“Ukrainian-born Chef Anna Voloshyna is the author of BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen. Celebrate the rich culture of Ukrainian cuisine with these traditional Eastern European recipes infused with a fresh, contemporary approach for today’s home kitchen, from one of today’s most exciting young chefs of Ukrainian cuisine. With its emphasis on fresh ingredients, time-honored heritage, and warm hospitality, Eastern European cuisine is having a culinary moment, in addition to Ukraine being of great current interest.” Chef Anna Voloshyna is our guest sharing the secrets of the Ukrainian Kitchen.
“Newly launched by the Market Broiler restaurant group is the seafood-centric MB Grille in Torrance at Del Amo Fashion Center designed by the award-winning Hatch Design Group. The new restaurant boasts a contemporary coastal design and lighter color palette, while maintaining Market Broiler’s signature large-format footprint at nearly 6,500 square feet. A spacious outdoor patio, complete with a decorative tile fireplace, welcomes visitors to the main entrance of the Del Amo Fashion Center. Executive Chef Robin Higa’s seasonable menu features shareable starters including a refreshing Crab Avocado Stack with pickled red onion and frisée topped with pineapple relish and cherry tomato puree; Poke Nachos featuring layers of fried wonton triangles topped with MB’s signature poke, serrano peppers, and avocado drizzled with soy sauce and spicy mayo; and Tomato Burrata Bruschetta with whipped burrata, heirloom tomatoes, balsamic reduction, olive oil, and micro basil.” Chef Robin Higa joins us with an order of Poke Nachos at the ready.
Founded in 2022 by Vince Nguyen, NAM Coffee is the first Vietnamese coffee importer and roaster based in Los Angeles. “Nam Coffee is Founder Vince Nguyen’s love letter to his journey from Vietnam to California, a flavor inspired by the mountains of his hometown in Pleiku as much as his current home in Los Angeles. Like many Vietnamese people around the world, Vince always carried the flavor and tradition of Vietnamese coffee with him wherever he goes.” Vince Nguyen is our guest with a fresh-brewed cup of Orange County blend in hand.
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 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. Have you noticed the Mandatory Service Charge of 18 per cent or more now being added to many restaurant checks? The check might also include a 3 to 5 per cent surcharge as a contribution to employee health care. The Mandatory Service Charge is not a gratuity. Where does it go and who benefits? Should you also leave a gratuity? What’s right? Chef Andrew revisits this increasingly befuddling issue.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
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