SoCal Restaurant Show

“Get ready to feast for a cause as the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) proudly presents the return of its beloved Tastemakers of Orange County on Wednesday, September 24, from 6 to 9:00 p.m. at the vibrant Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. This high-energy culinary celebration spotlights the rich and diverse flavors of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine, crafted by more than two dozen of Orange County’s top chefs.”

“Guests will enjoy exclusive, all-you-can-enjoy creations in a lively outdoor setting, knowing every bite supports OCAPICA’s numerous programs and services in mental health and health, youth development, housing assistance, policy education, and combating anti-Asian racism.”

“Tickets are available to the public for $250 for VIP, which allows early entry at 6 p.m. (one hour earlier than General Admission); and $195 for General Admission from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa).

Restaurateur Ed Lee (Co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco) of the daytime Toast Bakery and Kitchen (Costa Mesa and Tustin) joins us. He’s a participating restaurant in Tastemakers of Orange County.

“Get ready to feast for a cause as the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) proudly presents the return of its beloved Tastemakers of Orange County on Wednesday, September 24, from 6 to 9:00 p.m. at the vibrant Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. This high-energy culinary celebration spotlights the rich and diverse flavors of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine, crafted by more than two dozen of Orange County’s top chefs.”

“Tickets are available to the public for $250 for VIP, which allows early entry at 6 p.m. (one hour earlier than General Admission); and $195 for General Admission from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa).

Restaurateur Ed Lee (Co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco) of Toast Bakery and Kitchen (Costa Mesa and Tustin) continues with us. He’s a participating restaurant in Tastemakers of Orange County. New at the Tustin location is a full liquor license and a Tuesday thru Friday Happy Hour from 3 to 7:00 p.m. with Chef Jimmy’s savory creations.

“The annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade benefit is set for Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on the Royce Hall Quad on the UCLA Campus. This spectacular cookout is hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin and business partner, Caroline Styne (A.O.C., Larder Baking Co., Cara Cara at Proper DTLA and The Hollywood Bowl), along with Chef David Lentz, featuring top chefs, breweries, vintners and mixologists to benefit kids with cancer.”

“This fun and family-friendly afternoon features one-of-a-kind food and drink samplings. Guests can mingle with the celebrated chefs behind the dishes and taste fine dining nationwide. With over $1.6 million raised in 2024, this event’s impact only continues to grow for all kids with cancer.”

“Since its inception, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade has raised more than $10 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) to fund critical childhood cancer research.”

Liz Scott (Alex’s Mom) is the Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Alex’s Lemonade Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Liz Scott joins us with all the details of the upcoming L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade.

“The annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade benefit is set for Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on the Royce Hall Quad on the UCLA Campus. This spectacular cookout is hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin and business partner, Caroline Styne (A.O.C., Larder Baking Co.) and The Hollywood Bowl), along with Chef David Lentz, featuring top chefs, breweries, vintners and mixologists to benefit kids with cancer.”

“This fun and family-friendly afternoon features one-of-a-kind food and drink samplings. Guests can mingle with the celebrated chefs behind the dishes and taste fine dining nationwide. With over $1.6 million raised in 2024, this event’s impact only continues to grow for all kids with cancer.”

Chef Steve Samson of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza in DTLA, and Superfine Playa in Playa Vista is one of the longtime participating chefs. Rossoblu has been part of the event for it’s eight years of existence. When Alex’s first debuted in L.A. Chef Steve and Dina were there at the very beginning with his predecessor restaurant (now closed), Sotto. We’ll chat with him.

California has become the land of regulations and a dose of overkill is starting to seriously negatively impact the potential survival of California restaurants of all sizes. The California Restaurant Association (CRA) is paying attention and has embarked on their unusual “What the Fork?!” campaign to attract the public’s attention to the plight of California’s restaurants. Continued from last week. Also sharing a bit of background on the good works of the non-profit, California Restaurant Foundation.

We’ve live from the Westdrift Manhattan Beach, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, the official Hotel of the 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.

Tonight (9/13/25) is the 2nd, and concluding, night of the Festival. “This evening at Manhattan Village again brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurateurs, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the BeachLife DJ Music Stage and lots more.” This morning we’ll meet some of the celebrated chefs and winemakers participating in tonight’s festivities.

This hour features our weekly "Ask The Chef" segment, and then interviews with Sherry Yard, Chris Cosentino and we'll learn pour into the world of Tercero Wines.

We’ve live from the Westdrift Manhattan Beach, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, the official Hotel of the 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.

Tonight (9/13/25) is the 2nd, and concluding, night of the Festival. “This evening at Manhattan Village again brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurateurs, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the BeachLife DJ Music Stage and lots more.” This morning we’ll meet some of the celebrated chefs and winemakers participating in tonight’s festivities.

This hours features interviews with Lisa Fontanesi of the Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP), Brendan Collins of BOA Steakhouse, Chris Feldmeier of Love & Salt and the General Manager of the Westdrift Hotel.

We’ve live from the Westdrift Manhattan Beach, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, the official Hotel of the 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.

Tonight (9/13/25) is the 2nd, and concluding, night of the Festival. “This evening at Manhattan Village again brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurateurs, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the BeachLife DJ Music Stage and lots more.” This morning we’ll meet some of the celebrated chefs and winemakers participating in tonight’s festivities.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely, abbreviated and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

We’ll talk more about this next week but, today, an introduction to the California Restaurant Association’s recently launched “What The Fork!” campaign.

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

Chef Sherry Yard is a multiple James Beard Award winner. She is the proprietor of Bakery by the Yard in Manhattan Beach and is also a long-time resident. Sherry, among many other accomplishments, is the author of the award-winning, and best-selling, cookbooks, Desserts by the Yard and Secrets of Baking. For Opening Night of Manhattan Beach Food & Wine she hosted a standout gourmet cookie and sweets booth.

Since we last spoke with Celebrity Chef Chris Cosentino he has launched his eagerly anticipated restaurant on Maui, KOAST. It’s unusually a freestanding establishment not connected to a luxury hotel. He also is the host of the podcast, “How the Sausage is Made with Chris Cosentino.”