SoCal Restaurant Show

We first introduced Chef Eric Klein to the listeners of the “SoCal Restaurant Show” when he was the high-profile Executive Chef and Partner of Spago Las Vegas in the Forum Shops. More recently Chef Eric transitioned (with a major promotion) to Senior Vice President Culinary – Partner at Wolfgang Puck Catering based at The Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Every year for over three-decades Wolfgang Puck...

“Ravines Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes, NY with Tasting Rooms in both Geneva and Hammondsport makes dry, classical, terroir-driven wines on over 130 acres of estate vineyards. Founded in 2001 and family-owned and operated ever since by Morten and Lisa Hallgren, Morten was born and trained as an oenologist / winemaker in Provence and Bordeaux France, before moving to the region and pioneering th...

Food, Wine and Travel Magazine (FWT Magazine) is the official online magazine of the prestigious International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association, a group of distinguished professional, global travel writers. “Join the writers of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association as they take you around the globe to explore the most exciting stories in food, wine and travel. The s...

Thanks to Culture OC’s Editors and Food Writer Anne Marie Panoringan for the unexpected editorial coverage. It was a role reversal as I got to unusually answer Anne Marie’s insightful queries instead of asking them. “Ravines Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes, NY with Tasting Rooms in both Geneva and Hammondsport makes dry, classical, terroir-driven wines on over 130 acres of estate vineyards. Found...

“Ravines Wine Cellars in Finger Lakes (Geneva and Hammondsport) is a flourishing partnership steeped in food and wine.  Both locations have Tasting Rooms. Winemaker Morten Hallgren grew up on a winery, Domaine de Castel Roubine, surrounded by estate vineyards in the Cotes de Provence wine region of France. He arrived in the Finger Lakes with an Enology and Viticulture degree from one of Europ...

“Ravines Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes, NY with Tasting Rooms in both Geneva and Hammondsport makes dry, classical, terroir-driven wines on over 130 acres of estate vineyards. Founded in 2001 and family-owned and operated ever since by Morten and Lisa Hallgren, Morten was born and trained as an oenologist / winemaker in Provence and Bordeaux France, before moving to the region and pioneering th...

“Food, Wine and Travel Magazine (FWT Magazine) is the official online magazine of the prestigious International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA,) a group of distinguished professional, global travel writers. Join the writers of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association as they take you around the globe to explore the most exciting stories in food, wine and trav...

“If there is just one edible plant to grow at home, it’s the tomato. Nowhere else is the contrast in flavor, nutrition and variety between homegrown and store-bought more evident. As a specialty crop of California, tomatoes play a vital role in the state’s agricultural heritage. This how-to lecture, Homegrown Tomatoes, at Centennial Farms at the OC Fair & Exhibit Center on Saturday, February 2...

“Food, Wine and Travel Magazine (FWT Magazine) is the official online magazine of the prestigious International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA,) a group of distinguished professional, global travel writers. Join the writers of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association as they take you around the globe to explore the most exciting stories in food, wine and trav...

We’re now continuing the spirited conversation highlighting crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite fast food menu items as guilty pleasures. We’ve covered the tops in fast-food fries. It’s time to talk juicy burgers. Chef Andrew shares (a bit reservedly) his favorites. He mentions a pair of acceptable national chains but prefers the neighborhood Mom and Pop...

“Restaurateur Russell J. Bendel, known as Russ, was born in Pennsylvania and raised in California. Influenced by his father, a veteran restaurant industry executive, Russ grew up in the business and developed a passion for food and hospitality. He set his sights on a career in the industry and earned his bachelor's degree from The Collins College at Cal Poly Pomona with an emphasis on Restaurants...

“Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Miami. Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated since its inception by Zach Brooks from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day wi...

On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit happening (Chefs Love L.A.) for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Cares showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions....

On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit happening (Chefs Love L.A.) for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Cares showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions....

“On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit (Chefs Love L.A.) fundraising for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Cares showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutio...

“Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Miami. “Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated since its inception by Zach Brooks from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day w...

On Thursday, February 27th at Lawry’s the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills there is a culinary spectacular benefit (Chefs Love L.A.) fundraising for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care showcasing a one-of-a-kind lineup of acclaimed celebrity chefs. It’s one-night only featuring a sumptuous 8-course meal paired with premium wines. It’s organized by Brad Metzger of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions...

“Take your sandwich game to the next level with mouthwatering out-of-the-ordinary recipes from TikTok’s reigning, accidental “Sandwich King” Owen Han. He’s amassed some 4.3 million followers for his edible creations on TikTok alone.” “Everyone loves a good sandwich, but when was the last time you had a GREAT one? Isn’t it about time your turkey club got an upgrade?” “Enter the youthful Owen Han an...

“Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Miami. “Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated since its inception by Zach Brooks from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day w...

“Take your sandwich game to the next level with mouthwatering out-of-the-ordinary recipes from TikTok’s reigning, accidental “Sandwich King” Owen Han. He’s amassed some 4.3 million followers for his edible creations on TikTok, alone.” “Everyone loves a good sandwich, but when was the last time you had a GREAT one? Isn’t it about time your turkey club got an upgrade?” “Enter the youthful Owen Han a...

On a lighter note this week (Fire Relief is still front-and-center) we’re continuing the conversation talking about crave-worthy fast food menu items. Chefs, on occasion, do enjoy their favorite fast-food menu items as guilty pleasures. Last week we discussed Chef Faves for French Fries. Before moving on we’ll discuss the one fast-food fry from a beloved burger joint that most chefs agree needs im...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the emerging culinary epicenter of West Hollywood. Chef Avila was particularly inspired by his most recent travels to Monterrey, Mexico where the bustling...

“Bar Etoile in the Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles is a natural wine focused restaurant with a full bar featuring Executive Chef Travis Hayden’s farmers market driven, seasonal cuisine with a French lean. Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers and h...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the new culinary epicenter of West Hollywood.” “MXO, means “Mexican Origins.” We’re big fans of Chef Wes’ going back to his very personal Angry Egret Dine...

“The award-winning Los Angeles based chef, Wes Avila, known for his blend of regional California and Mexican cuisine, has returned to his roots with MXO, a contemporary Mexican Steakhouse centered around wood-fire cooking located in the heart of the emerging culinary epicenter of West Hollywood. Chef Avila was particularly inspired by his most recent travels to Monterrey, Mexico where the bustling...