Acclaimed Brewer and Restaurateur Ian McCall (ex-Riip Beer Co.) has ventured out on his own with the newly launched ISM Brewing in Downtown Long Beach. In addition to a rotating selection of 14 of his acclaimed craft beers (and prominent guest beers and wine & cider) he has Chef Fonzy De Zuniga (ex-Descanso) in the kitchen crafting elevated pub food including a Salmon Melt with Confit Atlantic Salmon, chipotle mayo, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeno, cilantro, cucumber and smoked cheddar cheese served on a grilled country loaf from the OC’s Crema Artisan Bakery. Ian McCall joins us to preview their upcoming Grand Opening on January 11th.
One of the new programming elements in the recently concluded LA Chef Conference 2023 was the activation of the LA Chef Con / Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) Student Mentorship Program. Five outstanding LATTC Culinary Arts Pathway Students were each awarded $1,000 and then paired with a leading industry mentor for one year with the objective of furthering their growth and education on the Culinary Arts. The Mentorship Program was funded by a grant from Lawry’s Restaurants. One of the Mentorship Program’s recipients is LATTC Culinary Arts Pathway student Shelbi Johnson. Shelbi has been paired with Chef / Proprietor Keith Corbin of Alta Adams in Los Angeles. We’ll meet them both.
A new collaboration between the Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii and the Kohala Food Hub (KFH) is stepping up the use of food grown by Kohala farmers. “The Hāwī-based KFH aggregates and markets food for small and mid-scale farmers who use regenerative and organic management practices. The fresh food is sold to island resorts, restaurants and residents who purchase a weekly Multi-Farm CSA subscription or buy food through KFH’s Online Marketplace. “I think there’s a special bond between Mauna Kea Resort and the Kohala community due to our proximity and that a large number of Kohala residents work at the resort,” says Maya Parish, director of KFH.
With the collaboration starting in August, Mauna Kea Resort is currently purchasing around 450 pounds of produce weekly from KFH, initially using what farmers already had growing—grapefruit, dragon fruit, navel oranges, starfruit, bananas, green leaf and romaine lettuces. KFH’s Maya Parish and Mauna Kea Resort’s Todd Oldham (Director of Food & Beverage) join us with all the specifics of the effort.”
“Simplicity, with a touch of refined elegance, reigns at Camphor — A Michelin-starred modern French bistro located in DTLA’s Arts District. The brainchild of owners and operators Sarah Lam and Cyrus Batchan of No.8 Hospitality and helmed by two young, impressively pedigreed Co-Executive, Chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George, Camphor re-imagines the classic bistro experience. The two chefs collaborate to create a unique flavor identity through an unassuming yet nuanced menu with recognizable nods to the duo’s South and Southeast Asian backgrounds and classical French training. Intentionally designed to be a convivial neighborhood restaurant with an urban heartbeat, Camphor takes things back to basics with an unpretentious and enticing menu featuring an array of shareable small plates, heartier mains, scenographic desserts, classic cocktails with a French twist, and an enviable selection of French and European wines to pair.” Our guests are Cyrus Batchan and Co-Chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George.
PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California’s flagship PBS stations are now airing the 2024 return “of the locally produced, historical documentary series LOST LA, a co-production with the University of Southern California Libraries, part of their longstanding commitment to building public engagement with regional history collections. Public historian and writer Nathan Masters returns as Host for the sixth season of LOST LA with untold histories behind tiki culture, fast food, Historic Filipinotown, hiking, tuberculosis and cemeteries. The half-hour series LOST LA explores the region’s hidden past through documents, photos and other rare artifacts from California libraries and archives. Since its premiere in January of 2016, the series has continued to challenge the assumption that Los Angeles is a city without a history. Instead, LOST LA offers a history of Southern California that is not often told, or has been forgotten, bringing primary sources of Los Angeles history to the screen and connecting them to the Los Angeles of today.” The Director of all the new season’s episodes of LOST LA, Matt Bass, is our well-informed guide to the current 2024 season of LOST LA.
When it comes to great coffee and casual all day dining the locals in Santa Ynez will send you to Alberto Battaglini’s Pony Espresso Café.
Since its creation is 2019 adjacent to the Santa Ynez Post Office it’s become a locals’ favorite. It definitely reflects the character of the Santa Ynez Valley. Alberto is passionate about maintaining the quality of his food and standout coffee. The dishes are designed to suit all tastes and they are inspired from the bounty of the Santa Ynez Valley. Pony Espresso is where “casual service meets elevated food in a unique environment.” Alberto takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
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