Joel M. Fisher, PhD is 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. 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.Filmmaker ANAT BARON - "Beer Wars"
When SUPERBOWL time rolls around in a few weeks, much of America will relax with a cold one. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in this country and accounts for about 85% of the volume of alcoholic beverages sold in the United States each year. But the story
behind that mugful—told in the newly-available feature, "Beer Wars," is as eye-opening and bracing as any head of foam. And at a time when entrepreneurship is a necessity rather than a choice and when Corporate America is under fire, this truly American tale couldn't be more timely. It's a David and Goliath story for those who are keeping the American dream alive--a no holds barred exploration of the U.S. beer industry that ultimately reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer and the incredible connection between beer and politics Beer is as American as apple pie. Did you know that The Mayflower had to make an unplanned stop near wintry Plymouth because they ran out of beer? That soldiers in the Revolutionary Army received rations of a quart of beer a day? That many of the Founding Fathers were home brewers (and home brewing was legalized in the US by the Federal Government in 1978)? WHEN YOU SAY "BEERS WARS," YOU'VE SAID IT ALL Filmmaker ANAT BARON brings a unique point of view to the documentary world merging her eclectic business background with entertainment industry experience. Before plunging (head first) into independent filmmaking, she was General Manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade and helped grow this entrepreneurial company (despite the fact that she is allergic to alcohol). Prior to her stint in the beer industry, she was a Hollywood producer and development executive who developed over 40 films, mostly for television. She executive produced A Murder On Shadow Mountain for CBS. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Masters of Professional Studies degree from Cornell University. Beer Wars is Anat's first documentary feature.Joe Cahn "Commissioner of Tailgating"
Who is Joe Cahn? And What is the Commissioner of Tailgating? Not Your Average JoeNot Your Average Joe. There are extreme tailgaters. And then there is Joe Cahn! As the self-proclaimed Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe may have the best job in America. He invented it. In 1996, he
sold his business, the New Orleans School of Cooking, sold his house, bought a motor home and hit the road to explore what he calls "the new American community" Tailgate Parties. Joe Cahn is the world's only professional tailgater. He tailgates at football stadiums, NASCAR tracks, and any other event where they party in the parking lot. Now in his twelfth season on the road, he has driven the JoeMobile over 500,000 miles, visited hundreds of cities, and has seen thousands of fans and has eaten his way through over 500 tailgate parties. During his Tailgating America Tours he has travelled to all 31 NFL stadiums, over 123 college stadiums, and 9 NASCAR tracks, tailgated with hundreds of thousands of people and served more than 326 pots of Jambalaya! Joe Cahn is the Commissioner of Tailgating. The Commissioner's job is to promote tailgating, the Celebration in the Parking Lot. It's the new community social and the biggest weekly party in the nation! He's meeting the fans, the Tailgaters, AND the folks on the road, in the rest stops, at the campgrounds, in the parking lots of America! He wants to make sure everyone is invited to the party. He's living the American dream. It's every sports fan's fantasy! Along the way, Joe has eaten... * Grilling in the Parking LotBBQ Brisket in Dallas
* Grits in Atlanta
* Bratwurst in Green Bay
* Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia
* Coney Island Hot Dogs in New York
* Dungeness Crab in San Francisco
* Smoked Salmon in Seattle
* Boiled Lobsters in New England
* Pulled Pork & Hush Puppies in Carolina
* Buffalo Wings in Buffalo
* Chesapeake Bay Crabs in Baltimore
* Muffelettas in New Orleans
* Pierogi's in Pittsburgh
* Side of Beef in Kansas City
Ralph Brennan - Pres Brennan's Restaurant Group
Ralph Brennan entered the family business in the early 1980's after a successful stint as a Certified Public Accountant with Price Waterhouse & Company. One of eight third generation cousins actively involved in the restaurant industry today, Ralph Brennan and his cousins run
twelve New Orleans-style restaurants, nine of which are located in New Orleans. Ralph Brennan is the owner and operator of Red Fish Grill and BACCO in the New Orleans French Quarter, Ralph's on the Park in Mid-City New Orleans, and the Jazz Kitchen located in the Downtown Disney® District at the DISNEYLAND® Resort. Ralph is a co-owner of Mr. B's Bistro, Commander's Palace and Brennan's of Houston. Under Ralph's direction, Mr. B's was recognized consistently with '4 Bean' ratings from the Times Picayune and '4 Star' ratings from Menu Magazine's Tom Fitzmorris. Mr. B's was among five nationwide nominees for the James Beard MasterCard Outstanding Service Award and was awarded Restaurants & Institutions Magazine's prestigious Ivy Award and Nation's Restaurant News' Fine Dining Hall of Fame Award. In 1991, Ralph Brennan opened BACCO, a New Orleans Italian restaurant located in the French Quarter just around the block from Mr. B's. Consistently awarded '4 bean' ratings by the Times Picayune and '4 star' ratings by Menu Magazine's Tom Fitzmorris, BACCO was selected as one of America's 'Best New Restaurants of 1992' by John Mariani for Esquire Magazine. BACCO consistently has been named 'New Orleans' Best Italian Restaurant' by local publications and The Zagat Restaurant Survey notes BACCO as one of New Orleans' 'Most Popular', Best Italian', and 'Most Romantic' restaurants. In 1997, Ralph Brennan launched his third French Quarter eatery, Red Fish Grill, a casual New Orleans seafood restaurant located on Bourbon Street, the gateway into the historic French Quarter. Praised for its innovative local seafood menu and whimsical decor, Red Fish Grill has been named New Orleans 'Best Seafood Restaurant' four years in a row. In 2001, Ralph Brennan opened the Jazz Kitchen, a New Orleans-themed food and entertainment venue which debuted in January 2001 as part of the 1.4 billion dollar DISNEYLAND® Resort development which added a new theme park, a new hotel and a new retail, dining and entertainment district to the Southern California Resort. Conceptualized as a savvy representation of New Orleans' dual legacies - food and music – the Jazz Kitchen was designed as a replica of traditional French Quarter architecture. The restaurant encompasses 15,000 square feet distributed over two floors and a second story exterior balcony. In December 2003, Ralph Brennan opened Ralph's on the Park adjacent to the gateway of New Orleans' City Park. In its first year of operation, Ralph's on the Park was named "Best New Restaurant" by New Orleans Magazine and earned a "4 bean" rating from the Times Picayune.