Show 491, September 17, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Waterline Villas and Marina on Anna Maria Island

It’s a very special show today as we’re celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the launch of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” from Anna Maria Island, Florida. We’re guests of restaurateur Ed Chiles of the Chiles Hospitality Group and the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key Convention and Visitors Bureau. We’re going to meet key locals who have created, and maintained, this welcoming destination offering a genuine taste of unspoiled “old Florida.” Thanks to Melissa’s World Variety Produce and West Coast Prime Meats for being Presenting Sponsor of the show since the beginning!

Anna Maria Island is a quaint barrier island nestled in the Gulf of Mexico. Beautiful turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are the main attraction here. The Island is 7 miles long and Beach access is available on both the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. The Island has a rustic “Old Florida” fishing pier: Rod n’ Reel Pier, popular to visitors and anglers alike. There’s an important fact to learn about the 7 miles of beach Anna Maria Island offers up: not all beaches are created equal. Some are great for just sitting; others beckon you to explore your adventurous side. And, of course, there are several in between. Five of the area’s beaches are Blue Wave Certified and declared eco-friendly by the Clean Beach Council in Washington D.C., so you can feel good about hanging out there, too.” You won’t find a building over 3 stories high on Anna Maria Island and no franchised restaurants. Joining us to represent the area is Kolby Gayson, the Marketing and Communications Director for the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“A member of the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International, Inc., Waterline Villas & Marina (owned by Mainsail Lodging & Development) is the only full-service resort on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Opened in 2017, the boutique waterfront hotel offers exclusive amenities, distinctive services and numerous opportunities for guests to enjoy the authentic, laidback, beach town vibe of Anna Maria Island. The resort features 37 stylish two- bedroom villa-condos with gourmet kitchens; a 50-slip marina offering a variety of water activities; 2,000 square feet of meeting space; the French-inspired signature restaurant, Chateau Anna Maria; and a resort style swimming pool with oversized sun deck extending into the marina.”

The Founder of Mainsail Lodging & Development, Joe Collier, is our guest.

Chiles Hospitality is a family of three distinctive waterfront restaurants (Sandbar Seafood & SpiritsMar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub and Beach House Waterfront Restaurant), an organic farm (Gamble Creek Farms) with 26 acres of organic vegetables, fruits and flowers, and a full bakery (Anna Maria Bake House.) With sustainability at the heart of everything they do, all of their concepts work together to provide the best dishes for their guests and the environment.” “Chiles Hospitality embodies an underlying feel of unspoiled Florida accompanied by breathtaking views and unbeatable quality. Since the acquisition of the Sandbar in 1979, each unique concept added has come to enhance the others established before it.” Chiles Hospitality’s Culinary Director, Seth Kondor, and Anna Maria Bake House’s Head Baker, Teddy Louloudes, are our guests.

Chiles Hospitality’s Gamble Creek Farms is a 26-acre, organic, sustainable, working farm in Parrish, Florida committed to quality produce. Produce is delivered daily to Chiles Hospitality waterfront restaurants: Sandbar, Beach House, and Mar Vista.  There is also a year-round indoor Farm Stand featuring local products including a variety of baked goods from the Anna Maria Bake House. Gamble Creek Farms’ General Manager, Jim Harwood, takes a break from The Farm to join us.

The goal at Shogun Farms (David and Pamela Fay) has been to provide the best, natural feed, clean and organic Wild Boar meat through trapping and eradication of nuisance Boar that destroy crops or endanger other natural indigenous wildlife. After years of hunting and trapping wild boar, David Fay had the idea to turn them into a clean and healthy food source. And since Florida has an estimated 1 million feral hogs / wild boar — the most in the country per square mile —Shogun Farms saw an opportunity to capitalize on that idea in a unique way. Basically a win-win situation; remove hogs from land plus a natural meat to provide to the consumers. Shogun Farms’ David and Pamela Fay join us.

“For generations, people have been coming from across the globe to the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits on Anna Maria Island (the flagship of Chiles Hospitality since 1979) to experience a meal like no other. With toes in the sand, brilliant vistas and a great family atmosphere you are sure to create fantastic memories dining at the Sandbar.” Horacio Eagan the Executive Chef at Sandbar joins us. “Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub (a Chiles Hospitality property) represents authentic Florida dockside dining. Mar Vista has a private beach, dining under the trees or on the covered patio, a wide variety of menu choices from burgers to fresh seafood, a full bar and a convenient package service with beer and wine. Take a break, relax with a drink, have a great meal, and enjoy all that Mar Vista has to offer.” Brandi Craig the General Manager of Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub is also our guest.

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

Show 491, September 17, 2022: Chef Seth Kondor, Culinary Director, and Head Baker Teddy Louloudes, Chiles Hospitality Part One

Seth Kondor of Chiles Hospitality

Chiles Hospitality is a family of three iconic waterfront restaurants (Sandbar Seafood & SpiritsMar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub and Beach House Waterfront Restaurant), an organic farm (Gamble Creek Farms) with 26 acres of organic vegetables, fruits and flowers, and a full bakery (Anna Maria Bake House.) With sustainability at the heart of everything they do, all of their concepts work together to provide the best dishes for their guests and the environment.”

“Chiles Hospitality embodies an underlying feel of unspoiled Florida accompanied by breathtaking views and unbeatable quality. Since the acquisition of the Sandbar in 1979, each unique concept added has come to enhance the others established before it. This growth strategy has helped to maintain the cohesive family atmosphere, fostering collaboration between the individual businesses.”

“Anna Maria Bake House is the sweetest part of Chiles Hospitality. Inspired by ancient grains and traditional baking methods, Anna Maria Bake House began as a small segment responsible for supplying the restaurants with breads and crackers to accompany the respective chef’s dishes. The bakery has since risen to the occasion of creating all of the featured desserts found on each menu as well as providing select items for online pre-order and pick-up at two locations.”

Chiles Hospitality’s Culinary Director, Seth Kondor and Anna Maria Bake House’s Head Baker, Teddy Louloudes are our guests.