This is a very exciting episode for me. I am a secret lover of growing food at home - I'm not sure i'm very good at it - but I really enjoy it. That's why I was so happy to sit down to learn about culinary gardens with Ashley Irene of Heirloom Potager for this episode of The Best Ceats Podcast.

There is nothing like eating food you've grown yourself, but so often we overlook how much work it really is to grown food at home. Ashley takes the work out of that, consulting and mentoring her clients - from professional chefs to folks like you and me - to grow exactly what they want, as easily yet successfully as possible. She is a true lover of food and food history, and her passion is infectious and wonderful. I truly hope you enjoy this episode, and consider reaching out to her for more information. 

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at: 

https://patreon.com/thebestceats 

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website: 

https://alicoylemusic.com 

An extremely talented and passionate bartender hailing from North Orange County, Ava Navarrete is a truly wonderful soul. She is someone I'm proud to know, and humbled by her taking the time to sit down and share some time. This is a great episode as we discuss local politics, Dry January drink tactics, and tackling mental health when your job and passion is taken from you.

It is a great listen, and one I hope you will enjoy.

Plus, there is a big section about Cheers so that alone should entice you to hit play.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at: 

https://patreon.com/thebestceats 

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website: 

https://alicoylemusic.com 

What a year 2020 has been.

That may be the biggest understatement in human history in fact. The year saw so much, it is impossible to summarize it here. For this episode, the guest position shifted, as the audience got to ask the questions. This special "Ask Me Anything" edition of The Best Ceats Podcast is an unfiltered, unedited, unrehearsed, honest attempt to answer any and all questions submitted by both Patreon subscribers, as well as through instagram.

I hope you enjoy, and can't wait to see what 2021 has in store for us all!

Stay safe, and as always, live well and often.

- Crawford

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at: 

https://patreon.com/thebestceats 

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website: 

https://alicoylemusic.com 

There is some truth to the stereotypes that come with a Southern California lifestyle. The laid back, slow-moving surf and beach vibes permeate most aspects of a beach town life. It begs the question then, that during these unprecedented times when the bar and restaurant industry is being decimated, where does one find the will to fight? Having a Detroit upbringing helps quite a bit, just ask Tony Gioutsos of Gibroni’s Pizza. After being furloughed from his previous job, he needed a way to provide for his wife and newborn child. So, after connecting with the owner of JD’s Kitchen & Bar in San Clemente, he found a way by channeling the flavors of home and creating Gibroni’s. He sits down for a rapid-fire interview recorded just before business opens for the night to discuss all things Detroit Pizza. Give a listen, then go support a truly wonderful group of people.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at: 

https://patreon.com/thebestceats 

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website: 

https://alicoylemusic.com

This year has been a year of firsts - and now, there is another! The first-ever multi-guest episode! Now, as with every other aspect of the hospitality industry in 2020, it is not perfect in its presentation, but it is perfect in its heart and intent. I am so proud to be joined by the owners of Eat Chow, Amy Frawley, and Chef Brian McReynolds. The Costa Mesa and Newport Beach restaurants are more than established dining destinations - but community centers. Places of empathy, and delicious food, that act as cornerstones of the community are the types of businesses that need saving the most. Eat Chow (which you can follow on social media here) is exactly that, and more, so join me in sitting down with the owners in this special episode.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at: 

https://patreon.com/thebestceats 

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website: 

https://alicoylemusic.com 

When you are dealing with a year like 2020, wine seems appropriate to help cope with the relentless stream of things to deal with. Everyday stresses seem a little less jarring when paired with a good bottle. Of course, to fully enjoy this little bit of escapism, you need a proper wine - JUSTIN has been making such wines for some time now. If you travel to the winery, it only makes sense to eat while you are there, and eat you should, because the culinary program at JUSTIN is top-notch thanks to Executive Chef, Rachel Haggstrom. With a storied resume, Chef Haggstrom has worked to elevate The Restaurant at JUSTIN to a world-class level. She sits down this episode to detail how she has accomplished this, and still accomplishes this while dealing with a pandemic, fires, and more. Grab a glass, and dig into this latest episode!

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at:

https://patreon.com/thebestceats

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website:

https://alicoylemusic.com

The name of the game is to survive in 2020. Restaurants, bars, and everything in between are doing everything they can to adapt to this new world. However, it isn’t just carving out a future for a restaurant that a chef has to worry about, but one’s own family. Chef Greg Daniels doesn’t just have his own family to worry about, but a restaurant named after and inspired by his family - Harley. The Laguna Beach dining destination has been through a wash of changes since opening its doors, and its ability to apply those changes to the ever-changing landscape that is 2020 has given it a chance to survive. Chef Daniels hopes for nothing more and works every minute of every day, not just as a chef, but as an owner, husband, and father to ensure that survival - for him and his family.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at:

https://patreon.com/thebestceats

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust Me,” please see her official website:

https://alicoylemusic.com

I can't even begin to describe what a great feeling it is to be doing some of these new episodes in person. Aside from the increase in audio quality it allows me to bring to you - the notion of sitting with someone to have a conversation is an art form that is truly missed during these times. Pair an in-person interview with the fact my guest this episode is a spirits industry and bar veteran and you can probably guess how happy I was to record this one!

Ben Carpenter is the Director of Sales for Surf City Stillworks, in Huntington Beach, CA. Surf City is a baby in the spirits market, but their products have made a massive splash already with consumers, and their growth has been massive - even during a global pandemic. Ben was kind enough to open his home to me for a chat about how he got where he is, what life for him looks like now, and what it is like to balance family life with a career in spirits. We hit a whole range of great topics, so settle in for one of my favorite interviews yet! Also, be sure to check out their spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails! My bias aside, they really are great products that can help flesh out any home bar collection, while supporting a truly local, family business!

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at:

https://patreon.com/thebestceats

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust. Me,” please see her official website:

https://alicoylemusic.com

First. In-Person. Episode.

Yes, you read that correctly - Episode 30 marks the first time that The Best Ceats Podcast was recorded in person. I've had a lot of chefs and various other professions on recently, all of whom I'm very humbled to have interviewed. I missed bartenders though and needed a solid cocktail chat, which is why I was so excited to head back to Mayfield in San Juan Capistrano to chat with the new Bar Manager, Luis Del Pozo, also known as Bow Tie Luis

He is one of the best in the area, and gives a great insight into what it's like to build out a bar program, how he selects spirits, and also why agave spirits are so mistreated. This interview also comes with information on a cool party trick you can use on friends to see if your tequila to mezcal of choice is chalked full of glycerine or not - I'm not joking.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at:

https://patreon.com/thebestceats

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust. Me,” please see her official website:

https://alicoylemusic.com

There is much more to a restaurant or bar than just what customers see when they arrive. The relationship between a business and its clients starts these days, more often than not, digitally. To give an amazing first impression, great photos are needed. Sarah King is one of the best around when it comes to photographing for restaurants and bars. She made her mark working in restaurants, and as a bartender at one of the best cocktail programs in Orange County, developed one of the best eyes around. We sit down to chat about life as a hospitality photographer during COVID-19, how she got started in photography, and even have a crash course for better Instagram photos for all! She's a great person and one that is happy to be working on the other side of the bar these days, even during a pandemic. Enjoy!

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of Southern California’s bars, restaurants, and beyond.

You can find more information at https://thebestceats.com

Follow Host Crawford McCarthy at https://www.instagram.com/thebestceats/

To support content like The Best Ceats Podcast, please consider supporting The Best Ceats, at:

https://patreon.com/thebestceats

To learn more about Ali Coyle, as well as her debut track “Trust. Me,” please see her official website:

https://alicoylemusic.com