It’s Thanksgiving month so reduce your stress level and please plan ahead whether you’re dining in with close Family or dining out in a small group. …We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.
When enterprising Chef Josh Lozano (ex-The Mayor’s Table and Toast Kitchen & Bakery) found himself furloughed last March he spent time perfecting his baking craft and formed Uprising OC. Along the way he developed his popular, word of mouth cheesecake favorite, Rebel Cheesecake, that has been featured at Heritage BBQ in San Juan Capistrano. Chef Josh now does a regular Weekend Pop-Up (daytime) at The Royal Hen on Balboa Island featuring his array of baked goods and gourmet coffee. Josh has also collaborated with award-winning Brewmaster Ian McCall of Riip Beer Co. on Say Cheese & Die Cheesecake Ale which is currently available on nitro at Riip Beer Co’s taproom in Huntington Beach. Lozano is additionally the coordinating chef for a fundraising dinner on November 19th with prominent guest chefs at Vacation Bar in Santa Ana benefiting the upcoming 9th Annual Turkey Drive by the Chicano Mentoring Association.
Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos, proprietors of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, have just debuted the newest Hilltop location in Eagle Rock on the ground floor of The Perch apartments. All operational considerations are in place to ensure the safety of neighbors and guests alike. “The menu features the same great coffee and menu favorites like the Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich, Soul Bowl, and Hilltop “Droptops” that have propelled Hilltop’s first two locations, in View Park / Windsor Hills and Inglewood, to popularity.” Proprietor Ajay Relan joins us Bangin’ Breakfast Sandwich in hand.
Reformed fine-dining chef Joseph Mahon (ex-Bastide in West Hollywood) has made a name for himself in the last few years with a menu of highly regarded premium burgers at Burger Parlor in Orange and Fullerton. Adapting to weathering the lingering Covid 19 crisis Chef Joseph has morphed his two popular Burger Parlor locations to Jaxon’s Scratch-Made Chix Tenders with the same commitment to premium quality using all-natural, antibiotic free chicken. On the compact menu are 2, 3 and 4 piece chicken tender meals (served with crinkle fries,) a chicken sandwich and a teriyaki bowl with teriyaki basted chicken tenders, steamed veggies and white rice. House prepared sides include a side salad, pickles, sweet potato fries, crinkle fries, coleslaw and mac & cheese. A wide selection of rotating craft beers on tap is also part of the menu. Chef Joseph Mahon flies the coop to join us.
Riip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. “Riip Beer Company started in 2014 as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.” The winning tradition of Riip has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Ian McCall who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Ripp Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries garnering a Gold and two Silvers! We’re celebrating with Brewmaster Ian McCall.
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. It seems more people will be doing Family Thanksgiving at home this year and probably with smaller groups. We’ll “Ask the Chef.”
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!
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