Show 689, July 25, 2026: Executive Chef Meg Bickford, Commander’s Palace, New Orleans

Meg Bickford of Commanders Palace on air at the Morial Convention Center

Meg Bickford is the Executive Chef of the legendary Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. She joins us.

“Native to the region and its Creole and Cajun cuisines, Chef Meg Bickford assumed the role of Executive Chef at Commander’s Palace in October 2020. Bickford graduated from the John Folse Culinary Institute and was subsequently hired by Commander’s, where she went on to serve as Executive Chef of Café Adelaide. In her time at Café Adelaide, Bickford was chosen as one of Louisiana Cookin’s “Chefs to Watch.””

After 18 years with the Commander’s Palace Family of Restaurants, Chef Bickford remains eager to keep the traditions of Commander’s alive while regularly adding innovative (and delicious) items to the menu.

Commander’s is renown for their unequaled Jazz Sunday Brunch and intimate Chef’s Table experience unusually placed in the heart of the bustling Commander’s kitchen.

Show 677, May 2, 2026: Andrew Gruel, Chef, Restaurateur and Show Co-Host with “Ask the Chef”

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Calico Fish House

For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) continues his timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

For the first time in years commercial salmon fishing off the coast of California is again permissible. It’s a short window. Chef Andrew explains the implications potential impact.

A Mother’s Day restaurant dining tip: Dinner has more availability and a calmer environment than Sunday Brunch.

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

Show 574, April 20, 2024: Dustin Trani, Chef and Restaurateur, J. Trani’s Ristorante and Trani’s Dockside Station, San Pedro

Dustin Trani

Chef Dustin Trani represents the 4th generation of the celebrated Trani Family to be an owner / chef cooking in San Pedro. Currently he is best known for J. Trani’s Ristorante which is his Family’s successor restaurant to their original San Pedro establishment, Trani’s Majestic Café opened in 1925 in downtown San Pedro. Chef Dustin is also an alum of the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP.)

His latest venture (in the works since 2019) is the ambitious, soon to celebrate it’s first anniversary, Trani’s Dockside Station located in San Pedro’s historic waterfront in a vintage (fully restored and renovated) 1920 building that initially served as an immigration hall. In more recent years it was the local diner, Canetti’s Seafood Grotto, which closed in 2010 after a 70-year run. The exterior has been restored and preserved along with the addition of a striking, art deco neon vertical sign.

The restaurant is open for Lunch and Dinner. Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. launches April 21st.

Chef Dustin Trani joins us with all the update details for Trani’s Dockside Station.

Show 558, December 30, 2023: Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden, Corona del Mar Part One

Rich Mead of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

Chef Rich Mead is the proprietor of the ever-popular Farmhouse at Rogers Garden in Corona del Mar. Chef Rich’s seasonal menus feature ingredients sourced from local and sustainably focused farmers and purveyors. Sunday Brunch in the Gardens is a celebratory Orange County tradition.

Chef Rich’s special New Year’s Eve menu at Farmhouse can be enjoyed ala carte or as a Tasting Menu. Think Roast Stuffed Lobster Tail and Spaghetti Squash “Fra Diavolo.” Dessert is an elegant Champagne Citrus Cake.

Rich is a longtime supporter of The Ecology Center (non-profit) in San Juan Capistrano. He was one of the first chefs to gladly volunteer his services to cook an al fresco repast there. When he prepares a meal there as part of their (fundraising) Community Table Dinner Series it’s an evening not to be missed. In 2024 Chef Rich is scheduled to be at The Ecology Center on Friday evening, May 24th for a Community Table Dinner. Make your plans accordingly. These anticipated evenings reach capacity very quickly.

Chef Rich Mead takes a break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market for his New Year’s Eve menu to join us.

Show 558, December 30, 2023: Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden, Corona del Mar Part Two

Rich Mead of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

Chef Rich Mead is the proprietor of the ever-popular Farmhouse at Rogers Garden in Corona del Mar. Chef Rich’s seasonal menus feature ingredients sourced from local and sustainably focused farmers and purveyors. Sunday Brunch in the Gardens is a celebratory Orange County tradition.

Chef Rich’s special New Year’s Eve menu at Farmhouse can be enjoyed ala carte or as a Tasting Menu. Think Roast Stuffed Lobster Tail and Spaghetti Squash “Fra Diavolo.” Dessert is an elegant Champagne Citrus Cake.

Rich is a longtime supporter of The Ecology Center (non-profit) in San Juan Capistrano. He was one of the first chefs to gladly volunteer his services to cook an al fresco repast there. When he prepares a meal there as part of their (fundraising) Community Table Dinner Series it’s an evening not to be missed. In 2024 Chef Rich is scheduled to be at The Ecology Center on Friday evening, May 24th (with Chef Daniel Mattern of Friends and Family in Los Angeles) for a Community Table Dinner. Make your plans accordingly. These anticipated evenings reach capacity very quickly.

Chef Rich Mead takes a further break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market for his New Year’s Eve menu to continue with us.

Show 508, January 21, 2023: Chef / Proprietor Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens

Rich Mead of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

Chef Rich Mead is the proprietor of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens in Corona del Mar. Chef Rich’s seasonal menus feature ingredients sourced from local and sustainably focused farmers and purveyors. Sunday Brunch in the Garden is a now a celebratory Orange County tradition. Chef Rich Mead takes a break from his regular Saturday morning sourcing trip at the Santa Monica Farmers Market to join us.

“During his nearly four decades of culinary expertise, Chef Rich Mead has cultivated relationships with the highest regarded local sustainable farms, allowing him to create the freshest menus using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and specially grown vegetables. In 2016, after years of planning, Chef Mead unveiled a unique and sustainable field-to-fork dining experience at Farmhouse, located within Roger’s Gardens. Nestled on over 6 acres in the garden-like setting, Farmhouse features exclusive wines, craft beers, signature cocktails, artisan refreshments and a healthy based seasonal cuisine.”

Farmhouse will also be a participating restaurant in the upcoming Orange County Restaurant Week set for March 5th to 11th.

Farmhouse will serve an Amuse, Starter, Entrée, Dessert and a Seasonal Cocktail for $60 per guest. (Reservations recommended.)

Show 462, February 19, 2022: Executive Chef Wes Whitsell, Hatchet Hall, Los Angeles Part Two

Wes Whitsell of Hatchet Hall

Hatchet Hall, a lively neighborhood restaurant and bar in Mar Vista, specializes in working relationships with local farmers and purveyors to provide the best quality experience for the table. The basis of the restaurant is family — whether it’s your loved ones, farmers, or guests, — we all gather around the same table. The menu changes daily, reflecting the seasons of California. Purchasing produce with limitation and the idea of keeping things exciting for the staff and guests. The food is simple; not heavily plated or overdone, finding beauty in imperfection.”

Hatchet Hall serves dinner nightly and has recently reintroduced Sunday Brunch and is adding Brunch on Friday and Saturday, too.

Wes Whitsell (the opening chef at Manuela in DTLA) is the new Executive Chef at Hatchet Hall, a restaurant that aligns deeply with his values. Wes has a strong belief in the integrity of the food he cooks, while never forgetting those early lessons he learned from his own roots: that small Texas town. At Hatchet Hall, he taps into his Southern roots, the live fire component that makes the restaurant so special, while drawing inspiration from his past culinary experiences, his relationships to farmers, and the amazing produce California has to offer.”

“Raised in a small Texas town, by an avid outdoorsman and farmer, Chef Wes grew up eating what was hunted and gathered in the traditional sense. Before it was a trend, it was Wes’s way of life. This early introduction and intimate connection to the land helped shape Wes’s understanding of food, and his continuing fascination with homegrown food has inspired his career path.”

There is plenty of meat and seafood on Chef Wes’ menu but he’s also proud of showcasing area farmers’ vegetables in his creations. Think fermented & grilled cabbage with salsa verde and sumac. Also roasted Japanese sweet potato with mint coconut yogurt and crispy shallots.

Chef Wes Whitsell continues with us.

Show 462, February 19, 2022: Executive Chef Wes Whitsell, Hatchet Hall, Los Angeles Part One

Wes Whitsell of Hatchet Hall

Hatchet Hall, a lively neighborhood restaurant and bar in Mar Vista, specializes in working relationships with local farmers and purveyors to provide the best quality experience for the table. The basis of the restaurant is family — whether it’s your loved ones, farmers, or guests, — we all gather around the same table. The menu changes daily, reflecting the seasons of California. Purchasing produce with limitation and the idea of keeping things exciting for the staff and guests. The food is simple; not heavily plated or overdone, finding beauty in imperfection.”

Hatchet Hall serves dinner nightly and has recently reintroduced Sunday Brunch and is adding Brunch on Friday and Saturday, too.

Wes Whitsell (the opening chef at Manuela in DTLA) is the new Executive Chef at Hatchet Hall, a restaurant that aligns deeply with his values. Wes has a strong belief in the integrity of the food he cooks, while never forgetting those early lessons he learned from his own roots: that small Texas town. At Hatchet Hall, he taps into his Southern roots, the live fire component that makes the restaurant so special, while drawing inspiration from his past culinary experiences, his relationships to farmers, and the amazing produce California has to offer.”

“Raised in a small Texas town, by an avid outdoorsman and farmer, Chef Wes grew up eating what was hunted and gathered in the traditional sense. Before it was a trend, it was Wes’s way of life. This early introduction and intimate connection to the land helped shape Wes’s understanding of food, and his continuing fascination with homegrown food has inspired his career path.”

There is plenty of meat and seafood on Chef Wes’ menu but he’s also proud of showcasing area farmers’ vegetables in his creations. Think fermented & grilled cabbage with salsa verde and sumac. Also roasted Japanese sweet potato with mint coconut yogurt and crispy shallots.

Chef Wes Whitsell is our guest.

Show 440, August 28, 2021: Chef Ryan McNerney, General Manager, RISÜ, Long Beach Part One

Ryan Lawrence McNerney of RISU

“At RISÜ in Downtown Long Beach on the ground floor of The Crest, their goal is to create, serve and savor fine wines and gourmet food in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere!” Chef Ryan Lawrence McNerney is the new General Manager for Food and Beverage.

“RISÜ means “Smile”, which explains the two dots over the U! It’s their ultimate goal to make you smile at their service, food, drinks and prices! RISÜ is a full bar that is wine focused, with tasty and well-prepared food.”

“The food is American- style tapas and RISÜ also offers appealing sharable plates with changing seasonal items. Come on in and sit on our beautiful outdoor, Covid Compliant patio located on the Rainbow Bridge, enjoy your friends, the atmosphere and, of course, our top shelf wine, beer, spirits and delicious food.”

HHappy Hour is Monday thru Thursday from 4 to 6:00 p.m. plus Wine Wednesday (25 per cent off all bottles) specials. Dinner served nightly with Sunday Brunch starting at 12 Noon a.m. The Sunday Social Brunch features a Bottomless Mimosa option made with genuine French Champagne. RISÜ unusually has their own Wine Club with monthly and bi-monthly options along with a debuting Libation Club.

We entice Chef Ryan McNerney out of his busy kitchen for a chat.

Show 440, August 28, 2021: Chef Ryan McNerney, General Manager, RISÜ, Long Beach Part Two

Ryan Lawrence McNerney of RISU

“At RISÜ in Downtown Long Beach on the ground floor of The Crest, their goal is to create, serve and savor fine wines and gourmet food in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere!” Chef Ryan Lawrence McNerney is the new General Manager for Food and Beverage.

“RISÜ means “Smile”, which explains the two dots over the U! It’s their ultimate goal to make you smile at their service, food, drinks and prices! RISÜ is a full bar that is wine focused, with tasty and well-prepared food.”

“The food is American- style tapas and RISÜ also offers appealing sharable plates with changing seasonal items. Come on in and sit on our beautiful outdoor, Covid Compliant patio located on the Rainbow Bridge, enjoy your friends, the atmosphere and, of course, our top shelf wine, beer, spirits and delicious food.”

Happy Hour is Monday thru Thursday from 4 to 6:00 p.m. plus Wine Wednesday (25 per cent off all bottles) specials. Dinner served nightly with Sunday Brunch starting at 12 Noon a.m. The Sunday Social Brunch features a Bottomless Mimosa option made with genuine French Champagne. RISÜ unusually has their own Wine Club with monthly and bi-monthly options along with a debuting Libation Club.

We entice Chef Ryan McNerney out of his busy kitchen for a chat.