Show 376, June 6, 2020: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Chefs and restaurateurs are honestly the most generous people we know. In times of need they are always the very first in generously giving back and meaningfully supporting their communities. Truly remarkable…Right now as dine-in slowly returns at greatly reduced capacity restaurants urgently need our support to stay afloat. Kindly keep this in mind and please do what you possibly can (as you can afford) to support a community-focused, local restaurant….

As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it every week without the enthusiastic encouragement of the foodie community.

We all know the experts suggest we get more heart-healthy seafood into our regular diet. How do you dine out and find quality seafood at affordable prices? That’s been the goal of California Fish Grill since the first location opened in 1998. Locations now include both Northern and Southern California and Las Vegas. Chef Louie Jocson, Vice President, Food & Beverage for California Fish Grill, joins us with all the finny details.

What do a pair of entrepreneurial (and motivated) professional chefs along with an accomplished, fine-dining restaurant General Manager do when they are suddenly furloughed from their upscale DTLA hotel properties? They quickly start back to work generously feeding hungry people with fresh pasta through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and generating income. The unlikely success story is FEW for All.” We’ll meet the dynamic and enterprising team of Restaurant General Manager Ramzi Budayr (ex-NoMad DTLA,) Pastry Chef Mallory Cayon (The Hoxton DTLA,) and Tyler Curtis (Chef de Cuisine – Pilot at The Hoxton.)

Troon Vineyard estate wines, from Oregon’s Applegate Valley, are inspired by the wines of the Mediterranean coasts of Southern Europe. “Place names like Madiran, Cahors, Bandol, Languedoc and Sardegna have provided the varieties which shine in their vineyards high in the Siskiyou Mountains. The winery is Demeter Biodynamic® and Organic Certified. Troon Vineyard is dedicated to regenerative agriculture and practice Biodynamic® agriculture in their quest to put back more than they take from the property’s plants and soils.” General Manager & Winegrower Craig Camp joins us to pull the cork on Troon Vineyard.

Since 2012 Edward (Ed) T. Pulsifer has been Santa Fe’s a Fonda On the Plaza’s high-profile Director of Sales. He also enthusiastically functions as the unofficial resident historian of the storied Hotel (dating back to 1922.) It’s one of the key leadership positions for the property. In 2016 the New Mexico Hospitality Association recognized Ed as the Hospitality Professional of the Year. Pulsifer joined La Fonda from Heritage Hotels and Resorts, where he oversaw sales and marketing for seven boutique hotels in the Southwest. La Fonda continued to safely welcome guests during the COVID 19 crisis and all their popular restaurants have now reopened for dine-in. We’ll revisit 35-year Hospitality veteran, Ed Pulsifer and new Chef de Cuisine Randy Tapia.

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 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. Dine-in is slowly starting to come back but with a lot of new rules. Take-out / Delivery when you can surely helps…Of course, the safety of restaurant employees and guests comes first. Fishermen who supply seafood to restaurants have been severely impacted by the COVID 19 crisis. How are they coping? What’s been the impact on the price and supply of all seafood? 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!

Show 376, June 6, 2020: “FEW for all” with Chefs Tyler Curtis, Mallory Cayon and Restaurateur Ramzi Budayr

Pick me Up Kit featuring granola, greek yogurt and cold brew coffeeWhat do a pair of entrepreneurial (and motivated) professional chefs and an accomplished, fine-dining restaurant General Manager do when they are suddenly furloughed from their DTLA hotel properties? They quickly start back to work generously feeding hungry people with fresh pasta through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and generating income. The unlikely success story is FEW for All.”

We’ll meet the dynamic and enterprising team of Restaurant General Manager Ramzi Budayr (ex-NoMad DTLA,) Pastry Chef Mallory Cayon (The Hoxton DTLA,) and Tyler Curtis (Chef de Cuisine – Pilot at The Hoxton.)

“It all started as an idea. COVID-19 hit all of us in ways no one could have imagined. But through our community, the lovely hearts of Los Angelenos and the support of YOU, FEW for all was born. We appreciate YOU.”

“FEW For All (otherwise known as Flour + Eggs + Water For All) was founded by a team of recently unemployed food & beverage workers to provide nourishment for the Los Angeles community during this unprecedented public health crisis.”

“Using three basic but increasingly scarce ingredients – flour, eggs & water – we make and sell homemade, restaurant-quality pasta, bake-at-home desserts and pasta sauces via our Instagram page @fewforall – and with every item purchased, we pledge to donate one pound of pasta to the Los Angeles Food Bank. In light of the massive spike in unemployment in the hospitality community as a result of the Coronavirus, we also offer fellow food & beverage workers free quarts of pasta should they lack the means to make a financial contribution.”

“We currently sell three pastas on our permanent menu: rigatoni, lumache & gluten free for $12 per quart, with special pasta shapes being launched weekly. We also sell pints of spicy pomodoro & pesto cheese fonduta for $10. For dessert, we offer bake-at-home cinnamon rolls for $8 per tin, and rolls of homemade, frozen cookie dough for $10, available in chocolate chip and gluten free peanut butter.”

“We offer pickup in the Arts District (at 672 S Santa Fe Ave) from 1PM – 6PM, Wednesday – Sunday. Free, contactless delivery is also available. We accept payment via Venmo & Zelle to minimize in-person contact.”

June 6: California Fish Grill, Few For All, Troon Vineyard, La Fonda on the Plaza

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Louie Jocson, Vice President, Food & Beverage, California Fish Grill
Segment Three: “FEW for all” with Chefs Tyler Curtis, Mallory Cayon and Restaurateur Ramzi Budayr
Segment Four: Craig Camp, General Manager & Winegrower, Troon Vineyard, Applegate Valley, Oregon Part One
Segment Five: Craig Camp, General Manager & Winegrower, Troon Vineyard, Applegate Valley, Oregon Part Two
Segment Six: Santa Fe’s La Fonda On the Plaza with Ed Pulsifer and Chef de Cuisine Randy Tapia Part One
Segment Seven: Santa Fe’s La Fonda On the Plaza with Ed Pulsifer and Chef de Cuisine Randy Tapia Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-Host & Slapfish Restaurant Group

Chefs and restaurateurs are honestly the most generous people we know. In times of need they are always the very first in generously giving back and meaningfully supporting their communities. Truly remarkable…Right now as dine-in slowly returns at greatly reduced capacity restaurants urgently need our support to stay afloat. Kindly keep this in mind and please do what you possibly can (as you can afford) to support a community-focused, local restaurant….

As always, we greatly appreciate you being a part of our loyal listening audience. Truly couldn’t do it every week without the enthusiastic encouragement of the foodie community.

We all know the experts suggest we get more heart-healthy seafood into our regular diet. How do you dine out and find quality seafood at affordable prices? That’s been the goal of California Fish Grill since the first location opened in 1998. Locations now include both Northern and Southern California and Las Vegas. Chef Louie Jocson, Vice President, Food & Beverage for California Fish Grill, joins us with all the finny details.

What do a pair of entrepreneurial (and motivated) professional chefs along with an accomplished, fine-dining restaurant General Manager do when they are suddenly furloughed from their upscale DTLA hotel properties? They quickly start back to work generously feeding hungry people with fresh pasta through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and generating income. The unlikely success story is “FEW for All.” We’ll meet the dynamic and enterprising team of Restaurant General Manager Ramzi Budayr (ex-NoMad DTLA,) Pastry Chef Mallory Cayon (The Hoxton DTLA,) and Tyler Curtis (Chef de Cuisine – Pilot at The Hoxton.)

Troon Vineyard estate wines, from Oregon’s Applegate Valley, are inspired by the wines of the Mediterranean coasts of Southern Europe. “Place names like Madiran, Cahors, Bandol, Languedoc and Sardegna have provided the varieties which shine in their vineyards high in the Siskiyou Mountains. The winery is Demeter Biodynamic® and Organic Certified. Troon Vineyard is dedicated to regenerative agriculture and practice Biodynamic® agriculture in their quest to put back more than they take from the property’s plants and soils.” General Manager & Winegrower Craig Camp joins us to pull the cork on Troon Vineyard.

Since 2012 Edward (Ed) T. Pulsifer has been Santa Fe’s La Fonda On the Plaza’s high-profile Director of Sales. He also enthusiastically functions as the unofficial resident historian of the storied Hotel (dating back to 1922.) It’s one of the key leadership positions for the property. In 2016 the New Mexico Hospitality Association recognized Ed as the Hospitality Professional of the Year. Pulsifer joined La Fonda from Heritage Hotels and Resorts, where he oversaw sales and marketing for seven boutique hotels in the Southwest. La Fonda continued to safely welcome guests during the COVID 19 crisis and all their popular restaurants have now reopened for dine-in. We’ll revisit 35-year Hospitality veteran, Ed Pulsifer.

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 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. Dine-in is slowly starting to come back but with a lot of new rules. Take-out/delivery when you can surely helps…Of course, the safety of restaurant employees and guests comes first. Fishermen who supply seafood to restaurants have been severely impacted by the COVID 19 crisis. How are they coping? What’s been the impact on the price and supply of all seafood? 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!

Louie Jocson of California Fish GrillWe all know the experts suggest we get more heart-healthy seafood into our regular diet. How do you dine out and find quality seafood at affordable prices? That’s been the goal of California Fish Grill since the first location opened in 1998. Locations now include both Northern and Southern California and Las Vegas.

“Since 1998, California Fish Grill has been serving quality seafood at affordable prices to our loyal customers and their families. The vision for our restaurant came more from a simple question than the thought of a successful business enterprise. It is widely known that seafood is rich in nutrients and healthy omega-3 oils. The Surgeon General recommends that Americans eat 2-3 servings of seafood per week to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

“Why is it so hard to find a place that serves great seafood at prices someone could afford to eat 2-3 times per week?” That is where the concept of California Fish Grill was born.”

“Our menu consists of grilled and fried seafood to satisfy anyone’s palate. We also offer wonderful crisp, fresh salads topped with your choice of grilled fish or seafood. One of our most popular offerings is fish tacos. We offer the widest variety of fish tacos served anywhere. From grilled Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, Salmon and Shrimp to our fried selections of Arctic White Fish and Shrimp.”

New are the selection of Cali Bowls including the Paleo Salmon Bowl (lightly seasoned salmon, cauliflower rice, rosemary zucchini mix, fresh herbs and pickled onion) and the Dynamite (Keto) Shrimp Bowl (quick-fried shrimp in California Fish Grill’s dynamite sauce with fresh cilantro, green onions, daikon sprouts, tomatoes, cabbage and sesame soy sauce.)

Veteran Chef Louie Jocson, Vice President, Food & Beverage for California Fish Grill, joins us with all the finny details.

Pick me Up Kit featuring granola, greek yogurt and cold brew coffeeWhat do a pair of entrepreneurial (and motivated) professional chefs and an accomplished, fine-dining restaurant General Manager do when they are suddenly furloughed from their DTLA hotel properties? They quickly start back to work generously feeding hungry people with fresh pasta through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and generating income. The unlikely success story is FEW for All.” We’ll meet the dynamic and enterprising team of Restaurant General Manager Ramzi Budayr (ex-NoMad DTLA,) Pastry Chef Mallory Cayon (The Hoxton DTLA,) and Tyler Curtis (Chef de Cuisine – Pilot at The Hoxton.)

“It all started as an idea. COVID-19 hit all of us in ways no one could have imagined. But through our community, the lovely hearts of Los Angelenos and the support of YOU, FEW for all was born. We appreciate YOU.”

“FEW For All (otherwise known as Flour + Eggs + Water For All) was founded by a team of recently unemployed food & beverage workers to provide nourishment for the Los Angeles community during this unprecedented public health crisis.”

“Using three basic but increasingly scarce ingredients – flour, eggs & water – we make and sell homemade, restaurant-quality pasta, bake-at-home desserts and pasta sauces via our Instagram page @fewforall – and with every item purchased, we pledge to donate one pound of pasta to the Los Angeles Food Bank. In light of the massive spike in unemployment in the hospitality community as a result of the Coronavirus, we also offer fellow food & beverage workers free quarts of pasta should they lack the means to make a financial contribution.”

“We currently sell three pastas on our permanent menu: rigatoni, lumache & gluten free for $12 per quart, with special pasta shapes being launched weekly. We also sell pints of spicy pomodoro & pesto cheese fonduta for $10. For dessert, we offer bake-at-home cinnamon rolls for $8 per tin, and rolls of homemade, frozen cookie dough for $10, available in chocolate chip and gluten free peanut butter.”

“We offer pickup in the Arts District (at 672 S Santa Fe Ave) from 1PM – 6PM, Wednesday – Sunday. Free, contactless delivery is also available. We accept payment via Venmo & Zelle to minimize in-person contact.”

Craig Camp of Troon VineyardsTroon Vineyard estate wines, from Oregon’s Applegate Valley, are inspired by the wines of the Mediterranean coasts of Southern Europe. Place names like Madiran, Cahors, Bandol, Languedoc and Sardegna have provided the varieties which shine in their vineyards high in the Siskiyou Mountains. The winery is Demeter Biodynamic® and Organic Certified.

“Troon Vineyard is dedicated to regenerative agriculture and we practice Biodynamic® agriculture in our quest to put back more than we take from our plants and soils. We believe the only route to memorable wines, that reflect the terroir of where they were grown, is to be found in the healthy soils and vines that are the foundation of Biodynamic® agriculture. This philosophy continues in the cellar where our winemaking is minimalist and we use only native yeasts with no additives to ferment our wines and eschew the use of new oak barrels to reveal each nuance of wines grown in Oregon’s Applegate Valley.”

“Winemaking at Troon is straightforward. Our grapes are field sorted by the same vineyard crew that tended them all season. Our goal is to express our vineyards rather than winemaking techniques in our wines. All Troon Vineyard wines are fermented only with native yeasts and no commercial yeasts, acids, sugar, enzymes or any additives are added to any of the wines. Our white wines are whole-cluster pressed then barrel fermented in mature French Oak barrels. For “Orange Wines” we are now using clay amphorae to allow extended skin contact after fermentation. For red wines we focus on using whole-cluster and whole berry fruit in our fermenters, then use only mature French Oak barrels for ageing so that every nuance of our unique Applegate Valley fruit can express itself it our wines.”

“We are a new entity on a new voyage with a new mission since the arrival of owners Denise and Bryan White. Biodynamics® will reinvigorate our soils and our vines, but it is also reinvigorating us. It is those combined energies that will be expressed in our wines. Wines full of energy are exciting wines and we could not be more excited about making them. Our desire to make special wines from what we know is a vineyard, a terroir, with exceptional potential is what started us on this voyage to begin with.”

General Manager & Winegrower Craig Camp joins us to pull the cork on Troon Vineyard.

Ed Pulsifer of La Fonda on the PlazaSince 2012 Edward (Ed) T. Pulsifer has been Santa Fe’s La Fonda On the Plaza’s high-profile Director of Sales. He also enthusiastically functions as the unofficial resident historian of the storied Hotel established in 1922. It’s one of the key leadership positions for the property. In 2016 the New Mexico Hospitality Association recognized Ed as the Hospitality Professional of the Year. Pulsifer joined La Fonda from Heritage Hotels and Resorts, where he oversaw sales and marketing for seven boutique hotels in the Southwest.

La Fonda continued to safely welcome guests during the COVID 19 crisis and all their popular restaurants under the direction of long-time Executive Chef Lane Warner have now reopened for dine-in.

La Plazuela is La Fonda’s signature restaurant serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with a New Mexico flair. New is The Terrace Rooftop Garden Patio serving daily from 3 to 9:00 p.m. (weather permitting.) The Bell Tower Bar (seasonal) has reopened known for their signature Bell Ringer Margaritas and unrivaled Sunset views.

“Step into the past and experience the splendor of the American Southwest at La Fonda on the PlazaTM, the only hotel situated on the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Start your vacation in Santa Fe and experience the allure of old -world charm at one of the best Santa Fe hotels, where tasteful, modern conveniences blend with the warmth of authentic New Mexican style.”

We’ll revisit 35-year Hospitality veteran, Ed Pulsifer.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant GroupOur 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 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. Dine-in is starting to come back but with a lot of new rules. Take-out / Delivery when you can surely helps…Of course, the safety of restaurant employees and guests comes first.

Fishermen who supply seafood to restaurants have been severely negatively impacted by the COVID 19 crisis. How are they coping? What’s been the impact on the price of all seafood? We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Slapfish is hosting Doctors, Nurses, Medical Personnel, Police, Firefighters & EMT’s to a complimentary meal To-Go. Need to be in uniform or have appropriate ID to qualify. The participating Slapfish locations are Huntington Beach, Brea, Irvine and Laguna Beach.

Kids eat free at Slapfish, too, when their parents order Takeout.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Louie Jocson, Vice President, Food & Beverage, California Fish Grill
Segment Three: “FEW for all” with Chefs Tyler Curtis, Mallory Cayon and Restaurateur Ramzi Budayr
Segment Four: Craig Camp, General Manager & Winegrower, Troon Vineyard, Applegate Valley, Oregon Part One
Segment Five: Craig Camp, General Manager & Winegrower, Troon Vineyard, Applegate Valley, Oregon Part Two
Segment Six: Santa Fe’s La Fonda On the Plaza with Ed Pulsifer and Chef de Cuisine Randy Tapia Part One
Segment Seven: Santa Fe’s La Fonda On the Plaza with Ed Pulsifer and Chef de Cuisine Randy Tapia Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-Host & Slapfish Restaurant Group