It’s closing in on Thanksgiving so reduce your stress level and please plan ahead…We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

“This November, the California Restaurant Association Foundation (CRAF), a non-profit that invests in and empowers California’s restaurant workforce, invites all Californians to participate in its inaugural ‘The Grateful Table® Dine Out!’ The ask is simple. Throughout November, Californians are encouraged to “dine out to help out” as much as possible in gratitude to their neighborhood restaurants. Want to do more? A guest can directly support California’s struggling foodservice community at featured restaurants by donating to Restaurants Care®, a nonprofit program which provides restaurant workers facing hardships with relief grants for basic living needs like groceries, utilities, diapers, clothing, gas and rent.” The CRA Foundation’s Alycia Harshfield and Farmer Boys’ President & Chief Operating Officer Dave Wetzel (a featured restaurant partner of The Grateful Table Dine Out) join us with all the details.

“The award-winning Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach has been helping to bring the Lido Marina community together by putting a unique spin on “Dinner and a Movie” with dinners under the iconic Grand Marquee of neighboring Lido Theater. Presented every Tuesday and Wednesday, the outdoor dinners feature themed menus created by Executive Chef David Shofner to change weekly. Priced between $40 and $50 per guest, the reservation-only menus will continue through November, allowing Chef Shofner to present imaginative, globally inspired dishes featuring the exciting ingredients that the season has to offer.” Proprietor Darren Coyle is our guest.

“From the creator of Skinny Southern, Emmy Award–winning chef Lara Lyn Carter, comes another collection of delicious, nutritious versions of your favorite Southern foods in Skinny Southern Baking.  Satisfy your cravings (or your hungry party guests) with completely gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free baked goods that don’t skimp on flavor. The recipes include lightened-up Southern staples like lemon squares, gingersnaps, and herb biscuits alongside incredible and surprising combinations of Southern flavors like Pumpkin Cranberry Pecan Bread, Sweet Potato Meringues, and Lemon Blueberry Cream Pie.” We’re baking with Chef Lara Lyn Carter.

“There’s just something about a new pair of jammies that says ‘cozy and safe’ to kids, and Huntington Meats and Farmers Market Poultry located at The Original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax in Los Angeles are doing their part to make sure nightly bedtime rituals like fresh pajamas will provide a reassuring and peaceful good night to in-need children this holiday season. The two shops offering the best quality meats and poultry (along with genuine customer service) have come together to host their first Holiday Kids Pajama Drive taking place the entire month of November. The goal is to collect 300 pairs of pajamas for distribution to local agencies servicing homeless and low income families.” Proprietor Jim Cascone joins us with the meaty details.

Drew Brahs of Harper Barbecue (Costa Mesa based) is well-known in the West as the go-to builder (via word-of-mouth) of hand-crafted, custom smokers for skilled pitmasters and home backyard barbecue fans alike. He crafts everything from small backyard pits to large versions on trailers. Drew is responsible for creating the massive twin, 1,000 gallon offset smokers used to the max at Danny Castillo’s Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. Drew is a fan of the Central Texas style of barbecue. In the early stages of development and construction is his own restaurant, Harper Barbecue, in Costa Mesa which will be a Family affair. While the restaurant is being built Drew will shift the smoker enterprise to selling stock items. We’ll meet barbecue entrepreneur Drew Brahs.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef”> segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Thanksgiving is fast approaching on November 26th. In the spirit of the Holidays it’s appropriate for Chef Andrew to now share his best Thanksgiving cooking tips. This week we’re talking about cooking the seasoned bird. Chef Andrew suggests this might be the year to spatchcock the turkey. It seems more people will be doing Family Thanksgiving at home this year and probably with smaller groups. We’ll “Ask the Chef.”