Show 649, October 18, 2025: Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has recently debuted its first-ever Halloween pop-up bar. Step inside Pete’s Spookeasy if you dare, where Pete’s Sunset Grille, the resort’s coastal restaurant, has been transformed into a spooky, over-the-top Halloween playground, featuring immersive décor, themed lounges, playful surprises at every turn, and touches from Tipsy Elves, the pop-up’s seasonal partner.” Joining us to provide all the hauntingly exciting specifics is longtime Executive Chef Manfred Lassahn.

“Since the birth of Laderach Swiss (fresh Swiss gourmet chocolates) in 1962, they have been refining fresh chocolate into extraordinary creations – and taking great pleasure in sharing them. While Laderach initially did so as a supplier to selected Swiss chocolate shops, today they share their delights globally. Three generations, one World Chocolate Master and countless innovations. Once a small chocolate factory in Glarus, today Laderach is represented in more than 25 countries around the world – and they are still thoughtfully expanding.” Laderach’s Scott Perry, West Coast Regional Manager, is our guest to unwrap all the decadent deliciousness that is Laderach Swiss.

Rationale Brewing’s founder, Jamie Fay, and his sons were sitting around the campfire having a few beers and talking about beer, naturally. His oldest was about to leave for college (and pledge a fraternity,) so Jamie encouraged him to think for himself when it came to drinking alcohol, regardless of the peanut gallery’s opinions. Making a rational choice feels pretty damn radical…so why not screw the rules, make that radical choice and own the moment? They got pretty fired up about the idea of crafting a flavorful, non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t play by the rules. They started brewing RationAle and haven’t looked back since.” Founder Jamie Fay is our guest to tap the keg on all that is Rationale Brewing.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

For a fast casual establishment, or any successful restaurant, what’s the ideal pathway to branching? Should it be a franchise network like McDonalds or perhaps company owned stores in the In-N-Out model? Chef Andrew has been there and will provide his informed insight.

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

Show 649, October 18, 2025: Rationale Brewing NA Craft Beer with Founder Jamie Fay

Jamie Fay of Rationale Brewing Company

“Rationale Brewing’s founder, Jamie Fay and his sons were sitting around the campfire having a few beers and talking about beer, naturally. His oldest was about to leave for college, so Jamie encouraged him to think for himself when it came to drinking alcohol, regardless of the peanut gallery’s opinions. Making a rational choice feels pretty damn radical…so why not screw the rules, make that radical choice and own the moment? They got pretty fired up about the idea of crafting a flavorful non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t play by the rules. They started brewing RationAle and haven’t looked back since.” Currently they are available in 8 Western States with the number soon increasing to 14!

“Rationale Brewing crafts unmistakably great non-alcoholic brews that satisfy all your beer needs so that if you’re not boozing at the moment, for whatever reason, you don’t miss a thing. Since they  launched, thousands of folks have been sipping, clinking, and crushing cans of RationAle. So rip into right now, your own way.”

Founder Jamie Fay is our guest to tap the keg on all that is Rationale Brewing.

Their best selling beer is a Mexican Style Brew that’s crisp and refreshing. Rounding out the portfolio is a West Coast IPA, a Hazy IPA, a Kolsch Style and a newly introduced Japanese Dry with Cherry Blossom.

October 18: Pete’s Spookeasy to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, Laderach Swiss, Rational Brewing

Podcasts

Hour One: Pete’s Spookeasy, Laderach Swiss
Hour Two: Laderach Swiss, Rationale Brewing, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction and Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Pete’s Spookeasy at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort with Executive Chef Manfred Lasshan
Segment Four and Five: Laderach Swiss with Scott Perry, West Coast Regional Manager
Segments Six and Seven: Rationale Brewing NA Craft Beer with Founder Jamie Fay
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel (Co-host) of Calico Fish House with “Ask the Chef”

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has recently debuted its first-ever Halloween pop-up bar. Step inside Pete’s Spookeasy if you dare, where Pete’s Sunset Grille, the resort’s coastal restaurant, has been transformed into a spooky, over-the-top Halloween playground, featuring immersive décor, themed lounges, playful surprises at every turn, and touches from Tipsy Elves, the pop-up’s seasonal partner.” Joining us to provide all the hauntingly exciting specifics are General Manager, Jon Benson, and longtime Executive Chef Manfred Lassahn.

“Since the birth of Laderach Swiss (fresh Swiss gourmet chocolates) in 1962, they have been refining fresh chocolate into extraordinary creations – and taking great pleasure in sharing them. While Laderach initially did so as a supplier to selected Swiss chocolate shops, today they share their delights globally. Three generations, one World Chocolate Master and countless innovations. Once a small chocolate factory in Glarus, today Laderach is represented in more than 25 countries around the world – and they are still thoughtfully expanding.” Laderach’s Scott Perry, West Coast Regional Manager, is our guest to unwrap all the decadent deliciousness that is Laderach Swiss.

“Rationale Brewing’s founder, Jamie Fay, and his sons were sitting around the campfire having a few beers and talking about beer, naturally. His oldest was about to leave for college, so Jamie encouraged him to think for himself when it came to drinking alcohol, regardless of the peanut gallery’s opinions. Making a rational choice feels pretty damn radical…so why not screw the rules, make that radical choice and own the moment? They got pretty fired up about the idea of crafting a flavorful, non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t play by the rules. They started brewing RationAle and haven’t looked back since.” Founder Jamie Fay is our guest to tap the keg on all that is Rationale Brewing.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

For a fast casual establishment, or any successful restaurant, what’s the ideal pathway to branching? Should it be a franchise network like McDonalds or perhaps company owned stores in the In-N-Out model? Chef Andrew has been there and will provide his informed insight.

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

Manfred Lassahn of Watertable at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has recently debuted its first-ever Halloween pop-up bar. Step inside Pete’s Spookeasy if you dare, where Pete’s Sunset Grille, the resort’s coastal restaurant, has been transformed into a spooky, over-the-top Halloween playground, featuring immersive décor, themed lounges, playful surprises at every turn, and touches from Tipsy Elves, the pop-up’s seasonal partner.”

“The pop-up features a curated Halloween menu, with inventive bites such as “BUGS” in Stinky Cheese, with whipped goat cheese, dates, marzipan “grubs,” figs, hot honey, micro thyme and Raincoast crackers; Cauldron Queso, with pepper jack queso dip, ground beef, corn salsa, micro cilantro and tortilla chips; Char-boo-terie, with a soft twist pretzel, Fiscalini cheddar, Beehive cheese, chorizo salame, capicola, cornichon and ale mustard; and Pasta from the Black Lagoon, with squid ink spaghetti, sautéed shrimp, lobster cream sauce, roasted tomato, asparagus and micro parsley.”

“Signature cocktails include Hex on the Beach, with Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut and nutmeg, and BooBerry Margarita, with Don Julio Blanco tequila, fresh blackberries, lemon and lime juice, agave and a black salt rim.”

Joining us to provide all the hauntingly exciting specifics are General Manager, Jon Benson, and longtime Executive Chef Manfred Lassahn.

Scott Perry of Laderach Swiss

“Since the birth of Laderach Swiss (fresh Swiss gourmet chocolates) in 1962, they have been refining fresh chocolate into extraordinary creations – and taking great pleasure in sharing them. While Laderach initially did so as a supplier to selected Swiss chocolate shops, today they share their delights globally.”

“Three generations, one World Chocolate Master and countless innovations. Once a small chocolate factory in Glarus, today Laderach is represented in more than 25 countries around the world – and they are still thoughtfully expanding.”

“Laderach is currently attracting a lot of deserved attention for their limited-edition Dubai Collection. It started off as just a trend – and it’s evolved into an entire collection. You can now enjoy their creamy yet crunchy pistachio filling with baked kataifi in a variety of forms: as FrischSchoggi Dubai Milk or Dark, and as Dubai Style Pralines. Inspired by the Middle East. Made in Switzerland.”

Laderach’s Scott Perry, West Coast Regional Manager, is our guest to unwrap all the deliciousness that is Laderach Swiss.

Jamie Fay of Rationale Brewing Company

“Rationale Brewing’s founder, Jamie Fay and his sons were sitting around the campfire having a few beers and talking about beer, naturally. His oldest was about to leave for college, so Jamie encouraged him to think for himself when it came to drinking alcohol, regardless of the peanut gallery’s opinions. Making a rational choice feels pretty damn radical…so why not screw the rules, make that radical choice and own the moment? They got pretty fired up about the idea of crafting a flavorful non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t play by the rules. They started brewing RationAle and haven’t looked back since.”

“Rationale Brewing crafts unmistakably great non-alcoholic brews that satisfy all your beer needs so that if you’re not boozing at the moment, for whatever reason, you don’t miss a thing. Since they  launched, thousands of folks have been sipping, clinking, and crushing cans of RationAle. So rip into right now, your own way.”

Founder Jamie Fay is our guest to tap the keg on all that is Rationale Brewing.

Their best selling beer is a Mexican Style Brew that’s crisp and refreshing. Rounding out the portfolio is a West Coast IPA, a Hazy IPA, a Kolsch Style and a new Japanese Dry with Cherry Blossom.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

For a fast casual establishment, or any successful restaurant, what’s the ideal pathway to branching? Should it be a franchise network like McDonalds or company owned stores in the In-N-Out model? Chef Andrew has been there and will provide his informed insight.

Andrew Gruel’s Family Cookbook is available with signed copies at his Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach.

Podcasts

Hour One: Pete’s Spookeasy, Laderach Swiss
Hour Two: Laderach Swiss, Rationale Brewing, Andrew Gruel

Segment One: Show Introduction and Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Pete’s Spookeasy at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort with Executive Chef Manfred Lasshan
Segment Four and Five: Laderach Swiss with Scott Perry, West Coast Regional Manager
Segments Six and Seven: Rationale Brewing NA Craft Beer with Founder Jamie Fay
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel (Co-host) of Calico Fish House with “Ask the Chef”