Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

“Celebrating its 10th anniversary is Tastemakers of Orange County on Thursday, September 3 from 6 to 9:00 p.m. at the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. This annual event, produced by and benefiting the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander-inspired cuisine created by more than two dozen distinguished Orange County chefs. Proceeds from the event support OCAPICA's numerous programs and services in mental health and health, youth development, housing assistance, policy education and protecting immigrant communities. Guests will be provided the opportunity to indulge in one-of-a-kind Asian and Pacific Island-inspired tapas dishes in an all-you-can-eat setting. While guests savor their gourmet dishes, they will also enjoy live entertainment, groovy tunes from a local DJ, and participate in an opportunity drawing to win unique items and experiences.” The restaurant and chef wrangler for Tastemakers, Tarit Tanjasiri of Crema Café & Crema Artisan Bakers, joins us to preview the event followed by participating restaurateur Ed Lee of Toast Kitchen & Bakery.
You may not know the name of restaurateur Adam Weisblatt of Last Word Hospitality but if you live in the Los Angeles area you’ve heard of (or patronized) the popular restaurants he’s part of including Found Oyster, Barra Santos and Hermon’s. What’s it like to open a restaurant? Adam shares all of this in his new book, For the Love of Restaurants – An Insider’s Guide from Daydreams to Opening Night. Adam puts down his reservations tablet to join us.“At Darkroom in Santa Ana, our goal is not just to give diners a wonderful experience — it is to change their understanding of Californian food and local farm communities.” Owner / Chefs Zach Scherer and Drew Adams. “We are using the unique and world class produce of Southern California. We are leveraging the techniques from cuisines around the world. We are changing the menu weekly so that guests will always have something new to enjoy.” “A 5-course experience in a separate, private room at Darkroom is Chrysalis tasting room celebrating California with big flavors and fun techniques.” The meal is prepared a la minute, with running commentary, by the chefs in front of the guests. Two styles of wine pairings are available as options in addition to a curated zero alcohol pairing. Chefs Zach Scherer and Drew Adams take a respite from their busy kitchen to join us in-studio.Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) now joins us with his timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Recent unfortunate food contamination scares with Cyclospora and Salmonella in raw produce have us thinking. Chef Andrew weighs in with his thoughts. Also, an update on supporting California avocados and the family farmers who grow them.All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!