Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

SoCal Restaurant Show

Opening the show with a brief visit with James Beard Award-winning Chef Tim Hollingsworth of Otium in Downtown Los Angeles. Chef Tim is at the center of the documentary, “Chain Food : All-Star Dishes” released on the Roku Channel (and available to everyone at no charge) starting on July 12th. Chef Tim is also the co-founder of Chain with actor and comedian B.J. Novak, which reimagines familiar chain restaurant favorites.

“In the informative documentary Celebrity friends including Chrissy Teigen and John Legend gather at the inaugural Chain Fest bash last year in Los Angeles. It’s a party as acclaimed Chef Tim Hollingsworth puts a gourmet spin on eight beloved and iconic dishes from Chili’s, Red Robin, Panda Express, Jack in the Box, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Pepsi, and Dunkin’.” One creation of Chef Tim and his culinary team is the gourmet reimagining of the Panda Express signature Orange Chicken. https://www.roku.com/whats-on/featured-free

“Terranea Resort’s (Rancho Palos Verdes) inaugural Food and Wine Festival is being held on Sunday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This oceanfront event, taking place at the scenic resort’s The Meadows, has been created to celebrate the culinary talents of some of Terranea’s talented chefs, as well as to host a glorious summer gourmet experience – showcasing local and regional eateries, craft breweries, wineries and fine beverage purveyors. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, live music will be provided by Upstream, a leading Southern California reggae and Caribbean band, and the popular yacht rock band The AstroYachts.” Joining us with all the tasty Food & Wine Festival specifics is Andrew Vaughan, the Executive Chef of Terranea Resort.

The Bear (based in Chicago) is back on Hulu for Season 3 and already attracting a lot of attention and, of course, spirited controversy. Given that Chicago is a great food town it was only a matter of time before a savvy tour operator in the Windy City created a “The Bear” Chicago Food Tour. This has now happened with the launch of Chicago Food & City Tour’s “Yes, Chef! Chicago : A Bear – Inspired Food Tour.” Our own newly Chicago-based, informed foodie, Terri Henry, shares her recent adventure on this engaging Chicago tour which also included as guests a Staff Writer and Photographer for The Chicago Tribune.

“Jambalaya Girl (Kristen Preau Moore) by Cook Me Somethin’ Mister is a family and women owned business that brings an authentic taste of New Orleans to the world with easy to prepare food products, inspired by Jambalaya Girl's family recipes. Drawing from her family’s upbringing in the New Orleans cooking scene and her creation of a nationwide tailgating fundraiser following Hurricane Katrina, owner Kristen Preau “Jambalaya Girl” created Cook Me Somethin’ Mister initially from her Dad’s jambalaya recipe. All products are now proudly made in New Orleans with the finest ingredients and are specially blended by Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends.” We’re joined by the Jambalaya Girl herself, Kristen Preau, to cook up all the good eating that is Jambalaya Girl New Orleans food products.

“Long Beach residents and visitors alike are in for a treat as dozens of local restaurants and pop-ups will offer unique over-the-top Burgers and value-priced Burger Offers when the 4th annual Long Beach Burger Week returns July 21-28, 2024. Organized by local non-profit Long Beach Food & Beverage, the organization felt that in addition to encouraging local and surrounding "foodies” to enjoy what the expanding Long Beach culinary community has to offer, events like Burger Week support the local economy and put “butts in seats” of our valued restaurants. One of the featured restaurants in LBBW is the new ISM Brewing located on The Promenade in Downtown Long Beach. Proprietor Ian McCall joins us to describe his salivating Burger Week creation, Mahalo Madness, which is a delicious, hand-held delight which takes inspiration from the ISM Culinary Team’s favorite Hawaiian / Japanese Burger spots.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. How does this new California legislation designed to eliminate “junk fees” impact restaurants that include a mandatory Service Charge? Some last-minute modifications were legislated and enacted right before July 1st. We’ll get the accurate story and an informed restaurateurs POV from Chef Andrew.

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