SoCal Restaurant Show

“In 2019, chef Rashida Holmes, a past James Beard Award Nominee, inspired by her diverse culinary background and personal cravings, envisioned Bridgetown Roti, filling a gap in LA's food scene with Caribbean patties and rotis. Initially starting as a pop-up, the business gained traction during the pandemic, receiving a surge of support for Black-owned businesses and earning accolades. Holmes, alon...

“Culinary Team USA competed on January 26th at the (biannual) 2025 Bocuse d'Or in Lyon, France, the world's most prestigious and rigorous culinary competition, finishing 7th place out of 24 teams. France took home the Gold. This international event is often justifiably referred to as the “Culinary Olympics.”” “Team USA’s participation is a testament to their culinary prowess, following Team USA’s...

“Culinary Team USA competed on January 26th at the (biannual) 2025 Bocuse d'Or in Lyon, France, the world's most prestigious and rigorous culinary competition, finishing 7th place out of 24 teams. France took home the Gold. This international event is often referred to as the “Culinary Olympics.”” “Team USA’s participation is a testament to their culinary prowess, following Team USA’s groundbreaki...

“Step right up ladies and gentlemen to the spectacular “Cirque de Chocolate-A Whimsical World of Chocolate Wonders” at the 12th Big Island Chocolate Festival presented by the non-profit Kona Cacao Association on April 10th to 12th at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island of Hawaii.”   “It’s where tempting chocolate wonders come alive as attend...

“Step right up ladies and gentlemen to the spectacular “Cirque de Chocolate-A Whimsical World of Chocolate Wonders” at the 12th Big Island Chocolate Festival presented by the non-profit Kona Cacao Association on April 10th to 12th at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island of Hawaii.”   “It’s where tempting chocolate wonders come alive as attend...

Organic foods are very much part of the current culinary conversation. Why is there no certified organic fish and seafood available in the United States? Chef Andrew explains.

“Azure Sky, celebrating it’s 3rd Anniversary this year, is a luxury boutique hotel in Palm Springs. This 21 and over, 14-room hotel is located at 1661 South Calle Palo Fierro, in Palm Springs, California. The vibe transforms a well-maintained mid-century gem into a contemporary, tranquil desert escape with personal service as a hallmark. Managing Operator Acme Hospitality, which has boutique food,...

“Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery in Pasadena is a lively neighborhood oasis that showcases live-fire cooking with seasonal ingredients behind a well-stocked cheese shop that offers unique and thoughtfully curated artisan cheeses and renowned provisions. With ample spaces for large parties, an open kitchen, inviting outdoor patio, and an eye-catching marketplace, Agnes offers many opportunities for c...

“Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery in Pasadena is a lively neighborhood oasis that showcases live-fire cooking with seasonal ingredients behind a well-stocked cheese shop that offers unique and thoughtfully curated artisan cheeses and renowned provisions. With ample spaces for large parties, an open kitchen, inviting outdoor patio, and an eye-catching marketplace, Agnes offers many opportunities for c...

“Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery in Pasadena is a lively neighborhood oasis that showcases live-fire cooking with seasonal ingredients behind a well-stocked cheese shop that offers unique and thoughtfully curated artisan cheeses and renowned provisions.”

“With ample spaces for large parties, an open kitchen, inviting outdoor patio, and an eye-catching marketplace, Agnes offers many opportunities fo...

“Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery in Pasadena is a lively neighborhood oasis that showcases live-fire cooking with seasonal ingredients behind an well-stocked cheese shop that offers unique and thoughtfully curated artisan cheeses and renowned provisions.”

“With ample spaces for large parties, an open kitchen, inviting outdoor patio, and an eye-catching marketplace, Agnes offers many opportunities f...

Azure Sky, celebrating its 3rd Anniversary this year, is a luxury boutique hotel in Palm Springs. This 21 and over, 14-room hotel is located at 1661 South Calle Palo Fierro, in Palm Springs, California. The vibe transforms a well-maintained mid-century gem into a contemporary, tranquil desert escape with personal service as a hallmark. Managing Operator Acme Hospitality, which has boutique food, b...

“Azure Sky, celebrating its 3rd Anniversary this year, is a luxury boutique hotel in Palm Springs. This 21 and over, 14-room hotel is located at 1661 South Calle Palo Fierro, in Palm Springs, California. The vibe transforms a well-maintained mid-century gem into a contemporary, tranquil desert escape with personal service as a hallmark. Managing Operator Acme Hospitality, which has boutique food,...

“Join Chef Glenda Galvan-Garcia with The Whole Enchilada – Mexican Recipes Full of History and Fun as she shares the tasty wonders of Mexican cuisine! Covering everything from snacks to main dishes, desserts and drinks, this bilingual book is the perfect way for young chefs to connect with their roots.” “Have you ever wondered how to make buñuelos? Have you missed abuelita’s arroz con leche? Or cr...

It’s time to revisit 3rd party food delivery. Does it really make sense for a restaurant when the costs are so high ? If it’s looked at as a marketing vehicle it’s not cost effective. Is it even a sustainable business model for the delivery services themselves? Chef Andrew explains.

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...