Show 405, December 26, 2020: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s “Prince of Produce,” with the Produce Trends Forecast for 2021

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur distinguished, resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, (also known as the Prince of Produce) is the long-time Director of Public Relations for Melissa’s (World Variety) Produce. This will be the 14th year he’s provided the list of “Top Ten Specialty Produce Items” as determined by real sales figures. Robert joins us to share the always anticipated list.

It’s no surprise that the ultimate comfort food, Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes, ranks in 1st place. Grown in Idaho, of course. This is actually the 10th year for this distinction.

Next Saturday Robert returns to present more of his informative and revealing “Produce Trends Forecast for 2021.”

December 26: Deborah Madison, Lincoln Carson, Al Mancini, Melissa’s Produce Trends Forecast for 2021

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef & Author Deborah Madison with her Memoir, An Onion In My Pocket Part One
Segment Three: Chef & Author Deborah Madison with her Memoir, An Onion In My Pocket Part Two
Segment Four: Chef Lincoln Carson of Merite Bake Shop and Coast Range Restaurant, Solvang Part One
Segment Five: Chef Lincoln Carson of Merite Bake Shop and Coast Range Restaurant, Solvang Part Two
Segment Six: Al Mancini, Food Staff Writer, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Segment Seven: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s “Prince of Produce,” with the Produce Trends Forecast for 2021
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Happy New Year and brighter horizons in 2021. …We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

Chef Deborah Madison’s new memoir, An Onion in My Pocket – My Life With Vegetables is from the celebrated author of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and 13 other cookbooks. (Described as “The Queen of Greens” by The Washington Post.) It’s a warm, bracingly honest memoir that also gives us an insider’s look at the vegetarian movement.” “Thanks to her beloved cookbooks and groundbreaking work as the opening chef at Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, Deborah Madison, though not a vegetarian herself, has long been revered as this country’s leading authority on vegetables.” We’re walking the local Farmers Market with Chef Deborah Madison.

When we last spoke with Chef Lincoln Carson he had just launched (as Chef & Partner) the ambitious Bon Temps Los Angeles restaurant located next to the Firehouse Hotel in the Arts District adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles. Unfortunately the critically acclaimed Bon Temps was an early victim of COVID 19’s devastating impact on the dining scene in Los Angeles. Fortunately it’s been a busy year for Chef Lincoln nonetheless. In November Lincoln launched the Merite Bake Shop in Boise, Idaho. It’s a virtual kitchen- bakery located at Crave Collective under the umbrella of Crave Delivery. Chef Lincoln, a resident of the Santa Ynez Valley, is now back in California to launch the Coast Range Restaurant in Solvang. It’s a premier seafood and steakhouse with a spacious patio and the Vaquero Bar (with a separate menu.) At Coast Range Restaurant Chef Lincoln will focus on the menu for the Lunch Café and daytime pastry program. Chef Lincoln joins us with rolling pin in hand.

One of our most reliable sources of accurate restaurant news in fabulous Las Vegas is Al Mancini, who is a staff writer for The Las Vegas Review-Journal covering food, restaurants and other aspects of entertainment. Al has been working the Vegas food scene for 19 years. He was one of the creators of the popular, and widely referenced, Eating Las Vegas restaurant guidebook series. Al joins us with Part 2 of his quarterly update on the Las Vegas dining scene. He’ll give us an insider’s overview of what’s new including the food and libations at the Circa Resort in Downtown Las Vegas and local food personality Jolene Mannina’s Vegas Test Kitchen on Fremont Street. Al will also remember visionary entrepreneur Tony Hsieh who is credited with reviving the (now vibrant) dining scene in Downtown Las Vegas.

Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, (also known as the Prince of Produce) is the long-time Director of Public Relations for Melissa’s (World Variety) Produce. This will be the 14th year he’s provided the list of “Top Ten Specialty Produce Items” as determined by real sales figures. Robert joins us to share the always anticipated list. It’s no surprise that the ultimate comfort food, Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes, ranks in 1st place. This is actually the 10th year for this distinction. Next Saturday Robert returns to present more of his “Produce Trends Forecast for 2021.”

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants which is a genuine (and growing) concern. New (controversial) restrictions for restaurants are now in place for Southern California for the balance of the year (and possibly longer) as we continue the all-important Holiday dining season. Chef Andrew updates us on the early progress for the grass-roots, “86 Struggle” campaign to benefit local out-of-work and struggling restaurant wooers. Our thoughts turn to festive Holiday entertaining at home. Chef Andrew to the rescue as he continues his series of genuinely useful Holiday cooking tips. How do you prepare and cook the ultimate Standing Rob Roast? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Cookbook Author Deborah MadisonChef Deborah Madison’s new memoir, An Onion in My Pocket – My Life With Vegetables is from the celebrated author of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and 13 other cookbooks. (Described as “The Queen of Greens” by The Washington Post.) It’s a warm, bracingly honest memoir that also gives us an insider’s look at the vegetarian movement.”

“Thanks to her beloved cookbooks and groundbreaking work as the opening chef at Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, Deborah Madison, though not a vegetarian herself, has long been revered as this country’s leading authority on vegetables.”

“She profoundly changed the way generations of Americans think about cooking with vegetables, helping to transform “vegetarian” from a dirty word into a mainstream way of eating. But before she became a household name, Madison spent almost twenty years as an ordained Buddhist priest, coming of age in the midst of counterculture San Francisco. In this charmingly intimate and refreshingly frank memoir, she tells her story—and with it the story of the vegetarian movement—for the very first time.”

Madison’s “insightful memoir” (The Wall Street Journal) is “a true delight to read as she uncovers her love for all real foods, peeling off layer by layer like an onion, recounting her own personal, culinary, and gardening experiences” (Lidia Bastianich).

“From her childhood in Big Ag Northern California to working in the kitchen of the then-new Chez Panisse, and from the birth of food TV to the age of green markets everywhere, An Onion in My Pocket is as much the story of the evolution of American foodways as it is the memoir of the woman at the forefront. It is a deeply personal look at the rise of vegetable-forward cooking, and a manifesto for how to eat well.”

“Deborah Madison is the award-winning author of fourteen cookbooks, including The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and Vegetable Literacy. Her books have received four James Beard Foundation awards and five awards from the IACP; in 2016 she was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Cookbook Hall of Fame. She lives just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.”

We’re walking the local Farmers Market with Chef Deborah Madison.

Lincoln Carson of Bon TempsWhen we last spoke with Chef Lincoln Carson he had just launched (as Chef & Partner) the ambitious Bon Temps Los Angeles restaurant located next to the Firehouse Hotel in the Arts District adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles. Unfortunately the critically acclaimed Bon Temps was an early victim of COVID 19’s devastating impact on the dining scene in Los Angeles.

Fortunately it’s been a busy year for Chef Lincoln nonetheless. In November Lincoln launched the Merite Bake Shop in Boise, Idaho. It’s a virtual kitchen bakery located at Crave Collective under the umbrella of Crave Delivery. It’s delivery and takeout with premium breakfast pastries and decadent desserts.

Chef Lincoln, a resident of the Santa Ynez Valley, is back in California to launch the Coast Range Restaurant in Solvang. It’s a premier California costal seafood and steakhouse with a spacious patio and the Vaquero Bar (with a separate menu.) Lincoln’s partners are Chef Anthony Carron (800 Degrees and Top Round) and Chef Steven Fretz (Top Round and Church Key.)

At Coast Range Restaurant Chef Lincoln will focus on the menu for the Lunch Café and daytime pastry program.

Chef Lincoln joins us with whisk securely in hand.

Al Mancini of the Las Vegas Review JournalOne of our most reliable sources of accurate restaurant news in fabulous Las Vegas is Al Mancini, who is a staff writer for The Las Vegas Review-Journal covering food, restaurants and other aspects of entertainment. Al has been working the Vegas food scene for 19 years. He was one of the creators of the popular, and widely referenced, Eating Las Vegas restaurant guidebook series.

Al joins us with Part 2 of his quarterly update on the Las Vegas dining scene. He’ll share an insider’s overview of what’s new including the food and libations at the Circa Resort in Downtown Las Vegas and local food personality Jolene Mannina’s Vegas Test Kitchen on Fremont Street. Al will also remember visionary entrepreneur Tony Hsieh who is credited with reviving the (now vibrant) dining scene in Downtown Las Vegas.

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur distinguished, resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, (also known as the Prince of Produce) is the long-time Director of Public Relations for Melissa’s (World Variety) Produce. This will be the 14th year he’s provided the list of “Top Ten Specialty Produce Items” as determined by real sales figures. Robert joins us to share the always anticipated list.

It’s no surprise that the ultimate comfort food, Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes, ranks in 1st place. This is actually the 10th year for this distinction.

Next Saturday Robert returns to present more of his “Produce Trends Forecast for 2021.”

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and CasinoOur own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants which is a genuine (and growing) concern. New (controversial) restrictions for restaurants are now in place for Southern California for the balance of the year (and possibly longer) as we’re in the all-important Holiday dining season.

Chef Andrew updates us on the early progress for the grass-roots, “86 Struggle” campaign to benefit local out-of-work and struggling restaurant workers. It’s gaining attention nationally.

Our thoughts turn to festive Holiday entertaining at home. Chef Andrew to the rescue as he continues his series of genuinely useful Holiday cooking tips. How do you prepare and cook the ultimate Standing Rib Roast? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef & Author Deborah Madison with her Memoir, An Onion In My Pocket Part One
Segment Three: Chef & Author Deborah Madison with her Memoir, An Onion In My Pocket Part Two
Segment Four: Chef Lincoln Carson of Merite Bake Shop and Coast Range Restaurant, Solvang Part One
Segment Five: Chef Lincoln Carson of Merite Bake Shop and Coast Range Restaurant, Solvang Part Two
Segment Six: Al Mancini, Food Staff Writer, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Segment Seven: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s “Prince of Produce,” with the Produce Trends Forecast for 2021
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Show 347, November 2, 2019: Show Preview & “Ask the Chef” with Co-Host Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel

Now a salivating preview of Saturday afternoon’s delectable program. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will hopefully leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it without you.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and CasinoOur own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us from his Huntington Beach restaurant with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. With the Holidays on the horizon it’s great to have a real working chef in our corner always providing handy and practical advice! Expect some genuinely useful Holiday cooking tips including the most desirable size of the bird and what dishes can be safely prepared ahead.

Last month The Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood celebrated a century of Family tradition and integrity. They were even honored with an unusual “Award of Excellence” from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in the form of a terrazzo “Walk of Fame” sidewalk star. Gayot– The Guide to the Good Life’s Orange County correspondent, Rich Manning, was just at Musso’s for an anniversary visit and highlights his dining experience there.

Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us with a special report. Robert was a featured speaker at the recent Produce Marketing Association – Fresh Summit Expo annual gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s the largest produce show held in the United States. His topic for a special Media presentation was Produce Trends. Robert shares the intriguing highlights.

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

Show 347, November 2, 2019: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part One

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur resident produce authority, Robert Schueller (The Prince of Produce) of Melissa’s, joins us with a special report. Robert was a featured speaker at the recent Produce Marketing Association – Fresh Summit Expo annual gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s the largest produce show held in the United States. His topic was Produce Trends. Robert provides us with the intriguing highlights including the Organic EZ Open Sweet Young Coconut.

Show 347, November 2, 2019: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part Two

Melissa's Robert Schueller at the SoCal Restaurant Show 5th AnniversaryOur resident produce authority, Robert Schueller continues with a special report. Robert was a featured speaker at the recent Produce Marketing Association – Fresh Summit Expo annual gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center with a special presentation for the media. It’s the largest produce show held in the United States. His topic was Produce Trends. Robert provides us with a generous second helping of the intriguing highlights. Think Winter Crunch Grapes and Christmas Crunch Grapes.

November 2: Rich Manning on Musso & Grill’s 100th Anniversary and Produce Trends from Melissa’s Produce

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview & “Ask the Chef” with Co-Hosts Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Gayot’s Orange County Correspondent, Rich Manning
Segment Three: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part One
Segment Four: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part Two

Program Note:

For this Saturday, November 2nd (only) we’re on at the special time of 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. following Notre Dame Football. Please join us…

Now a salivating preview of this Saturday afternoon’s delectable program. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will hopefully leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a pretty good thing… As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it without you.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at Cabana 14 at the Cove at Pechanga Resort and CasinoOur own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us from the road with another informative “Ask the Chef” segment. With the Holidays on the horizon it’s great to have a real working chef in our corner always providing handy and practical advice! Expect some genuinely useful Holiday cooking tips.

Last month The Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood celebrated a century of Family tradition and integrity. They were even honored with an unusual “Award of Excellence” from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in the form of a terrazzo “Walk of Fame” sidewalk star. Gayot– The Guide to the Good Life’s Orange County correspondent, Rich Manning, was just at Musso’s for an anniversary visit and highlights his dining experience there.

Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us with a special report. Robert was a featured speaker at the recent Produce Marketing Association – Fresh Summit Expo annual gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s the largest produce show held in the United States. His topic was Produce Trends. Robert shares the intriguing highlights.

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

Rich Manning of GayotLast month The Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood celebrated a century of Family tradition and integrity. They were even honored with an “Award of Excellence” from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in the form of a “Walk of Fame” sidewalk star. Also commemorating the 100th Anniversary is a coffee table book, The Musso & Frank Grill. It’s both a history and cookbook.

“What would become Musso & Frank Grill was founded in 1919 by Frank Toulet, who three years later formed a fateful partnership with a similarly forward-looking restaurateur named Joseph Musso. In 1922, the two men hired French chef Jean Rue – a culinary master who would wind up showcasing his artistry at Musso & Frank for 53 years, and creating a menu that remains mostly intact to this day (amazing enough, current Chef J.P. Amateau is only the third person to serve in that position in the restaurant’s entire 100-year history, folllowing the tenures of Jean Rue and his successor, Michel Bourger!)”

“In 1927, Mr. Musso and Mr. Toulet sold their restaurant to a duo of Italian immigrants named Joseph Carissimi and John Mosso (a coincidentally similar name) and today Musso & Frank is owned and operated by the families of Mr. Mosso’s three granddaughters: John and Cathy Echeverria and their son, Mark Echeverria; Steve and Anne Jones; and Richard and Kristen Kohlmeyer.”

Gayot– The Guide to the Good Life’s Orange County correspondent, Rich Manning, was just at Musso’s and highlights his anniversary dining experience there.

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur resident produce authority, Robert Schueller (The Prince of Produce) of Melissa’s, joins us with a special report. Robert was a featured speaker at the recent Produce Marketing Association – Fresh Summit Expo annual gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s the largest produce show held in the United States. His topic was Produce Trends. Robert provides with the intriguing highlights.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview & “Ask the Chef” with Co-Hosts Andy Harris & Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Two: Gayot’s Orange County Correspondent, Rich Manning
Segment Three: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part One
Segment Four: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part Two

Show 152, December 26, 2015: Robert Schueller, Resident Produce Authority, Melissa’s / World Variety Produce Part One

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioThere is just never enough time to keep up with our always informative resident produce guru, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. We’ll pick up where we left off in his last report just before Thanksgiving.

Looking ahead Robert will also share his Top 5 Produce Trends for the New Year. You will be surprised…

Number 5 is Brussels Sprouts. Number 4 is Passion Fruit. Number 3 is Tumeric which is gaining popularity outside of the Indian community for its health benefits. Number 2 is Mini-Cucumbers previously known (and ignored) as Persian cucumbers. Topping the charts at Number 1 is Sweet Young Coconuts primarily used from their fresh coconut water.