SoCal Restaurant Show

“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. Overseeing the broad range of dining options serving Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s thousands of nightly guests is Executive Chef Erik Lopez.”

“Restaurateur Caroline Styne has curated a diverse retail wine selection in the three marketplaces at The Hollywood Bowl for Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine 2025. On the list are a broad selection of varieties and options for wine lovers visiting the Bowl. The markets feature a number of canned wines as well as a wide selection of vegan, organic and biodynamic bottles, including a collection of natural wines from producers including Broc Cellars, Wavy Wines, Nat Cool by Neipoort and Hollywood Bowl wine sponsor WINC wines. Returning for the 2025 season are the Wednesdays and Sunday Market Tastings – a 16-week program of complimentary wine tastings at the Plaza Marketplace with guest winemakers, importers and sommeliers hand-selected by Caroline to give the venue’s visitors an immersive and personal experience with her favorite people in the wine world.”

“Inspired by Suzanne and Caroline’s local a.o.c restaurant, Ann’s Wine Bar by a.o.c. features a wide selection of Caroline Styne’s favorite new- and old-world wines to be explored by adventurous and less experienced wine drinkers alike, all paired with Suzanne Goin’s signature small-plates menu.”

Caroline Styne is our guest with a proper corkscrew at the ready.

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. We’re watching this…

“Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos of her and her mom have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life. This collaboration is now a must-have cookbook, UMMA – A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom & 100 Family Recipes, blending the emotional intimacy of Crying in H Mart with practical culinary advice from Nam Soon’s lifetime of kitchen experience. The recipes are framed by mother-daughter conversations that are funny, profound, and universally relatable—plus all the food is backed by the recipe-testing power of America’s Test Kitchen.” Sarah shares the Family recipes for Braised Baby Potatoes and Korean Fried Chicken from UMMA with us. (Available on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” Website.) Sarah Ahn joins us in-studio.

“Joolies California Superfruit brings mouthwatering , organic medjool dates from their palms to yours as a delicious, healthy on-the-go option for snackers everywhere. Joolies is a Family- owned, California-based organic medjool date company founded in 2018.

Medjool dates, also known as the king of dates, are a great source of energy, have a low glycemic index, and are full of beneficial nutrients. To ensure the best possible quality, Joolies dates are handpicked from the tree and carefully packed at peak ripeness. A joint partnership between the Kohl Family Farm and Venice Brands, Joolies is on a mission to share the nutritious goodness of organic medjool dates grown in the sunny Coachella Valley of Southern California.” Amanda Sains, Vice President Marketing for Joolies, is our guide to California’s palm tree candy.

“Join, perhaps, the ultimate BBQ adventure at the 2025 Long Beach BBQ Festival-a BBQ & music event in Long Beach, Ca!! Celebrating National BBQ Month. It’s two days (Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th) of Food, Friends, Family and Fun - at Shoreline Aquatic Park in sunny Long Beach. Step into the heart of Long Beach and brace yourself for an unforgettable BBQ festival extravaganza, hosted by Axiom Kitchen and in collaboration with NoahS’s Arc Foundation. The festival grounds will be alive with the sizzling aromas and lively tunes from local bands, creating a barbecue paradise that celebrates the diverse flavors of Southern California. Indulge in a gastronomic adventure with BBQ delights ranging from classic favorites to innovative culinary creations.” Festival Co-Founder Qiana Mafnas of Axiom Kitchen joins us with all the flavorful and succulent details.

“Kei Concepts has debuted the long-anticipated expansion of Vox Kitchen with its second location, Vox Kitchen & Bar launched on Monday, April 7 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Known for its innovative fusion of Asian and Latin American cuisine, Vox Kitchen has built a devoted following since its debut in Fountain Valley in 2017. It’s celebrated for its bold flavors, vibrant dishes, and inventive approach to global cuisine. This new location marks a major milestone, introducing an elevated dining experience while staying true to the signature flavors that have defined its success. Expanding to South Coast Plaza—a premier destination known for its world-class shopping and dining—was a natural evolution for Vox Kitchen. The restaurant’s commitment to quality, creativity, and hospitality aligns seamlessly with South Coast Plaza’s reputation for excellence, providing the perfect setting to showcase its next chapter. The new space is designed as more than just a restaurant—it serves as a flagship location, offering an enhanced dining atmosphere and a broader culinary experience for both longtime fans and new guests.” Executive Chef and Founder of Kei Concepts, Viet Nguyen is our guest.

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. Is the wild caught shrimp you are enjoying labeled “domestic” really from American waters? Is domestic, farm-raised shrimp the equal of wild caught? Chef Andrew explains what a savvy consumer should know.

“Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos of her and her mom have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life. This collaboration is now a must-have cookbook, UMMA – A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom & 100 Family Recipes, blending the emotional intimacy of Crying in H Mart with practical culinary advice from Nam Soon’s lifetime of kitchen experience. The recipes are framed by mother-daughter conversations that are funny, profound, and universally relatable—plus all the food is backed by the recipe-testing power of America’s Test Kitchen.” Sarah shares the Family recipes for Braised Baby Potatoes and Korean Fried Chicken from UMMA with us. (Available on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” Website.) Sarah Ahn joins us in-studio.

“Joolies California Superfruit brings mouthwatering , organic medjool dates from their palms to yours as a delicious, healthy on-the-go option for snackers everywhere. Joolies is a Family- owned, California-based organic medjool date company founded in 2018.

Medjool dates, also known as the king of dates, are a great source of energy, have a low glycemic index, and are full of beneficial nutrients. To ensure the best possible quality, Joolies dates are handpicked from the tree and carefully packed at peak ripeness. A joint partnership between the Kohl Family Farm and Venice Brands, Joolies is on a mission to share the nutritious goodness of organic medjool dates grown in the sunny Coachella Valley of Southern California.” Amanda Sains, Vice President Marketing for Joolies, is our guide to California’s palm tree candy.

“Join, perhaps, the ultimate BBQ adventure at the 2025 Long Beach BBQ Festival-a BBQ & music event in Long Beach, Ca!! Celebrating National BBQ Month. It’s two days (Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th) of Food, Friends, Family and Fun - at Shoreline Aquatic Park in sunny Long Beach. Step into the heart of Long Beach and brace yourself for an unforgettable BBQ festival extravaganza, hosted by Axiom Kitchen and in collaboration with NoahS’s Arc Foundation. The festival grounds will be alive with the sizzling aromas and lively tunes from local bands, creating a barbecue paradise that celebrates the diverse flavors of Southern California. Indulge in a gastronomic adventure with BBQ delights ranging from classic favorites to innovative culinary creations.” Festival Co-Founder Qiana Mafnas of Axiom Kitchen joins us with all the flavorful and succulent details.

“Kei Concepts has debuted the long-anticipated expansion of Vox Kitchen with its second location, Vox Kitchen & Bar launched on Monday, April 7 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Known for its innovative fusion of Asian and Latin American cuisine, Vox Kitchen has built a devoted following since its debut in Fountain Valley in 2017. It’s celebrated for its bold flavors, vibrant dishes, and inventive approach to global cuisine. This new location marks a major milestone, introducing an elevated dining experience while staying true to the signature flavors that have defined its success. Expanding to South Coast Plaza—a premier destination known for its world-class shopping and dining—was a natural evolution for Vox Kitchen. The restaurant’s commitment to quality, creativity, and hospitality aligns seamlessly with South Coast Plaza’s reputation for excellence, providing the perfect setting to showcase its next chapter. The new space is designed as more than just a restaurant—it serves as a flagship location, offering an enhanced dining atmosphere and a broader culinary experience for both longtime fans and new guests.” Executive Chef and Founder of Kei Concepts, Viet Nguyen is our guest.

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. Is the wild caught shrimp you are enjoying labeled “domestic” really from American waters? Is domestic, farm-raised shrimp the equal of wild caught? Chef Andrew explains what a savvy consumer should know.

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

“Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos of her and her mom have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life. This collaboration is now a must-have cookbook, UMMA – A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom & 100 Family Recipes, blending the emotional intimacy of Crying in H Mart with practical culinary advice from Nam Soon’s lifetime of kitchen experience. The recipes are framed by mother-daughter conversations that are funny, profound, and universally relatable—plus all the food is backed by the recipe-testing power of America’s Test Kitchen.”

• Thorough ingredient guide: Walk through a Korean grocery store with a Korean umma for in-depth guidance on what pantry ingredients and fresh produce and protein to buy.
• Recipes both traditional and contemporary: Learn to make everything from simple banchan, a variety of kimchi, and foundational stews to an assortment of yasik (midnight snacks) and inventive desserts.
• Kitchen wisdom from mother to daughter: Shared confidences open a window onto a level of family intimacy rarely seen in cookbooks.

• The Ahns understand that when generations come together in the kitchen, so much is shared: not only food, but also knowledge, advice, family history, and love.

“Sarah Ahn is America’s Test Kitchen’s social media manager and the creator of the Ahnest Kitchen website. She records her experiences on Instagram and TikTok of living with her Korean immigrant parents, chronicling her mother’s cooking, grocery shopping trips, and more. Many of Sarah’s posts have gone viral with 10+ million views and they have sold grocery stores out of product. Nam Soon Ahn, Sarah’s mother, is a former restaurateur whose culinary wisdom and recipes form the foundation of this book. Together, they honor their heritage with love, flavor, and authenticity.”

“Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos of her and her mom have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life. This collaboration is now a must-have cookbook, UMMA – A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom & 100 Family Recipes, blending the emotional intimacy of Crying in H Mart with practical culinary advice from Nam Soon’s lifetime of kitchen experience. The recipes are framed by mother-daughter conversations that are funny, profound, and universally relatable—plus all the food is backed by the recipe-testing power of America’s Test Kitchen.”

“Sarah Ahn is America’s Test Kitchen’s social media manager and the creator of the Ahnest Kitchen website. She records her experiences on Instagram and TikTok of living with her Korean immigrant parents, chronicling her mother’s cooking, grocery shopping trips, and more. Many of Sarah’s posts have gone viral with 10+ million views and they have sold grocery stores out of product. Nam Soon Ahn, Sarah’s mother, is a former restaurateur whose culinary wisdom and recipes form the foundation of this book. Together, they honor their heritage with love, flavor, and authenticity.”

Sarah Ahn, in-studio, continues with us.

“Joolies California Superfruit brings mouthwatering, organic medjool dates from their palms to yours as a delicious, healthy on-the-go option for snackers everywhere. Joolies is a Family- owned California-based organic medjool date company founded in 2018.”

“Medjool dates, also known as the king of dates, are a great source of energy, have a low glycemic index, and are full of beneficial nutrients. To ensure the best possible quality, Joolies dates are handpicked from the tree and carefully packed at peak ripeness.”

“The date farm was one of the first date producers to become organic. The Kohl Family Farm operations have always been at the forefront of environmental awareness, global best practices and efficient farming technology by working with international experts to improve all their farming techniques. Working with the equipment manufactures and the air quality management district, they customized equipment in order to meet the highest environmental standards while creating a safer workplace for their employees. The farm operates drip irrigation and effective water management systems so every drop of water can be fully utilized.”


“A joint partnership between the Kohl Family Farm and Venice Brands, Joolies is on a mission to share the nutritious goodness of organic medjool dates grown in the sunny Coachella Valley of Southern California.”

Amanda Sains, Vice President Marketing for Joolies is our guide to California’s palm tree candy.

“Join, perhaps, the ultimate BBQ adventure at the 2025 Long Beach BBQ Festival-a BBQ & music event in Long Beach, Ca. Celebrating National BBQ Month. It’s two days (Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th) of Food, Friends, Family and FUN- at Shoreline Aquatic Park in sunny Long Beach.”

“Step into the heart of Long Beach and brace yourself for an unforgettable BBQ festival extravaganza, hosted by Axiom Kitchen and in collaboration with NoahS’s Arc Foundation. The festival grounds will be alive with the sizzling aromas and lively tunes from local bands, creating a barbecue paradise that celebrates the diverse flavors of Southern California. Indulge in a gastronomic adventure with BBQ delights ranging from classic favorites to innovative culinary creations.” 

Co-Founder Qiana Mafnas of Axiom Kitchen joins us with all the flavorful and succulent details.

“Kei Concepts has debuted the long-anticipated expansion of Vox Kitchen with its second location, Vox Kitchen & Bar launched on Monday, April 7 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Known for its innovative fusion of Asian and Latin American cuisine, Vox Kitchen has built a devoted following since its debut in Fountain Valley in 2017. It’s celebrated for its bold flavors, vibrant dishes, and inventive approach to global cuisine. This new location marks a major milestone, introducing an elevated dining experience while staying true to the signature flavors that have defined its success.”

“Expanding to South Coast Plaza—a premier destination known for its world-class shopping and dining—was a natural evolution for Vox Kitchen. The restaurant’s commitment to quality, creativity, and hospitality aligns seamlessly with South Coast Plaza’s reputation for excellence, providing the perfect setting to showcase its next chapter. The new space is designed as more than just a restaurant—it serves as a flagship location, offering an enhanced dining atmosphere and a broader culinary experience for both longtime fans and new guests.”

“The menu at Vox Kitchen & Bar features well-loved classics, including its signature Lomo Saltado, umami-packed Garlic Noodles, and the crisp and refreshing Burrata Pear Salad, while exclusive new menu offerings have been added to complement the elevated ambiance of the space.” 

“We’ve always believed in pushing the boundaries of flavor and dining experiences,” said Viet Nguyen, Founder and Executive Chef of Kei Concepts. “Expanding to South Coast Plaza allows us to share our passion for bold, innovative cuisine with an even larger audience, while offering a space that reflects the sophistication and vibrancy of our culinary vision. This next chapter marks an evolution for Vox Kitchen—one that celebrates our roots while embracing a refined and forward-thinking dining experience.”

Executive Chef and Founder Viet Nguyen is our guest.