Show 398, November 7, 2020: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

It’s Thanksgiving month so reduce your stress level and please plan ahead whether you’re dining in with close Family or dining out in a small group. …We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

When enterprising Chef Josh Lozano (ex-The Mayor’s Table and Toast Kitchen & Bakery) found himself furloughed last March he spent time perfecting his baking craft and formed Uprising OC. Along the way he developed his popular, word of mouth cheesecake favorite, Rebel Cheesecake, that has been featured at Heritage BBQ in San Juan Capistrano. Chef Josh now does a regular Weekend Pop-Up (daytime) at The Royal Hen on Balboa Island featuring his array of baked goods and gourmet coffee. Josh has also collaborated with award-winning Brewmaster Ian McCall of Riip Beer Co. on Say Cheese & Die Cheesecake Ale which is currently available on nitro at Riip Beer Co’s taproom in Huntington Beach. Lozano is additionally the coordinating chef for a fundraising dinner on November 19th with prominent guest chefs at Vacation Bar in Santa Ana benefiting the upcoming 9th Annual Turkey Drive by the Chicano Mentoring Association.

Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos, proprietors of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, have just debuted the newest Hilltop location in Eagle Rock on the ground floor of The Perch apartments. All operational considerations are in place to ensure the safety of neighbors and guests alike. “The menu features the same great coffee and menu favorites like the Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich, Soul Bowl, and Hilltop “Droptops” that have propelled Hilltop’s first two locations, in View Park / Windsor Hills and Inglewood, to popularity.” Proprietor Ajay Relan joins us Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich in hand.

Reformed fine-dining chef Joseph Mahon (ex-Bastide in West Hollywood) has made a name for himself in the last few years with a menu of highly regarded premium burgers at Burger Parlor in Orange and Fullerton. Adapting to weathering the lingering Covid 19 crisis Chef Joseph has morphed his two popular Burger Parlor locations to Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders with the same commitment to premium quality using all-natural, antibiotic free chicken. On the compact menu are 2, 3 and 4 piece chicken tender meals (served with crinkle fries,) a chicken sandwich and a teriyaki bowl with teriyaki basted chicken tenders, steamed veggies and white rice. House prepared sides include a side salad, pickles, sweet potato fries, crinkle fries, coleslaw and mac & cheese. A wide selection of rotating craft beers on tap is also part of the menu. Chef Joseph Mahon flies the coop to join us.

Riip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. “Riip Beer Company started in 2014 as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.” The winning tradition of Riip has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Ian McCall who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Ripp Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries garnering a Gold and two Silvers! We’re celebrating with Brewmaster Ian McCall.

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. Thanksgiving is fast approaching on November 26th. In the spirit of the Holidays it’s appropriate for Chef Andrew to now share his best Thanksgiving cooking tips. It seems more people will be doing Family Thanksgiving at home this year and probably with smaller groups. We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

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

Show 398, November 7, 2020: Chef Josh Lozano of Uprising OC, the creator of Rebel Cheesecake

Josh Lozano of Uprising OCWhen enterprising Chef Josh Lozano (ex-The Mayor’s Table and Toast Kitchen & Bakery) found himself furloughed last March he spent time perfecting his baking craft and formed Uprising OC. Along the way he developed his popular, word of mouth cheesecake, Rebel Cheesecake, that has been on the menu at Heritage BBQ in San Juan Capistrano.

Chef Josh now conducts a regular Weekend Pop-Up (daytime) at The Royal Hen on Balboa Island featuring his array of baked goods and Zonzo gourmet coffee. The assortment changes weekly but think Coffee Cake with Tehachapi Grain sponge cake, cinnamon crumble and Zonzo coffee filling. Also Apple Rye Pie with mixed apples, sharp cheddar and caraway seeds. Josh has also collaborated with award-winning Brewmaster Ian McCall of Riip Beer Co. on Say Cheese & Die Cheesecake Ale which is available for a limited time on nitro at Riip Beer Co’s taproom in Huntington Beach.

Lozano is additionally the coordinating chef for an upcoming fundraising dinner on November 19th with eight standout guest chefs preparing six courses at Vacation Bar in Santa Ana benefiting the upcoming 9th Annual Turkey Drive by the Chicano Mentoring Association.

Thanks to Anne Marie Panoringan, the Voice of OC’s well-informed food maven, for initially bringing Josh to our attention.

November 7, 2020: Josh Lozano, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, Joseph Mahon, Riip Beer Co.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Josh Lozano of Uprising OC, the creator of Rebel Cheesecake
Segment Three: Ajay Relan, Co-Founder, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Segment Four: Chef & Proprietor Joseph Mahon of Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders in Orange and Fullerton Part One
Segment Five: Chef & Proprietor Joseph Mahon of Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders in Orange and Fullerton Part Two
Segment Six: Ian McCall, Brewmaster for Riip Beer Co. Part One
Segment Seven: Ian McCall, Brewmaster for Riip Beer Co. Part Two
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

It’s Thanksgiving month so reduce your stress level and please plan ahead…We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

When enterprising Chef Josh Lozano (ex-The Mayor’s Table and Toast Kitchen & Bakery) found himself furloughed last March he spent time perfecting his baking craft and formed Uprising OC. Along the way he developed his popular, word of mouth cheesecake favorite, Rebel Cheesecake, that has been featured at Heritage BBQ in San Juan Capistrano. Chef Josh now does a regular Weekend Pop-Up (daytime) at The Royal Hen on Balboa Island featuring his array of baked goods and gourmet coffee. Josh has also collaborated with award-winning Brewmaster Ian McCall of Riip Beer Co. on Say Cheese & Die Cheesecake Ale which is currently available on nitro at Riip Beer Co’s taproom in Huntington Beach. Lozano is additionally the coordinating chef for a fundraising dinner on November 19th with prominent guest chefs at Vacation Bar in Santa Ana benefiting the upcoming 9th Annual Turkey Drive by the Chicano Mentoring Association.

Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos, proprietors of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, have just debuted the newest Hilltop location in Eagle Rock on the ground floor of The Perch apartments. All operational considerations are in place to ensure the safety of neighbors and guests alike. “The menu features the same great coffee and menu favorites like the Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich, Soul Bowl, and Hilltop “Droptops” that have propelled Hilltop’s first two locations, in View Park/Windsor Hills and Inglewood, to popularity.” Proprietor Ajay Relan joins us Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich in hand.

Reformed fine-dining chef Joseph Mahon (ex-Bastide in West Hollywood) has made a name for himself in the last few years with a menu of highly regarded premium burgers at Burger Parlor in Orange and Fullerton. Adapting to weathering the lingering Covid 19 crisis Chef Joseph has morphed his two popular Burger Parlor locations to Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders with the same commitment to premium quality using all-natural, antibiotic free chicken. On the compact menu are 2, 3 and 4 piece chicken tender meals (served with crinkle fries,) a chicken sandwich and a teriyaki bowl with teriyaki basted chicken tenders, steamed veggies and white rice. House prepared sides include a side salad, pickles, sweet potato fries, crinkle fries, coleslaw and mac & cheese. A wide selection of rotating craft beers on tap is also part of the menu. Chef Joseph Mahon flies the coop to join us.

Riip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. “Riip Beer Company started in 2014 as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.” The winning tradition of Riip has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Ian McCall who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Ripp Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries garnering a Gold and two Silvers! We’re celebrating with Brewmaster Ian McCall.

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. Thanksgiving is fast approaching on November 26th. In the spirit of the Holidays it’s appropriate for Chef Andrew to now share his best Thanksgiving cooking tips. It seems more people will be doing Family Thanksgiving at home this year and probably with smaller groups. We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

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

Josh Lozano of Uprising OCWhen enterprising Chef Josh Lozano (ex-The Mayor’s Table and Toast Kitchen & Bakery) found himself furloughed last March he spent time perfecting his baking craft and formed Uprising OC. Along the way he developed his popular, word of mouth cheesecake, Rebel Cheesecake, that has been on the menu at Heritage BBQ in San Juan Capistrano.

Chef Josh now conducts a regular Weekend Pop-Up (daytime) at The Royal Hen on Balboa Island featuring his array of baked goods and Zonzo gourmet coffee. Josh has also collaborated with award-winning Brewmaster Ian McCall of Riip Beer Co. on Say Cheese & Die Cheesecake Ale which is available for a limited time on nitro at Riip Beer Co’s taproom in Huntington Beach.

Lozano is additionally the coordinating chef for an upcoming fundraising dinner on November 19th with prominent guest chefs at Vacation Bar in Santa Ana benefiting the upcoming 9th Annual Turkey Drive by the Chicano Mentoring Association.

Ajay Relan of Hilltop Coffee CompanyAjay Relan and Yonnie Hagos, proprietors of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, have just debuted the newest Hilltop location in Eagle Rock on the ground floor of The Perch apartments. “All operational considerations are in place to ensure the safety of neighbors and guests alike. The menu features the same great coffee and menu favorites like the Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich, Soul Bowl, and Hilltop “Droptops” that have propelled Hilltop’s first two locations, in View Park / Windsor Hills and Inglewood, to popularity.”

“Hagos and Relan opened the original Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in View Park / Windsor Hills in August 2018 with the intention of bringing to South L.A. a cafe for the neighborhood; an inclusive space meant to foster community, creativity, and connection over quality food and drink. A year later, the duo partnered with South L.A. native Issa Rae, creator and star of the hit HBO series Insecure, and opened its flagship location in Downtown Inglewood.”

“Our food is simple and nourishing: breakfast and lunch offerings, 
along with coffee, juices, and pastries.”

Proprietor Ajay Relan joins us Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich in hand.

Chef Joseph MahonReformed fine-dining chef Joseph Mahon (ex-Bastide in West Hollywood) has made a name for himself in the last few years with a menu of highly regarded premium burgers at Burger Parlor in Orange and Fullerton. Everything there is from scratch including the ketchup.

Adapting to weathering the lingering Covid 19 crisis Chef Joseph has morphed his two Burger Parlor locations to Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders with the same commitment to premium quality using all-natural, antibiotic free chicken. On the compact menu are 2, 3 and 4 piece chicken tender meals (served with crinkle fries,) a chicken sandwich and a teriyaki bowl with teriyaki basted chicken tenders, steamed veggies and white rice. House prepared sides include a side salad, pickles, sweet potato fries, crinkle fries, coleslaw and mac & cheese. A wide selection of rotating craft beers on tap is also part of the menu.

To complement the chicken tenders are a variety of dipping sauces. The house specialty is Jaxon’s Cajun Sauce. Premium Sauce selections are Polynesian, Scorpion Vinegar, Garlic Herb Parmesan, Reaper BBQ, Lemon-Lime Pepper and Blue Cheese.

Chef Joseph Mahon takes a brief respite from the kitchen and is our guest.

Ian McCall of Riip Beer CompanyRiip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the Beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Riip Beer Company started modestly as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.

“Founded by two Brother-in-Laws in 2014, Riip Beer became one of Southern California’s first Nano Breweries to hit the rapid growing craft beer scene producing some of the best small batch, hand crafted ales in Orange County. Riip Beer was built organically from the ground up, the same way they craft their beers.”

“In 2016 Riip Beer Company for the first time ever entered the prestigious GABF (Great American Beer Festival) competition and received a Silver Medal for it’s Super Cali IPA in the uber competitive American IPA category. Brewed on their 3bbl system Riip Beer became the smallest brewery to ever win a GABF in the American IPA category with over 400 entries from around the globe.”

The winning tradition has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Ian McCall who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Riip Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility.

At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries. They were awarded Gold for their Belgian-Style Ale – Category 82 (Tangible Passion,) A Silver for Coffee Stout or Porter – Category 10 (The Riizzo,) and a Silver for American-Style Black Ale or American-Style – Category 69 (Black the Ripper.)

At any given time the Riip Beer Co. Tasting Room in Huntington Beach offers an impressive selection of 19 craft beers on tap.

We’re tapping the newly released keg of Tangible Passion with Brewmaster Ian McCall.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant GroupOur 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.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching on November 26th. In the spirit of the Holiday Season it’s appropriate for Chef Andrew to now share his best Thanksgiving cooking tips. It seems more people will be doing Family Thanksgiving at home this year and probably with smaller groups. We’ll “Ask the Chef.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Josh Lozano of Uprising OC, the creator of Rebel Cheesecake
Segment Three: Ajay Relan, Co-Founder, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Segment Four: Chef & Proprietor Joseph Mahon of Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders in Orange and Fullerton Part One
Segment Five: Chef & Proprietor Joseph Mahon of Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders in Orange and Fullerton Part Two
Segment Six: Ian McCall, Brewmaster for Riip Beer Co. Part One
Segment Seven: Ian McCall, Brewmaster for Riip Beer Co. Part Two
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”