On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Josh Gates - Host "Destination Truth"
Explorer, adventurer, and photographer Josh Gates hails from the small town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. A graduate of Boston's renowned Tufts University, Josh holds degrees in archaeology and drama. His work and travels have taken him to more than 75 countries around the world An avid scuba diver, he has participated in sub-sea archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean, and his work as a photographer has taken him from sweltering African villages to the icy heights of the Himalayas. In addition, he has scaled "the roof of Africa" on Mt. Kilimanjaro and climbed Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas. Josh holds degrees from Tufts University in archaeology and drama, and was recently inducted into The Explorers Club, a prestigious global organization dedicated to the advancement of exploration and field research. Josh currently resides in Los Angeles. RATINGS ALERT SYFY’S DESTINATION TRUTH SCORES IN WEEK TWO! New York, NY – September 17, 2009 – Last night, Syfy’s hit reality series Destination Truth, hosted by adventurer Josh Gates, broke ratings records for the second week in a row despite formidable competition. The all-new episode, airing from 10-11pm, delivered a 1.6 Household rating, 1.201 million Adults 18-49, 1.317 million Adults 25-54 (all series highs) and 2.021 million total viewers.
Joel Fisher "Wine Guru"
The wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson Magazine's tasting panel. Joel travels extensively through "wine country" and frequently broadcast live from vaious winerys & vineyards. Dr. Fisher is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK) and was awarded a Wine Enthusiast Media Scholarship for 2005 at the Culinary Institute of America. He is the author of the Wine Work Book now in its 6th edition. In 2004 he co-led a program for chefs and culinary students to the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany and to wineries in Burgundy and Champagne. In June 2006 he again led a program, "Wine and Cuisine of Iberia," to Spain and Portugal. In the 1960's, Joel M. Fisher (JMF) served in many Washington positions, including as Public Relations Director to Charlie Rhyne's World Peace Through Law Committee, before returning to California to teach. Two years later he was awarded the Ford Foundation supported National Committee Fellowship and was appointed Director of the Arts and Sciences and State Legislative Divisions of his party's national committee. As part of the 1968 presidential campaign, Fisher operated in 13 states.
Barbara Lazaroff - " American Wine & Food Festival"
LOS ANGELES, CA, August, 2009 - For its 27th year, the American Wine & Food Festival, hosted by the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, is serving up a world-class culinary celebration benefiting Los Angeles Chapters of Meals On Wheels. With generous contributions from our returning top sponsors Audi and MasterCard®, AWFF is delighted to deliver a weekend of feasting and fundraising.This star-studded food Festival taking place October 2 - 4, 2009, in Los Angeles, features world-renowned chefs, vintners and spirit purveyors at the most anticipated epicurean event of the year. The Festival features a spectacular spread of delectable dishes, superb libations, fantasy auction items and amazing entertainment in three events - each offering a different level of participation for culinary connoisseurs to contribute to the cause.
Red Hot Kickoff CelebrationDate: Friday, October 2, 2009 - 7 p.m.Location: Please call (310) 777-3707 for location and directions after September 4.Designed to whet the appetites of Festival first-timers and alums alike, this party offers chic eats and innovative libations in an intimate lounge setting. Mingle with philanthropists and foodies who are newcomers and well-knowns on the Los Angeles scene.
Red Hot Kickoff Celebration tickets are available for $150 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.AWFF.org.
American Wine & Food FestivalDate: Saturday, October 3, 2009 - 5-11 p.m.*5:00 PM Wolfgang Puck VIP Cooking Demonstration*VIP entrance available only with tickets purchased through Festival Patron and MasterCard promotions. 6:00 PM Festival OpensLocation: Universal Studios BacklotStaged against the backdrop of movie sets, the signature Saturday night event returns, once again, to Universal Studios Back Lot. As dusk falls, a spectacularly lit movie set provides the stage for a culinary scene like none other: An unrivaled epicurean feast prepared by world-renowned chefs, superb libations including fine wines and smooth spirits, and a silent auction filled with luxury items - all set to swinging sounds of live bands.
American Wine & Food Festival tickets are available for $300 per person online or $350 at the door. Table reservations are available from $3,500. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.AWFF.org.
Chefs Grand Tasting DinnerDate: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 6:00 p.m.Location: Spago Beverly HillsWolfgang Puck, Lee Hefter & Barbara Lazaroff with Chef de Cuisine Thomas Boyce & Executive Pastry Chef Sherry Yard welcome several of the world’s finest chefs to prepare an elegant six-course dinner at the 10th Annual Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner. This limited-seating event at Spago Beverly Hills is filled with exquisite dishes paired with select wines and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Celebrity chefs Gina DePalma of Ristorante Babbo; Dean Fearing of Fearing’s at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas; Laurent Gras of L2O; Thomas Keller of Bouchon; Jereme Leung of Jereme Leung Creative Concepts Pte Ltd; and Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Nobu LA pair up, each preparing one course, for the grand gala dinner.
Reservations for the Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner are available for $750 per person or $7,000 per table. Please contact Ellen Farentino, Spago, at (310) 385-0880.
Thanks to our generous donors Audi, MasterCard, Fiji Water, Southern California Gas, CIGNA and many more, AWFF is pleased to announce special perks to this year’s Festival.
We are honored to have MasterCard® return for a third year as the preferred card of the American Wine & Food Festival. In addition to its philanthropic presence making for a memorable weekend, MasterCard® is serving up palate-pleasing perks to its cardholders. World and World Elite MasterCard® cardholders can savor the full weekend of festivities with VIP packages and ticket purchase perks customized for the culinary connoisseur. Please contact MasterCard at 1-800-964-4742 or offers@octagon.com to purchase special packages and tickets. Reservations are limited in number and subject to availability, and are only valid if purchased via MasterCard using your World and World Elite MasterCard®.
Luxury hotel group Wynn Resorts is also rewarding Festival Patrons and Sponsor-a-Chef contributors for their generous donations with a complimentary two night’s stay in a Parlor Suite at the Wynn or Encore hotel in Las Vegas - the perfect way to pamper yourself after the weekend of festivities. Please call (310) 574-3663 to enjoy these perks.
Saturday Participating Chefs & Restaurants (to date):Alan Wong of Alan Wong’s; Alex Stratta of ALEX, Wynn Las Vegas; Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier of Arrows Restaurant; Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto; Paul Bartolotta of BARTOLOTTA Ristorante di Mare; Laurent Tourondel of BLT; Thomas Keller of Bouchon; Robert Del Grande of Café Annie; Mark Peel of Campanile; Rene Mata of Chinois; Walter Manzke of Church & State; Mark Miller of Coyote Café; Ken Oringer of Clio; Tom Colicchio of Craftsteak Restaurants; Ari Rosenson & Matt Hurley of CUT Las Vegas and Beverly Hills; Roger Stettler of Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hawaii; Ilan Hall of Gorbals; Frank Ostini of The Hitching Post; Joe Miller of Joe’s Restaurant, Venice; Richard Sandoval of Ketsi, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita; Lydia Shire, Mario Capone & Simon Restrepo of Scampo; Traci Des Jardins of Manzanita Lake Tahoe; Cal Stamenov of Marinus Restaurant at Bernardus Lodge; Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Nobu LA; Gino Angelini of Minestraio Trattoria; John Cuevas of Montage Beverly Hills; Nancy Silverton of Mozza; Norman Van Aken of NORMAN’S; Octavio Becerra of Palate Food + Wine; Joachim Splichal of Patina; Francois Payard of Payard Patisserie & Bistro; Julian Serrano of Picasso; Jimmy Schmidt of Rattlesnake Club; Richard Reddington of Redd; Sam Choy of Sam Choy’s; Charles Phan of Slanted Door; Kerry Heffernan of South Gate; Mark Ferguson of Spago Bachelor Gulch; Wolfgang Puck of Spago Beverly Hills; Sherry Yard of Spago Beverly Hills; Lee Hefter and Thomas Boyce of Spago Beverly Hills; David Robins and Eric Klein of Spago Las Vegas;
Jamie Militello "Third Generation Welch’s grower-owner"
Jamie Militello is the third generation in his family to be a Welch’s grower-owner. Today, Militello Farm in Forestville New York is 260 acres, and Jamie grows and harvests approximately 2,000 tons of Concord and Niagara grapes for Welch’s each year. He employs five people full time, and up to twelve people during busy times such as the harvest and pruning season. Jamie lives on the farm with his wife Jeannine, five-year older daughter Faith, and two-year old twins Libby and Avery. Grape farmers from California to Massachusetts begin their harvest they also help to nourish families across the country. Many families l need help when it comes to be putting food on the table everyday. So as part of a plan to help feed families, Welch’s has developed Harvest of Help. Through Harvest of Help, Welch’s is partnering with Feeding America and will donate one million servings of fruit juice to the domestic hunger relief charity. Welch’s is calling on families across America to join the Harvest of Help by logging on to www.welchs.com/harvest to make a free product donation. For each click between August 15 and December 31 2009, Welch’s will donate eight 8 ounce servings of 100 percent juice to Feeding America, with the aim of donating one million servings in total. Jamie Millitello is a third generation Welch’s Grape Grower and owner. He will be on hand to discuss the Harvest for Help Program and why they decided to give back to the people.