SoCal Restaurant Show June 7, 2025 Hour 2

“Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens, the new farm-to-table dining destination nestled within the botanical garden and living museum located in La Cañada Flintridge, launched on Friday, May 30, 2025. Developed in collaboration with Southern California’s renowned Chef Rich Mead, Farmhouse is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, offering an immersive, seasonal culinary experience in Descanso Gardens’ breathtaking 150-acre urban oasis.The Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens culinary program is a harmonious collaboration between two acclaimed Southern California chefs: Chef Rich Mead, the restaurant’s visionary, celebrated for his pioneering work in sustainable cuisine and passion for supporting local farmers; and Chef Adam Cherney, who leads the kitchen as Executive Chef. Sharing Chef Mead’s deep commitment to farm-to-table principles, Chef Cherney is known for his creativity and precision, honed over more than 15 years in top Los Angeles restaurants, including A.O.C., Pace and Saltie Girl.”“The Pacific Rim International Wine Competition was founded in 1985 by a group of winemakers, vintners and educators passionate about making great wines accessible to the public. The Pacific Rim Competition is held at the historic National Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino, California for two days. This year the competition dates were June 3rd & 4th. Over the course of two days, the judges engaged in a double-blind tasting of every wine (over 400) entered into the Competition. The wines were discussed, evaluated and awarded medals accordingly. The 2025 Results List is available on their Website.” Jon McPherson the acclaimed winemaker for South Coast Winery Resort, Carter Estate (Temecula, CA) and Carter Creek Winery (Texas Hill Country) was the Head Judge with his Texas-based brother, Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars. Jon joins us to discuss the 2025 competition and the winners.”
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. Sugarcane oil is coming into commercial kitchens as a more sustainable alternative to seed oils. Chef Andrew explains the healthful implications. Talking about sustainable Chef Andrew mentions the Orange County marine biology students who are raising white seas bass, green abalone and Pismo clams to return them to the ocean.