Chef Chris Barcia and I go a long way back. Actually, Chris' wife Beth is still a very close friend. The couple owns Palazzo 53.

Palazzo 53 has become the anchor of a renaissance growth on Main Street, in Pittston PA. Several months back I had the privilege of interviewing Councilman Michael Lombardo about the rebirth of Main St. USA and he mentioned Palazzo as one of the keys to Pittston, becoming a model for other small cities in North East PA (NEPA).

Chris was my Executive Chef, at Gelpia'z Restaurant. He taught me how to "restaurant cook" and I credit him as the Exec during my restaurants most profitable years. Like a class reunion, Chris and I veer the subject-matter of today's interview to the key ingredients of success (beyond just good food and service) in today's
restaurant industry. Additionally, Chris teases our audience about Kimberly McCullough (Dr. Robin Scorpio Drake) of ABC's "General Hospital," who is our guest on Friday's episode of Beats and Eats. What does the soap star have to do with Chef Barcia and Palazzo53? Well, Chris and Beth secured Kim's appearance on B&E. McCullough has many local ties to NEPA and will be conducting a Q&A, with local soap fans and industry professionals, at Palazzo 53 on this Saturday, May 17th.

So sit back, learn a little about the life of a successful Executive Chef, while he explains his inspirations and influences behind his recipe submission; Crab Stuff Avocado (see below).

SHOW NOTES:

Palazzo 53

Jumbo Lump Crab Stuffed Avocado

Ingredients

Directions

Chris Barcia

Palazzo 53

53 S Main St

Pittston, PA

www.palazzo53.com

follow on FB, Twitter & Instagram

Open Tues-Sat @5:00 for dinner

Full bar, 24 wines by the glass, additional 20 bottle service

EARLY MOBILE APP RELEASE:

80's STARS REUNITE: Jim J. Bullock joins Lydia Cornell on the Beats and Eats ‪#‎Podcast‬ Network Tuesday, May 14th!

In a fascinating podcast episode, former 80's co-stars, Lydia Cornell and Jim J. Bullock

reunite. You remember Sarah Rush and Monroe from 1980's fame, Too Close for Comfort...

Tuesday, Lydia and Jimmy will take you, the Beats & Eats listeners, inside their live, back in their 1980's sitcom fame. Lydia and JJB also have intimate discussions regarding such personal stories as, growing up gay in America, living with HIV, and their crazy lives on the hottest TV show on the early/mid 80's. You will hear never before told stories about Ted Knight, drugs, sex, Hollywood, and the story behind Too Close for Comfort.

This is our FIRST-EVER attempt at a Google Hangout for Beats & Eats. Please be sure to add to our "circle" so you are included in future LIVE broadcast events!

To access our Video Version of this episode, Click Here

Join Beats & Eats Google+ Circle Here

~ SPOILER ALERT ~

Season 7 | Episodes 5 | Recap Series

So sit back, relax, grab a Martini, Manhattan or an Old Fashion... and light up a smoke (but don't inhale).

LIVE UNCUT VIDEO

- Google Hangout -

Show Contact Info (mobile App users: See "show Links" tab):

***

Since leaving the restaurant business, my two most frequently asked questions are, 1) When are you opening another restaurant? The answer is probably never. 2) Can I have your mom's cookie recipes from Gelpiaz? The answer was always NO. Today, for Mother's Day, we are making an exception, and adding these THREE coveted recipes to the Beats & Eats Cookbook Series...

So, on this Mother's Day, Ty, Nick and Nick's Mom, sat down in the Virtual Lounge and took some bakery lessons. Over the years, my mom has become "protector of the family cookie legacy." Passed down for decades (The original recipes were created somewhere around the late 1800's, in Sicily), these recipes were...READ FULL BLOG POST

SHOW NOTES:

Bonus Original Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe available of Mobile APP only

click here for bonus recipe

Gelso | Sabella Family Cookie Recipes: Ricotta Cookie & Pepper Cookie.

INGREDIENTS | DIRECTIONS:

Pepper Cookies

Directions:

Sift dry ingredients in very large bowl.
Add oil and water, hand mix with dry ingredients.
Roll into small balls.
Bake in ungreased cookie sheet.
10-12 minutes/375 degrees
Icing:

***

Ricotta Cookies

Directions:

Sift salt baking soda and flour
Add dry ingredients to wet slowly
Bake 350 degrees / 13-15 minutes.

Icing:

 Google Hangout for Beats & Eats. Please be sure to add to our "circle" so you are included in future LIVE broadcast events!

It's hail to the chief in the virtual lounge.  Ty and Nick look back at the White House Correspondence dinner.  Ray and Gelso also look at the zingers thrown by President Obama and examine the "pop culture" element to the event.  Plus the duo continue their analysis of the Sterling scandal. And finally, what would Beats & Eats be without Shatner chat!  So kick back, relax, and pour your drink of choice, the commentary is top shelf on this pop culture edition of Beats & Eats.

Show Contact Info (mobile App users: See "show Links" tab):

~ HILARIOUS CAREER WOMEN OF COMEDY~

Lydia Cornell is back on the Beats & Eats airwaves. Cornell returns with more wonderful women in Hollywood.

Today, Lydia interviews 3 BLONDE MOMS Creator Joanie Fagan in the MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL COMEDY CAFE. Fantastic touring company selling out nationwide!

Show Notes:

Follow Lydia Cornell on Facebook | Twitter | Website

Information on 3 Blonde Moms Comedy Cafe on Facebook | Official Website | Joanie Fagen

This is our FIRST-EVER attempt at a Google Hangout for Beats & Eats. Please be sure to add to our "circle" so you are included in future LIVE broadcast events!

To access our Video Version of this episode, Click Here

Join Beats & Eats Google+ Circle Here

~ SPOILER ALERT ~

Season 7 | Episodes 4 | Recap Series

The big screen in the "virtual lounge" is tuned into AMC. On this episode of Beats and Eats Ty and Nick discuss TV's most talked about show, 'Mad Men.' The retro-drama, featuring Don Draper, Sterling, Peggy, Megan and Betty has been the most anticipated series finale since Breaking Bad. Ty and Nick recap episode 4 in their newest episodic television recap series.

So sit back, relax, grab a Martini, Manhattan or an Old Fashion... and light up a smoke (but don't inhale).

Show Contact Info (mobile App users: See "show Links" tab):

Show Notes:

People often ask me, how did you get hooked up with Hell's Kitchen Chefs?

The answer is pretty simple.

My client and friend, Chef Jim Guasto, broke into the restaurant business, with his owning and operating the kitchen in swanky sports bar, and ultra gastro lounge, 279 Bar and Grille. Much like the John Taffers and Chef Gordon Ramsays of the world, Guasto transformed this freezer to fryer, sports bar, to what it is today; a space to chill out, in a relaxed environment, right at the bar next door....READ MORE ON GUASTO | 279 BAR

SHOW NOTES:

Grilled Mako over Mango Risotto with Tri Colored Bell Pepper and Pineapple Salsa. (Feel free to fix as needed. Rushed but didn't wanna screw u)

INGREDIENTS | DIRECTIONS:

For Risotto. 2cups Arborio rice, petite dice white onion, white pepper, white wine. Make onions translucent with a little olive oil, add Arborio, slightly toast, deglaze w white wine, season and keep adding stock to achieve texture desired.

For Mango Salsa. Add two labels of fresh mango juice and bring up exactly like stock. Fold in fresh cut mango. No cream.

For Pineapple Salsa. One fresh pineapple, one red bell pepper, one yellow bell pepper, one green bell pepper, small amount of very petite diced red onion, fresh pineapple juice, two dashes of sherry vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

For Plating. Place mango risotto in middle of plate, Mako on top, spoon desired amount of salsa. Preferably w slotted spoon and use salsa juice as desired