supportive community for the next generation of great chefs in America.”

“This year’s 2018 Young Chef & Commis candidates will congregate in Las Vegas from all across the country, with competitors hailing from Washington, D.C, Chicago, IL and Boston, MA all the way to Honolulu, HI.”

Following the competition, ment’or will host a 10^thanniversary celebration dinner. Chefs Paul Bartolotta, Justin Cogley, Timothy Hollingsworth, Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Mathew Peters, Rich Rosendale and Philip Tessier will come together to prepare a special menu honoring the late Chef Paul Bocuse, for whom the Bocuse d’Or, the world’s most prestigious culinary competition, is named. The festivities will begin at Bouchon Las Vegas at The Venetian Resort with a 45-minute cocktail reception at 7:15pm with passed canapés, followed by a four-course menu.

Tickets for the competition and celebration dinner are available for purchase here.

Chef Matt, who will also be a competition judge, joins us with all the mouthwatering details.

Twenty years ago Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar launched at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. It’s been a huge success. As they have branched over the years to include 70 domestic restaurants a signature for them has become their carefully curated wine program. Each Fleming’s has a part of their wine list with the hand-picked selections of that location’s Operating Partner.

Two highly experienced restaurateurs had a vision of designing a steakhouse that would deliver a stylish and contemporary dining experience. Fleming’s was created from this vision by Paul Fleming, founder of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, and Bill Allen III, a leading restaurant and hospitality executive.

Our guest with the well-traveled corkscrew is Stephen Blevins, Fleming’s Director of Wines who was previously the Operating Partner at the Flagship Newport Beach Fleming’s.

Stephen’s passion project has been securing for Fleming’s celebrated winemaker Dave Phinney’s new release, 8 Years in the Desert by Orin Swift. It’s a California Red Bland. Of course there is a story…

Sherry is back on Food TV as the new judge for Season 4 of ABC’s “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” popping out of the oven on Saturday evening, December 8^th.

“Based on the hit U.K. series “The Great British Bake Off,” “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” features bakers from across the country battling through 18 total challenges with six challenges throughout each two-hour themed episode, all in the hopes of being crowned “America’s Best Amateur Baker.” Emma Bunton and Anthony “Spice” Adams host. Best-selling cookbook author and baker Paul Hollywood and James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard are judges.”

We’re talking baking with Sherry.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel joins us with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. With the Holidays upon us it’s great to have a real working chef in our corner with helpful advice!

Podcasts

Show 228, June 17, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Adam Bell

Now an enticing preview of this Saturday’s properly decadent 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…

Farmer Luke Girling is an unusual organic urban farmer in Oceanside, CA. He has two acres of farm land tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood with an ocean view. In addition to his popular Saturday Farm Stand he also supplies fruits, vegetables (by the season) and flowers to savvy young chefs at local restaurants. We’ll get him out of the strawberry patch for a chat.

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to crafting exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Certified Sommelier Matt Sobczak, Presqu’ile’s Assistant Tasting Room Manager, joins us with the story.

Bone Marrow is increasing in prominence on restaurant menus. You’ll frequently see it as an appetizer or as an accompaniment as part of an entrée. Our resident Meatheads from West Coast Prime Meats, Terry Hanks and Jay Henderson, will provide us with the rich 411.

SideDoor in Corona del Mar is known for its award-winning cheese and charcuterie offerings, and now dedicates one evening a month to boutique creameries and specialty cheeses. Monthly SideDoor will embrace a full “cheese takeover” showcasing a select portfolio of artisanal cheeses and Wednesday, June 21 welcomes Cypress Grove Creamery. SideDoor’s own certified expert and cheese monger, Tracy Nelsen, is our guest.

Brandon Hernandez is a savvy local beer, food & wine journalist based in San Diego. He contributes to a bevy of publications including elebrator Beer News, USA Today, San Diego Union Tribune and San Diego Magazine. Brandon joins us with an expert’s overview of the dynamic and evolving San Diego craft beer scene.

The Tavern’s (Brentwood) Annual Low Country Boil is cooking on Sunday, June 25^th. The night (and menu) is inspired by Chef de Cuisine Amy Deaderick’s childhood in South Carolina. We’ll meet her.

Last Saturday was the 9^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival & Chili Cook-Off. Chef Marlene Moore’s (Temptations Food Walk) back-to-back wins (2015 & 2016) as Pechanga’s resident Chili Champ was on the line…Joining us with the outcome of this hearted battle for “Best Chili” (and a year of bragging rights) is Pechanga’s Assistant Executive Chef Damian Stanley (a two-time Chili Champ himself in 2013 & 2014.)

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

Show 228, June 17, 2017: Matt Sobczak, Certified Sommelier, Presqu’ile, Santa Maria

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Adam Bell

Designed and planted to create a diverse tapestry of vineyard blocks, the sustainably certified, 73-acre Presqu’ile Vineyard features an array of clones, exposures and elevations. Made using this estate fruit and grapes from a handful of the finest vineyards in the valley, Presqu’ile’s wines capture the essence of their vineyards and vintages, and have earned acclaim for their elegance and balance. The striking, contemporary winery building and tasting room are a destination on their own.

Presqu’ile is a multigenerational collaboration between Madison and Suzanne Murphy, their three adult children, Matt, Anna and Jonathan, and their daughters-in-law, Amanda and Lindsey. No strangers to agriculture, four generations of the Murphy family have been farming land in Louisiana going back almost a century.

The Murphys are also a family of wine lovers, with a deep appreciation for the world’s great Pinot Noirs. This love of the land, combined with their shared reverence for great wine, and a deep desire to create something meaningful and enduring together, led the Murphys to pool their talents and establish Presqu’ile Winery.

Certified Sommelier Matt Sobczak, Presqu’ile’s Assistant Tasting Room Manager, joins us with the story.

June 17: Cyclops Farms, Presqu’ile, West Coast Prime Meats, SideDoor, Brandon Hernandez, Tavern, Pechanga Chili Cookoff

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Adam Bell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Farmer Luke Girling, Cyclops Farms, Oceanside
Segment Three: Matt Sobczak, Certified Sommelier, Presqu’ile, Santa Maria
Segment Four: The Meatheads from West Coast Prime Meats (Terry & Jay)
Segment Five: Cheese Monger Tracy Nelsen, SideDoor, Corona del Mar
Segment Six: Brandon Hernandez, Food, Wine & Craft Beer Journalist, San Diego
Segment Seven: Chef de Cuisine Amy Deaderick, Tavern, Brentwood
Segment Eight: Pechanga’s Assistant Executive Chef, Damian Stanley

Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads out there….You’re appreciated.

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to crafting exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Certified Sommelier Matt Sobczak, Presqu’ile’s Assistant Tasting Room Manager, joins us with the story.

Brandon Hernandez is a savvy local beer, food & wine journalist based in San Diego. He contributes to a bevy of publications including Celebrator Beer News, USA Today, San Diego Union Tribune and San Diego Magazine. Brandon joins us with an expert’s overview of the dynamic and evolving San Diego craft beer scene.

The Tavern’s (Brentwood) Annual Low Country Boil is cooking on Sunday, June 25^th. The night (and menu) is inspired by Chef de Cuisine Amy Deaderick’s childhood in South Carolina. We’ll meet her.

Last Saturday was the 9^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival & Chili Cook-Off. Chef Marlene Moore’s (Temptations Food Walk) back-to-back wins (2015 & 2016) as Pechanga’s resident Chili Champ was on the line…Joining us with the outcome of this heated battle for “Best Chili” (and a year of bragging rights) is Pechanga’s Assistant Executive Chef Damian Stanley (a two-time Chili Champ himself in 2013 & 2014.)

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

Farmer Luke Girling is an unusual organic urban farmer in Oceanside, CA. He has two acres of farm land tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood with an ocean view.

In addition to his popular Saturday Farm Stand he also supplies fruits, vegetables (by the season) and flowers to savvy young chefs at local restaurants.

An incredible experience at Cyclops Farms is Farmer Luke’s Sunday (once-a-month) Water Bill Dinners hosted on the farm. Young, enthusiastic guest chefs from the area collaborate in preparing a real multi-course farm dinner. Even the heartiest eaters leave fully satiated!

The meal’s backbone is what’s fresh from the farm. Area craft beer and wines paired with each course are curated by Native Wines. The premium bread is from Prager Brothers Artisan Bread in Carlsbad.

We’ll get Farmer Luke out of the strawberry patch for a chat.

Certified Sommelier Matt Sobczak, Presqu’ile’s Assistant Tasting Room Manager, joins us with the story.

Bone Marrow is increasing in prominence on restaurant menus. You’ll frequently see it as an appetizer or as an accompaniment as part of an entrée.

Locally the new Recess Room in Fountain Valley has Bone Marrow Mac & Cheese and the Bone Marrow Burger on their menu.

Our resident Meatheads from West Coast Prime Meats, Terry Hanks and Jay Henderson, will provide us with the rich 411.

SideDoor in Corona del Mar is known for its award-winning cheese and charcuterie offerings, and now dedicates one evening a month to boutique creameries and specialty cheeses. Monthly SideDoor will embrace a full “cheese takeover” showcasing a select portfolio of artisanal cheeses. On Wednesday, June 21 SideDoor welcomes Cypress Grove Creamery.

SideDoor’s own certified expert and cheese monger, Tracy Nelsen, will be on hand at each takeover to educate diners on the various cheeses presented and recommend the perfect pairings. The featured cheeses will also find their way into select SideDoor menu items for that evening only. A different creamery will be featured monthly culminating with the ultimate complete cheese takeover celebration showcasing the four creameries of the series in August.

SideDoor’s own resident certified expert and cheese monger, Tracy Nelsen, is our guest.

We’ll tap the keg on the new Urge Common House in San Marcos, San Diego’s first organic brewery, the best beers to pair with chili and lots more.

The Tavern’s (Brentwood) Annual Low Country Boil is cooking on Sunday, June 25^th. The night (and menu) is inspired by Chef de Cuisine Amy Deaderick’s childhood in South Carolina.

On that Sunday at TAVERN, Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and Chef de Cuisine Amy Deaderick reprise their Low Country Boil – a wonderful regional tradition from the Coastal areas of the Carolinas. Developed from the Gullah Islands off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, the meal was created from food that was easily accessible and a treasured way for families and neighbors to bond.

This this one-pot celebration of seafood bounty and local food culture features crawfish, Andouille sausage, potatoes and sweet corn, all served on newspaper at the center of the table, as is the local tradition.

Deaderick’s father regularly went out ‘shrimpin,’ bringing home pounds of shrimp to go with the piles of blue crabs the rest of the family dug out from the coastal marshlands. “My dad prepared the crab boil base and was painstakingly particular about the order of things. He was the only one allowed to touch the stock pot and to season the crab boil,” recalls Deaderick. “As the sky darkened, the back porch light would light up, the universal signal for all children to high tail it home. When we arrived home, we found newspapers carefully laid out on a plywood table top with sawhorse legs, and we waited, impatiently, for the boil to be done.”

“Once it was ready, the boil was poured onto the newspapers and we devoured our daily catch. It was the most satisfying feast our hungry bellies could imagine.”

We’ll meet Chef Amy.

Last Saturday was the 9^th Annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival & Chili Cook-Off in Temecula wine country. Chef Marlene Moore’s (Temptations Food Walk) back-to-back wins (2015 & 2016) as Pechanga’s resident Chili Champ was again on the line…

Joining us with the outcome of this heated battle for “Best Chili” (and a full-year of bragging rights) is Pechanga’s Assistant Executive Chef Damian Stanley (a two-time Chili Champ himself in 2013 & 2014.)

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