Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Carmel Melrose, Los Angeles
Segment Four: California Restaurant Foundation’s 2024 Restaurants Care Resilience Fund Grants
Segment Five: California Restaurant Foundation’s 2024 Restaurants Care Resilience Fund Grants with recipient Christina Hong of Seoulmates
Segments Six and Seven: The Orenco Boutique Hotel, Hillsboro, OR
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-Host, with “Ask the Chef”

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

“Carmel Melrose in Los Angeles transports the energy, culture, and flavor of the renowned outdoor marketplace “Shuk HaCarmel” to Melrose Avenue, in the heart of L.A.’s food scene. Using some of the oldest techniques in the world— a wood-burning oven, an open flame grill— chef Asaf Maoz interprets ancient Levantine cooking traditions through a modern lens. Dishes showcase the best of the season: farmer’s market produce, sustainably-sourced meats and seafood, all prepared with the global culinary influence of the Tel Aviv shuk. Breads are baked in-house, including a 72-hour fermented Moroccan frena, baked to order in the wood-fire oven.” Partner Ronnie Benarie and Chef Asaf Maoz join us with the enticing overview of the delights of Carmel Melrose.

“The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and their workforce, has awarded 278 independent restaurants with $5,000 grants as part of its fourth consecutive Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund. The grants were made possible via thoughtful donations from  SoCalGas, The PG&E Corporation Foundation(PG&E Foundation) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), which have contributed to the fund since 2021. Recipients can use the $5,000 assistance for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses and employee training, all of which allow California’s independent restaurant owners and caterers to invest in the longevity of their business and employees.” The CRF’s Alycia Harshfield (Executive Director) is our guest to more fully explain this year’s results.

Christina Hong of Seoulmates in Los Angeles (W. Third St.) and Santa Monica is one of the fortunate recipients of a $5,000, 2024 California Restaurant Foundation Restaurants Care Resilience Fund Grant. We’ll meet her and learn her story.

“Welcome to TheOrenco, Hillsboro, Oregon’s 10-room boutique luxury hotel. TheOrenco is ideally situated within the vibrant and growing work-live-play community of Orenco Station in Hillsboro, OR. They offer guests calm, comfortable, and privacy-oriented accommodations not found at the typical corporate chains. Guests appreciate their nontraditional European lodging format, their brownstone architecture and the wide variety of unique restaurants, breweries and shops available within a short walking distance of their front door. The included morning breakfast is at the nearby Tous Les Jours (French-Asian artisan bakery), a local institution where all the tempting pastries and breads are baked fresh, daily.” The hospitality-oriented owners of TheOrenco, Margie Waltz and Richard Lyons, join us with all the accommodating details.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is an authority on Lobster Rolls. He’s served them by the 100s over the years. Besides the familiar Maine-style there is also the equally delicious Connecticut-style roll. Chef Andrew has the enticing overview.

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

“Carmel Melrose in Los Angeles transports the energy, culture, and flavor of the renowned outdoor marketplace “Shuk HaCarmel” to Melrose Avenue, in the heart of L.A.’s food scene.”

“Using some of the oldest techniques in the world— a wood-burning oven, an open flame grill— chef Asaf Maoz interprets ancient Levantine cooking traditions through a modern lens.”

“Dishes showcase the best of the season: farmer’s market produce, sustainably-sourced meats and seafood, all prepared with the global culinary influence of the Tel Aviv shuk. Breads are baked in-house, including a 72-hour fermented Moroccan frena with tahini, matbucha and Syrian olives, baked to order in the wood-fire oven.”

Dinner nightly (closed on Monday) and Brunch on Sunday.

Partner Ronnie Benarie and Chef Asaf Maoz join us with the salivating overview of Carmel Melrose.

“The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and their workforce, has awarded 278 independent restaurants with $5,000 grants as part of its fourth consecutive Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund. The grants were made possible via thoughtful donations from SoCalGas, The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), which have contributed to the fund since 2021. Recipients can use the $5,000 assistance for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses and employee training, all of which allow California’s independent restaurant owners and caterers to invest in the longevity of their business and employees.”

“We’re incredibly thankful to our generous donors for their continued support, which has afforded us the opportunity to assist thousands of business owners in California’s food industry since 2021,” said Alycia Harshfield, Executive Director of CRF. “Together, we have proudly sustained the Resilience Fund for the past four years, ensuring that California’s independent restaurant owners and caterers remain a vital and vibrant part of our state’s culinary landscape and economy for many years ahead.”

“Notably, 76 percent of the grant recipients identify as female, and 73 percent identify as people of color. More than 70 percent of this year’s recipients plan to use the $5,000 grants for kitchen equipment or technology upgrades, and 17 percent will dedicate the funds to employee retention bonuses. To qualify, the restaurants and caterers needed to have fewer than five units, and less than $3 million in revenue.” View the full list of 2024 Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund grant recipients.

The CRF’s Alycia Harshfield (Executive Director) is our guest to more fully explain this year’s results.

Christina Hong of Seoulmates in Los Angeles (W. Third St.) and Santa Monica is one of the fortunate recipients of a $5,000, 2024 California Restaurant Foundation Restaurants Care Resilience Fund Grant. We’ll meet her and learn her story.

Seoulmates’ Mission: “Our mission is to share a twist on Korean food so ridiculously good that you have to talk about it, that before anyone even considers taking a bite, you’ll have to snap a picture for the ‘gram. Being a family-owned business, our aim is to deliver our heart and Seoul in every bite.”

“Welcome to TheOrenco, Hillsboro, Oregon’s 10-room boutique luxury hotel. TheOrenco is ideally situated within the vibrant and growing work-live-play community of Orenco Station in Hillsboro, OR. They offer guests calm, comfortable, and privacy-oriented accommodations not found at the typical corporate chains.”

“Guests appreciate their nontraditional European lodging format, their brownstone architecture and the wide variety of unique restaurants, breweries and shops available within a short walking distance of their front door. The included morning breakfast is at the nearby Tous Les Jours (French-Asian artisan bakery), a local institution where all the  enticing pastries and breads are baked fresh, daily”

“TheOrenco includes all the amenities a savvy business traveler or family on the go seeks when choosing lodging, including contactless check-in, fast Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, free lobby snacks, in-room coffee, private courtyards (select rooms), and even gear to enjoy the local area, like pickleball paddles and bicycles. Their knowledgeable and dedicated staff ensures that all guests have a comfortable, relaxing stay with everything they need in spotless rooms.”

“As soon as Orenco Station opened, it was quickly recognized for its innovative vision and was awarded “America’s Community of the Year” in 1999. Today, the community thrives and TheOrenco is considered a superb example of a “Downtown Luxury” hotel experience in a transit-oriented, suburban setting.”

“TheOrenco is a short walk away from the TriMet MAX stop at Orenco (Portland’s efficient light rail system), which provides easy access to nearby communities and Portland International Airport (PDX).”

The hospitable owners of TheOrenco, Margie Waltz and Richard Lyons, join us with all the accommodating details.

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

Chef Andrew is a recognized authority on Lobster Rolls. He’s expertly served them by the 100s over the years. Besides the familiar Maine-style there is also the equally delicious Connecticut-style roll. Choose your personal favorite. Let the discussions begin…Chef Andrew has the inspirational overview.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segments Two and Three: Carmel Melrose, Los Angeles
Segment Four: California Restaurant Foundation’s 2024 Restaurants Care Resilience Fund Grants
Segment Five: California Restaurant Foundation’s 2024 Restaurants Care Resilience Fund Grants with recipient Christina Hong of Seoulmates
Segments Six and Seven: The Orenco Boutique Hotel, Hillsboro, OR
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-Host, with “Ask the Chef”