“On the heels of celebrating its first anniversary, Fountain Valley-based ARTISAN has introduced new hand-crafted pizzas to its celebrated menu. The elevated, fast-casual restaurant and café, a marriage of Orange County-born concepts, 7 Leaves Café and Crema Bakery, has gained a loyal following for its energetic and unique teas, and focused, chef-driven menu of brunch-focused anytime dishes and premium baked goods. Now, the concept takes the same quality ingredients and attention to detail and extends it to an innovative selection of ARTISAN Café Pizza offerings prepared under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Chad Urata.” Chef & Manager Chad Urata takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us with pizza peel in hand.

Gleason Family Vineyards (GFV) is the corporate umbrella for 3, separate, distinct wineries located in the Santa Ynez Valley under the leadership of two generations of the Gleason Family. Their new Winemaker is Max Marshak. The properties are Roblar Winery & Vineyard, Refugio Ranch Vineyards, and their most recent acquisition, the historic Buttonwood Winery & Vineyard. Director of Marketing Callie Gleason and Winemaker Max Marshak join us to pull the cork on both Refugio Ranch Vineyards and Buttonwood Winery & Vineyard.

Georgia’s Restaurant returned “Nana” Gretchen Shoemaker’s mouthwatering Gumbo to their menu at Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange and the Anaheim Packing District just in time to celebrate National Gumbo Day on October 12th, 2022 and for the remainder of 2022! Nana Gretchen Shoemaker’s “soul-delicious” signature Gumbo has been a guest favorite since it was first introduced and guests can again savor Nana’s Secret Southern-style Roux featuring Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, Crab, and Okra, served over Rice at both locations. To complement this super satisfying meal, guests can also add Soulful Sides such as Collard Greens, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, or Nana Gretchen’s famous Cornbread served with house-made honey butter, while enjoying her fresh Peach Cobbler for the perfect finish. 2nd generation proprietress Nika Shoemaker-Machado (“Nana” Gretchen’s daughter) takes a break from the cornbread muffin pans to join us.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel the Founder of Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza), Two Birds and the soon to launch, full-service Calico Fish House (in Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Is ubiquitous Candy Corn (basically just corn syrup and food coloring) really the most popular Halloween candy treat? Chef Andrew weighs in…There is an announced, preliminary deal for Kroger Co. (Ralphs) to buy Albertsons Cos. (Vons and Pavilions.) Kroger’s position is that this will be a wonderful thing for consumers because the combined companies will give them more buying clout and, therefore, decreased costs which will, in theory, be passed on to shoppers. Consumer advocates respectfully disagree. Chef Andrew grocery shops for a big family. He’ll share his thoughts on this possible mega grocery store combination.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

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