“Piccalilli located on the busy corner of Culver Blvd. and Main St. in downtown Culver City is a cozy restaurant and bar (including a lush front patio) with shareable plates that take inspiration from Asia and the American South. The dinner menu is designed around local and seasonal ingredients with a focus on preservation, pickling, and freshness. The bar serves spirit forward pre-prohibition cocktails, local beer, and a small carefully selected wine list. The distinctive decor (artfully designed by Preen) has colors of lush green and purple, bright with open garage doors, centered around a beautiful U-shaped bar filled with local spirits. Macks Collins is the Chef & Owner of restaurant Piccalilli in Culver City. A South Carolina native, Collins’ childhood dream of becoming a chef began after watching his idols, Martin Yan, Justin Wilson, and Julia Child cook on PBS. His professional career began when he stepped into a restaurant kitchen at age 16.” Chef Macks Collins takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us with tongs in hand.
“Creature Comforts Brewing Company, an award-winning, purpose-driven craft brewery based in Athens, GA, opened its second taproom and brewery locally late last year. Located in City Market South, nestled in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles at 1124 San Julian St., the Creature Comforts DTLA site is the brewery’s first expansion beyond its home state of Georgia. Having previously collaborated with several breweries in Los Angeles, Creature Comforts sought to build a world-class brewery that allows the team to make beers locally and truly become a part of the Los Angeles beer community. The state-of-the-art facility has a 3,000 square-foot taproom and a 10,000 square-foot production facility. The taproom is in a reclaimed historic space that incorporates numerous items representing its roots. Situated on a bustling piazza near top restaurants and coffee shops, guests can order from nearby Superfine Pizza to be delivered directly to their taproom table. The brewery offers extensive outdoor seating with a beer garden and an upper-level covered patio with views of the city skyline. With private event space, bocce ball court and cornhole, the space is flexible to meet the needs of its guests.” Jake Wood heads the Los Angeles venture and joins us to tap the keg on all things Creature Comforts Brewing Co.
Centennial Farm is a three-acre working farm located at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. They offer Garden Classes open to the public including the upcoming Centennial Farm Workshop : Backyard Bantams – Your Guide to Urban Chicken Keeping on Saturday, February 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. “Join Centennial Farm for a unique urban-ag venture tailored specifically for Southern Californians looking to embrace backyard chicken keeping within the confines of city living. In this course, discover the world of bantam chickens, the ideal choice for enthusiasts with limited space and keen to comply with city ordinances while maintaining good neighborly relations. Learn about the diverse breeds of these petite and charming chickens, including which ones are prolific egg producers. Instructor Adam Waugh (our guest) will guide attendees through the essentials, from designing the perfect coop to providing optimal nutrition and health management. Plus, get advice on navigating your city’s specific chicken-keeping regulations.”
Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. It’s “National Potato Lovers” Month! Chef Andrew shares his quick and simple classic recipe for “Instant” Golden Potatoes using Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes grown in Idaho.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
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