SoCal Restaurant Show March 21, 2026 Hour 2

Hitching Post Wines in Buellton, celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year, is one of the participants in “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.” Weston Hartley, the Co-Winemaker (representing the 2nd generation of Family ownership) is our guest. Valdiguie is their favorite undiscovered wine grape and will be their featured wine at The Festival. “It’s Racy. Defined as: (of a wine, flavor, etc.) having a characteristic quality to a high degree.” Count on other surprises at their table, too.“Slice Out Hunger is hosting a Pizza Expo Tailgate Party on Monday, March 23rd in Las Vegas as a special public event to kick off Pizza Expo 2026. This event grants guests access (in two sessions) to over two-dozen world-famous pizza makers from all over the globe and 75 minutes of unlimited slices per session. Session 1 is 4 to 5:15 p.m. and Session 2 is then 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The festival location is Third Street (Downtown Las Vegas) in front of Pizza Rock Downtown, 201 N 3rd St, Las Vegas, NV 89101. The “Who” is Pizza Rock's Tony Gemigniani, Metro Pizza's John Arena, Slice Out Hunger’s Scott Wiener (“The Pizza Show”), and over two dozen local and nationally acclaimed pizza makers including World Pizza Champions and past Pizza Expo winners. One hundred percent of proceeds are donated to Slice Out Hunger, a national pizza industry charity that helps with local hunger efforts in cities across the country. Founder Scott Wiener (New Yorker) joins us with pizza peel at the ready.“Like most sourdough, San Diego-based Leaven Foods (NEXTY Award-winner at the recent Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim) origin story began during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when lockdown ended, the founders' (two scientists who are bakers) once-coddled starter was neglected. Enter Leaven Foods, a shelf-stable sourdough starter made from non-GMO wild yeast and beneficial bacteria. This innovative powder eliminates the need for feeding or maintenance and makes baking sourdough accessible for home cooks of all abilities.”Founder and CEO Cameron Martino joins us in the rise.