SoCal Restaurant Show September 20, 2025 Hour 2

“Get ready to feast for a cause as the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) proudly presents the return of its beloved Tastemakers of Orange County on Wednesday, September 24, from 6 to 9:00 p.m. at the vibrant Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. This high-energy culinary celebration spotlights the rich and diverse flavors of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine, crafted by more than two dozen of Orange County’s top chefs. Tickets are available to the public for $250 for VIP, which allows early entry at 6 p.m. (one hour earlier than General Admission); and $195 for General Admission from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa). Restaurateur Ed Lee (Co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco) of Toast Bakery and Kitchen (Costa Mesa and Tustin) joins us. He’s a participating restaurant in Tastemakers of Orange County.The annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade benefit is set for Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on the Royce Hall Quad on the UCLA Campus. “This spectacular cookout is hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin and business partner, Caroline Styne (A.O.C., Larder Baking Co, Cara Cara at Proper DTLA and The Hollywood Bowl), along with Chef David Lentz, featuring top chefs, breweries, vintners and mixologists to benefit kids with cancer. This fun and family-friendly afternoon features one-of-a-kind food and drink samplings. Guests can mingle with the celebrated chefs behind the dishes and taste fine dining nationwide. With over $1.6 million raised in 2024, this event’s impact only continues to grow for all kids with cancer. Since its inception, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade has raised more than $10 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) to fund critical childhood cancer research.” Liz Scott (Alex’s Mom) is the Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Alex’s Lemonade Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Liz Scott joins us with all the details of the upcoming L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade.Also joining us thereafter for his own segment supporting L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade is Chef and Restaurateur Steve Samson of Rossoblu, and Superfine Pizza in DTLA, and Superfine Playa in Playa Vista. Chef Steve is a multiple year participant in L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade, even predating the opening of Rossoblu eight years ago!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. Continued from last week is California Restaurant Association’s (CRA) recently launched “What The Fork!” campaign with the theme that California’s lawmakers are making everything more expensive.All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!