SoCal Restaurant Show August 8, 2026 Hour 2

“For the past decade, Chef Rich Mead’s Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens has become one of Southern California's defining farm-to-table dining destinations by honoring the people behind every plate. This month, Farmhouse will commemorate its 10th anniversary with an extraordinary one-night-only culinary experience, followed by additional events and special programming throughout September. On Thursday, August 20, Farmhouse Owner and Executive Chef Rich Mead will host the Friends of Farmhouse 10th Anniversary Dinner, an elevated, intimate dining experience celebrating the farmers, artisans, ingredients and community that have shaped the restaurant since opening in 2016.” Chef Rich Mead takes a break from shopping at the ever- popular Santa Monica Farmers Market to join us. He’s joined by Farmhouse’s lead bartender, Alan Gutierrez.“Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist, is a world-renowned bar professional and beverage consultant, known for his pioneering contributions to mixology. He has appeared on national TV shows like TODAY and Iron Chef America, where he is a three-time champion. Tony is the author of The Modern Mixologist and Vodka Distilled and has hosted both virtual and in-person cocktail-making demonstrations, as well as the Fine Living series Raising the Bar.” His latest venture (a true labor of love) is the restoration of The Brass Rail, a classic neighborhood bar, in Port Huron, Michigan established in 1937.” Tony moves from behind the bar to join us.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. Chef Andrew (as a Father of four) is a long-time proponent of cooking healthy (and delicious,) keeping it simple while cooking and stretching the food shopping dollars. He was the first chef contributing to a new online cooking series from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., “The Real Food Show,” available on You Tube. He prepares crispy wild Alaskan salmon cakes with an apple, white bean and greens salad. The budget is a respectable $5 per serving. Chef Andrew provides us with the overview.