SoCal Restaurant Show

With author Rowena Scherer’s A Taste of the World – Celebrating Global Flavors “kids of all ages can savor the flavors of global cuisine (with more than 60 Family-Friendly recipes) as they learn about twenty countries from Asia and Africa to Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.” “Growing up in Malaysia, some of Rowena Scherer’s fondest memories were cooking with her family. The smell of spice...

Pioneering Las Vegas Chef James Trees is the restaurateur responsible for the newly relocated and expanded Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas and Al Solito Posto and Ada’s Food + Wine in Trivoli Village. As part of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants celebration in Vegas last Monday afternoon Esther’s Kitchen “Chef James welcomed Chef Tomos Parry of London’s Brat and Moun...

Pioneering Las Vegas Chef James Trees is the restaurateur responsible for the newly relocated and expanded Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas and Al Solito Posto and Ada’s Food + Wine in Trivoli Village. As part of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants celebration in Vegas last Monday afternoon Esther’s Kitchen “Chef James welcomed Chef Tomos Parry of London’s Brat and Moun...

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Juan Morales is “home to The Steakhouse, a consecutively awarded Forbes Four-Star restaurant with a Wine Spectator recognized wine list.” “With six dining options, guests can choose from upscale and intimate to fast casual and bistro style, providing something for everyone. The property’s dining offerings...

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Juan Morales is “home to The Steakhouse, a consecutively awarded Forbes Four-Star restaurant with a Wine Spectator recognized wine list.” “With six dining options, guests can choose from upscale and intimate to fast casual and bistro style, providing something for everyone. The property’s dining offerings...

The long-running Red Lobster seafood chain introduced many Americans to approachable, moderately priced seafood in a welcoming and unchallenging environment. Red Lobster is in bankruptcy, closing units and it’s downsized future is clearly uncertain. Chef Andrew weighs in with his informed perspective.

We’re now catching up with Head Chef for Team USA 2025, Stefani De Palma and her Commis, Bradley Waddle on the culinary road to Lyon, France in January 2025 to compete in the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. “For the first time, the Americas Selection Event will be held in the United States in the dining mecca of New Orleans. On June 12-13, 2024, 9 countries will compete, with the t...

We’re now catching up with Head Chef for Team USA 2025, Stefani De Palma, and her Commis, Bradley Waddle on the culinary road to Lyon, France in January 2025 to compete in the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. For the first time, the Americas Selection Event will be held in the United States in the always vibrant New Orleans. On June 12-13, 2024, 9 countries will compete, with the to...

We’re now continuing the catch-up conversation with Head Chef for Team USA 2025, Stefani De Palma and her Commis, Bradley Waddle on the culinary road to Lyon, France in January 2025 to compete in the Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition. “For the first time, the Americas Selection Event will be held in the United States in New Orleans. On June 12-13, 2024, 9 countries will compete, with...

The second annual Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week  returns June 2 to 9, 2024.  “The 2024 event and future events are now owned/organized by United Cambodian Community (UCC) of Long Beach, a California registered 501(c)3 non-profit. The 2023 inaugural event was organized by non-profit Long Beach Food & Beverage, who transitioned the event to UCC...

It’s time for our next seasonal report on the very best in fruits and veggies and new products from our resident “Prince of Produce,” Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. “Feast your eyes on the newly arrived Pink Elephant Mango, a tropical showstopper from Vietnam with naturally light pink skin. This mango is gigantic (weighing up to 2 pounds!), with smooth, buttery orange flesh s...

It’s time for our next seasonal report on the very best in fruits and veggies and new products from our resident “Prince of Produce,” Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. Melissa’s is expanding their distinctive pineapple portfolio with the introduction of the “Precious Honeyglow®. Melissa’s and Del Monte join forces in an exclusive collaboration to introduce the newest member of t...

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Think there is nothing new when it comes to cutting the conventional sandwich using two slices of almost square bread ? Creating a controversy via socia...

“Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is set to dazzle food enthusiasts once again from May 31 to June 9, 2024. The annual culinary event features more than 70 participating restaurants, with options including prix fixe menus and exclusive special offers only available during Restaurant Week. Diners can embark on a culinary journey through the diverse flavors of Greater Palm Springs, from Michelin...

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 closing weekend of the Los Angeles County Fair and beyond. The...

Memorial Day Weekend good wishes to all. 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 closing weekend of th...

The second annual Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week  returns June 2 to 9, 2024.  “The 2024 event and future events are now owned/organized by United Cambodian Community (UCC) of Long Beach, a California registered 501(c)3 non-profit. The 2023 inaugural event was organized by non-profit Long Beach Food & Beverage, who transitioned the event to UCC...

“Over the last two decades, McPrice (Mac) Myers has been crafting wines of depth and balance that showcase the multiple terroirs and climates of the Central Coast – from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Mac produced his first vintage in 2002 with half a ton of grapes in a small cooperative in Paso Robles. From that humble beginning, Mac has developed a growing portfolio of wines with broad appeal. In...

“McPrice 'Mac' Myers (Paso Robles-based) has been crafting high-expression wines of balance, value, and place since 2002. A lifelong, self-proclaimed "food and wine geek,” Mac was a quick study and almost immediately had the media lauding his wines from near and far. His passion for unique sites in Paso Robles and California's Central Coast, combined with his meticulous attention to detail in the...

“Upland Lemon Festival in the Inland Empire returns from June 14th through the 16th. This annual community-driven event celebrates Upland’s citrus heritage while showcasing local businesses, varietal food vendors, live musical entertainment, a carnival and lots more. The Festival first debuted in 1997 and is set to be bigger and better this time around. This FREE family-friendly event annually att...

This September it’s the 75th Anniversary of NORMS famous for their hotcakes. “In 1949, Los Angeles native Norm Roybark opened one of the first 24/7 restaurants in Southern California. A small diner located near the famed Hollywood corner of Sunset and Vine, NORMS quickly became the neighborhood destination by delivering on its promise of “great food, great service, and great value.” Toda...

Chef Andrew Gruel’s usual “Ask the Chef” segment on the controversial “Duff Cut” for a sandwich on Social Media is rescheduled for next Saturday, June 1st. He was in the air on delayed flight at his usual time. 
 Instead we used the opportunity to present a tribute to Cuban-refugee Raul Porto, Sr. who co-founded Porto’s Bakery and Café with his late wife Rosa in 1976 in Los Angeles. Mr. Porto pass...

“ADYA Fine Indian Flavors is celebrating their 10th Anniversary at the Anaheim Packing House with a special dinner of creative dishes and definitive ADYA classics! This Anniversary Dinner on Thursday, May 30 features a fun mix of new surprises and favorites, all of which pay homage to Chefs Shachi Mehra’s and Sandeep Basur’s experiences over the past decade. Over that time, ADYA has work...

“ADYA Fine Indian Flavors is celebrating their 10th Anniversary at the Anaheim Packing House with a special dinner of creative dishes and definitive ADYA classics! This Anniversary Dinner on Thursday, May 30 features a fun mix of new surprises and favorites, all of which pay homage to Chefs Shachi Mehra’s and Sandeep Basur’s experiences over the past decade. Over that time, ADYA has work...

“Calling all BBQ lovers! The 2nd Annual Long Beach BBQ Fest will take place on Saturday, May 25. May is National BBQ Month.” 

“Organized by Ian and Qiana Mafnas, proprietors of the wildly popular Axiom Kitchen Smoked Meats & BBQ, sponsored by non-profit NoahS's Arc Foundation and in collaboration with Long Beach Living, dozens of BBQ and other vendors will gather at Shoreline Aquatic Park on...