SoCal Restaurant Show

Just introduced from Melissa’s is a decadent line of premium, imported Italian gourmet dessert sauces in partnership with Fabbri.

“Why settle for one when you can have the ultimate collection of Melissa’s Gourmet Dessert Sauces? Co-branded with the iconic Fabbri of Italy, this set is a masterclass in dessert refinement, bringing over a century of Italian craftsmanship to your kitchen. With all five luxurious flavors—Chocolate, Caramel, Pistachio, Strawberry, and Wild Cherry—this is the ultimate go-to for creating café-worthy indulgence at home, no passport required. Drizzle chocolate over ice cream, swirl caramel into milkshakes, or top pancakes and waffles for a breakfast upgrade like no other.”

Melissa’s has a new line of Melissa’s Organic Snax™ trail mixes. “These are your new go-to snack for busy days, snacky nights, and everything in between. Melissa’s Organic Snax™ Performance Trail Mix Blend (just one example) is a bold, flavorful medley made to keep up with your day. Each bite brings together roasted almonds, crunchy pumpkin seeds, buttery cashews, sweet raisins and cranberries, and superfood standouts like goji berries and blueberries. To top it all off? Rich dark chocolate chunks for just the right hint of indulgence.”

Our beloved In-N-Out Burger (still amazingly Family-owned) is highly secretive about their operations and rarely makes menu changes. Recently announced is their pending move to eliminate artificial colors/food dyes in their shakes, pink lemonade and pickles and replace them with natural colors. Also cottonseed oil is being removed from their burger buns. Highly unusual move for them but truly significant and, possibly, a trend-setter for all of fast-food. Chef Andrew explains the healthful implications.

“Welcome to All’Antico Vinaio, the legendary Florentine sandwich shop. Since 1991, the Mazzanti family has been passionately running the three Florence locations of All’Antico Vinaio and has been drawing crowds of both Italians and tourists alike attracted by the exceptional ingredients and freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread. Considered one of the best street food experiences in the world, and noted by Saveur magazine as “home of the world’s best sandwiches”, All’Antico Vinaio welcomes guests to experience those very same ingredients and freshly baked bread at the American outposts. Beverly Hills joins existing locations in New York, Nashville and Las Vegas. Buon Appetito!” Tanya Bastianich joins us with a freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata loaf in hand.

“From the BBQ Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling comes The Meathead Method, a masterclass in the science and art of outdoor cooking. Meathead offers readers an informative, comprehensive, and fun guide to BBQ, grilling, and griddling, all backed by the latest culinary science. With more than 110 creative and non-traditional recipes, The Meathead Method provides both indoor and outdoor cooks with tools to elevate their skills. From mastering fire, smoke, and heat to discovering the intricacies of flavors, this book is more than just a cookbook—it’s a reference manual which guides us on a journey into the heart of what makes great food.” Meathead is our guest with properly seasoned BBQ tongs in hand.

“From the BBQ Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling comes The Meathead Method, a masterclass in the science and art of outdoor cooking. Meathead offers readers an informative, comprehensive, and fun guide to BBQ, grilling, and griddling, all backed by the latest culinary science. With more than 110 creative and non-traditional recipes, The Meathead Method provides both indoor and outdoor cooks with tools to elevate their skills. From mastering fire, smoke, and heat to discovering the intricacies of flavors, this book is more than just a cookbook—it’s a reference manual which guides us on a journey into the heart of what makes great food.” Meathead is our guest with properly seasoned BBQ tongs in hand.

“The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the mouthwatering and diverse menus for the 2025 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season. Now into the tenth year with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue. Goin and Styne’s culinary history has defined Los Angeles tastes since 1998 when they opened Lucques, their legendary first restaurant. At the Hollywood Bowl, their California-inspired offerings include three restaurants and three marketplaces. Additionally, menus for the Terrace and Garden Boxes, which can be ordered a day in advance, are created by four-time James Beard Foundation award-winner Suzanne Goin. Goin’s vibrant new summer dishes pair beautifully with the exceptional wine and beer programs curated by Caroline Styne, the James Beard Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year award recipient.” Chef Suzanne Goin and Restaurateur Caroline Styne join us to preview the delectable season of Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine 2025.

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 and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Swipe fees for restaurants (credit card processing fees) are an annoyingly increasing expense for restaurants. Only two entities are processing swipe fees and Chef Andrew supports the emerging embryonic legislation designed to bring some badly needed competition to this fee. In desperation some establishments are now adding a per cent to the restaurant check to recover these costs or give a meaningful discount for using cash.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It’s the unofficial start of the Summer Grilling Season!

“Welcome to All’Antico Vinaio, the legendary Florentine sandwich shop. Since 1991, the Mazzanti family has been passionately running the three Florence locations of All’Antico Vinaio and has been drawing crowds of both Italians and tourists alike attracted by the exceptional ingredients and freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread. Considered one of the best street food experiences in the world, and noted by Saveur magazine as “home of the world’s best sandwiches”, All’Antico Vinaio welcomes guests to experience those very same ingredients and freshly baked bread at the American outposts. Beverly Hills joins existing locations in New York, Nashville and Las Vegas. Buon Appetito!” Tanya Bastianich joins us with a freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata loaf in hand.

“From the BBQ Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling comes The Meathead Method, a masterclass in the science and art of outdoor cooking. Meathead offers readers an informative, comprehensive, and fun guide to BBQ, grilling, and griddling, all backed by the latest culinary science. With more than 110 creative and non-traditional recipes, The Meathead Method provides both indoor and outdoor cooks with tools to elevate their skills. From mastering fire, smoke, and heat to discovering the intricacies of flavors, this book is more than just a cookbook—it’s a reference manual which guides us on a journey into the heart of what makes great food.” Meathead is our guest with properly seasoned BBQ tongs in hand.

“The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the mouthwatering and diverse menus for the 2025 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season. Now into the tenth year with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue. Goin and Styne’s culinary history has defined Los Angeles tastes since 1998 when they opened Lucques, their legendary first restaurant. At the Hollywood Bowl, their California-inspired offerings include three restaurants and three marketplaces. Additionally, menus for the Terrace and Garden Boxes, which can be ordered a day in advance, are created by four-time James Beard Foundation award-winner Suzanne Goin. Goin’s vibrant new summer dishes pair beautifully with the exceptional wine and beer programs curated by Caroline Styne, the James Beard Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year award recipient.” Chef Suzanne Goin and Restaurateur Caroline Styne join us to preview the delectable season of Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine 2025.

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 and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Swipe fees for restaurants (credit card processing fees) are an annoyingly increasing expense for restaurants. Only two entities are processing swipe fees and Chef Andrew supports the emerging embryonic legislation designed to bring some badly needed competition to this fee. In desperation some establishments are now adding a per cent to the restaurant check to recover these costs or give a meaningful discount for using cash.

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

“Welcome to All’Antico Vinaio, the legendary Florentine sandwich shop. Since 1991, the Mazzanti family has been passionately running the three Florence locations of All’Antico Vinaio and has been drawing crowds of both Italians and tourists alike attracted by the exceptional ingredients and freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread. Considered one of the best street food experiences in the world, and noted by Saveur magazine as “home of the world’s best sandwiches”, All’Antico Vinaio welcomes guests to experience those very same ingredients and freshly baked bread at the American outposts.” Beverly Hills joins existing locations in New York, Las Vegas and Nashville. Boston and Miami shops are in the works. Buon Appetito!”

“Tommaso (Tommy) Mazzanti was born in 1988 in Bagno a Tipoli (Florence). He attended hotel school until the age of 18, and then entered the family business (All’Antico Vinaio. ) He joined the family company in 2014, and then opened 4 other stores with them between 2017 and 2021. In 2020 his first store outside of Florence opened in Milan. Since December 2020 he has also launched a store in the most important shopping center in Italy, I Gigli. Tommaso has joined forces in the USA with the Bastianich family (Lidia, Joe and Tanya) in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles with thunderous response from appreciative guests. He has been characterized as among the best and most social media savvy young restaurateurs in Italy.”

Tanya Bastianich joins us with a freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata loaf in hand.

“Welcome to All’Antico Vinaio, the legendary Florentine sandwich shop. Since 1991, the Mazzanti family has been passionately running the three Florence locations of All’Antico Vinaio and has been drawing crowds of both Italians and tourists alike attracted by the exceptional ingredients and freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread. Considered one of the best street food experiences in the world, and noted by Saveur magazine as “home of the world’s best sandwiches”, All’Antico Vinaio welcomes guests to experience those very same ingredients and freshly baked bread at the American outposts. Beverly Hills joins existing locations in New York, Las Vegas and Nashville. Boston and Miami shops are in the works. Buon Appetito!”

“Tommaso (Tommy) Mazzanti, the face of All’Antico Vinaio (and accidental social media celebrity) was born in 1988 in Bagno a Tipoli (Florence). He attended hotel school until the age of 18, and then entered the family business (All’Antico Vinaio. ) He joined the family company in 2014, and then opened 4 other stores with them between 2017 and 2021. In 2020 his first store outside of Florence opened in Milan. Since December 2020 he has also debuted a store in the most important shopping center in Italy, I Gigli. Tommaso has joined forces in the USA with the Bastianich family (Lidia, Joe and Tanya) initially in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles with thunderous response from appreciative guests. He has been characterized as among the best and most social media savvy young restaurateurs in Italy.”

Tanya Bastianich continues with us holding a freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata loaf in hand.

“From the BBQ Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling comes The Meathead Method, a masterclass in the science and art of outdoor cooking. Meathead offers readers an informative, comprehensive, and fun guide to BBQ, grilling, and griddling, all backed by the latest culinary science.”

“With more than 110 creative and non-traditional recipes, The Meathead Method provides both indoor and outdoor cooks with tools to elevate their skills. From mastering fire, smoke, and heat to discovering the intricacies of flavors, this book is more than just a cookbook—it’s a reference manual which guides us on a journey into the heart of what makes great food.”

“Almost anything you can cook indoors can be cooked outdoors. Only better,” says Meathead. Blending science with art, The Meathead Method busts culinary myths, challenges old techniques, and introduces new methods to help home cooks create meals that inspire and impress.”

“Meathead is one of only 40 living Barbecue Hall of Famers. He is the publisher of AmazingRibs.com, the largest and most popular editorial barbecue and grilling website in the world. “The Meathead Method” is called “The only book on outdoor cookery you’ll ever need” by Alton Brown of Food Network fame. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, a microbiologist and food safety expert.”

“From the BBQ Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling comes The Meathead Method, a masterclass in the science and art of outdoor cooking. Meathead offers readers an informative, comprehensive, and fun guide to BBQ, grilling, and griddling, all backed by the latest culinary science.”

“With more than 110 creative and non-traditional recipes, The Meathead Method provides both indoor and outdoor cooks with tools to elevate their skills. From mastering fire, smoke, and heat to discovering the intricacies of flavors, this book is more than just a cookbook—it’s a reference manual which guides us on a journey into the heart of what makes great food.”

“Almost anything you can cook indoors can be cooked outdoors. Only better,” says Meathead. Blending science with art, The Meathead Method busts culinary myths, challenges old techniques, and introduces new methods to help home cooks create meals that inspire and impress.”

Meathead is one of only 40 living Barbecue Hall of Famers. He is the publisher of AmazingRibs.com, the largest and most popular barbecue and grilling website in the world. “The Meathead Method” is called “The only book on outdoor cookery you’ll ever need” by food TV personality Alton Brown of Food Network fame. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, a microbiologist and food safety expert.”

“The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the mouthwatering and diverse menus for the 2025 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season. Now into the tenth year with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue. Goin and Styne’s culinary history has defined Los Angeles tastes since 1998 when they opened Lucques, their legendary first restaurant in West Hollywood.”

“At the Hollywood Bowl, their California-inspired offerings include three restaurants and three marketplaces. Additionally, menus for the Terrace and Garden Boxes, which can be ordered a day in advance, are created by four-time James Beard Foundation award-winner Suzanne Goin. Goin’s vibrant new summer dishes pair beautifully with the exceptional wine and beer programs curated by Caroline Styne, the James Beard Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year award recipient. Overseeing the broad range of dining options serving Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s thousands of nightly guests is Executive Chef Erik Lopez.”

“Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s many dining options include three sit-down restaurants with seasonally changing menus, street-food kiosks, pre-ordered picnic boxes and a full-service dinner delivered to your box seat. For private events, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine provides catering at several locations for groups both large and small.”

“Updates include a Burrito Kiosk offering three artisan selections, hand-crafted pizzas made with custom dough from Larder Baking Company and four new three-course picnic boxes including The Burton Way with Suzanne’s slow-roasted salmon and jeweled rice. The seasonal 'Supper in Your Seats' menu introduces a Surf and Turf for Two. The three Marketplaces will also feature Rori’s Ice Cream, a beloved treat from Santa Barbara and ice cream novelties from Chef Warren Schwartz’s Magpie’s Softserve.”

Chef Suzanne Goin is our guest with her mouthwatering menu previews for Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine.