The 8th Annual Pechanga Microbrew & Craft Beer Festival and Chili Cook-off returns to the Pechanga Grand Ballroom on Saturday, June 11th. It’s a benefit for Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. One of the participating breweries is Los Angeles’ and Orange County’s Golden Road Brewing. Brewmaster Victor Novak taps the keg with a thirst-quenching preview.

In 2011, beer enthusiasts Meg Gill and Tony Yanow founded Golden Road Brewing to bring fresh beer to the local market in the most sustainable way possible.  Golden Road is committed to engaging and supporting the growing community of socially-minded beer enthusiasts

Golden Road’s year-round offerings include Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Get Up Offa That Brown and Wolf Among Weeds IPA. Along with the core beers, Golden Road brewers are constantly experimenting with the freshest ingredients through a collection of rotating, seasonal and limited-edition brews including the Custom IPA Series, a line-up of diverse, hop-forward IPAs.

VIP tickets (with early access) are $65 and General Admission is $50. Designated Driver tickets are also available.

In addition to dozens of highly regarded craft beers to sample the Pechanga chefs are all in competition to wow the guests with their distinctive chili creations. There will be eight varieties of chili to enjoy and the crowd favorite (by popular vote) wins the trophy for “Best Chili at Pechanga.” You can be sure the highly competitive chefs at Pechanga are “in it to win it.” The defending chili champ from last year, Chef Marlene Moore of the Temptations Food Walk food court at Pechanga, encores to defend her coveted title.

The Berghoff is a celebrated institution in Chicago and was inaugurated as a James Beard America’s Classic establishment in 1999. It’s also prominently featured in the new book, James Beard’s All-American Eats – Recipes and Stories From Our Best-Loved Local Restaurants. Carlyn Berghoff, representing the fourth generation of proud Berghoff Family stewardship, is our guest.

The Berghoff first opened in 1898 as a men-only saloon whose sole menu items were the corned beef sandwiches served free with the purchase of a stein of the German-born owners’ proprietary beer. Over the years the spot evolved into a beloved full-service restaurant famous for traditional German fare like wiener schnitzel, knockwurst, spaetzli, and creamed herring.

The Berghoff was briefly closed in 2005 by its third-generation owners, but the restaurant’s basement café resumed business shortly thereafter, and in 2007 the entire restaurant again opened its doors and revealed a new menu that features several less iconically Bavarian items.

Although some of the dishes might be lighter, the restaurant still sells its famous Berghoff Root Beer and hosts an annual Oktoberfest. Berghoff also operates a café at O’Hare, serving sandwiches and beer.

Carlyn is also the author of three Berghoff-related cookbooks. Her most recent effort is Cooking for Your Gluten-Free Teen: Everyday Foods the Whole Family Will Love. It’s told from Carlyn’s and her teenage daughter’s, Sarah’s, perspective.

In Vietnamese, “AN” means “TO EAT,” a happy coincidence, since the An family has built an award-winning restaurant empire— including the renowned celebrity favorite Crustacean Beverly Hills.

Helene An, executive chef and matriarch of the House of An, is hailed as the “mother of fusion” and was inducted into the Smithsonian Institute for her signature style that brings together Vietnamese, French, and California- fresh influences.

Now her daughter Jacqueline tells the family story and shares her mother’s delicious and previously “secret” recipes, including “Mama’s” Beef Pho, Drunken Crab, and Oven-Roasted Lemongrass Chicken in An: To Eat – Recipes and Stories from a Vietnamese Family Kitchen. Jacqueline An is here to share the truly incredible story

Helene’s transformation from pampered “princess” in French Colonial Vietnam, to refugee then restaurateur, and her journey from Indochina’s lush fields to family kitchen gardens in California are beautifully chronicled throughout the book. The result is a fascinating peek at a lost world, and the evolution of an extraordinary cuisine. The 100 recipes in An: To Eat feature clean flavors, simple techniques, and unique twists that could only have come from Helene’s personal story.

 

Chef Carrie Nahabedian is one of the pillars of dining in Chicago. After departing her position as Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, Carrie Nahabedian returned to her native Chicago to open NAHA in 2000, which garnered her a James Beard Award and four consecutive Michelin stars. Chef Nahabedian continues with us.

Brindille (Chef Carrie’s latest venture), named “Best New Restaurant in 2013” by Chicago Tribune, offers a glimpse into refined Parisian cuisine and atmosphere from the team that brought you NAHA. It’s Dinner, only.

In 2015 Brindille was awarded the James Beard Award for outstanding Restaurant Design (for an establishment under 75 seats.) It’s all of 30 seats.

For all restaurant information, go to their website.

Chef Carrie Nahabedian is one of the pillars of dining in Chicago. After departing her position as Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, Carrie Nahabedian returned to her native Chicago to open NAHA in 2000, which garnered her a James Beard Award and four consecutive Michelin stars. Chef Nahabedian joins us.

Carrie opened Brindille in the spring of 2013 along with partner and cousin Michael Nahabedian. While NAHA serves to highlight her Armenian roots, Brindille’s refined Parisian fare celebrates Carrie’s and Michael’s favorite spots in Paris.

The constantly changing NAHA menus are a mix of American and Mediterranean influences from Chef Carrie’s and Michael’s Armenian and Greek heritages. NAHA uses fresh, seasonal produce, meats, and cheeses from local farmers and growers. NAHA is a proud supporter of Chicago’s Greencity Market.

Nuanced food is meant to be paired harmoniously with balanced wines. The Mediterranean cuisine of NAHA provides a wonderful platform with which to pair globally influenced wines. – Wine Director-Chad Ellegood.

Food & Beer is a newly published, 60-recipe book from an internationally acclaimed chef/brewer duo dedicated to elevating and pairing beer with high-end dining. The debut book by Danish gypsy brewer Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø of the bar Tørst, and Canadian chef Daniel Burns of the Michelin-starred restaurant Luksus—both in a shared space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn where they elevate beer to the level of wine in fine dining. Chef Burns is with us to tap the keg on this unusual reference book.

With a dialogue running throughout the book, Food & Beer examines the vision and philosophy of this duo at the forefront of a new gastronomic movement. With a stunning, bold aesthetic, the design will highlight the dual visions of the authors and the spaces—Tørst, which is more rustic and relaxed, and Luksus, which is more sleek and refined.

The Foreword is by internationally renowned chef René Redzepi, co-owner of Noma, Copenhagen, the Number 3 ranked restaurant in the world.

“The chance meeting of two remarkable individuals. One of the best brewers in a generation of greats, with a good sense of business and fresh attitude, and the other a creative, driven chef with crazy food work ethics. But it also signified the start of a new style of restaurant, a place in which light, creative cooking, Michelin-star-worthy stuff, was at home with beer. I’m pretty sure that individually both would’ve succeeded in their own right-Jeppe creating great brews, and Daniel with a Michelin star or two doing something else-but together I believe they’ve created something truly special. Something new.” —René Redzepi (from his foreword).

Chicago’s C Chicago in River North has just been reconceptualized as Ocean Cut under the culinary leadership of Dirk Flanigan (ex-The Gage.) Guests can expect fresh fish flown in daily along with 100 per cent USDA Prime steaks. Chicago’s Chef Dirk Flanigan is our guest.

Ocean Cut is the newest seafood concept from the owners of Chicago Cut Steakhouse. The restaurant is centrally located in Chicago’s vibrant River North restaurant scene.

With culinary pioneer Dirk Flanigan serving as Executive Chef and powerhouse General Manager Raylene Westbrook leading the floor, this nautically-focused concept is approachable yet adventurous. Co-proprietor Matt Moore is highly visible working the floor and checking on guests.

The culinary philosophy behind Ocean Cut balances simplicity and creativity while maintaining a culture based on quality and fresh ingredients.

This is also the House of Irish hospitality. A lot of the staff are from Ireland or are of Irish heritage and it adds an unexpected welcoming ambiance to the property.

Designed by leading Chicago architect Mark Knauer, the 8,000 square foot, two-story restaurant is a modern interpretation of classic maritime influences.

Not to be missed is Chef Dirk’s $23 Lunch Prix Fixe Menu. It’s a choice of Appetizer, an Entrée with a Side of seasonal vegetables and Dessert. We enjoyed the Greek Branzino (half) with lemon vinaigrette and a side of beautifully roasted cauliflower. A quality Key Lime Pie (house-baked) was our dessert choice.

Program Note…Today, May 21st we’re broadcasting live from the studios of Chicago’s ESPN – WMVP-AM. We’re there to join in the celebration of Chef Andrew Gruel’s Trendsetter MenuMaster Award for Slapfish presented by Nation’s Restaurant News. The vibrant Chicago dining scene is well represented today in the show! Be sure to catch the special Chicago-focused podcasts!

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

Now a provocative peak at Saturday’s Windy City show of excess and not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re doing it right we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case that’s actually a pretty good thing…

Chicago’s C Chicago in River North has been reconceptualized as Ocean Cut under the culinary leadership of Dirk Flanigan (ex-The Gage.) Guests can expect fresh fish flown in daily along with 100 percent USDA Prime, dry-aged steaks and a side of Chicago hospitality. Chicago’s Chef Dirk Flanigan is our guest.

Food & Beer is a newly published, 60-recipe book from an internationally acclaimed chef/brewer duo dedicated to elevating and pairing beer with high-end dining. The debut book by Danish gypsy brewer Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø of the bar Tørst, and Canadian chef Daniel Burns of the Michelin-starred restaurant Luksus—both in a shared space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn where they elevate beer to the level of wine in fine dining. Chef Burns is with us to tap the keg on this unusual reference book.

Chef Carrie Nahabedian is one of the quiet pillars of dining in Chicago. After departing her position as Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, Carrie Nahabedian returned to her native Chicago to open NAHA in 2000, which garnered her a James Beard Award and four consecutive Michelin stars. Chef Nahabedian joins us.

In Vietnamese, “AN” means “TO EAT,” a happy coincidence, since the An family has built an award-winning restaurant empire— including the renowned celebrity favorite Crustacean Beverly Hills. Helene An, executive chef and matriarch of the

There is a new, au courant way to experience America’s Riviera, Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project invites visitors to show their Amtrak train tickets and enjoy car free fun (with special discounts) in Santa Barbara. Laura Kath with Santa Barbara Car Free joins us with all the needed 411.

“Start your vacation when you get on the train! Relax on your trip to Santa Barbara, then show your Amtrak ticket to our partners for some amazing experiences.”

Through December 31, 2016, travelers to Santa Barbara can show their Amtrak tickets (paper, e-ticket, or mobile device) to the following attractions and activities for specials and experiences: Adventure Company of Santa Barbara (kayaking & surf lessons), Captain Jack’s Tours & Events (wine tasting or horseback riding), Celebration Cruises (Lil Toot & Azure Seas sailing), CONDOR Express (whale watching), I Bike Santa Barbara (cycling wine tours), Pali Wine Company, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Trolley Company, Santa Barbara Zoo, Segway of Santa Barbara, Sunset Kidd Sailing Cruises and Wheel Fun Rentals (bikes).

Santa Barbara Car Free is an award-winning project founded and led by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District with more than 100 community partners who are dedicated to making car free vacations care-free.

“Initially, Chef Mahon plied his sandwiches through food trucks and then a pop-up venue. “The first six months was a laboratory, improving consistency and getting guest feedback,” he reminisces. But changes in his personal life required a permanent address. “My daughter was on the way,” Mahon reveals, adding, “I stopped seeking out the next trend – I could chase that for 25 years.” He began to ask himself, “What’s more stable?”

“The answer was Burger Parlor, a location just around the corner from the pop-up site in Fullerton.”

“No matter what the burger combination, Mahon insists, “let the meat shine. Everything else is second, third or fourth.”

Chef Mahon generously shares his recipe for the Kali Burger on Pages 148 – 149 in West Coast Prime Meats Cooks – Professional Recipes For The Home Kitchen. West Coast Prime Meats is Chef Joseph’s source for the special antibiotic-free, Nebraska Beef he uses in his burgers.