Show 385, August 8, 2020: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Late last month Corona del Mar’s historic Five Crowns and SideDoor (part of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants) reopened the spacious backyard of the expansive property for open-air dining in the charming setting reminiscent of an English country garden. Set with thoughtfully spaced tables and accented by fire pits, the backyard of the beloved, dining establishment offers the same gracious hospitality for which the restaurants are known. Guests sip on specialty cocktails under the twinkling lights and experience signature dishes from both Five Crowns and SideDoor offered on a single menu available for backyard dining and to-go. Tracy Nelsen Five Crowns’ and SideDoor’s Restaurant Manager, Cheesemonger, Sommelier and Cicerone joins us with a tempting overview of what’s now on the menu.

Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana is a fine-casual Italian restaurant located in Irvine in the Los Olivos Marketplace. At Angelina’s, guests dine on authentic Italian food made with only the finest ingredients imported from Italy and fresh produce from local farms. From one-of-a-kind artwork to hand-picked fixtures, the modern, upscale interior redefines the concept of a pizzeria.

Their specialty is authentic Neapolitan-style pizza (pizza Napoletana). Each pizza is made using traditional techniques and cooked in their twin, high-end Ferrara wood-burning pizza ovens, making Angelina’s one of the few restaurants in the United States to hold a VPN Certification (Vera Pizza Napoletana). Angelina’s Managing Partner, Filippo Fusco, is our guest, pizza peel at the ready.

3rd generation restaurateur Ron Salisbury has been running successful, high-volume restaurants for sixty-six years, a period of time in which most people are born and retire. He grew up working after school as a dish sorter, busser, and steam table expediter in his parents’ Los Angeles restaurant, El Cholo. Salisbury is not one for utilizing voluminous operating manuals but over the years has acquired a bushel of practical morsels of wisdom for operating a successful restaurant. Starting with “Our Seven Pillars” Ron has collected all these short vignettes of incredibly useful advice into the very easy-to-read volume, What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. (That’s the Culinary Institute of America by-the-way.) It’s truly an essential and valuable read for all aspiring restaurateurs. Ron Salisbury is with us to generously share a sampling of the practical wisdom from What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A.

Winemakers and life partners Mireia Tena and Tara Gomez are the creative forces at Camins 2 Deams in Lompoc, their dream boutique winery. The grapes are sourced exclusively from select vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, a unique appellation in Santa Barbara County. Their philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery. Camins 2 Dreams believes wine is made in the vineyard and desires to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes originate.

Current releases include Gruner Veltliner, Rose of Syrah, and three vineyard specific Syrahs. Grenache and Graciano are in their future. Winemakers Tara and Mireia join us to pull the cork on all that is Camins 2 Dreams.

DTLA Pizza is a new Takeout and Delivery concept from Chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower. The goal for Chef Michael’s new DTLA Pizza concept is to serve meat lovers and vegans alike, quality and comfort food driven dishes prepared with house-made sourdough crusts, toppings such as Impossible beef, locally grown produce, along with Burgers that are made with American Kobe beef and burst with flavor.” “As the world is today, I find myself craving comfort foods. The menu for DTLA Pizza reflects my time growing up in New Jersey eating at such institutions such as Star Tavern in Orange, NJ.  These dishes and flavors remind me of home and the joyful times I spent with my friends and family as a kid.” Chef Michael Hung joins us to artfully toss & stretch the from-scratch pizza dough. 

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately take-out/delivery when you can surely helps… National Oyster Day was August 5th. We started the conversation last week about fully appreciating oysters. Chef Andrew is our resident authority on these bivalve mollusks enjoyed since ancient times. We’ll resume with tips about cooking with oysters. Oyster stew anyone ?

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

August 8: Five Crowns & SideDoor, Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana, Ron Salisbury, Camins 2 Dreams, DTLA Pizza

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Restaurant Manager Tracy Nelsen, Five Crowns and SideDoor, Corona del Mar
Segment Three: Filippo Fusco, Managing Partner, Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana, Irvine
Segment Four: Restaurateur Ron Salisbury (El Cholo) – What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. Part One
Segment Five: Restaurateur Ron Salisbury (El Cholo) – What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. Part Two
Segment Six: Winemakers Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribo, Camins 2 Dreams Winery, Lompoc
Segment Seven: Chef Michael Hung, DTLA Pizza, Los Angeles
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Late last month Corona del Mar’s historic Five Crowns and SideDoor (part of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants) reopened the spacious backyard of the property for open-air dining in the charming setting reminiscent of an English country garden. Set with thoughtfully spaced tables and accented by fire pits, the backyard of the beloved, dining establishment offers the same gracious hospitality for which the restaurants are known. Guests sip on specialty cocktails under the twinkling lights and experience signature dishes from both Five Crowns and SideDoor offered on a single menu available for backyard dining and to-go. Tracy Nelsen Five Crowns’ and SideDoor’s Restaurant Manager, Cheesemonger, Sommelier and Cicerone joins us with a tempting overview of what’s now on the menu.

Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana is a fine-casual Italian restaurant located in Irvine in the Los Olivos Marketplace. At Angelina’s, guests dine on authentic Italian food made with only the finest ingredients imported from Italy and fresh produce from local farms. From one-of-a-kind artwork to hand-picked fixtures, the modern, upscale interior redefines the concept of a pizzeria.

Their specialty is authentic Neapolitan-style pizza (pizza Napoletana). Each pizza is made using traditional techniques and cooked in their twin Ferrara wood-burning pizza ovens, making Angelina’s one of the few restaurants in the United States to hold a VPN Certification (Vera Pizza Napoletana). Angelina’s Managing Partner, Filippo Fusco, is our guest, pizza peel at the ready.

Restaurateur Ron Salisbury has been running successful, high-volume restaurants for sixty-six years, a period of time in which most people are born and retire. He grew up working after school as a dish sorter, busser, and steam table expediter in his parents’ Los Angeles restaurant, El Cholo. Salisbury is not one for utilizing voluminous operating manuals but over the years has acquired a bushel of practical morsels of wisdom for operating a successful restaurant. Starting with “Our Seven Pillars” Ron has collected all these short vignettes of incredibly useful advice into the very easy-to-read volume, What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. (That’s the Culinary Institute of America.) It’s truly an essential read for all aspiring restaurateurs. Ron Salisbury is with us to generously share a sampling of the practical wisdom from What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A.

Winemakers and life partners Mireia Taribo Tena and Tara Gomez are the creative forces at Camins 2 Deams in Lompoc, their dream boutique winery. The grapes are sourced exclusively from select vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, a unique appellation in Santa Barbara County. Their philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery. Camins 2 Dreams believes wine is made in the vineyard and desires to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes originate.

Current releases include Gruner Veltliner, Rose of Syrah, and three vineyard specific Syrahs. Winemakers Mireia and Tara join us to pull the cork on all that is Camins 2 Dreams.

“DTLA Pizza is a new Takeout and Delivery concept from Chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower. The goal for Chef Michael’s new DTLA Pizza concept is to serve meat lovers and vegans alike, quality and comfort food driven dishes prepared with house-made sourdough crusts, toppings such as Impossible beef, locally grown produce, along with Burgers that are made with American Kobe beef and burst with flavor.” “As the world is today, I find myself craving comfort foods. The menu for DTLA Pizza reflects my time growing up in New Jersey eating at such institutions such as Star Tavern in Orange, NJ. These dishes and flavors remind me of home and the joyful times I spent with my friends and family as a kid.” Chef Michael Hung joins us to artfully toss & stretch the pizza dough.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately Take-Out / Delivery when you can surely helps… National Oyster Day was August 5th. We started the conversation last week about fully appreciating oysters. Chef Andrew is our resident authority on these bivalve mollusks enjoyed since ancient times. We’ll resume with tips about cooking with oysters. Oyster stew anyone?

Tracy Nelsen of Five CrownsLate last month Corona del Mar’s historic Five Crowns and SideDoor (part of the Lawry’s family of fine-dining restaurants) reopened the spacious backyard for open-air dining in the charming setting reminiscent of an English country garden.

Set with thoughtfully spaced tables and accented by fire pits, the backyard of the beloved, dining establishment offers the same gracious hospitality for which the restaurants are known. Guests sip on specialty cocktails under the twinkling lights and experience signature dishes from both Five Crowns and SideDoor offered on a single menu available for backyard dining and to-go.

In addition to Five Crowns specialties including Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Colorado Lamb Chops four cuts of the classic Lawry’s Prime Ribs of Beef are available. SideDoor featured items available range from the Artisanal Cheese Plate to Prime Rib Chili.

Tracy Nelsen Five Crowns’ and SideDoor’s Restaurant Manager certified Cheesemonger, Sommelier and Cicerone joins us with the specifics of what’s on the menu.

Filippo Fusco of Angelina's Pizzeria NapoletanaAngelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana is a fine-casual Italian restaurant located in Irvine in the Los Olivos Marketplace. At Angelina’s, guests dine on authentic Italian food made with only the finest ingredients imported from Italy and fresh produce from local farms. From one-of-a-kind artwork to hand-picked fixtures, the modern, upscale interior redefines the concept of a pizzeria.

Angelina’s Pizzeria specializes in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza (pizza Napoletana). Each pizza is made using traditional techniques and cooked in their twin Ferrara wood-burning pizza ovens, making Angelina’s one of the few restaurants in the United States to hold a VPN Certification (Vera Pizza Napoletana). Overseen by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Napoli, the VPN certifies that Angelina’s adheres to the strict requirements that make their pizzas “true Neopolitan Pizza.”

Angelina’s Managing Partner, Filippo Fusco, is our guest, pizza peel at the ready.

Ron Salisbury of El CholoRestaurateur Ron Salisbury has been running successful, high-volume restaurants for sixty-six years, a period of time in which most people are born and retire. He grew up working after school as a dish sorter, busser, and steam table expediter in his parents’ Los Angeles restaurant, El Cholo.

In the decades since Ron has launched restaurants throughout Southern California. In addition to the El Cholo’s newer ventures are The Cannery and Louie’s By the Bay, both located in Newport Beach.

Salisbury is not one for voluminous operating manuals but over the years he acquired a bushel of practical morsels of wisdom for operating a successful restaurant. Starting with “Our Seven Pillars” Ron has collected all these short vignettes of incredibly useful advice into the very easy-to-read volume, What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. (That’s the Culinary Institute of America.) It’s truly an essential read for all aspiring restaurateurs.

Ron Salisbury is the recipient of the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. He has lectured at The Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

Ron Salisbury is with us to generously share a sampling of the practical wisdom from What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A.

Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribo Tena of Camins 2 Dreams in Lompoc CaliforniaWinemakers and life partners Mireia Taribo Tena and Tara Gomez are the creative forces at Camins 2 Deams in Lompoc, their dream winery. The grapes are sourced exclusively from select vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, a unique appellation in Santa Barbara County.

Their philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery. Camins 2 Dreams believes wine is made in the vineyard and desires to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes originate.

“We are lucky both to live and make our wines in the Santa Rita Hills where foggy mornings and cool nights combine with marine soils to make the perfect ingredients for outstanding wines. “

Current releases include Gruner Veltliner, Rose of Syrah, and three vineyard specific Syrahs.

Tara Gomez, a Native American, is also the Winemaker for Kita Wines, a small premium winery in the Santa Ynez Valley owned by the Chumash Tribe (Chumash Casino Resort.)

Mireia and Tara join us to pull the cork on Camins 2 Dreams.

Michael Hung of Faith and FlowerDTLA Pizza is a new Takeout and Delivery concept from Chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower. The goal for Chef Michael’s new DTLA Pizza establishment is to serve meat lovers and vegans alike, quality and comfort food driven dishes prepared with house-made sourdough crusts, toppings such as Impossible beef, locally grown produce, along with Burgers that are made with American Kobe beef and burst with flavor.”

“Los Angeles meets the Oranges, as in the same area of northern New Jersey as the Sopranos, at DTLA Pizza. This area is also Chef Michael Hung’s inspiration as he drew from his New Jersey roots to create DTLA Pizza’s menu of true pizzeria classics. “As the world is today, I find myself craving comfort foods. The menu for DTLA Pizza reflects my time growing up in New Jersey eating at such institutions such as Star Tavern in Orange, NJ.  These dishes and flavors remind me of home and the joyful times I spent with my friends and family as a kid.””

“DTLA Pizza features two different styles of Pizza – expertly crafted Neapolitan-Style Pies from the wood oven and Sicilian-Style Pan Pizzas with thick focaccia crusts. In addition to the classic 4-Cheese PizzaDTLA Pizza offers two other Signature Pizzas: The Street Meat Magic Pizza loaded with pepperoni, mortadella, Italian sausage, and prosciutto, and It’s Literally Possible Pizza which is a fully plant-based pizza prepared with Impossible sausage, marinated peppers and onions, and vegan mozzarella. In addition to the Signature Pizzas, guests can also Build Your Own Pizza with a selection of over a dozen toppings, and all of the Pizzas at DTLA Pizza can be made either Neapolitan Style or Sicilian Style.”

DTLA Pizza is open for TakeoutDelivery, and Curbside Pickup (only) every Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. To order, please call 213.465.9400 and guests can Curbside pickup at 709 West 9th Street in South Park district of downtown Los Angeles by calling DTLA Pizza upon arrival, or choose Delivery through CaviarDoorDashGrubhubTock, or UberEats.

Chef Michael joins us to artfully toss and stretch the dough.

Chef Andrew Gruel savoring a New Jersey style Pizza“Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately Take-Out / Delivery when you can surely helps…

National Oyster Day was August 5th. We started the conversation last week about appreciating oysters in the raw state. Chef Andrew is our resident authority on these bivalve mollusks enjoyed since ancient times. We’ll resume with tips about cooking with oysters. Oyster stew anyone?

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Restaurant Manager Tracy Nelsen, Five Crowns and SideDoor, Corona del Mar
Segment Three: Filippo Fusco, Managing Partner, Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana, Irvine
Segment Four: Restaurateur Ron Salisbury (El Cholo) – What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. Part One
Segment Five: Restaurateur Ron Salisbury (El Cholo) – What They Don’t Teach You at the C.I.A. Part Two
Segment Six: Winemakers Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribo, Camins 2 Dreams Winery, Lompoc
Segment Seven: Chef Michael Hung, DTLA Pizza, Los Angeles
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Show 161, February 27, 2016: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group

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

Pechanga Wine Festival 2016We’ve live on Saturday from the 8th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in beautiful Wine Country Temecula.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s delightfully decadent show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s absolutely a good thing…

Proceeds from the 8th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley’s “Brush with Kindness” program that provides much needed home repairs to senior citizens and those no longer able to do such work themselves. Representing Habitat is our guest, Craig Evans, a Board Member of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Pechanga Wine Festival for Angels Radio AM830 KLAATemecula’s historic Callaway Vineyards & Winery has come a long way since it returned to local ownership in 2005. Craig Larson has been the distinguished Winemaker there for the last eight years. We’ll meet him.

Bruno Amato is the new head chef of Paisano’s Italian Restaurant at Pechanga Resort & Casino. A native of the Calabria region of Italy, Chef Amato injects his innate knowledge of traditional Italian fare and flavors to make Paisano’s dishes approachable, contemporary, and authentic to his home country. Chef Bruno joins us.

Kita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions for excellence in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest.

Executive Chef Jason Rivas is newly arrived at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and the adjacent Carter Estate Winery and Resort. He’s also a Certified Sommelier. We’ll meet him.

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Pechanga Wine Festival for Angels Radio AM830 KLAANestled on more than 45 acres of rolling hills and vintage terroir in the Temecula Wine Country, Europa Village is a unique destination for connoisseurs of fine wine and a relaxing atmosphere. The big personality of the Tasting Room at Europa Village is Dr. Doug Garman. He’s been there since the beginning and is our guest.

enFuso and Beautiful Olive are locally owned and operated Olive Oil and Balsamic vinegar businesses. enFuso does the R & D, manufacturing and packaging of the line of artisan products. Beautiful Olive sells the product line at 10 weekly farmers markets in Southern California and are proud to represent the wonderful handmade products. enFuso is showcasing their products at the Pechanga Wine Festival. Co-owner Jon Yee (enFuso) and Beautiful Olive’s Nicole Stinson join us.

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

Show 161, February 27, 2016: Tara Gomez, Winemaker, Kita Wines, Lompoc, CA

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

At the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Kita was awarded two Double Golds. One was for the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Hilliard Bruce and the other for the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley Camp 4 Vineyard.

Kita has just released their first Chardonnay. It’s a Chablis-style Chardonnay that pairs well with food. It’s a 2014 from the Hilliard Bruce Vineyard.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery and worked grape harvests in Europe before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010. Joining her is Kita’s Assistant Winemaker, Tymari LoRe.

February 27: Live from the Pechanga Wine Festival

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Craig Evans, Board Member, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley
Segment Three: Craig Larson, Winemaker, Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Segment Four: Chef Bruno Amato, Paisano’s Italian Restaurant, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Five: Tara Gomez, Winemaker, Kita Wines, Lompoc, CA
Segment Six: Executive Chef Jason Rivas, South Coast Winery Resort & Carter Estate Winery, Temecula
Segment Seven: Dr. Doug Garman, Sommelier and Wine Educator, Europa Village, Temecula
Segment Eight: Jon Yee, enFuso, and Nicole Stimson, Beautiful Olive

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

Pechanga Wine Festival 2016We’ve live on Saturday from the 8th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in beautiful Wine Country Temecula.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s delightfully decadent show and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s absolutely a good thing…

Proceeds from the 8th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley’s “Brush with Kindness” program that provides much needed home repairs to senior citizens and those no longer able to do such work themselves. Representing Habitat is our guest, Craig Evans, a Board Member of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Temecula’s historic Callaway Vineyards & Winery has come a long way since it returned to local ownership in 2005. Craig Larson has been the distinguished Winemaker there for the last eight years. We’ll meet him.

Bruno Amato is the new head chef of Paisano’s Italian restaurant at Pechanga Resort & Casino. A native of the Calabria region of Italy, Chef Amato injects his innate knowledge of traditional Italian fare and flavors to make Paisano’s dishes approachable, contemporary, and authentic to his home country. Chef Bruno joins us.

Kita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions for excellence in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest.

Executive Chef Jason Rivas is newly arrived at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and the adjacent Carter Estate Winery and Resort. He’s also a Certified Sommelier. We’ll meet him.

Nestled on more than 45 acres of rolling hills and vintage terroir in the Temecula Wine Country, Europa Village is a unique destination for connoisseurs of fine wine and a relaxing atmosphere. The big personality of the Tasting Room at Europa Village is Dr. Doug Garman. He’s been there since the beginning and is our guest.

enFuso and Beautiful Olive are locally owned and operated Olive Oil and Balsamic vinegar businesses. enFuso does the R & D and manufacturing of the line of artisan products. Beautiful Olive sells the product line at 10 weekly farmers markets in Southern California and are proud to represent the wonderful handmade products. enFuso is showcasing their products at The Pechanga Wine Festival. Co-owner Jon Yee (enFuso) and Beautiful Olive’s Kellie Albano join us.

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

habitat-humanity-inland-valleyProceeds from the 8th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley’s “Brush with Kindness” program that provides much needed home repairs to senior citizens and those no longer able to do such work themselves.

Through the work of Habitat for Humanity, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem ― decent housing for all. Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 500,000 houses, sheltering more than 2 million people worldwide.

More information may be found here,.

Representing Habitat is our guest, Craig Evans, a Board Member of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Craig LarsonTemecula’s historic Callaway Vineyards & Winery has come a long way since it returned to local ownership in 2005. Case production on the 70-acre vineyard estate is now a more modest 13,000 cases a year. It’s all sold from the renovated winery tasting room, online, and via their loyal wine club.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery currently grows seven different varietals. The winery property now has 20 acres of Estate vineyards planted with Viognier, Syrah, Dolcetto, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Grenache, Roussanne, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The Lin family owns an additional 200 acres of property at the corner of De Portola Road and Monte de Oro, of which approximately 50 acres are currently planted with Chardonnay, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Craig Larson has been the distinguished Winemaker there for the last eight years. We’ll meet him.

Bruno AmatoBruno Amato is the new head chef of the popular Paisano’s Italian Restaurant at Pechanga Resort & Casino. A native of the Calabria region of Italy, Chef Amato injects his innate knowledge of traditional Italian fare and flavors to make Paisano’s dishes approachable, contemporary, and authentic to his home country.

Bruno Amato grew up in the 7,000-person town of Nicotera in Calabria, Italy. A popular fishing village, Bruno enjoyed casting ropes and hooks from rocks into the ocean to catch seafood. During his childhood, his mother worked in a neighborhood restaurant kitchen. After school and on weekends, Bruno went to the restaurant to help her. This would be his first taste of culinary life, and he would later develop an affinity for cooking fish. From the dishwashing station, he watched the chefs work frenetically creating their specialties. He continued to assist his mom and when he was 14, decided culinary was the direction he would take his career.

After high school, he enrolled in culinary school, free for all interested students in Italy. Following graduation, he moved to Guestalla, Italy to become a line cook. His subsequent gastronomic tour of Italy lasted 20 years and took him to Ostia, Milan, Rome and other well-known locales, working at some of the top restaurants and resorts in the country.

“I love cooking for people because it gives me the chance to improve myself every day,” said Amato. “When the food goes to each table, I watch the customers’ faces. To see their reactions makes me happy.”

Chef Bruno joins us.

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

At the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Kita was awarded two Double Golds. One was for the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Hilliard Bruce and the other for the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley Camp 4 Vineyard.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery and worked grape harvests in Europe before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010.

Jason RivasExecutive Chef Jason Rivas is newly arrived at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and the adjacent Carter Estate Winery and Resort. He’s also a Certified Sommelier. We’ll meet him.

“Today, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and Carter Estates is the “Diamond of the Temecula Valley.” Touting over 600 distinguished awards for the wines they’ve produced in just four years, South Coast surprised the Wine Industry further in July of 2008 when it took the coveted “Golden Bear” award from its Northern California counterparts, naming it “California Winery of the Year” from the California State Fair Wine Competition”

“It’s an honor to have South Coast Winery recognized as an outstanding wine producer among its peers of California Wineries. I’m on top of the world right now, but I didn’t do it alone. I simply set the goal to create the finest wines in all of California; then provided our incredibly talented winemakers with the tools they needed to accomplish our joint mission. The three of us – Jon McPherson, Javier Flores, and myself — did it really. By combining their skills, with my quality vineyards, adding in some hard work, and a lot of heart, we have created the best wines in the Golden State of California.” says a smiling Jim Carter, owner/vintner. “This marks the beginning for our winery.”

South Coast Winery produces a broad portfolio of premium wines that are 10 per cent grown and produced with care under his tutelage in Southern California’s up and coming Temecula Valley Wine Country. In fact, it’s targeting to produce over 65,000 cases of award-winning wine next year under four very distinct labels: Elevation; South Coast Winery; Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard; and Carter Estates.

Dr Doug GarmanNestled on more than 45 acres of rolling hills and vintage terroir in the Temecula Wine Country, Europa Village is a unique destination for connoisseurs of fine wine and a relaxing atmosphere. The estate was originally part of the Callaway Vineyards, the first winery in Temecula.

“After savoring the elegant wines and picturesque terrain of wine regions in France, Spain, and Italy, our founders were determined to recreate their experiences in Southern California for others to enjoy. They envisioned a village of wineries offering exquisite wines created in the European styles they loved so much.”

“And so our story began. It took a decade of imagining, planning and research, but several years ago, Europa Village became a reality on more than 30 acres of lush vineyards in the rich “terroir” of Temecula Valley, where the soil, elevation, and weather work together to nurture wonderful grapes. Our first premium wines were produced from these grapes and offered to our guests in 2011 in our enchanting C’est La Vie wine tasting room.”

Guests can also stay at the Inn at Europa Village, which overlooks the tasting room and beautiful rolling hills of vineyards. Featuring Old World warmth and charm, the Inn is a magical getaway with ten recently redecorated, tasteful rooms. A major feature of your stay at the Inn will be the delicious breakfast “experience” served and prepared each morning by Chef Dean Thomas, an accomplished executive chef whose delicious, creative dishes feature local, seasonal ingredients.

“But the story is just beginning. Soon ground will be broken to carry out the original vision for Europa Village Resort — three wineries featuring wines made in the styles of France, Italy and Spain. Europa Village is delightful to visit right now and it will be fascinating to watch our vision for the future evolve right before your eyes. So come sample our superb wines, stroll around our beautiful gardens, and immerse yourself in our enthralling Old World experience.”

The big personality of the Tasting Room at Europa Village is Dr. Doug Garman. He’s been there since the beginning and is our guest.

Enfuso Olive OilenFuso and Beautiful Olive are locally owned and operated Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar production and distribution businesses. enFuso does the R & D and manufacturing of the line of high quality artisan products. Beautiful Olive sells the product line at10 weekly farmers markets in Southern California and are proud to represent the wonderful handmade products. enFuso is showcasing their products at The Pechanga Wine Festival.

enFuso is a 100% family-owned business based in Los Alamitos, California that produces high-quality, hand crafted artisanal California olive oil and Italian balsamic vinegar products. Their team guarantees every product is handled with the utmost craft and care.

enFuso is one of the few specialty food companies that handles their products in the following ways:

  • They hand craft their own recipes.
  • enFuso uses the highest quality base for all of their products.

enFuso uses real ingredients that come from nature – NOT artificially created in a lab.

Co-owner Jon Yee (enFuso) and Beauiful Olive’s Kellie Albano join us.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris and Chef Andrew Gruel, Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group
Segment Two: Craig Evans, Board Member, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley
Segment Three: Craig Larson, Winemaker, Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Segment Four: Chef Bruno Amato, Paisano’s Italian Restaurant, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Five: Tara Gomez, Winemaker, Kita Wines, Lompoc, CA
Segment Six: Executive Chef Jason Rivas, South Coast Winery Resort & Carter Estate Winery, Temecula
Segment Seven: Dr. Doug Garman, Sommelier and Wine Educator, Europa Village, Temecula
Segment Eight: Jon Yee, enFuso, and Nicole Stimson, Beautiful Olive

Show 136, August 29, 2015: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Andrew Gruel and Anthony Dispensa of Slapfish Restaurants and FYI Say It To My FaceExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, and now, Irvine at UCI, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s ample show and not, with apologies, for dieters. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

The Los Angeles Times’The Taste” food festival returns to Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood on Labor Day Weekend running from September 4th through 6th. Executive Chef Michael Fiorelli of Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach is co-hosting the Saturday night program, “Dinner with a Twist.” He joins us to preview the festivities.

The well-traveled Sameer Suri is emblematic of the new breed of young writers covering lifestyle. He’s one of the Los Angeles correspondents for InsideHook, a daily, editorial e-mail newsletter to “inspire driven men.” It covers culture, food & drink and travel. As a student in the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, Sameer had the unusual opportunity to spend a semester in London. We’ll chat about the newly vibrant London food scene.

Tara Gomez, the Winemaker and General Manager of Kita Wines in Santa Barbara County, is no stranger to the show. Kita is unusually owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It’s one of the few Indian-owned wineries that is actually managed by the Tribe. Tara is a Chumash Tribe member trained in enology. At the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Kita Wines were awarded 2 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals, and 2 Bronze medals. Pretty impressive for a tiny boutique winery with an annual case production of 2,000.

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 great pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. They have partnered with Expedia to organize and host The Pepper Project’s Insider’s Tour of Cambodia in late February of 2016. We’ll get the inside information from Tom Gordon.

Russ Parsons is a veteran food writer and columnist for The Los Angeles Times as well as an award-winning cookbook author. He was previously the Food Section Editor for a number of years. As part of the upcoming Los Angeles Times’ The Taste, Russ is co-hosting the Saturday morning, September 5th program, “Field to Fork.” Russ Parsons is our guest to provide the details.

It’s New Mexico Hatch Chile roasting season. No independent restaurant in California celebrates this with the depth of Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Tacqueria in Pico Rivera. He hosts a Hatch Chile cooking demo with a full menu, a Saturday chile roasting and even a special Hatch Chile Brunch on September 12th. Chef Marco joins us with all the flavorful 411.

Fresh crab is a delicacy but it takes a bit of work and knowledge to extract the meat from the crab’s shell and claws. There are over 4,000 varieties. We’ll talk all things crab (including Dungeness, Blue and Stone crabs) with our knowledgeable Co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel.

Chef Andrew’s new FYI network restaurant makeover series, “Say It To My Face,” returns to the airwaves this afternoon (Saturday night) for the continuation of Season 1. Check your local listings for the time.

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

Show 136, August 29, 2015: Tara Gomez, GM & Winemaker, Kita Wines

Tara GomezTara Gomez, the Winemaker and General Manager of Kita Wines in Santa Barbara County, is no stranger to the show. Kita, a small premium winery located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley within the Santa Barbara County AVA, is unusually owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It’s one of the few Indian-owned wineries that is actually managed by the owning Tribe. Tara is a Chumash Tribe member trained in enology at Cal State Fresno.

In 2010, The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians purchased Camp 4 Vineyard and Tara’s dream of giving back to her tribe became true when she was hired as Winemaker. Tara’s understanding of the site, soils and grapes allow her to shepherd the grapes with minimal input into elegant, balanced wines with lower alcohol content.

The word “Kita” means “Our Valley Oak” in the Santa Ynez Chumash native language of Samala.

At the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Kita Wines were awarded 2 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals, and 2 Bronze medals. Pretty impressive for a tiny boutique winery with an annual case production of 2,500.

You can taste Kita’s Gold Medal wines at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona through September 27th. They are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley 2012 and the White Rhone Blend, T’aya, Santa Ynez Valley 2013.

Kita is already harvesting their wine grapes.

They do have a tasting room in Lompoc. It’s a small operation so by appointment only, please.

August 29: Andrew Gruel, Michael Fiorelli, Sameer Suri, Kita Wines, Pepper Project, Russ Parsons, Zapien’s Salsa Grill

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef & Partner Michael Fiorelli, Love & Salt
Segment Three: Sameer Suri, Los Angeles Correspondent, InsideHook
Segment Four: Tara Gomez, GM & Winemaker, Kita Wines
Segment Five: Tom Gordon, The Pepper Project
Segment Six: Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times, The Taste
Segment Seven: Owner / Chef Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish

Andrew Gruel and Anthony Dispensa of Slapfish Restaurants and FYI Say It To My FaceExecutive Chef Andrew Gruel of the rapidly growing Slapfish empire with restaurants in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, LAX, and now, Irvine at UCI, is back as today’s special Guest Host.

Next a tempting preview of Saturday’s ample show and not, with apologies, for dieters. With any luck we will always leave you hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s probably a good thing…

The Los Angeles Times’The Taste” food festival returns to Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood on Labor Day Weekend running from September 4th through 6th. Executive Chef Michael Fiorelli of Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach is co-hosting the Saturday night program, “Dinner with a Twist.” He joins us to preview the festivities.

The well-traveled Sameer Suri is emblematic of the new breed of young writers covering lifestyle. He’s one of the Los Angeles correspondents for InsideHook, a daily, editorial e-mail newsletter to “inspire driven men.” It covers culture, food & drink and travel. As a student in the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, Sameer had the unusual opportunity to spend a semester in London. We’ll chat about the newly vibrant London food scene.

Tara Gomez, the Winemaker and General Manager of Kita Wines in Santa Barbara County, is no stranger to the show. Kita is unusually owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It’s one of the few Indian-owned wineries that is actually managed by the Tribe. Tara is a Chumash Tribe member trained in enology. At the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Kita Wines were awarded 2 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals, and 2 Bronze medals. Pretty impressive for a tiny boutique winery with an annual case production of 2,000.

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 great pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era. They have partnered with Expedia to organize and host The Pepper Project’s Insider’s Tour of Cambodia in late February of 2016. We’ll get the inside information from Tom Gordon.

Russ Parsons is a veteran food writer and columnist for The Los Angeles Times as well as an award-winning cookbook author. He was previously the Food Section Editor for a number of years. As part of the upcoming Los Angeles Times’ The Taste, Russ is co-hosting the Saturday morning, September 5th program, “Field to Fork.” Russ Parsons is our guest to provide the details.

It’s New Mexico Hatch Chile roasting season. No independent restaurant in California celebrates this with the depth of Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Tacqueria in Pico Rivera. He hosts a Hatch Chile cooking demo with a full menu, a Saturday chile roasting and even a special Hatch Chile Brunch on September 12th. Chef Marco joins us with all the flavorful 411.

Fresh crab is a delicacy but it takes a bit of work and knowledge to extract the meat from the crab’s shell and claws. There are over 4,000 varieties. We’ll talk all things crab (including Dungeness, Blue and Stone crabs) with our knowledgeable Co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel.

Chef Andrew’s new FYI network restaurant makeover series, Say It To My Face,” returns to the airwaves this afternoon (Saturday, Aug. 29th ) for the continuation of Season 1. Check your local listings for the time.

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

Michael FiorelliThe Los Angeles Times’The Taste” food festival returns to Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood on Labor Day Weekend running from September 4th through 6th. Executive Chef Michael Fiorelli of Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach is co-hosting the Saturday night program, “Dinner with a Twist.”

Chef Fiorelli is on the L.A. Times Culinary Stage that night from 9 to 9:30 p.m. “Cooking and mixology demonstration presented by Michael Fiorelli and Vincenzo Marianella (Copa d’Oro / The Independence / Love & Salt.)”

“Discover plates and pours from L.A.’s dining scene. – What’s more L.A. than a swanky cocktail party on a Hollywood backlot ? That’s exactly what this Saturday evening event is. You’ll enjoy drinks that have brought Southern California’s cutting –edge cocktail culture into a golden age and unique dishes from the city’s hottest chefs.”

Chef Michael joins us to preview the festivities.

Sameer SuriThe well-traveled Sameer Suri, raised in Los Angeles, is emblematic of the new breed of young writers covering lifestyle. He’s one of the Los Angeles correspondents for InsideHook, a daily, editorial e-mail newsletter to “inspire driven men.” It covers culture, food & drink and travel.

In true Hollywood style Sameer is also a stand-up comedian. He’s performed at a variety of clubs around town, including the Laugh Factory and Flappers Burbank.

As a student in the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, Sameer had the unusual opportunity to spend a semester in London.

We’ll chat about the newly vibrant London food scene.

Tara GomezTara Gomez, the Winemaker and General Manager of Kita Wines in Santa Barbara County, is no stranger to the show. Kita, a small premium winery located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley within the Santa Barbara County AVA, is unusually owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It’s one of the few Indian-owned wineries that is actually managed by the owning Tribe. Tara is a Chumash Tribe member trained in enology at Cal State Fresno.

In 2010, The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians purchased Camp 4 Vineyard and Tara’s dream of giving back to her tribe became true when she was hired as Winemaker. Tara’s understanding of the site, soils and grapes allow her to shepherd the grapes with minimal input into elegant, balanced wines with lower alcohol content.

The word “Kita” means “Our Valley Oak” in the Santa Ynez Chumash native language of Samala.

At the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Kita Wines were awarded 2 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals, and 2 Bronze medals. Pretty impressive for a tiny boutique winery with an annual case production of 2,500.

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 great pepper that was used in the finest French restaurants during the colonial era.

They have partnered with Expedia to organize and host The Pepper Project’s Insider’s Tour of Cambodia in late February of 2016. It is 13 days of high adventure from insiders who really know the relatively unexplored territory.

Highlights include a chef’s dinner at Charcoal restaurant in Siem Reap where the cocktails are mixed tableside as well as many of the specialty dishes prepared & served at the table. Also included is a carefully curated tasting tour of the best of local street food transported in tuk tucks.

We’ll get the inside information from Tom Gordon.

Russ Parsons of the Los Angeles TimesRuss Parsons is a veteran food writer and columnist for The Los Angeles Times as well as an award-winning cookbook author. He was previously the Food Section Editor for a number of years. As part of the upcoming Los Angeles Times The Taste, Russ is co-hosting the Saturday morning, September 5th program, “Field to Fork.”

“California’s bounty of fresh produce inspires this homage to seasonal cooking, punctuated with engaging demos from Jessica Koslow (Sqirl), James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery), and Niki Nakayama (n/naka). In addition to offering a glimpse into these locally-inspired perspectives, the event will feature a roundtable moderated by Parsons that examines the rise of the “root-to-stem” philosophy with Gary Menes (Le Comptoir), Bruce Kalman (Union), and Ari Taylor (Alma).”

Russ Parsons is our guest to provide the details.

Marco Zapien of Zapiens Salsa Grill and TaqueriaIt’s New Mexico Hatch Chile roasting season. No independent restaurant in California celebrates this with the depth and flair of Chef Marco Zapien of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Tacqueria in Pico Rivera. He hosts a Hatch Chile cooking demo with a full menu, a chile roasting and even a special Hatch Chile Brunch on September 12th.

Join Chef Marco Zapien at Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Tacqueria in Pico Rivera for a summer celebration of the arrival of New Mexico Hatch Chiles. It’s Wednesday, September 9th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. The interactive demonstration and class will include a full menu from Soup to Dessert and all of the Hatch Chile-inspired recipes. It’s Hatch Chile Pozole Verde, Hatch Chile Cilantro Caesar Salad, Hatch Chile Braised Short Ribs, Hatch Meatloaf, Hatch Chile Green Rice, Hatch Chile Buttermilk Biscuits and Hatch Chile Tres Leches Bread Pudding with raspberry whipped cream.

Saturday, September 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is the New Mexico Hatch Chile Roasting at Zapien’s plus the special Hatch Chile Brunch with action stations.

Chef Marco joins us with all the flavorful 411.

Andrew GruelFresh crab is a delicacy for seafood aficionados but it takes a bit of work and knowledge to extract the sweet, succulent meat from the crab’s shell and claws. There are over 4,000 varieties. Always 10 legs and pinchers in front.

We’ll talk all things crab (including Dungeness, Blue and Stone crabs for starters) with our especially knowledgeable Co-host, Chef Andrew Gruel.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Guest Host Chef Andrew Gruel & Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef & Partner Michael Fiorelli, Love & Salt
Segment Three: Sameer Suri, Los Angeles Correspondent, InsideHook
Segment Four: Tara Gomez, GM & Winemaker, Kita Wines
Segment Five: Tom Gordon, The Pepper Project
Segment Six: Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times, The Taste
Segment Seven: Owner / Chef Marco Zapien, Zapien’s Salsa Grill
Segment Eight: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish

Show 112, February 28, 2015: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Pechanga Wine FestivalProducer and Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning from Temecula. We’re live from the 7th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Festival opens at 1:00 p.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. Our guests are a sampling of the talented chefs, local experts on Wine Country Temecula, and a few of the participating winemakers. Now a preview of today’s full show…

Chef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was recently announced that later this year construction will start on a new 500 plus room (2nd) hotel tower, a new pool & spa, and two more restaurants. Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse.

Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity is the charitable beneficiary of The Pechanga Wine Festival. Their mission is to facilitate the dream of home ownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community. Their commendable vision is “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” Board Member Craig Evans is with us talk about the mission

For the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso, Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The historic San Antonio Winery was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1917. In 1910, Santo Cambianica left his home of Berzo San Fermo, located in the northern Italian province of Lombardia. After registering at Ellis Island, he arrived in New York and then traveled across the country to Downtown Los Angeles. He quickly became well known as an honest, hard-working, and deeply devout Catholic, the very same qualities he was known for back home. It took a few years of saving money, building his relationships, and planting his feet in the Italian-American community to start his own company and live the American Dream. Santo founded the San Antonio Winery in 1917 on Lamar Street, dedicating it to his Patron Saint Anthony. It’s still there to this day. Raymond Shorter from the San Antonio Winery is our guest and brings us up to date.

Journey at Pechanga is their world-class golf course. Located in the elegant Clubhouse is the reasonably-priced Journey’s End restaurant which is open to the public. It offers breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the Weekends) seven days. Journey’s End features indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an inviting bar, with beautiful vistas of the course that make the guest experience a memorable “journey” of sensory delights. Journey’s End’s chef, Jerome O’Reggio, joins us.

Kita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest.

Roadrunner Ridge is a young California Winery located in North San Diego County. It is nestled on a hillside 10 minutes South of Temecula and 10 minutes East of Fallbrook. The vineyard lies on a rocky, clay hillside at 1,500 feet. Warm days with afternoon breezes ripen the grapes and the coastal influence provides cool evenings for quality grapes. Roadrunner Ridge is owned and operated by Jim & Judi Brady, who have made wine for over 30 years. They planted their own vineyard in 2008.

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

February 28: Live from Pechanga Wine Festival

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Three: Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity
Segment Four: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort
Segment Five: San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles
Segment Six: Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Seven: Tara Gomez, Winemaker & General Manager, Kita Wines
Segment Eight: Jim & Judi Brady, Roadrunner Ridge winery

Pechanga Wine FestivalProducer and Co-Host Andy Harris is going solo in the host chair this morning from Temecula. We’re live from the 7th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Festival opens at 1:00 p.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. Our guests are a sampling of the talented chefs, local experts on Wine Country Temecula, and a few of the participating winemakers. Now a preview of today’s full show…

Chef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was recently announced that later this year construction will start on a new 500 plus room (2nd) hotel tower, a new pool & spa, and two more restaurants. Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse.

Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity is the charitable beneficiary of The Pechanga Wine Festival. Their mission is to facilitate the dream of home ownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community. Their  commendable vision is “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” Board Member Craig Evans, a retired Fire Captain from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, is with us talk about the mission.

For the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The historic San Antonio Winery was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1917. In 1910, Santo Cambianica left his home of Berzo San Fermo, located in the northern Italian province of Lombardia. After registering at Ellis Island, he arrived in New York and then traveled across the country to Downtown Los Angeles. He quickly became well known as an honest, hard-working, and deeply devout Catholic, the very same qualities he was known for back home. It took a few years of saving money, building his relationships, and planting his feet in the Italian-American community to start his own company and live the American Dream. Santo founded the San Antonio Winery in 1917 on Lamar Street, dedicating it to his Patron Saint Anthony. It’s still there to this day. Raymond Shorter from the San Antonio Winery is our guest and brings us up to date.

Journey at Pechanga is their world-class golf course. Located in the elegant Clubhouse is the reasonably-priced Journey’s End restaurant which is open to the public. It offers breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the Weekends) seven days. Journey’s End features indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an inviting bar, with beautiful vistas of the course that make the guest experience a memorable “journey” of sensory delights. Journey’s End’s chef, Jerome O’Reggio, joins us.

Kita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest.

Roadrunner Ridge is a young California Winery located in North San Diego County. It is nestled on a hillside 10 minutes South of Temecula and 10 minutes East of Fallbrook. The vineyard lies on a rocky, clay hillside at 1,500 feet. Warm days with afternoon breezes ripen the grapes and the coastal influence provides cool evenings for quality grapes. Roadrunner Ridge is owned and operated by Jim & Judi Brady, who have made wine for over 30 years. They planted their own vineyard in 2008.

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

Duane Owen of Pechanga Casino and ResortChef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was recently announced that later this year construction will start on a new 500 plus room (2nd) hotel tower, a new pool & spa, and two more restaurants.

Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse.

habitat-humanity-inland-valleyInland Valley Habitat for Humanity is the charitable beneficiary of The Pechanga Wine Festival. Their mission is to facilitate the dream of home ownership, as well as improve living conditions for those in the community.

Their  commendable vision is “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley was founded in 1991, as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, to provide low income housing for families in the Inland Valley. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally, as well as globally, through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their housing conditions.

Board Member Craig Evans, a retired Fire Captain from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, is with us talk about the mission.

Marlene MooreFor the last seven years Chef Marlene Moore has been overseeing the busy Temptations Food Court, the Poker Room, and Bingo Parlor at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The Food Court features American, Italian, Mexican, Fried Chicken, Espresso and Pastries, Bahn Mi, Hot Dogs and Lemonade.

The outlet names at Temptations are American Classics, Agave Mexican Delights, Pronto Italiano, Caffe Cocoa, Little Wok Asian Specialties, and Pechanga Fried Chicken.

Chef Marlene explains why her fried chicken is worth waiting for!

San Antonio WineryThe historic San Antonio Winery was founded in Downtown Los Angeles in 1917. In 1910, Santo Cambianica left his home of Berzo San Fermo, located in the northern Italian province of Lombardia. After registering at Ellis Island, he arrived in New York and then traveled across the country to Downtown Los Angeles. He quickly became well known as an honest, hard-working, and deeply devout Catholic, the very same qualities he was known for back home. It took a few years of saving money, building his relationships, and planting his feet in the Italian-American community to start his own company and live the American Dream. Santo founded the San Antonio Winery in 1917 on Lamar Street, dedicating it to his Patron Saint Anthony. It’s still there to this day.

By 1933, following the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression, nearly all of Los Angeles’ 100 wineries were shut down for good. However, despite Prohibition, San Antonio Winery was able to flourish, becoming the number one provider of altar wines for The Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

“We are blessed today to have four generations of family contributing to our success. Our vineyards are now located in Paso Robles, Monterey and Napa Valley. We are proud to be the most awarded winery in Los Angeles. We invite you to become part of our family by visiting the San Antonio Winery.”

Raymond Shorter from the San Antonio Winery is our guest and brings us up to date.

Jerome O' ReggioJourney at Pechanga is their world-class golf course. Located in the elegant and spacious Clubhouse is the reasonably-priced Journey’s End restaurant which is open to the public. It offers breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the Weekends) seven days. Journey’s End features indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an inviting bar, with beautiful vistas of the course that make the guest experience a memorable “journey” of sensory delights.

A lunch standout is the Ensenada Smoked Tuna Panini. It’s smoked tuna on sourdough with pepper jack cheese and a side of lime-cabbage slaw. It comes with house-made waffle fries and salsa roja.

Journey’s End’s chef, Jerome O’Reggio, joins us.

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery and worked grape harvests in Europe before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010.

Jim and Judy Brady of Roadrunner Ridge WineryRoadrunner Ridge is a young California Winery located in North San Diego County. It is nestled on a hillside 10 minutes South of Temecula and 10 minutes East of Fallbrook. The vineyard lies on a rocky, clay hillside at 1,500 feet. Warm days with afternoon breezes ripen the grapes and the coastal influence provides cool evenings for quality grapes.

Roadrunner Ridge is owned and operated by Jim & Judi Brady, who have made wine for over 30 years. They planted their own vineyard in 2008.

“Our focus is on Rhone and other warm weather varietals which prosper in our Mediterranean climate. We produce small, handmade lots and many unique blends. Roadrunner Ridge is located on the property formally known as Rusty Acres Herb Farm, which grew beautiful Lavendar & Herbs for 8 years.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Three: Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity
Segment Four: Chef Marlene Moore, Temptations Food Walk, Pechanga Resort
Segment Five: San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles
Segment Six: Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino
Segment Seven: Tara Gomez, Winemaker & General Manager, Kita Wines
Segment Eight: Jim & Judi Brady, Roadrunner Ridge winery