Show 146, November 14, 2015: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, soon, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a tantalizing preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately loaded show and not, with apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

We step aside a bit early today at 11:30 a.m. for Fighting Irish Football.

Tom Gordon’s and Cris Petersen’s The Pepper Project promotes U.S. importation of fine Kampot pepper as a way to support Cambodians and the country’s economy. It’s an extraordinary pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. The Pepper Project is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Orange gift shop boutique on Sunday, Nov. 15th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We’ll get the inside information on what’s available from Tom Gordon.

Our regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, has some handy Thanksgiving cooking tips to share. Take a deep breath, be calm, and Chef Andrew is here to help relieve a bit of the stress.

Celebrity Chef Jet Tila was the initiating Co-Host of “The SoCal Restaurant Show” for the first two years. You also know him as one of the three permanent judges on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown.” Coming up this month is “Cutthroat Kitchen’s” second, no-holds barred Superstar Sabotage tournament. Think Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Duff Goldman, Bobby Deen and Sherry Yard, among others. Chef Jet is the Judge for the episodes airing on November 18th and 25th. Chef Jet joins us to tease these episodes and, perhaps, a bit moré…

Julie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available there are now made in-house!

San Francisco is a City devoted to drink. Our guest, Duggan McDonnell, is the author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre – A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails. During the 1870s and ‘80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail.

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

November 14: Andrew Gruel, Jet Tila, Pepper Project, Honda Center, Duggan McDonnell

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Tom Gordon, Co-Founder, The Pepper Project
Segment Three: Co-Host & Executive Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Julie Margolin, Director of Food and Beverage, Honda Center
Segment Six: Master Barman Duggan McDonnell, San Francisco

Executive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, Irvine at UCI and, soon, Brea, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next tantalizing preview of Saturday’s high-energy and appropriately loaded show and not, with apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

Tom Gordon’s and Cris Petersen’s The Pepper Project promotes U.S. importation of fine Kampot pepper as a way to support Cambodians and the country’s economy. Its an extraordinary pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. The Pepper Project is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Orange gift shop boutique on Sunday, Nov. 15th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We’ll get the inside information on what’s available from Tom Gordon.

Our regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, has some handy Thanksgiving cooking tips to share. Take a deep breath, be calm, and Chef Andrew is here to help relieve a bit of the stress.

Celebrity Chef Jet Tila was the Co-Host of “The SoCal Restaurant Show” for the first two years. You also know him as one of the three permanent judges on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown.” Coming up this month is “Cutthroat Kitchen’s” second, no-holds barred “Superstar Sabotage” tournament. Think Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Duff Goldman, Bobby Dean and Sherry Yard, among others. Chef Jet is the Judge for the episodes airing on November 18th and 25th. Chef Jet joins us to tease these episodes and, perhaps, a bit moré…

Julie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available there are now made in-house!

San Francisco is a City devoted to drink. Our guest, Duggan McDonnell, is the author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre – A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails. During the 1870s and ‘80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail.

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

The Pepper ProjectTom Gordon’s and Cris Petersen’s The Pepper Project promotes U.S. importation of fine Kampot pepper as a way to support Cambodians and the country’s economy. It’s a distinctive pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. The peppercorns come in black, white and red varieties.

“To us, Cambodia is more than a pin on the map or one of 1000 places to see before you die. Although the life expectancy is around 60, an entire generation of fathers is missing and there are tens of thousands of amputees as a result of land mine injuries, this is not a place to pity.”

“This is a country filled with people who persevere, who always have a warm smile and who are grateful for every day.”

“Our mission is to get the word out about all the treasures that Cambodia has to offer starting with Kampot pepper, a spice that is highly regarded in many parts of Europe but that most people have never heard of.”

The Pepper Project USA is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Orange gift shop boutique on Sunday, Nov. 15th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We’ll get the inside information on the wide variety of affordable Cambodian handmade crafts and unusual comestibles available from Tom Gordon. It’s Holiday shopping for a cause

Andrew Gruel at the AM830 KLAA StudiosOur regular Guest Host, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, has some handy Thanksgiving cooking tips to share. Just in time…Keep in mind he’s a real, working executive chef with an impressive cooking background.

Take a deep breath, be calm, and Chef Andrew is here to help relieve a bit of the November 26th stress.

Jet Tila at Cochon 555Celebrity Chef Jet Tila was the Co-Host of “The SoCal Restaurant Show” for the first two years. You also know him as one of the three permanent judges on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown.”

Coming up this month is “Cutthroat Kitchen’s” second, no-holds barred Superstar Sabotage tournament. Think Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Duff Goldman, Bobby Deen and Sherry Yard, among others. Chef Jet is the Judge for the episodes airing on November 18th and 25th.

Chef Jet has created a new menu item for Veggie Grill. It’s a Seoul Bowl. It’s Chargrilled Veggie Steak, Chickin, or Organic Glazed Tofu, carrots, house-pickled red onions, cabbage, arugula, scallions, sesame seeds, stir-fried super grains, rice and Korean gochujang sauce.

Chef Jet joins us to tease these episodes and, perhaps, a bit moré…

Julie MargolinJulie Margolin is now in her third winning season as Director of Food and Beverage at Honda Center. We’ll check-in with Julie and see what’s new in edibles and libations for Ducks Hockey. All the tempting and properly decadent desserts available are now made in-house!

We’ll get briefed on the new sandwiches and premium burgers at Standing O as well as what’s happening at Shock Top Terrace with the chef inspired entrees.

Craft beer is well-represented at Honda Center, too. We get updated on the wide variety of thirst-satisfying offerings.

Duggan McDonnellSan Francisco is a City devoted to drink and other causes. Our guest, Duggan McDonnell, is the author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre – A Love Letter from San Francisco and her Cocktails.

During the 1870s and ‘80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail. From this, San Francisco’s electrifying nightlife was born and a few generations later, the city’s farm-to-glass cocktails have never tasted better.

McDonnell (part culinary anthropologist and part whimsical professor) masterfully weaves essays on prominent spirits, insights into San Francisco’s historic love affair with amaro, and recipes for his Bartender’s Secret Formulas together with 25 iconic cocktail recipes made famous by the City by the Bay. The recipes range from the legendary Pisco Punch and the ingenious Mai Tai, to the Gold Rush era Sazerac and the more modern Lemon Drop.

An additional 45 recipes show the evolution of these classic elixirs over time, resulting in such liquor-splashed favorites as The Revolver and The Last Word.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Chef Andrew Gruel and Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Tom Gordon, Co-Founder, The Pepper Project
Segment Three: Co-Host & Executive Chef Andrew Gruel
Segment Four: Chef Jet Tila
Segment Five: Julie Margolin, Director of Food and Beverage, Honda Center
Segment Six: Master Barman Duggan McDonnell, San Francisco

November 22: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, Deborah Schneider, Eric Greenspan, Frank Ostini, Stir Market, Celebrity Cruises

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours / Wine Tours Santa Ynez Valley
Segment Three: Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, solita Tacos & Margaritas
Segment Four: Chef Eric Greenspan Part One
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan Part Two
Segment Six: Frank Ostini, Hitching Post II
Segment Seven: Stir Market
Segment Eight: Executive Chef John Suley, Celebrity Cruises

Andy Harris at the KLAA StudiosProducer and occasional Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning. Now a preview of today’s full show…

The primo attraction in California’s charmingly rural Santa Ynez Valley is the diversity of noteworthy wineries. The wine trail there includes Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. How do you navigate the Valley? The “SoCal Restaurant Show” recently left that in the expert hands of Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, based right there. We’ll meet the proprietor, Eric John Reynolds.

When it comes to the flavors and preparations of the authentic foods of Baja California our local expert is Chef Deborah Schneider. To keep current she now orchestrates an annual cooking research trip to different interior States in Mexico. Back in 2006 Chef Deb wrote Baja! Cooking on the Edge which is still in print and greatly admired. Her two restaurant concepts are SOL Mexican Cocina (Newport Beach and Scottsdale) and solita Tacos and Margaritas (Huntington Beach and Valencia.) The Valencia solita opened this week for dinner in the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Chef Deb is out guest.

Fine dining chef, Eric Greenspan, is all over Food Television. He impressively just vanquished the competition in Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen : Superstar Sabotage Tournament.” He came out on top against a group of seven other fiercely competitive celebrity chefs. All his winnings went to charity. Chef Eric’s new series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry” debuts on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, November 24th.

Thanksgiving is on Chef Eric Greenspan’s mind, too. He’s teamed up with Tillamook (think cheese) for a special promotion to honor the season of gratitude. Tillamook has also added ice cream to their product line.

Ten years ago Twentieth Century-Fox released a modestly budgeted film based on a best-selling book with wine appreciation at its center. The movie was Sideways and the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, a central character in the film, was forever changed. Hitching Post II, previously famous with visitors for their tasty Santa Maria-style BBQ earned a double dose of notoriety from the film. A major character in the film, played by Virginia Madsen, is a waitress at The Hitching Post. Hitching Post wines also found their way into the film. Chef, winemaker, and Santa Ynez Valley goodwill ambassador, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post fame joins us to look back.

Stir Market, located in mid-city Los Angeles, has just launched. It’s a boutique California take on the European food hall experience that is both urban market hall and restaurant. Executive Chef Christopher Barnett (ex-The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills) collaborates with Food Network culinary personality Chef Jet Tila on the menu of sandwiches and salads, small plates, and European-style rotisserie items.

Celebrity Cruises and their executive chef, John Suley, are always innovating when it comes to dining on Celebrity’s modern fleet of 11 cruise ships. Now the coveted white truffle, “the diamond of the kitchen,” will be featured on very special menus on select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December. Celebrity acquired two coveted white truffles (weighing 700 grams) at the recent World White Truffle Auction in Grinzane Cavour, Italy. The rare truffles are only available a few months of the year. Chef Suley returns to the show to talk about the mouthwatering dishes he’ll create which will showcase the extraordinary white truffles.

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

Eric John ReynoldsThe primo attraction in California’s charmingly rural Santa Ynez Valley is the diversity of noteworthy wineries. The wine trail there includes Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. How do you navigate the Valley? The “SoCal Restaurant Show” recently left that in the expert hands of Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, based right there.

All of their accommodating hosts have sommelier training and are treated as VIPs at the carefully selected wineries included on the tour. As a Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours guest you are guaranteed a warm welcome at each winery stop. A picnic lunch is part of excursion and you get picked up at your hotel.

“Just sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty and wonderful boutique wineries that Santa Barbara wine country has to offer.”

We’ll meet the proprietor and founder, Eric John Reynolds.

Deborah SchneiderWhen it comes to the flavors and preparations of the authentic foods of Baja California our local expert is Chef Deborah Schneider. To keep current she now orchestrates an annual cooking research trip to different interior States in Mexico. Back in 2006 Chef Deb wrote Baja! Cooking on the Edge which is still in print and greatly admired.

Her two successful restaurant concepts are SOL Mexican Cocina (Newport Beach and Scottsdale) and solita Tacos and Margaritas (Huntington Beach and Valencia.) The Valencia solita opened this week for dinner in the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

“Solita is a simple, sophisticated neighborhood Mexican restaurant built around a custom oak-fired Santa Maria-style grill, inspired by Chef Deb’s travels through Baja California and Mexico. Solita’s Mexico is fresh and delicious, simple and light. It’s made from scratch, often carrying a whiff of smoky flavor from the wood grill, full of flavor from fresh salsas, corn tortillas, dry and fresh chiles, crushed herbs, fruit and spices, mole sauces and cheeses…”

Chef Deb is our guest.

Eric GreenspanFine dining chef, Eric Greenspan, is all over Food Television. He impressively just vanquished the competition in Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen : Superstar Sabotage Tournament.” He came out on top against a group of seven other fiercely competitive celebrity chefs. All his winnings went to charity. Chef Eric’s new series, “Eric Greenspan is Hungry” debuts on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, November 24th.

“Famed Los Angeles Chef and Restaurateur Eric Greenspan believes there’s no better place to experience food than at the source. So, he’s hitting the road with his best friend and trusted sidekick, Captain Mauzner, to hunt for the best dishes America has to offer. From the field to the fire, they’re hunting, cooking and learning about authentic American food served up by the people who know it best.”

Thanksgiving is on Chef Eric Greenspan’s mind, too. He’s teamed up with Tillamook (think cheese) for a special promotion to honor the season of gratitude. Tillamook has also added premium ice cream to their product line.

“If you’re like us (Tillamook) you give thanks for cheese on a daily basis, so for the season of gratitude we thought it only fitting to take our appreciation up a notch. We’ve partnered with Grilled Cheese Guru and Master of Melt, Chef Eric Greenspan, to bring you Grilled Cheesegiving, featuring special Tillamook Thanksgiving menu items available at Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese in Los Angeles.”

Frank OstiniTen years ago Twentieth Century-Fox released a modestly budgeted film based on a best-selling book with wine appreciation at its center. The movie was Sideways and the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, a central character in the film, was forever changed.

Hitching Post II, previously famous with visitors for their tasty Santa Maria-style BBQ using red oak earned a double dose of notoriety from the film. A major character in the film, played by Virginia Madsen, is a waitress (Maya) at The Hitching Post. Hitching Post wines also found their way into the film.

Chef, winemaker, and Santa Ynez Valley goodwill ambassador, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post fame joins us to look back.

Christopher Barnett and Jet TilaStir Market, located in mid-city Los Angeles, has just launched. It’s a boutique California take on the European food hall experience that is both urban market hall and restaurant. Executive Chef Christopher Barnett (ex- The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills) collaborates with Food Network culinary personality Chef Jet Tila on the menu of sandwiches and salads, small plates, and European-style rotisserie items.

Stir Market serves all-day (from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

The roots of Stir Market pay homage to the major food hall cities of Europe. “We’re inspired by iconic culinary/retail destinations such as Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid and Harrods in London where dining and shopping blend effortlessly,” explains Stir Market President and Co-Founder Mimi Mok, a self-professed Francophile who has spent over a decade living in southern France.” These great markets – that offer diverse eating experiences, shopping, and a sense of discovery – are as memorable as any Michelin starred restaurant. That’s was our inspiration for Stir Market, an environment where neighbors can come together for morning coffee, a meal on-the-go, sit-down dinner, and even shop for a gourmand gift.”

John Suley of Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Cruises and their executive chef, John Suley, are always innovating when it comes to dining on Celebrity’s modern fleet of 11 cruise ships. Now the coveted white truffle, “the diamond of the kitchen,” will be featured on very special menus on select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December.

Celebrity acquired two coveted white truffles (weighing 700 grams) at the recent World White Truffle Auction in Grinzane Cavour, Italy. The rare truffles are only available a few months of the year. Chef Suley returns to the show to talk about the mouthwatering dishes he’ll create which will showcase the extraordinary white truffles.

“Chef Suley and his culinary team will use the highly coveted truffles acquired at the auction to create an exclusive dining experience onboard Celebrity Equinox during a 10-night Caribbean cruise departing on Friday, Nov. 21st from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Truffle-themed dinners will be available onboard Celebrity ships for select Caribbean sailings in late November and early December. Plus, the winning delicacies will also be featured at the James Beard Foundation’s legendary James Beard House in New York on Monday, Nov. 24th, for a special truffle-and-wine-pairing event.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer Andy Harris
Segment Two: Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours / Wine Tours Santa Ynez Valley
Segment Three: Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, solita Tacos & Margaritas
Segment Four: Chef Eric Greenspan Part One
Segment Five: Chef Eric Greenspan Part Two
Segment Six: Frank Ostini, Hitching Post II
Segment Seven: Stir Market
Segment Eight: Executive Chef John Suley, Celebrity Cruises