Show 471, April 23, 2022: Chef / Proprietor Wes Avila of Angry Egret Dinette and Ka’Teen Part One

Chef Wes Avila

Chef Wes Avila with a fine-dining background founded Guerrilla Tacos as a street cart in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles in August 2012. A year later he opened Guerrilla Tacos as a food truck and then as a brick -and -mortar restaurant in 2018, earning a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide to California in 2019.

In 2020 Chef Wes stepped away from Guerrilla Tacos and later that year founded the Angry Egret Dinette in L.A.’s Chinatown at Mandarin Plaza. It’s a James Beard Award nominee this year for “Best New Restaurant.” This fast casual service restaurant boasts a tranquil outdoor atrium patio and you order at the window for Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner (Friday and Saturday only) is full-service with an expanded menu. Reservations are strongly encouraged. “The seasonal Alta California style menu includes favorites such as the wild Mexican shrimp tacos, chilaquiles, mariscos, ceviches, hearty tortas, burritos, and whatever else Chef Wes and his inspired team create.”

This month Eater LA honored Angry Egret Dinette as one of their “38 Essential Restaurants” along with select highly regarded, fine-dining establishments.

KA’TEEN, Chef Wes’ latest and most ambitious restaurant, is an adventure to the lush jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, nestled in the bustling heart of Hollywood at the Tommie Hotel. This new restaurant and Mezcal bar serves up discovery within every dish. The name KA’TEEN means “afresh” in Mayan, perfectly describing Chef Avila’s vibrant interpretation of the region’s rich and diverse culinary traditions. Immersed in 5,000 square feet of tropical garden space, guests can expand their palettes and broaden their horizons through creative tequila cocktails, bold Latin-American plates, and DJ sets that recall the rhythm of the rainforests.” For the moment it’s Dinner service only.

Show 471, April 23, 2022: Chef / Proprietor Wes Avila of Angry Egret Dinette and Ka’Teen Part Two

Chef Wes Avila

Chef Wes Avila with a fine-dining background founded Guerrilla Tacos as a street cart in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles in August 2012. A year later he opened Guerrilla Tacos as a food truck and then as a brick -and -mortar restaurant in 2018, earning a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide to California in 2019.

In 2020 Chef Wes stepped away from Guerrilla Tacos and later that year founded the Angry Egret Dinette in L.A.’s Chinatown at Mandarin Plaza. It’s a James Beard Award nominee this year for “Best New Restaurant.” This fast casual service restaurant boasts a tranquil outdoor atrium patio and you order at the window for Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner (Friday and Saturday only) is full-service with an expanded menu. Reservations are strongly encouraged. “The seasonal Alta California style menu includes favorites such as the wild Mexican shrimp tacos, chilaquiles, mariscos, ceviches, hearty tortas, burritos, and whatever else Chef Wes and his inspired team create.”

This month Eater LA honored Angry Egret Dinette as one of their “38 Essential Restaurants” along with select highly regarded, fine-dining establishments.

KA’TEEN, Chef Wes’ latest and most ambitious restaurant, is an adventure to the lush jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, nestled in the bustling heart of Hollywood at the Tommie Hotel. This new restaurant and Mezcal bar serves up discovery within every dish. The name KA’TEEN means “afresh” in Mayan, perfectly describing Chef Avila’s vibrant interpretation of the region’s rich and diverse culinary traditions. Immersed in 5,000 square feet of tropical garden space, guests can expand their palettes and broaden their horizons through creative tequila cocktails, bold Latin-American plates, and DJ sets that recall the rhythm of the rainforests.” For the moment it’s Dinner service only.

Chef Wes Avila continues as our guest.

Show 461, February 12, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

Celebrity Chef Carla Hall is well-known as the all-time fan favorite of Bravo’s “Top Chef” series (Seasons 5 and 8) as well as her years as one of the hosts of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning “The Chew” Her most recent book is Carla and the Christmas Cornbread. Chef Carla is in town to participate in Taste Of The NFL at the Petersen Automotive Museum benefiting GENYOUth End Student Hunger Fund. Carla joins us.

“Modern media company Tastemade and Southern California’s PBS station have launched Season Two of the Emmy® and James Beard Award®-winning series “Broken Bread” – hosted by restaurant entrepreneur and acclaimed chef Roy Choi. Co-produced by Tastemade and KCET, the new season explores the future of the restaurant industry, highlighting diverse, expert perspectives and features notable names including Chef Wolfgang Puck, Restaurateur & Food Activist Alice Waters, Artist & Activist Chuck D. and more.” The Emmy Award-winning Director of “Broken Bread,” Antonio Diaz is our guest.

“With a history of working with and crafting some of the most sought -after brands in the world, Ten Five Hospitality represents the organizational, operational and creative excellence to bring original and authentic visions to life while outperforming the market on the bottom-line. Ten Five Hospitality brings a world class level of expertise in design, operations, marketing, financing, and food and beverage execution to any project that would typically require 4 or 5 separate consultants.” Among their host of expansive new projects in Hollywood is the Tommie Hotel. The Hotel features 212 guest rooms and over 25,000 square feet of food and beverage space, including a 12,000 square foot rooftop pool and easy-going bar, Desert 5 Spot, and a 6,000 square foot outdoor restaurant, Chef Wes Avila’s Ka’Teen. Managing partner Dan Daley joins us to share the details of Ten Five Hospitality’s evolving Hollywood plans.

Ellen Bennett is the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an apron and kitchen gear brand that outfits many of the best chefs in the world. Since starting the business in her L.A. home, Ellen has grown H&B into a multi-million dollar business. They have collaborated with Vans, Madewell, Chrissy Teigen, and artist Takashi Murakami, among others and create uniforms for 4,000 restaurants and coffee shops all over the U.S.” “Dream First, Details Later – How to Quit Overthinking & Make it Happen! shares Ellen’s journey and her forged-in-the-fire personal playbook for starting before you stop yourself. If you’ve ever imagined doing something and immediately thought, “that’s impossible,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” or “I’m not qualified to do that,” in these pages, you’ll learn how to shove aside your inner worrier and launch into action.” Savvy Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett joins us fashionably attired in a H & B apron.

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. Being an incurable romantic Chef Andrew shares some tips and practical advice on Valentine’s Day dining. If you’re going out on the 14th dine earlier when the kitchen is fresh and less frazzled. Consider dining out the day before or after when things are a bit calmer. Valentine’s Day itself is a great occasion to cook an intimate meal at home.

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

Show 461, February 12, 2022: Restaurateur Dan Daley, Principal, Ten Five Hospitality, Ka’Teen at the Tommie Hollywood Part One

Dan Daley of Ten Five Hospitality

“With a history of working with and crafting some of the most sought -after brands in the world, Ten Five Hospitality represents the organizational, operational and creative excellence to bring original and authentic visions to life while outperforming the market on the bottom-line.”

“Ten Five Hospitality brings a world class level of expertise in design, operations, marketing, financing, and food and beverage execution to any project that would typically require 4 or 5 separate consultants.”

Among their host of distinctive new projects in Hollywood is the Tommie Hotel. “The Hotel features 212 guest rooms and over 25,000 square feet of food and beverage space, including a 12,000 square foot rooftop pool and bar, Desert 5 Spot and a 6,000 square foot outdoor restaurant, Chef Wes Avila’s Ka’Teen.” Chef Wes will eventually be creating the limited menu for the rooftop Desert 5 Spot.

“Ka’Teen is an artful take on ancient Yucatan culinary tradition, made with the freshest ingredients hand-picked from local purveyors and farmers.” Think Quesadilla with Summer Squash, Queso Oaxaca and Tomato Blis and Lamb Neck Barbacoa.

Ten Five also has ambitious Hollywood dining projects with high profile chefs Evan Funke (Mother Wolf) and Lincoln Carson (Mes Amis)

Managing partner Dan Daley with a Gypsy Fever cocktail (“Illegal mescal, passion fruit, guava, lime , agave bitters and fire water”) in hand, is with us sharing the details of Ten Five Hospitality’s evolving Hollywood plans.

Show 461, February 12, 2022: Restaurateur Dan Daley, Principal, Ten Five Hospitality, Ka’Teen at the Tommie Hollywood Part Two

Dan Daley of Ten Five Hospitality

“With a history of working with and crafting some of the most sought -after brands in the world, Ten Five Hospitality represents the organizational, operational and creative excellence to bring original and authentic visions to life while outperforming the market on the bottom-line.”

“Ten Five Hospitality brings a world class level of expertise in design, operations, marketing, financing, and food and beverage execution to any project that would typically require 4 or 5 separate consultants.”

Among their host of distinctive new projects in Hollywood is the Tommie Hotel. “The Hotel features 212 guest rooms and over 25,000 square feet of food and beverage space, including a 12,000 square foot rooftop pool and bar, Desert 5 Spot and a 6,000 square foot outdoor restaurant, Chef Wes Avila’s Ka’Teen.” Chef Wes will eventually be creating the limited menu for the rooftop Desert 5 Spot.

“Ka’Teen is an artful take on ancient Yucatan culinary tradition, made with the freshest ingredients hand-picked from local purveyors and farmers.” Think Quesadilla with Summer Squash, Queso Oaxaca and Tomato Blis and Lamb Neck Barbacoa.

Ten Five also has ambitious Hollywood dining projects with high profile chefs Evan Funke (Mother Wolf) and Lincoln Carson (Mes Amis)

Managing partner Dan Daley continues with us providing the further details of Ten Five Hospitality’s evolving Hollywood plans.

February 12: Carla Hall and Taste of the NFL, Broken Bread, Ten Five Hospitality, Hedley & Bennett

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Celebrity Chef & Food TV Personality Carla Hall
Segment Three: Filmmaker Antonio Diaz, Director, “Broken Bread with Roy Choi” Season 2
Segment Four: Restaurateur Dan Daley, Principal, Ten Five Hospitality, Ka’Teen at the Tommie Hollywood Part One
Segment Five: Restaurateur Dan Daley, Principal, Ten Five Hospitality, Ka’Teen at the Tommie Hollywood Part Two
Segment Six: Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett, Founder, Hedley & Bennett, author of Dream First, Details Later Part One
Segment Seven: Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett, Founder, Hedley & Bennett, author of Dream First, Details Later Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel of Slapfish with “Ask the Chef”

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

Celebrity Chef Carla Hall is well-known as the all-time fan favorite of Bravo’s “Top Chef” series (Seasons 5 and 8) as well as her years as one of the hosts of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning “The Chew” He most recent book is Carla and the Christmas Cornbread. Chef Carla is in town to participate in Taste Of The NFL at the Petersen Automotive Museum benefiting GENYOUth End Student Hunger Fund. Carla joins us.

Modern media company Tastemade and Southern California’s PBS station have launched for Season Two of the Emmy® and James Beard Award®-winning series “Broken Bread” – hosted by restaurant entrepreneur and acclaimed chef Roy Choi. Co-produced by Tastemade and KCET, the new season explores the future of the restaurant industry, highlighting diverse, expert perspectives and features notable names including Chef Wolfgang Puck, Restaurateur & Food Activist Alice Waters, Artist & Activist Chuck D. and more. The Emmy Award-winning Director of “Broken Bread,” Antonio Diaz is our guest.

“With a history of working with and crafting some of the most sought -after brands in the world, Ten Five Hospitality represents the organizational, operational and creative excellence to bring original and authentic visions to life while outperforming the market on the bottom-line. Ten Five Hospitality brings a world class level of expertise in design, operations, marketing, financing, and food and beverage execution to any project that would typically require 4 or 5 separate consultants.” Among their host of expansive new projects in Hollywood is the Tommie Hotel. The Hotel features 212 guest rooms and over 25,000 square feet of food and beverage space, including a 12,000 square foot rooftop pool and bar, Desert 5 Spot, and a 6,000 square foot outdoor restaurant, Chef Wes Avila’s Ka’Teen. Managing partner Dan Daley joins us to share the details of Ten Five Hospitality’s evolving Hollywood plans.

“Ellen Bennett is the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an apron and kitchen gear brand that outfits many of the best chefs in the world. Since starting the business in her L.A. home, Ellen has grown H&B into a multi-million dollar business. They have collaborated with Vans, Madewell, Chrissy Teigen, and artist Takashi Murakami, among others and create uniforms for 4,000 restaurants and coffee shops all over the U.S.” “Dream First, Details Later shares Ellen’s journey and her forged-in-the-fire personal playbook for starting before you stop yourself. If you’ve ever imagined doing something and immediately thought, “that’s impossible,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” or “I’m not qualified to do that,” in these pages, you’ll learn how to shove aside your inner worrier and launch into action.” Savvy Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett joins us fashionably attired in a H & B apron.

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. Being an incurable romantic Chef Andrew shares some tips and practical advice on Valentine’s Day dining. Also Chef Andrew has some thoughts on a controversial new trend at some restaurants where they aren’t reachable by phone. The guest communicates exclusively through their online reservation system, social media or email.

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

Celebrity Chef Carla Hall

Celebrity Chef Carla Hall is well-known as the all-time fan favorite of Bravo’s “Top Chef” series (Seasons 5 and 8) as well as her years as one of the hosts of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning “The Chew” He most recent book is Carla and the Christmas Cornbread. Chef Carla is in town to participate in Taste Of The NFL at the Petersen Automotive Museum benefiting GENYOUth End Student Hunger Fund. Carla joins us.

“All Taste of the NFL proceeds benefit GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund, which is dedicated to providing equipment and resources to help deliver and distribute school meals to the 30 million students nationwide who rely on them for their daily nutrition needs. The NFL has also earmarked a portion of funds as a donation to support the Super Bowl host city’s Los Angeles Unified School District and its Kool Kitchens renovations program, a district-wide initiative addressing student food insecurity. The PepsiCo Foundation is partnering with GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund to address childhood hunger on a national level and to bring local support to the Los Angeles community through a partnership with Para Los Niños to provide nutritious weekend meals to students over the next year.”

Antonio Diaz

“Modern media company Tastemade and Southern California’s PBS station have launched Season Two of the Emmy® and James Beard Award®-winning series “Broken Bread – hosted by restaurant entrepreneur and acclaimed chef Roy Choi. Co-produced by Tastemade and KCET, the new season explores the future of the restaurant industry, highlighting diverse, expert perspectives and features notable names including Chef Wolfgang Puck, Restaurateur & Food Activist Alice Waters, Artist & Activist Chuck D. and more.”

““Broken Bread” follows Choi as he explores complex social justice issues through the lens of food – including gentrification, cultural erasure, and the corporate takeover of food and farming – and celebrates the people who are making big changes to the current food landscape, what is eaten and where communities gather. He meets inspiring individuals and organizations who challenge the status quo and use food as a platform for activism and a catalyst for change. As the connector, Choi teams up with those making a difference and thus, fuels his deep love for the food community and the players who fight to transform it for the better.”

The Emmy Award-winning Director of “Broken Bread,” Antonio Diaz is our guest.

Dan Daley of Ten Five Hospitality

“With a history of working with and crafting some of the most sought -after brands in the world, Ten Five Hospitality represents the organizational, operational and creative excellence to bring original and authentic visions to life while outperforming the market on the bottom-line.”

“Ten Five Hospitality brings a world class level of expertise in design, operations, marketing, financing, and food and beverage execution to any project that would typically require 4 or 5 separate consultants.”

Among their host of distinctive new projects in Hollywood is the Tommie Hotel. “The Hotel features 212 guest rooms and over 25,000 square feet of food and beverage space, including a 12,000 square foot rooftop pool and bar, Desert 5 Spot and a 6,000 square foot outdoor restaurant, Chef Wes Avila’s Ka’Teen.”

“Ka’Teen is an artful take on ancient Yucatan culinary tradition, made with the freshest ingredients hand-picked from local purveyors and farmers.”

Ten Five also has ambitious Hollywood dining projects with high profile chefs Evan Funke (Mother Wolf) and Lincoln Carson (Mes Amis)

Managing partner Dan Daley joins us to share the details of Ten Five Hospitality’s evolving Hollywood plans.

Ellen Bennett of Hedley and Bennett

Ellen Bennett is the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an apron and kitchen gear brand that outfits many of the best chefs in the world. Since starting the business in her L.A. home, Ellen has grown H&B into a multi-million dollar business. They have collaborated with Vans, Madewell, Chrissy Teigen, and artist Takashi Murakami, among others and create uniforms for 4,000 restaurants and coffee shops all over the U.S. The biggest part of Hedley & Bennett’s business has now shifted to home cooks.”

Dream First, Details Later shares Ellen’s journey and her forged-in-the-fire personal playbook for starting before you stop yourself. If you’ve ever imagined doing something and immediately thought, “that’s impossible,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” or “I’m not qualified to do that,” in these pages, you’ll learn how to shove aside your inner worrier and launch into action. This honest and bold illustrated book will be like having Ellen—your personal hype woman—there with you, all the while yelling, “Don’t stop! You got this!””

“As a 24-year-old line cook, Ellen Marie Bennett couldn’t stand the kitchen staff’s poorly designed, cheaply made aprons. So when her head chef announced he was ordering a new batch, she blurted out, “Chef, I have an apron company”—even though she had no company, no business plan—just a glimmer of a design idea and a business license. Through hustle and a willingness to leap into the unknown, time and time again, she built that first order into a multi-million-dollar company called Hedley & Bennett, making aprons and kitchen gear worn by many of the world’s best chefs and home cooks everywhere.”

Savvy Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett joins us fashionably attired in a H & B apron.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group

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.

Being an incurable romantic Chef Andrew shares some tips and practical advice on Valentine’s Day dining. Also Chef Andrew has some thoughts on a controversial new trend at some restaurants where they aren’t reachable by phone. No listed phone number…The guest communicates exclusively through their online reservation system, social media or email.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Celebrity Chef & Food TV Personality Carla Hall
Segment Three: Filmmaker Antonio Diaz, Director, “Broken Bread with Roy Choi” Season 2
Segment Four: Restaurateur Dan Daley, Principal, Ten Five Hospitality, Ka’Teen at the Tommie Hollywood Part One
Segment Five: Restaurateur Dan Daley, Principal, Ten Five Hospitality, Ka’Teen at the Tommie Hollywood Part Two
Segment Six: Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett, Founder, Hedley & Bennett, author of Dream First, Details Later Part One
Segment Seven: Entrepreneur Ellen Bennett, Founder, Hedley & Bennett, author of Dream First, Details Later Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel of Slapfish with “Ask the Chef”