Tuesday, February 21, 2012

02/21Fort Ross Vineyard, Bouchon Bistro, Beverly Hills Wine Festival

02/21 What's Cookin' Today

LINDA SCHWARTZ - OWNER - FORT ROSS VINEYARD & WINERY

Nestled on a sunny coastal ridge, overlooking the Pacific Ocean a mile below, our “True Sonoma Coast” vineyard is one of the closest, if not the closest, to the ocean in all of California. From the vineyard you can see the breaking surf and the misty silhouettes of Bodega Head and Pt. Reyes far below. The vineyard’s high elevation above the coastal fog and its proximity to the ocean provide a gentle, sunny and temperate climate that has proved to be very favorable for the slow and even ripening of Burgundian varietals.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has just approved the establishment of the Fort Ross-Seaview viticultural area in western Sonoma County, California. The ruling establishes the region, which lies within the larger Sonoma Coast AVA, as separate and distinct from all other wine growing regions in California. Fort Ross-Seaview is located on the steep coastal ridges above the Pacific Ocean approximately 80 miles northwest of San Francisco. Work on the petition began in 1999 by a group of coastal vineyard owners and was first submitted to the TTB in 2003. The petition called for the inclusion of 27,500 total acres, of which only 506 were planted to vineyards. It was finally approved on December 14, 2011. Says Linda Schwartz, owner of Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery, “This is a very good day for us and our neighbors. After years of analysis and review, the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA has finally been approved! Those of us who farm these ridges along the Pacific Ocean have always known that Fort Ross-Seaview is a unique grape growing region. Now it’s official. Our cool maritime climate, rugged topography and marine soils are unique to our area. Our wines reflect their terroir with a character, structure and flavor that distinguishes them from wines produced in other regions.” Most vineyards in the Fort Ross-Seaview viticultural area are located along the Pacific coastline and are at elevations between 920 to 1,800 feet. This puts them above the natural fog line, creating a climate with more sunshine and warmer temperatures than the surrounding, lower-lying areas. The amount of wine produced in the region will always be limited as yields are low and most of the terrain is too steep to farm. A number of highly respected wineries have vineyards in the new AVA including Fort Ross, Flowers, Hirsch, Wild Hog, Marcassin, Failla, Pahlmeyer, Martinelli and Peter Michael. Fort Ross, at less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean, is the closest vineyard to the ocean.

Rory Herrmann and David Hands BOUCHON BISTRO & YOUNTVILLE / LAS VEGAS / BEVERLY HILLS

French bistro food is my favorite - steak fries, a two-inch high quiche with bacon and onions, a salad with an egg on top finished with a perfect vinaigrette, a croque madame, some oysters and a glass of champagne. These are foods that represent the most I'mportant kind of cooking there is because they're rooted in tradition. A Bouchon can be, and should be, Whatever you need it to be. It's a casual place, a social place, a Place where people come to relax talk and to eat. A kind of home. Bouchon is based on my memories of the amazing Bistros I would frequent while traveling in France, such as Chez Paul and Hugon, where they serve meals almost family Style in very small dining rooms. Often times the husband cooks and the wife greets and serves. First courses, Headcheese or a charcuterie plate, may be passed from table to table. These neighborhood places serving simple.

ALAN SEMSAR - Beverly Hills Wine Festival- THE 3RD ANNUAL BEVERLY HILLS WINE FESTIVAL

BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL FEB 26, 2012 Beverly Hills Wine Festival 2012 - The Taste of Ultimate Luxury is brought to you by the Beverly Hills Wine Festival.

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Monday, February 20, 2012

02/20 "New York City Report", Palm Restaurant, ""Fix-It and Enjoy-It!® Potluck Heaven

02/20 What's Cookin' Today

ADELE GUTMAN - VP Sales, Marketing at HKHotels NYC - NEW YORK CITY REPORT

HKHotels is a family owned and operated collection of small luxury hotels in New York City that takes a unique approach to the art of hospitality. Each of our small European-style New York hotels has its own distinctive personality and charm. What they share is a commitment to providing timeless beauty, exceptional value, and an outstanding travel experience for every guest visiting NYC.


Sommilier Jonathan Mitchell - PALMS RESTAURANT WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

At The Palm, our philosophy is simple: Treat guests like family, serve great food, and always exceed expectations. That philosophy was born in 1926, when Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened the first Palm in New York City. From day one, Pio and John shared their commitment to quality and generosity of spirit with every guest who walked through their doors. What began as a restaurant became a legend – a place to not only enjoy an excellent meal but also catch up with old friends, meet new ones, close business deals, and celebrate family milestones. Still owned and operated by members of the Bozzi and Ganzi families, The Palm continues to serve as a second home for countless patrons, thanks to the exceptional standard of hospitality established by our founders.

Phyllis Pellman Good "Fix-It and Enjoy-It!® Potluck Heaven: 543 Stove-Top and Oven Dishes That Everyone Loves"

From New York Times bestselling author Phyllis Pellman Good comes the latest in the Fix-It and Enjoy-It!® series: Fix-It and Enjoy-It!® Potluck Heaven: 543 Stove-Top and Oven Dishes That Everyone Loves (Good Books, October 2011). “Eating together is among one of the great human pleasures,” says Good. “But with our over-full lives and hectic schedules, now more than ever, sharing the job of preparing that food is important. Otherwise, we may not sit down to a home-cooked meal with friends anymore. And since most friends and family are in the same boat, they’ll understand if an invitation to a meal together comes with a food assignment!” That’s where Fix-It and Enjoy-It!® Potluck Heaven comes in. With 543 recipes for stove-top and oven cooking, the book’s signature dishes, all from great home cooks from across the country, are easy to make – and to take. With dishes like Crab Fondue, Pineapple Salsa, Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad, Frozen Onion Pan Rolls, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Banana Chocolate-Chip Muffins, Fix-It and Enjoy-It!® Potluck Heaven is the necessary companion for successful friend and family gatherings. In addition to the 543 individual recipes, all available with easy-to-find ingredients


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Friday, February 17, 2012

02/17 La Sirena Winery, Oakville Grocery Company, Steve Evans

02/17 What's Cookin' Today

SUSAN CANNON - LA SIRENA WINERY PARTICIPATES IN INVINO UNITAS SO CAL

Susan Cannon is the owner of Susan G. Cannon Estate Wines in the greater Los Angeles area. Susan's Experience involves her being Regional Sales Manager at Silver Oak Wine Cellars, Regional Sales Manager at Trefethen & Shramsberg Vineyards


KATHRYN FLOUTON Vice President & GM For Oakville Grocery Company

- Oakville Grocery Company’s flagship store - the oldest continually operating grocery store in California (open since 1881) and one of Napa Valley’s most beloved “must stop” destinations - will temporarily close its doors from January 2nd, to Mid-March of 2012, for a necessary structural renovation. This much needed restoration will preserve the charm and ambiance of the historic property, while also ensuring that the store will be able to serve the community for decades to come. During the closure all services within the building will cease operations, including those of the Oakville Post Office. According to Guy Byrne, construction manager for the project, “the store was built without a foundation.

In order to preserve the original building there must be a foundation added and reinforcement of all of its walls.” Moving the post office to another building on the property - part of the approved permitting for the renovations and additions, - will provide a more comfortable customer flow and will also make the store ADA compliant. An update to the electrical system will make the property more energy efficient, and there will be more room created for prepared and packaged product. There will also be two small buildings added for storage and back of house operations; and two additional public restrooms.

Additionally, a proposed 600 square foot space (including a porch) is being built behind the main store to accommodate the Post Office. While the U.S. Postal Service has not yet confirmed that it will be relocating the Oakville branch to this space, Rudd Properties has offered to build this new post office at its own expense for the benefit of the local community. Temporarily, the Oakville residents will be able to pick up their mail at a modular post office that the U. S. Postal Service has set up in the parking lot of Oakville Grocery. Other improvements to the store will include updated food and beverage equipment, energy saving refrigeration, and an increase in fresh food selection. Customers can expect to see many more Oakville Grocery private label products from Napa and Sonoma, as well as a major increase in baked goods. Oakville Grocery Company exclusively carries products from the state of California, with an emphasis on Napa and Sonoma counties. For 130 years the original Oakville Grocery location on Route 29 in Oakville has been the "little country store" in the heart of the Napa Valley, attracting visitors from near and far with its special Oakville charm.

The store’s selection focuses on wonderful, handmade local products from neighbors in Napa and Sonoma counties. Along with delicious made-to-order sandwiches, gourmet cheeses and charcuterie, Oakville Grocery offers a wide array of prepared foods to go or to enjoy on property. You will also find shelves lined with specialty items including local olive oils and vinegars, unique mustards, marinades and handmade preserves. The Sonoma County location opened over ten years ago on the historic town square in Healdsburg. Conveniently located at the corner of Center and Matheson Streets, where the outdoor covered patio serves as the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee and fresh pastry or a delicious lunch in this charming wine country town.


Movie Guy Steve Evans Gives us the Movie Hits and Misses!


Steve Evans, the Movie Guy, is going to tell us what we need to run out and see and what we can avoid in the movie theaters, this week
So, grab your popcorn, folks! Get your movie news and reviews right here on the What's Cookin' Today show! Steve “The Movie Guy” will take a look at what’s hot at the box office and the new films being released this weekend.




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Thursday, February 16, 2012

02/16 Larry Lipson WINTER GETAWAY,Sweeney Canyon Vineyard,

02/16 What's Cookin' Today

Traveling Time! The Great Larry Lipson Tells Us About His Latest Finds


Reporting from Costa Rica, CRN's international wine correspondent Larry Lipson will tell us about his latest Wine finds, including wines UNDER $10!Larry always has something cooking up at the Lipson Institute of Advanced Wine Studies!
Larry forages all of Costa Rica for the absolute best wines. No region is spared from his intense search. No mountain or range or valley is safe from his reach. He leaves no grape unturned, this man of passion. Wine is his life. His love for wine is only paralleled with his love for his lovely partner in wine, Lillian Lipson.Be fully prepared for this master of vino as he shares his food and wine pairing techniques and experiences with you on this great day in America - and the world.


CHRIS MARKS - VINEYARD MANAGER SWEENEY CANYON

Three generations of the Marks family have worked Sweeney Canyon Vineyard over the past 31 years. Currently, Chris Marks is the vineyard manager, with assistance from Krska Farming, and Kristi Marks is the winemaker. We only make wine from our own vineyard and only from vines we planted ourselves. The vineyard was planted to 18.5 acres of the Wente clone of Chardonnay on its own roots and is farmed without irrigation. Our location on a bench overlooking the Santa Ynez River and the minimal annual rainfall combined with “dry farming” has caused the vines to sink their roots deep into the alluvial soils, and give their fruit rich and complex flavors unique to Sweeney Canyon. Throughout the years, we have made small amounts of wine for our own consumption, both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from cuttings we made ourselves. In 2000 and 2001, we made a somewhat larger quantity of Chardonnay, fermented in stainless steel, and bottle aged ever since. As it has aged, it has developed elegance and complexity, which pleases us and our palates immensely. In 2002, we grafted an acre of Chardonnay to Pinot Noir clone 777. Grapes harvested from 2003 to 2005 were blended into others wines, but in 2006 we made 75 cases ourselves under our own label. In 2007, we grafted 4 acres to Pinot Noir clone 115, which graced us with a small crop the following year. Our Pinot Noir has never been irrigated, so the yields are small, but the flavors intense.
We are very proud of out 28 year old vineyard, one of the oldest in what is now known and heralded as the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. In fermenting and aging the wines, we have endeavored to retain the unique character of our vineyard. The vines are old and the yields are small. It is a site with sunny days, cool nights, and a long growing season allowing the grapes to ripen very slowly, retaining their high acidity even as sugars climb. The result is a rich blend of spices and fruit flavors that just get better in the barrel, the bottle and the glass.



JULIE DIMON THE NATGEO TV HOST AND TRAVEL JUNKIE TALKS WITH US ABOUT WINTER GETAWAYS

My name is Julia Dimon. I'm an adventure travel writer, a TV host and hard-core travel junkie who's traveled around the world to over 80 countries, across all seven continents. My TV show, currently airing on National Geographic Adventure international, Travel Channel UK and Outside Television, has seen me hike with mountain gorillas in Uganda, get radioactive in Chernobyl, get 'tortured' in a Latvian prison and eat live scorpions, bugs and slugs all across the globe.


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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

02/15 Rhea Seehorn, McCormick Kitchens, Santa Maria Valley Wine Country

02/15 What's Cookin' Today

RHEA SEEHORN Is "Roxanne" In NBC's New Comedy "WHITNEY"

Rhea Seehorn stars in the NBC multi-camera comedy “Whitney” as Roxanne a divorcee who is not afraid to speak her mind, but has not given up on love completely. Seehorn grew up in Virginia graduating from college with a degree in Drama and Visual Arts. She is theatrically trained and further developed her craft in Washington D.C. Where she performed on many stages including Arena Stage and the Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, where she is a member of the acting company. Seehorn then moved to Manhattan performing with Playwrights Horizons and had her Broadway debut as an understudy in Neil Simon’s “45 Seconds from Broadway. ” Shortly thereafter, she was cast as a series regular on “I’m With Her” opposite Teri Polo, David Sutcliffe and Danny Comden. Since relocating to Los Angeles she has had series regular and recurring roles in “The Starter Wife,” “Head Cases,” “Trust Me,” “The Dollhouse,” “Burn Notice” and a supporting role in the Disney feature “Shaggy Dog” opposite Tim Allen. She has done pilots working with Christopher Guest, Mitch Hurwitz, Craig Zisk, Mark Waters, Gail Mancuso, Jason Ensler and Don Scardino among others. She can also be seen, as the recurring, “Ellen Swatello,” on TNT's “Franklin & Bash.”

NBC’s multi-camera comedy “Whitney” is a hilarious look at modern day love, which centers around Whitney (Whitney Cummings, “Chelsea Lately”) and Alex (Chris D’Elia, “Glory Daze”), a happily unmarried couple. Together for three years, the duo is in no rush to get hitched, which seems to get a mixed response from their friends. Whitney’s close circle of opinionated girlfriends include Lily (Zoe Lister-Jones, “The Other Guys”) who is sweet, upbeat and is ready to get married and Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn, “The Starter Wife”) a divorcee who is not afraid to speak her mind, but has not given up on love completely. When together they often discuss their varying relationships and how to deal with everyday life and seemingly have fun at the same time. Completing their close-knit group is Neal (Maulik Pancholy, NBC's “30 Rock”) a real modern day renaissance man -- sensitive, cool and knows a little bit about everything and happens to be dating Lily. On the other end of the spectrum is Whitney and Alex’s next-door neighbor Mark (Dan O’Brien, “How I Met Your Mother”), a police officer and total bachelor, who claims to be the ultimate player but likes to talk a good game. At the end of the day, Whitney and Alex realize that while their relationship might not be perfect on paper, they really do love each other -- and that works for them.

Chef Mark Garcia McCormick Spices Talks To Us About The McCormick Kitchens

When you cook, are you on a quest for the ultimate, flavorful meal, or do you think simplicity is the way to go? Do you stick to traditional ingredients that honor your heritage, or are you boundary-free and prefer to cook outside the lines? Whatever your preference, you’re not alone. Food lovers around the world are more alike than different according to a report just released. McCormick & Company’s annual Flavor Forecast pinpoints common trends that drive culinary innovation and found food lovers approach eating with greater curiosity and celebrate the enjoyment of it. “While developing the Flavor Forecast 2012, our international team was excited to find so many similarities in the forces inspiring diverse cultures to cook, eat and innovate,” says Chef Mark Garcia. “Some enjoy elevating the simple goodness of real, uncomplicated food, while others seek the essence of culture’s heritage through flavor, expressed through the Honoring Roots trend.” Talk to Chef Mark Garcia about the 2012 Flavor Forecast. With more than 20 years of culinary experience, he has worked with some of the world’s leading retailers and hospitality companies. Chef Mark attended the Culinary Institute of America. He currently oversees the McCormick Kitchens, a creative team of culinary professionals responsible for bringing flavor to life through innovative recipes and products for the home cook.

Chris Slaughter, Executive Director Santa Maria Valley Wine Country, Shares With Us What New Wines They Have

Much of the singularity and excellence of the Santa Maria Valley appellation is due in great part to the East-West transverse valley that runs through it. This transverse valley acts as a funnel, channeling in cool maritime influences and depositing them throughout the wide valley that is Santa Maria. Ocean temperatures just off the coast of Santa Maria are typically about 15 degrees C (55 to 59 F). The Coriolis effect, an upwelling of deeper, colder waters, further cools the ocean breezes coming in off the coast of the Pacific and into the Santa Maria Valley. The cool winds entering from the Northwest, coupled with the Coriolis effect, serve to push cold ocean water to the surface. The transverse valley then allows these cold water winds to funnel into the Santa Maria Valley, cooling it substantially. Dining in the Santa Maria Wine Country offers many unique options from the much loved Chef Rick’s Ultimately Fine Food in the town of Orcutt, to Garey's Store and Deli on the eastern wine trail, Dino’s Deli/Testa’s Bistro in downtown Santa Maria, or two popular Santa Maria Barbecue restaurants, Hitching Post in Casmalia and Far Western Tavern in nearby Guadalupe. Chef Rick’s, beloved by Central Coast foodies and the Santa Maria Valley’s renowned vintners, finds his inspiration in the American South, a wide geographic swath that includes Louisiana, the Southwest and even Southern California. Meals start with a complimentary basket of freshly baked sweet and savory breads. But the real treats follow. Soulful choices like the tacos of grilled halibut, shrimp and scallops topped with jicama guacamole and salsa ranchera, and the Georgia fried chicken salad with green onion dressing. Rick’s is a lively place with funky purple napkins and a motto of “Everything I do gohn be Funky from now on”. The wine list offers rarities from the best wineries just north and south of Chef Rick’s.

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Friday, February 10, 2012

02/13 Alan Semsar, Bill Nancarrow, Rory Herrmann and David Hands


02/13 What's Cookin' Today

Alan Semsar tells us all about the 3rd Annual Beverly Hills Wine Festival at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

When you think of Beverly Hills, the first thing that comes to mind is luxury. In keeping with the spirit of this exclusive enclave, we have teamed with some of the most prestigious sponsors ever to bring you an experience of unparalleled extravagance. The Beverly Hills Wine Festival is proud to introduce the taste of some of the most revered wines, beers, and liquors available, as well as makers of exceptional products. For more information visit www.beverlyhillswinefestival.com

Bill Nancarrow the Executive Winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley

Handpicked by the Duckhorn family to be the executive winemaker for Duckhorn Wine Company's Napa Valley properties, Bill Nancarrow brings a global understanding of viticulture and enology to his role as executive winemaker for Duckhorn Vineyards and Paraduxx. Combining a respect for tradition with a talent for innovation, Bill applies his expansive knowledge of winemaking to the task of continuing Duckhorn Wine Company's legacy of quality. Raised in Hawkes Bay, the oldest winegrowing region in New Zealand, Bill developed an early passion for the wine industry. He spent several years traveling and Working throughout Africa and Europe before ending up in England, where he took a position as the Harvest manager for Thorncroft Vineyards. In 1995, Bill returned to Hawkes Bay and joined the team at Huthlee Vineyards. Bill's talent and ambition were noticed by New Zealand's acclaimed Bordeaux varietal Pioneer Chris Pask, and in 1998 he was offered the position of assistant winemaker at C.J. Pask Winery in Hawkes Bay. There, he refined his skills, working side-by-side with Kate Radburnd, one of New Zealand's Most respected winemakers . Recognized for his leadership abilities and his talent working with a range of Varietals - including the WInery's renowned Merlot - Bill was named winemaker for C.J. Pask when

Radburnd was promoted to managing director. Bill traveled to the Napa Valley in 2001 to work harvest at Duckhorn Vineyards. When the assistant winemaker position at Duckhorn Vineyards became available Prior to harvest, Bill's extensive experience made him the ideal person to round out the winemaking team. Bill permanently joined Duckhorn Wine Company in February of 2003 as the winemaker for Paraduxx and the interim assistant Winemaker for Duckhorn Vineyards. For more information visit www.duckhorn.com

Rory Herrmann and David Hands of BOUCHON BISTRO & CA WINEMASTERS.

French bistro food is my favorite - steak fries, a two-inch high quiche with bacon and onions, a salad with an egg on top finished with a perfect vinaigrette, a croque madame, some oysters and a glass of champagne. These are foods that represent the most important kind of cooking there is because they're rooted in tradition. So when I thought of opening a restaurant that's more casual than The French Laundry, I decided to explore and deepen the culinary heritage that I admire so much. A Bouchon can be, and should be, whatever you need it to be. It's a casual place, a social place, a place where people come to relax talk and to eat. A kind of home. Bouchon is based on my memories of the amazing bistros I would frequent while traveling in France, such as Chez Paul and Hugon, where they serve meals almost family style in very small dining rooms. Often times the husband cooks and the wife greets and serves. First courses, headcheese or a charcuterie plate, may be passed from table to table. These neighborhood places serving simple, traditional dishes in a home-like atmosphere, provided the model for what I hoped to create in Yountville. For more information visit www.bouchonbistro.com

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02/10 Nancy Siler, Wendy Eachus, Chef Les Kincaid, Steve The Movie Guy

02/10 What's Cookin' Today


Nancy Siler TV Host of “Bake Decorate Celebrate!” gives us some tasty idea’s for making this Valentine’s Day one to remember!

Valentine’s Day is all about baking and food gifting – not only about romance! And, now is a perfect time to get the kids involved in the process.

The 2011 Report reveals that 80% of moms say time with the kids is the main motivation for baking together. What’s more, 68% of moms welcomed baking as a creative opportunity for youngsters, and 60% as a teaching moment. Valentine’s Day provides the perfect celebration to have kids help create sweet treats for family and friends. From heart-shaped cookies and cupcakes to cake pops and more, kids can add their personal decorating touches with sprinkles, sugars, icings and other special Valentine decorations. February 14th is also a good time to bring friends together for baking. The report revealed that 75% of moms showed interest in hosting a party that included a baking and decorating activity for kids. Nancy has shown that everyone can make a celebration spectacular.


Wendy Eachus, Executive Administrator for Madera Vintners Association talks about the 2012 Wine & Chocolate Weekend Happening THIS WEEKEND!

The family wineries of the Madera Wine Trail will host “Wine & Chocolate Weekend” on February 11th and 12th from 10am to 5pm. Sample current & newly released vintages while indulging in delectable chocolate creations, delicious food, local art and live music. With your ticket, you will receive a passport wine glass good for wine tasting all weekend-long at all 10 wineries! Designated Drivers are always Welcome on the Madera Wine Trail, and they are always free. Be sure to ask for a 'Designated Drivers - Madera Wine Trail VIPs" kit at your first stop on the Trail! For more information visit www.maderawinetrail.com

Chef Les Kincaid host of Wines De Jour gives us the dirt on what’s happen in Sin City Las Vegas!

Les Kincaid was born in Dayton, Ohio and moved to California at age 12 to spend the summer with his father and stepmother. He shortly discovered a passion for food because of his step-grandfather (who was an executive chef-retired). Started cooking for the summer visit and by September 1st was preparing three meals a day. His family moved to San Francisco and was hired for his first culinary job at 14. Because of his love of food he has been cooking most every day since. Les has been teaching cooking and wine appreciation classes thru the continuing education, or Outreach department, at UNLV for well over twenty years and consulting to restaurants and hotels all over the west from west Texas to Oregon since 1983. He also taught cooking classes at the Clark County Community College for several years, and school politics forced him to quit there. Politics is not part of his personality. Les has penned several cookbooks and the latest is titled "Never Trust A Skinny Chef". Les started broadcasting in Las Vegas with a radio program called "Les Kincaid's Lifestyles Las Vegas" in January 2000. The show emanated from Charlie Palmer's Aureole Las Vegas restaurant "lLIVE in Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino. This show ran from noon to 1:30 p.m. (Pacific each Saturday). After one year the show went national and syndicated the show into over 26 million households. In September of 2000 he started a unique wine show (Les' Wines & Vines). This was Americas first wine show that has an invited guest audience and tastes wines and food during the show while interviewing the winery owner, winemaker, wine writer, sommelier or master sommelier. It is currently nationally syndicated over two networks and six Internet outlets every Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. “LIVE”. In October 2011 he decided to re-brand this show and changed the name to Wines Du Jour. The second network Global American Broadcasting Network and this helped the ratings and they feel very confident that this show will be around for several years to come. There are a few more projects in the mill at this time and we will be happy to share them with you as they develop, including some things from Baja California, Mexico. Both radio and television broadcasts. For more information please visit www.leskincaid.com

Steve "The Movie Guy" Evans gives us a preview of this weekend’s movies!

Upcoming This Weekend


Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace

The Vow

Safe House

Journey 2 – The Mysterious Island

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02/09 Chef Jacques E. Haeringer, Claud Beltran, PinotFest, Paul Kalemkiarian

02/09 What's Cookin' Today

Chef Jacques E. Haeringer Stops by to promote his new book "TWO FOR TONIGHT"

Chef Jacques Haeringer believes that good food, good friends, and delicious food are the very best things in life.

Chef Jacques is one of America’s most respected and innovative culinary personalities. Continuing in his father, François’ footsteps, Jacques loves to create and serve contemporary French fare, whether at his family’s Washington DC restaurant, L’Auberge Chez François, or at one of his popular cooking demos and luncheons. His menus feature classic Alsatian and French cuisine reinterpreted for American palates. When he isn’t in the kitchen Chef Jacques can be found sharing his gourmet cooking secrets and tips to sold-out audiences, in the pages of national magazines, and on radio and television programs across the country.

Love begins in the kitchen, don’t you agree?

For more information on Chef Jacques, his books and cooking classes, visit him online at www.ChefJacques.com


Claud Beltran tells us about the 2012 Fourth Annual Pasadena PinotFest in Pasadena, CA this Weekend.

It's time for the annual Pasadena PinotFest (the fourth, actually) which kicks off with a five-course dinner at Altadena Town & Country Club. Each course is cooked by a local chef and paired with a Pinot Noir producer. Chefs involved include AKA Bistro and Bistro 45’s James Labrinus, the Raymond’s Tim Guiltinan, and Noir Food & Wine’s Claud Beltran. And Pinot producers pouring their juice include Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Winery, Clos Pepe Vineyards, and Williams Selyem. Part of the proceeds for the $149 dinner ticket helps Los Angeles County families in need. But the dinner isn't the only event. Weekly Pinot tasting events at $15 per person follow for a month, and Saturday afternoon, Feb. 11, a grand public tasting at the Altadena Town & Country Club will feature up to 100 wines. That tasting costs $89 per person, a bit more for those who fancy hanging around the "VIP" lounge. If learning more about Pinot Noir happens to feature on your new year’s resolutions, this event is for you. For more information and tickets, call (626) 795-7199 or go to pasadenapinotfest.com.

Paul Kalemkiarian explains the "WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB"

Serving both the novice and educated wine enthusiasts nationally for more than three decades, the original Wine of the Month Club® is a highly-rated mail order wine service that offers its members hand-picked selections of fine wines from the world’s finest growing regions in such diverse areas as California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Australia. Each month more than 400 wines are tasted and evaluated for club selection and brought to the members at extraordinary prices. Members may shop online from a full selection of wines in the “Wine Shop,” gourmet gifts and wine accessories. Our newsletter contains fascinating insights into the featured wines, gourmet recipes and serving tips for wine lovers. The club is FREE and you never pay for a wine you do not like. The original Wine of the Month Club® houses a wide selection of award-winning wines at a 10,000 square-foot retail space/warehouse in Monrovia, California. www.wineofthemonthclub.com

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

02/08 Larry Lipson, Miami Culinary Institute, Roy's Restaurant

02/08 What's Cookin' Today

Traveling Time! The Great Larry Lipson Tells Us About His Latest Finds


Reporting from Costa Rica, CRN's international wine correspondent Larry Lipson will tell us about his latest Wine finds, including wines UNDER $10!Larry always has something cooking up at the Lipson Institute of Advanced Wine Studies!
Larry forages all of Costa Rica for the absolute best wines. No region is spared from his intense search. No mountain or range or valley is safe from his reach. He leaves no grape unturned, this man of passion. Wine is his life. His love for wine is only paralleled with his love for his lovely partner in wine, Lillian Lipson.Be fully prepared for this master of vino as he shares his food and wine pairing techniques and experiences with you on this great day in America - and the world.


Chef Norman Van Aken - Chef and Director of Restaurants at The Miami Culinary Institute as well as the Chef-Owner of “NORMAN’S at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lake, Orlando”.

Legendary Chef Norman Van Aken is known internationally as “the founding father of New World Cuisine,” a celebration of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African and American flavors. He is also known for introducing the concept of “fusion” to the culinary world in a symposium on American cooking in Santa Fe in 1988. He is the only Floridian inducted into the prestigious James Beard list of “Who’s Who in American Food and Beverage.” He is the Chef and Director of Restaurants at The Miami Culinary Institute as well as the Chef-Owner of “NORMAN’S at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lake, Orlando”. In 2006, he was honored as one of the “Founders of the New American Cuisine,” alongside Alice Waters, Paul Prudhomme, and Mark Miller at Spain’s International Summit of Gastronomy ‘Madrid Fusión’ event. The New York Times deemed his fine dining restaurant, “NORMAN’S”, “the Best Restaurant in Florida and Norman Van Aken its best Chef.”
Chef Norman Van Aken has published four books: Feast of Sunlight 1988, The Exotic Fruit Book 1995, Norman’s New World Cuisine 1997, and New World Kitchen 2003. His next book will be published in 2012 and is titled, My Key West Kitchen. “The Walt Whitman of American Cuisine” --- Charlie Trotter


Roy Yamaguchi - "Roy's Restaurant"

Based on childhood memories of the feelings and flavors of Hawaii, Roy invented what he refers to as "Hawaiian Fusion® Cuisine" — a tempting combination of exotic flavors and spices mixed with the freshest of local ingredients, always with an emphasis on seafood. Born in Tokyo, Yamaguchi vividly recalls visits with his grandparents to Maui, where he had his first tastes of fish, crab, octopus and lobster bought fresh at ocean side piers. Thusly inspired, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York at the age of 19, where, after several years of intense training, he became a Master Chef. Thoroughly imbued with this discipline, Roy found the confidence to tackle his first experience as executive chef at Le Serene in Los Angeles in 1979. This was followed by a few memorable months at the eternally posh Michael's in Santa Monica, working for California Cuisine originator Michael McCarty. In 1984, he opened his own restaurant in Los Angeles called 385 North. However, the desire to further expand his culinary horizons while getting closer to his roots led Yamaguchi to move to Hawaii in 1988 and open Roy's. Soon after the original Roy’s opened in Honolulu, Food & Wine Magazine dubbed it the "crown jewel of Honolulu's East-West eateries," and it was named one of Condé Nast Traveler's "Top 50." Gourmet acknowledged Yamaguchi as "the father of modern East-West cooking" while the New York Times described him as "the Wolfgang Puck of the Pacific." Yamaguchi is now regarded as a pioneer who mastered a distinctive style, which brought his cooking to the forefront of contemporary gastronomy. As testimony to his success, there are now 31 Roy's, including 23 in the Continental U.S., 6 in Hawaii, 1 in Japan and 1 in Guam. Honored early in his career with the prestigious James Beard "Best Pacific Northwest Chef" Award, Yamaguchi has hosted six seasons of the PBS-TV show, Hawaii Cooks with Roy Yamaguchi seen on more than 300 stations in all 50 states, as well as in over 60 countries. Equally notable, he was a featured chef on the acclaimed TV Food Network program, My Country, My Kitchen which takes viewers back to his roots in Japan. Yamaguchi has also published three cookbooks; Roy’s Fish and Seafood, Roy’s Feasts from Hawaii and Hawaii Cooks: Flavors from Roy’s Pacific Rim Kitchen.

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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

02/07 Jane Seymour, Honore comfort, Dandy Don

02/07 What's Cookin' Today

JANE SEYMOUR - ACTRESS
www.janeseymour.com Sponsored by Kay's Jewelers

An international beauty icon and actress of more than three decades, Jane Seymour, who has graced both the large and small screens in numerous feature films (from “Wedding Crashers” to “Somewhere in Time”) and television series (from “Dancing with the Stars” to “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Quinn”), first became a household name as the unforgettable Bond Girl Solitaire in the James Bond classic “Live and Let Die” opposite Roger Moore. And today Jane continues to delight her millions of fans through her acting, artistry, and philanthropy. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, Jane will chat with your listeners about the importance of having an open heart by giving gifts from the heart and remembering that giving is not only for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is year-round, and Valentine’s Day can be a caring and loving day of giving as well. Jane will share her mother’s philosophy of giving from the heart and reveal her suggestions for doing so~including making a romantic meal or a handmade card, giving a donation or charitable gift in someone’s honor, or buying a special gift for a loved one. In addition, Jane will encourage your listeners to share their Valentine’s Day stories about keeping an open heart at a website that she created called www.keepanopenheart.com. Jane will also chat about her acting career, her recent competition on “Dancing with the Stars”, and her philanthropy. International beauty icon and actress Jane Seymour, who was named an Officer of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2000 in honor of her humanitarian efforts and artistic career, has starred in numerous feature films, Broadway productions, television movies and miniseries, and television shows. An Emmy-Award winner and Golden Globe nominee, Jane made a huge splash into American cinema as the unforgettable Bond Girl Solitaire in the James Bond classic "Live and Let Die" opposite Roger Moore. In addition to her roles in such theatrical releases and television movies as “The Wedding Crashers”, “Love, Wedding, Marriage”, "Somewhere in Time," "East of Eden," "War and Remembrance," "Oh! Heavenly Dog," "Battlestar Gallactica," "Phantom of the Opera," "Lassiter," "The Four Feathers," "Quest for Camelot," “The Richest Man Alive”, “Sunstroke”, "The Only Way," "Young Winston," "Oh! What a Lovely War," "Keys to Freedom," “A Passion for Justice”, “Praying Mantis” “The Absolute Truth”, “Captains and Kings”, “Enslavement: The Fanny Kemble Story”, “Murder in the Mirror”, "The Private," “Blackout”, “Yesterday’s Children”, "The Woman He Loved," “A Marriage of Convenience”, “Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger”, "The New Swiss Family Robinson," “Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend”, “King David”, “Dr. Quinn: The Heart Within”, "Frankenstein: The True Story," and "The Best Pair of Legs in the Business," this beautiful and talented brunette is often most recognized for her title role as "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman." The former official spokesperson for UNICEF and former International Ambassador for Childhelp USA, Jane founded the Open Hearts Foundation, a non-profit charity established to raise funds to enrich the lives of children in the areas of health, arts, sports, and education. Jane, who is a mother of six (her twin sons named after family friends Christopher Reeve and Johnny Cash), also supports the American Red Cross, City Hearts, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Childhelp, and Camp Soaring Eagle. In addition, Jane, who is married to James Keach and is a mother of six children, is also an accomplished home fashion designer, baby and children's clothing and accessories designer, painter, and author of children's books.


HONORE COMFORT: Exec Director of Sonoma Country Vintners

Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director since 2006. I have collaborated with multiple local
Organizations on complex projects. Working with the Winegrape Commission, I created the Presidents’
Council, a body of community and industry leaders that meets regularly to address issues and
Opportunities that support the wine industry. Sonoma County Vintners and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance are co-producers of The Taste of Sonoma, which is one of two flagship events during Sonoma Wine Country Weekend – the signature weekend for Sonoma County each September. We feel that Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and the Taste of Sonoma are successful events and offer great visibility for Sonoma County wines, food and tourism for several reasons: Feature the wine, food, and lifestyle that is uniquely Sonoma County; invite guests from across the U.S. To come and be a part of our wine and food community; provide opportunity to meet the people who grow the grapes, make the wine, and produce our local products and cuisine; create hands-on experiences For people learn about and engage – not just another wine tasting; designed to communicate the range of wines produced here, and how they are integral to our local wine and food culture. Wine and tourism are the major drivers of Sonoma County’s economy, so it is essential that they continue to grow and thrive. We have a unique culture here that is warm, inviting, and approachable. It is rooted in wine and our agricultural heritage, but it encompasses the entire wine country lifestyle. People want to come here and be a part of our community for a week or weekend, so the more we can do to reach out to visitors from around the world and offer a glimpse of what makes Sonoma County unique, the more we will continue to grow. The best way to grow both sectors is to continue to work together and approach tourism from the standpoint of making wine accessible, and approach winery hospitality with an eye towards always welcoming the visitor. Social media and electronic communication have greatly increased the ability to spread “word of mouth” and the wine industry has adopted social media faster than most other sectors.


An Overview of Dandy Don’s HomeMade Ice Cream

A music biz whiz who promoted (and garnered gold records for) artists such as The Beatles, Elvis, David Bowie, Cat Stevens and John Denver, Don Whittemore established Dandy Don’s HomeMade Ice Cream in 1981. Specializing in sundae bar catering and serving fine restaurants and markets in Southern California, Dandy Don’s HomeMade Ice Cream has been winning gold medals at the Los Angeles County Fair since 1996.

Dandy Don’s HomeMade Ice Cream

We serve ice cream and sorbet to over 150 restaurants, hotels, and country clubs in the Los Angeles area. Great chefs and pastry chefs trust us to make their desserts something special. Click here to see the list of our clients. A few of them are Café Bizou, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, The Farm of Beverly Hills, Max, Restaurant Christine, Fred 62 and Crustacean.

Dandy Don’s Sundae Bar Catering

We bring hot fudge sundaes to large corporations, television and movie sets, and private homes. We bring our homemade ice cream with up to 35 toppings to “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, The Walt Disney Company, Comedy Central, USC, and the Concern Foundation charity. Click here for the list of catering clients.

Dandy Don’s Pints

Our pints are sold in a few select markets in the L.A. area. Click here for the complete list. Flavors available in pints include Vanilla Bean, Cappuccino Crunch, Strawberries & Brown Sugar, Banana Cream, Green Tea and Mandarin Orange Chocolate. Customers from all over the US can buy our pints in our online Store and have them shipped via Federal Express overnight service (with dry ice) to anywhere in the continental United States.

Here at Dandy Don’s, we’re proud of our ice cream and the service that comes with it.




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Monday, February 6, 2012

02/06 Brian James, Maggie Nemser, "Wine Of The Month Club"

02/06 What's Cookin' Today

Paul Kalemiarian - "WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB"

Serving both the novice and educated wine enthusiasts nationally for more than three decades, the original Wine of the Month Club® is a highly-rated mail order wine service that offers its members hand-picked selections of fine wines from the world’s finest growing regions in such diverse areas as California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Australia. Each month more than 400 wines are tasted and evaluated for club selection and brought to the members at extraordinary prices.

Members may shop online from a full selection of wines in the “Wine Shop,” gourmet gifts and wine accessories. Our newsletter contains fascinating insights into the featured wines, gourmet recipes and serving tips for wine lovers. The club is FREE and you never pay for a wine you do not like. The original Wine of the Month Club® houses a wide selection of award-winning wines at a 10,000 square-foot retail space/warehouse in Monrovia, California. www.wineofthemonthclub.com or www.wineofthemonthclub.tv. GIVE YOUR SWEETHEART THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING THIS VALENTINE’S DAY (The Original Wine of the Month Club® Offers Gift Packages Featuring Popular Varietals Paired with Sweet and Savory Gourmet Chocolates)


Maggie Nemser: CEO and Editor-in-Chief Of BlackboardEats

A native New Yorker, Maggie Nemser’s culinary ‘affliction’ began at a young age while dining out every night of the week at Manhattan’s signature restaurants from Union Square Cafe to her family’s special table at Elaine’s. After graduating from Columbia Prep high school, Maggie attended Trinity College in Connecticut and, upon graduation, landed her first job in production at MTV networks. The online publishing world soon beckoned and Maggie began writing for trailblazing e-newsletter DailyCandy and contributing to popular sites including Thrillist and JuliB. Maggie went on to work with Doug Levine, founder of the famous Crunch gym brand, to help launch his brand new start-up. During this time Maggie learned how to build a company from the ground up – from hiring and managing people to time management and goal-setting. In 2006, Maggie relocated to Santa Monica, California and accepted the position as food editor for Yahoo! And Yahoo! Shine, where she cultivated her innate talent and skill set as a dedicated food writer.

Maggie’s inbox was constantly flooded with pitches for restaurant deals and she began to conceive of an online product that would act as a one-stop shop of highly-curated specials that bring value to both the consumer and the restaurant. BlackboardEats was born. Maggie quit her position at Yahoo! And launched BlackboardEats.com in September 2009, offering discounts valued at over 30% at the city's most popular and critically-acclaimed restaurants. The first edition debuted in Los Angeles and achieved immediate success both with subscription numbers and participating restaurants, which included Church & State, The Foundry, Akasha, Pizzeria Mozza and Jar. Maggie enlisted a staff of seasoned food writers who hail from esteemed publications such as Bon Appétit, DailyCandy, Gayot, Los Angeles magazine, Los Angeles Times, Travel + Leisure and Zagat, as well as restaurant experts to select the city’s best restaurants to feature on BlackboardEats. Today, Maggie oversees the daily operations and editorial content of BlackboardEats.com in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, and also curates a national "Market" edition featuring top products for the home cook.


BRIAN d'ARCY JAMES ("Frank" in NBC's "SMASH")

Brian d’Arcy James stars as Frank, husband of Julia (Debra Messing), in NBC’s new musical drama “Smash.” In the show, Frank has set aside his own career as Julia’s has taken off, but with their son Leo now in high school, he has become restless. Frank and Julia strive to maintain their family life as Julia’s attention is divided between their impending adoption, her new musical -- and the return of her old flame Michael Swift (Will Chase). For his performance as Shrek in “Shrek the Musical” on Broadway, James was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 and won the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk Awards. In 2010, he returned to Broadway as Dan Goodman in “Next To Normal,” the role he created off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theater.

James began his illustrious career on Broadway in 1993, appearing in “Blood Brothers” in the lead role of Mickey before leaving to join Nicholas Hytner’s acclaimed production of “Carousel” at the Lincoln Center. He continued with “Titanic” as Barrett the Stoker for which he received his first Drama League Award nomination and a FANY Award. James originated the role of Brendan in Martin McDonagh’s Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominated play “The Lieutenant of Inishmore.” He also starred alongside Kristen Chenoweth in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of “The Apple Tree” and in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” with Keith Carradine as the scene-stealing, crude con-man Freddy Benson. In 2002, James received nominations for the Tony Award, Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as a Drama League Honor for his star turn as Sidney Falco in “Sweet Smell of Success.” Off-Broadway, he received nominations for both the Drama Desk Awards and the Drama League Awards for “The Wild Party” at Manhattan Theatre Club. For his solo performance in Conor McPherson’s “The Good Thief ,” James was honored with an Obie Award, a Backstage Garland Award and an LA Weekly Award, as well as nominations for the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards. He was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Conor McPherson’s “Port Authority.” His other theater credits include “The Pavilion,” “Flight,” “Ancestral Voices” at the Lincoln Center and Kenneth Branagh’s “Public Enemy.” He starred in the Encores! Production of “Pardon My English” and appeared in the original companies of “Floyd Collins” for Playwrights’ Horizons and Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” in San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles. James has starred in numerous benefit concerts and performances around the world, most recently performing for President Barack Obama and the first family in “A Broadway Celebration at the White House”.

Other highlights include the “NSO Pops: Sondheim at 80,” the original benefit concert for “Children and Art,” and the “Kennedy Center Honors” to honor Charlton Heston and “Hamlisch on Hamlisch.” He has appeared at venues ranging from Los Angeles’ Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden to the Boston Pops and Dortmund, Germany. Among his numerous recordings are his 2004 debut solo album “From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn” (featuring his original popular holiday song “Michigan Christmas”), “Shrek the Musical,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “Carousel,” “Floyd Collins,” “The Wild Party,” and “Sweet Smell of Success” to name a few. Recent film credits include “Game Change” for HBO and Jennifer Westfeldt’s “Friends With Kids”. He has appeared in the feature film “Ghost Town” with Ricky Gervais, as well as in the television series “Person of Interest”,“Cashmere Mafia” and “Rescue Me.” He recently co-created, co-produced and starred in an original made-for-television improvisational comedy pilot “Shiny People.” James’ singing talents can be heard alongside other Broadway performers in Disney’s animated feature film “Enchanted.” In his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan, James supports and often performs for the Field Neurosciences Institute, which aims to prevent, early diagnosis, care and cure neurological diseases, disorders and injuries. James resides in New York City with his wife and daughter.

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Friday, February 3, 2012

02/03 wine chef, cordi winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Steve Evans

02/03 What's Cookin' Today

MELISSA SMITH, FAMOUSLY KNOWN AS THE "WINE CHEF", MELISSA SHARES WITH US SOME SPECIAL WAYS TO COMBINE WINE AND FOOD

Melissa Lavrinc Smith has paved a unique path in the culinary world. A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America Greystone in Napa Valley, a certified sommelier and a certified sake professional, Melissa also earned her stripes in some of the top restaurants across the country, includingTerra, The French Laundry and The Inn at Little Washington. In her role as a restaurant consultant, helps restaurants write their own recipes for success. This fall, Melissa released Enotria Guide, an iPhone app that helps users correctly pronounce more than 200 French, German and Italian wine terms.


TERESA & REECE CORDI, BOTH OWNERS OF CORDI WINERY, TALK WITH US ABOUT THEIR NEWEST WINE RELEASES

My husband, Reece, and I have the first winery in Sutter County. We are a small limited production (200 cases or less per varietal) boutique winery nestled at the base of the Sutter Buttes - touted as the World's Smallest Mountain Range. Our story is an interesting one with Mother Nature providing a huge push. Our tasting room is not yet open to the public because we need to finish the handicapped accessible bathroom and parking. Our local New Earth Market is carrying our wine. But our best news is that we recently won a gold medal for our 2010 Primitivo at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! It is an exciting time since this was our first competition. We do have a simple website: cordiwinery.com and you can access local news articles about us from our local paper at appealdemocrat.com We look forward to chatting with you about our wines.

Kim Stare Wallace, Owner Of Dry Creek Vineyard Joins us to talk about their newest wine releases

For the twelfth consecutive year, Dry Creek Vineyard wines were poured at the Screen Actors Guild Awards® which were held on Sunday January, 29 and televised on TNT and TBS. Second-generation proprietor Kim Stare Wallace and her hospitality team were on hand to pour their wines for the entertainment industry’s elite. “It was such an honor to have our wines selected for this momentous occasion. People have come to recognize our wines at the event for their quality and complementary nature with food.” Dry Creek Vineyard has proudly served their family’s wines to the who’s-who of filmmaking and television since 1999. Once again, the winery provided a memorable large format (1.5L) bottles to commemorate the occasion. At the 18th Annual SAG Awards® dinner, Dry Creek Vineyard poured its premier estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Endeavour, as well as the winery’s flagship white wine, 2010 Fumé Blanc. The winery also continued its tradition of offering wine tasting bars for sampling of select Dry Creek vintages during the pre-show cocktail hour.

This year’s additional tastings included Dry Creek’s 2009 Foggy Oaks Chardonnay and 2007 Mariner. Dry Creek Vineyard wines are also featured in the current online SAG Awards Ceremony Auction to benefit the SAG Foundation.. Wine aficionados can bid now through February 2 at www.sagawards.org/auction for Dry Creek’s Ultimate Connoisseur’s Trio: three six-liter bottles of Dry Creek Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage. The SAG Awards auction benefit’s the SAG Foundation’s children’s literacy, actor assistance and educational programs. Pouring wine for the world’s finest actors has served the winery well over the years. A number of celebrities have visited the property and Kim Stare Wallace says it is a win-win for everyone involved. “It’s always an honor to present our wines to Hollywood luminaries. Participating in this nationally televised event provides incredible exposure not just for Dry Creek Vineyard wines but also for Sonoma County at large.”

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards®, LLC. For more information about the SAG Awards, SAG, TNT and TBS, visit sagawards.org/about, “like” SAG Awards at Facebook.com/sagawardsofficialpage and follow SAG Awards at twitter.com/sagawards. Founded in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is located in the heart of Sonoma County, just outside of the charming wine country town of Healdsburg. As the region’s first new winery in the Dry Creek Valley following Prohibition, founder David Stare paved the way for a viticultural reawakening in this vibrant winegrowing region. Among other industry firsts, Stare is recognized as being the first vintner to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley. He was also responsible for the region’s AVA status in 1983 and was the first vintner to use the term Meritage on his wine labels with the 1985 vintage. Now celebrating 40 years of family winemaking, Dry Creek Vineyard has remained a successful family owned winery, with the second generation – Dave’s daughter Kim Stare Wallace, now running the family business.




Movie Guy Steve Evans Gives us the Movie Hits and Misses!


Steve Evans, the Movie Guy, is going to tell us what we need to run out and see and what we can avoid in the movie theaters, this week
So, grab your popcorn, folks! Get your movie news and reviews right here on the What's Cookin' Today show! Steve “The Movie Guy” will take a look at what’s hot at the box office and the new films being released this weekend.



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Thursday, February 2, 2012

02/02 KFC, HERB MESA, "LOS ANGELES CLASSIC DESSERTS"

02/02 What's Cookin' Today

Author Grace Bauer Talks With Us About Her Newest Book “Los Angeles Classic Desserts”

Nothing says “celebrate” on any special occasion better than classic, yummy homemade desserts and “Los Angeles Classic Desserts” cookbook which contains over 40 dessert recipes from some of the most famous landmark restaurant in Los Angeles. The delicious and iconic recipes have been perfected for the home kitchen and the cookbook is perfect for anyone who loves to create classic desserts for family and friends, especially on occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. The recipes range in style from classic and traditional old-Hollywood to hip and trendy Los Angeles.

The full-color book includes beautiful photography illustrating the recipe and a bit of history of each restaurants represented in the book. “I was asked to write the “Los Angeles Classic Desserts” cookbook when I found a second career in the culinary world,” said author Grace Bauer. “I live in both my native New Orleans and in Los Angeles, and after graduating from culinary school in L.A., I was a recipe tester for another cookbook. Then the classic desserts book was suggested and I knew I could combine some of old-Hollywood standouts with some of the most hip and trendy present day restaurants and fabulous bakeries to create a book for home chefs, as well as bring a little Hollywood to everyone.” Restaurants represented in the book include classic favorites like: Chasen’s; The Polo Lounge; Chateau Marmont Hotel; Romanoff’s And new Hollywood favorites like: Water Grill; Patina; La Brea Bakery; Sweet Lady Jane’s Bakery.

Grace Bauer was trained at the California Culinary Academy's Le Cordon Bleu program and used her background as a New Orleans interior designer, her expertise in the kitchen and love of culinary history in Los Angeles in writing “Los Angeles Classic Desserts”. After Hurricane Katrina, she had many life-changing experiences including becoming a bi-coastal resident, now living in both her native New Orleans and Los Angeles. She incorporated the culture and diversity offered throughout L.A.’s many pastry kitchens and favorite restaurants when she produced the book


Herb Mesa, Celebrity Chef, Finalist on Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star And Fitness Expert Speaks With Us About Plans For National Heart Health Month

Herb Mesa is a restaurant-trained chef, and a self-taught healthy cuisine chef, as well as a certified personal trainer and fitness guru. As a first generation American of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents living in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Herb grew up on the flavors of the Caribbean. But with these richly intense flavors also came saturated fat, calorie-rich food in large portions. Starting his career in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher, Herb worked his way up to chef and, later, executive positions such as Director of Catering and Assistant General Manager at luxury hotels. Managing multi-million dollar budgets, menu planning and numerous staff, Herb excelled in every aspect of the culinary and hospitality industry, Herb eventually became a certified personal trainer and nutrition & wellness consultant and worked at a local family gym. He conquered food without sacrificing the flavors he loved by beginning a business for himself in 2003 called The Energy Chef, with which he taught individual clients, corporate groups and gym members how to make satisfying, nutritious dishes and incorporate exercise into their lives. Now works as a personal chef, restaurant consultant and personal trainer in Atlanta, specializing in preparing innovative and creative meals using distinctive culinary ideas for health-conscious individuals and families; dinner parties and events for celebrity and high-profile clients, and one-on-one fitness and lifestyle coaching. Most recently, Herb was featured as a finalist on the Food Network's premier reality cooking competition, The Next Food Network Star, where his excitement, enthusiasm and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, 79 million Americans suffer from vessel and heart diseases. To combat heart disease, Celebrity Chef Herb Mesa is partnering with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, encouraging Americans to “Set a Healthier Table.” The program asks Americans to pledge to set a healthier table as a simple way to manage their families’ cholesterol and protect overall heart health. For every pledge made at SetAHealthierTable.com, $1 will be donated to WomenHeart. One of Herb Mesa’s tips for lowering cholesterol is to choose foods containing plant sterols and incorporate them in every meal of the day. Plant sterols are found in certain cooking oils, fruits, vegetables and legumes and help with managing cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health.

RICK MAYNARD, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR KFC TALKS WITH US ABOUT HOW KFC IS PREPPING FOR THE SUPERBOWL

KFC has just completed a Superbowl promotion for this weekend's big game.
Rick has the results and all the details. Lots of chicken will be sold. It's the second
biggest food day for sales.


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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

02/01 Larry Lipson, Flemings Steak House, Celebrity Chef Richard Blais

02/01 What's Cookin' Today

Traveling Time! The Great Larry Lipson Tells Us About His Latest Finds


Reporting from Costa Rica, CRN's international wine correspondent Larry Lipson will tell us about his latest Wine finds, including wines UNDER $10!Larry always has something cooking up at the Lipson Institute of Advanced Wine Studies!
Larry forages all of Costa Rica for the absolute best wines. No region is spared from his intense search. No mountain or range or valley is safe from his reach. He leaves no grape unturned, this man of passion. Wine is his life. His love for wine is only paralleled with his love for his lovely partner in wine, Lillian Lipson.Be fully prepared for this master of vino as he shares his food and wine pairing techniques and experiences with you on this great day in America - and the world.


Richard Blais, winner of Top Chef (Season 4), Top Chef Masters and Top Chef: All Stars! And Now He's Talking With Us About Heart Health Month

Chef Blais (pronounced Blaze) is doing interviews on Wednesday, February 1, the first day of Heart Health Month. He is known for his innovative and personal take on classical cuisine. A science-lover, he likes to deconstruct foods and is into molecular gastronomy. He also ran the NYC marathon this fall! He’s very concerned with healthful cooking.


The Chef & Partner With Flemings Steak House, Mark Ogren, Talks With Us About Recent Additions To The Menus

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is the ultimate steakhouse destination for the wine lover: stylish, lively, contemporary, and affordable. Fleming’s was founded on the premise that a steakhouse can be sophisticated yet comfortable, and not overpriced. Fleming’s offers flavorful dishes such as daily-featured selections of seafood, fresh salads, and tasty appetizer selections. Excellence in food & wine, Fleming’s offers unparalleled atmosphere and service. Fleming’s offers the perfect backdrop for memorable times with family and friends: in the main dining area, on our patio, or in our private dining room. Fleming’s has 64 locations nationwide. Please visit FlemingsSteakhouse.com to find your nearest restaurant.


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