SoCal Restaurant Show

“Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist, is a world-renowned, Las Vegas-based, 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...

“Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist, (Las Vegas-based) 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...

“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 August, Farmhouse will commemorate its 10th anniversary with an extraordinary one-night-only culinary experience, followed by additional events and special programming throughout September.” “On Thursd...

“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...

“75 Main is a popular restaurant located in the heart of Southampton’s Main Street. The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, and features both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu offers a variety of options, including seafood, steak, pasta, and salads, with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients.” The personality of the restaurant...

“75 Main, owned by celebrity restaurateur and hotelier Zach Erdem, is a wildly popular restaurant located in the heart of Southampton’s (The Hamptons, Long Island) Main Street launched in 2010. The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, and features both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu offers a variety of options, including seafood, steak...

We had an incredible time in New Orleans (a tip of the toque to New Orleans & Co.) supporting Team USA 2027 in their pursuit to qualify in the Bocuse d’Or Americas Competition to, hopefully, move on to Lyon in January of 2027 for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. Happy to report Team USA 2027 placed Number 1 in the Americas Competition. It’s now intensive daily tr...

“BADMAASH is a Los Angeles–born lifestyle and hospitality brand that has been redefining modern Indian cuisine since 2013. Founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro, the restaurant has earned local, national, and international acclaim for pushing the boundaries of the Indian dining experience. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary reinterpretations, BADMAASH pairs bold, vibrant flav...

We had an incredible time in New Orleans (a tip of the toque to New Orleans & Co.) supporting Team USA 2027 in their pursuit to qualify in the Bocuse d’Or Americas Competition to, hopefully, move on to Lyon in January of 2027 for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. Happy to report Team USA 2027 placed Number 1 in the Americas Competition. It’s now intensive daily tr...

For the SoCal Restaurant Show the highlight of the OC Fair is the Culinary Arts inside the OC Promenade. That’s where the cooking demonstration stage is. There are also recreations of classic OC restaurants selling select menu items. You can also meet their long-time food carving artist, the talented Ray Duey. Guests can explore the captivating Sand & Sea Exhibit, marvel at the OC Fair’s culin...

For the SoCal Restaurant Show the highlight of the OC Fair is the Culinary Arts inside the OC Promenade. That’s where the popular cooking demonstration stage is. There are also recreations of classic. OC restaurants selling select menu items. You can also meet their long-time food carving artist, the talented Ray Duey. Guests can explore the captivating Sand & Sea Exhibit, marvel at the OC Fai...

“BADMAASH is a Los Angeles–born lifestyle and hospitality brand that has been redefining modern Indian cuisine since 2013. Founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro, the restaurant has earned local, national, and international acclaim for pushing the boundaries of the Indian dining experience. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary reinterpretations, BADMAASH pairs bold, vibrant flav...

“BADMAASH is a Los Angeles–born lifestyle and hospitality brand that has been redefining modern Indian cuisine since 2013. Founded by brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro, the restaurant has earned local, national, and international acclaim for pushing the boundaries of the Indian dining experience. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary reinterpretations, BADMAASH pairs bold, vibrant flav...

Believe it or not many food-savvy European visitors to the USA for World Cup games became obsessed with Ranch Dressing (America’s most popular salad dressing.) Not found in Europe…It’s an American creation. It got so crazy that the TSA had to put out a blast reminding departing visitors that the 12-ounce bottles of commercial Ranch dressing had to be placed in checked luggage. In the spirit of int...

Alice Glenn is the Executive Vice President of New Orleans & Co. She joins us to explain what a Destination Marketing and Sales Organization (DMO) does to support their home city. “New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, their mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to New Orleans for...

Chef Mawa McQueen is a prominent restaurateur with popular properties in Aspen and Boulder Colorado. She is also a Ment’or Chefs Council Member and an enthusiastic supporter of Team USA 2027 on the road to Lyon. She joins us. “In addition to her four restaurants in Aspen - Michelin recommended Mawa’s Kitchen, Mawita Tapas & Wine Bar and two locations of Crepe Therapy Cafe- in the past yea...

Chef Instructor (Bread and Pastry Arts) Matt Serkes is on staff at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI.) We’ll meet him. “New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that equips individuals with the skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to excel in culinary & hospitality careers and passions. Through ac...

“Ashwin Vilkhu is a celebrated chef and restaurateur known for bringing modern Indian cuisine to New Orleans through his acclaimed restaurant Saffron NOLA where dishes draw on his Indian heritage and global influences, reinterpreting traditional Indian recipes with a Southern twist. He’s was a 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South.” “Chef Ashwin’s latest, The Kingsway, is a fine dini...

We’re live from New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center covering the Americas Selection for the Bocuse d’Or Americas competition. Eight top-flight culinary teams, from eight different countries in North & South America, are competing to determine which five teams move on to the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in Lyon France in January of 2027. This bi-annual event...

Alice Glenn is the Executive Vice President of New Orleans & Co. She joins us to explain what a Destination Marketing and Sales Organization (DMO) does to support their home city. Meg Bickford is the Executive Chef of the legendary Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. She joins us. “Edgar “Dook” Chase, IV is the Owner/President of Chase Hospitality Group and Chase Concessions, LLC., a partner in...

“Ashwin Vilkhu is a celebrated chef and restaurateur known for bringing modern Indian cuisine to New Orleans through his acclaimed restaurant Saffron NOLA where dishes draw on his Indian heritage and global influences, reinterpreting traditional Indian recipes with a Southern twist. He’s was a 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South.” Chef Ashwin joins us. Chef Instructor (Bread and Pa...

“Food journalist Ian McNulty is a writer for The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate and NOLA.com covering restaurants and food culture. His commentary series Where Y’Eat airs weekly on NPR affiliate WWNO, and he is a frequent contributor to WWL radio in New Orleans.” “Ian is the author of two books - “Louisiana Rambles: Exploring America’s Cajun and Creole Heartland,” a travel narrative abo...

“Edgar “Dook” Chase, IV is the Owner/President of Chase Hospitality Group and Chase Concessions, LLC., a partner in Chase North, the premier food and beverage operator and management concessionaire at the Louis Armstrong International Airport, and the proprietor of two of their concepts, Leah’s Kitchen and Dook’s Burgers. Chase Concessions also operates eleven other concepts at MSY, as well concep...

Meg Bickford is the Executive Chef of the legendary Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. She joins us. “Native to the region and its Creole and Cajun cuisines, Chef Meg Bickford assumed the role of Executive Chef at Commander’s Palace in October 2020. Bickford graduated from the John Folse Culinary Institute and was subsequently hired by Commander’s, where she went on to serve as Executive Chef of C...

Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s fame on the RCS Carnival Midway. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now for The OC Fair (“Your Adventure Awaits!”) running now through Sunday,...