12/31 MARIANNE LACROIX, BOB HURLEY

MARIANNE LACROIX - MAINE LOBSTER COUNCIL

Maine Lobster harvesters know that by protecting the Maine Lobster resource today, they are protecting their livelihood and this valued ecosystem for tomorrow. You can feel good about Maine Lobster, knowing that you are enjoying high quality seafood from a well-managed, sustainable, pristine marine resource. The Maine Lobster industry is the model of a well-managed fishery -- ensuring that both the lobster resource and the environment are protected for generations to come. Maine harvesters have been environmentally conscious and "eco-friendly" since long before it became fashionable. They harvest their lobsters the same careful way they have for over 125 years -- by hand, one trap at a time -- thus protecting the quality of their product and the marine environment. 





BOB HURLEY - HURLEY'S RESTAURANT

BOB IS THE OWNER AND HOST AT HURLEY'S AND OFTEN FEATURES WILD GAME. A local favorite located in the heart of Yountville, serving fresh seasonal wine country cuisine with a Mediterranean flare.

12/28 Susan Cannon, LARRY VAN AALST

SUSAN CANNON -  Susan G. Cannon Estate Wines  

SUSAN REPRESENTS  - Kapcsandy Family Vineyards | La Sirena Winery |  Miro Cellars |  Grand Cru Imports | Grof Degenfeld Tokaji | Oakville Cross Wines | Six Sigma Winery|   Et Cetera Wine Company |  Domaine Georg Rafael | Laird Family Estate |  Consulting for Meyer Family Cellars

LARRY VAN AALST - SONOMA

LARRY IS A FORMER SOMMELIER AND CURREN CRN HOST BASED IN SONOMA, THE HEART OF WINE COUNTRY AND IS A FREQUENT GUEST ON "WHAT'S COOKIN".




 

12/27 MELISSA COSTELLO, CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME, JAMES BELL

MELISSA COSTELLO - "THE KARMA CHOW ULTIMATE COOKBOOK"

Melissa Costello - Culinary Nutritionist - Karma Chow Founder and Celebrity Chef, makes it easier than ever to look great and eat healthier in the New Year with her new book, The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook. With the holidays approaching, Melissa’s book makes a great gift for family and friends who want to look their best in 2013. With the foreword written by celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, who not only endorses her recipes but loves them, he credits Melissa’s food with giving him the fuel he needs to sleep well, heal his body and generally perform better

CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME - K-PAULS LOUISIANA KITCHEN 

Chef Paul Prudhomme has propelled the distinctive cuisine of his native Louisiana into the international spotlight and continues to push the limits by creating exciting and new American and international dishes. Chef Paul learned the importance of using the freshest ingredients while cooking at his mother’s side and continues to use only earth’s finest harvests. As the youngest of 13 children, Chef Paul was always adventurous. His strong curiosity of life and cultural customs motivated him to leave Louisiana in his early 20’s and travel across the United States to experience every culinary environment possible. From an Indian reservation all the way to the finest, five-star restaurant, Chef Paul learned to love, appreciate and blend the flavors of his younger years with those of many other cultures.

James Bell - VP Consumer Affairs   General Motors

Car crashes rank among the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, an average of 90 lives are needlessly cut short on a typical day as the result of crashes on our roads.  In early January, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety will release its fifth annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, a survey of 4000 U.S. residents age 16 years or older that assesses the degree to which traffic safety is valued and pursued. This year’s study found that nearly one in ten drivers reported falling asleep or nodding off while driving during the past year.  During this interview, James Bell will provide a candid tour of American driving tendencies as revealed in the AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index 2012. He will also discuss new automotive technology designed to help improve driver alertness on the road.

12/26 Gary Winkler, Peter Kastelan, Il Tiramisu

GARY WINKLER - Director of Special Events of the Times Square Alliance

Today, New Year's Eve in Times Square is a bona fide international phenomenon. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people still gather around the Tower, now known as One Times Square, and wait for hours in the cold of a New York winter for the famous Ball-lowering ceremony. Thanks to satellite technology, a worldwide audience estimated at over one billion people watches the ceremony each year. The lowering of the Ball has become the world's symbolic welcome to the New Year.


Peter Kastelan  - Il Tiramisu Ristorante

Your hosts, Ivo & Peter Kastelan, ensure that your dining experience is first-class, with trueEuropean family hospitality. Ivo & Peter bring over 30 years of Italian restaurant experience to Il Tiramisù, having owned and operated numerous successful restaurants here in the San Fernando Valley and on the Westside, and have been featured in Los Angeles Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The Daily News, Talk, and numerous other publications.

12/25 William McDonald, Frank Pellegrino

William McDonald - Editor "OBITS" New York Times

Did you know Steve Jobs (page 69) had a long-lost sister? Or that Loretta Young and Clark Gable had a love child (Judy Lewis, page 125). Or that Stalin’s daughter, Lana Peters (page 119) - the “little Princess of the Kremlin”—ended up in a cabin in northern Wisconsin? It’s little-known facts like these that make "The Obits 2012 "- the best of the New York Time's obituaries from the past year - such a compelling read!!  This year’s collection features the obituaries of 144 wild characters, renegades, and innovators: from Ralph J. Lomma (page 33), who helped make miniature golf one of America’s most famous pastimes, to Arch West (page 44), the inventor of Doritos, to William Hamilton (page 233), the theologian who asked, “Is God dead?”  Where else will you find the story of Robert de la Rochfoucauld (page 293), a reckless French spy who once posed as a nun, between those of the Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (page 290) and the beloved children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak (page 295)?  And, of course, Nancy Wake, the socialite of the book’s title, who parachuted into France during World War II to hide weapons and ammunition in preparation for D-Day—and, by her own account, strangled a German sentry with her bare hands.   William McDonald is editor of THE OBITS: THE NEW YORK TIMES ANNUAL 2012 and has been obituaries editor at the TIMES since 2006. He started at the newspaper in 1988 and has held a number of editing positions there on its Metro, National, and Culture desks. He was part of the team that won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for the series “How Race Is Lived in America” and has edited several other major TIMES projects. Bill began his newspaper career as a reporter and editor in Connecticut at the GREENWICH TIME and was an editor at Newsday on Long Island before moving to the TIMES.


Frank Pellegrino – Roa’s Restaurant

Born in East Harlem, Pellegrino has often acted in law and gangster-themed film and television productions. He was a member of an early 1960s singing group called the Holidaes. There is a rare recording of a song called "Never" that appears on FOUND IN THE BASEMENT VOL. 1. Notable roles of his include Johnny Dio in GoodFellas, assorted appearances on Law & Order, and FBI Chief Frank Cubitoso on The Sopranos. Pellegrino is a co-owner of the restaurant Rao's in New York City. Books written by Pellegrino include Rao's Cookbook, Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood and Rao's on the Grill. He also produced the CD An Evening at Rao's, featuring music from Rao's jukebox.

12/24 Don Whittemore, Dandy Don's Homemade Ice Cream, Jim Fiolek, Santa Barbara County Vintners Association

Don Whittemore - "Dandy Don's Homemade Ice Cream"

Don Whittemore is a funny man with a huge personality who loves to make people happy. Good thing he makes ice cream, huh?  Once Upon A Time (circa 1962 – 67), Don was a stand-up comedian. He worked under the name Don Harris in Atlanta, Miami Beach & Newport, KY. (Check out his snazzy tux in this ancient head shot.) If you have some free time one day, ask him to tell you some jokes. The next part of this biography starts just after that but still long long ago, in the Time Before CDs. Don was in the record business. He convinced DJs to play records by Frank Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles, David Bowie, and Cat Stevens (to name a few). Some of those records went gold.  In the late ’70s, Don decided to leave the record business for good. Too much temptation for a family man, he thought. And too few creative DJs. In 1981 Don and his lovely wife Linda (pregnant with their second child) bought an ice cream shop in Tarzana, California called The Creamery. They thought it would be a gold mine. They were wrong. So they worked their keesters off, got into the wholesale business, and began a catering division. These are photos of Don (photo on the left, 3rd from the left) and Linda (photo on the right) at one of their first hot fudge sundae bar catering gigs at the Directors’ Guild of America. This is how the catering division of their company—now with over 1,000 customers—got its start.


Jim Fiolek - "Santa Barbara County Vintners Association"

The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a premium wine producing and wine grape growing region. The Association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County labeled, as well as grower/vineyard members and business associations.The Vintners’ Association produces festivals, seminars and tastings and provides information to consumers and the wine and travel media.

12/21 SHAUN KING, HUGH DAVIES, STEVE EVANS

Shaun King - Chef de Cuisine - Root 246 - Solvang

Shaun King grew up on the Central Coast, has worked in Los Angeles and Las Vegas and most recently was executive chef of Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café in Los Olivos. King’s signature dishes at Root 246 include the Loup De Mer (a Mediterranean sea bass) with stewed white beans, fennel and sunchokes as well as the delicious pan-roasted diver scallops with potatoes cooked in duck fat, a cauliflower-ginger puree, and a beet salad.






HUGH DAVIES - VINTNER/PRESIDENT SHRAMSBERG SPARKLING WINES

Schramsberg Vineyards is now in the hands of Jack and Jamie Davies' youngest son, Hugh. Born in 1965, the year his parents Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic Schramsberg Vineyards property in Napa Valley, Hugh was named President and CEO of the 40-year old sparkling wine house in 2005. Prior to this, he held the dual responsibilities of Winemaker and General Manager. He holds a master's degree in enology from the University of California, Davis, and has his undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College in Maine. At Schramsberg, Hugh has led the ongoing effort to fine-tune winemaking and grape growing techniques, building upon the winery’s venerable track record of producing award-winning sparkling wines. Schramsberg’s current stable of vineyards includes more than 90 specially selected sites in the Carneros district of Napa Valley, the Anderson Valley, and along the Sonoma and Marin coasts. The winery's commitment to small lot base wine production has yielded extraordinary blending opportunity for the 8-10 sparkling blends produced each year. Over 200 lots are evaluated after harvest, representing many variables: vineyard terroir, grape clone, barrel fermentation, stainless tank fermentation, malolactic fermentation, etc. Additionally, Hugh was instrumental in replanting the historic hillside Diamond Mountain District vineyards adjacent to the winery to Bordeaux varietals. They are now used by the Schramsberg winemaking team to make J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon. From the first vintage in 2001, J. Davies has received both public and critical acclaim. Hugh serves on the board of directors for the Napa Valley Vintners (he was President, 2006) and, with his family, he chaired the 2004 Auction Napa Valley. Hugh, along with his brother Bill, heads up the Jack L. Davies Fund, which is committed to carrying on efforts initiated by his father to preserve the Napa Valley for its highest uses: agriculture and wild lands. For prior hands-on experience in the wine industry before joining Schramsberg, Hugh worked with Möet et Chandon in Epernay; Petaluma Winery in South Australia, and Mumm Napa Valley, among others. His political and public service background includes work with the San Francisco Trust for Public Land and assisting California Congressman Tony Coelho in Washington, D.C. Hugh lives on the Schramsberg grounds with his wife, Monique and his three young sons Emrys, Nelson and Hugh Lawrence. He enjoys spending time with his kids, backpacking and going to the Oakland A’s baseball games. 

 
STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/20 CHEF JERRETT JOSLIN, BRENT PIERCE

CHEF JERRETT JOSLIN - WILD MUSHROOM STEAKHOUSE

Jerrett Joslin moved to Texas in 2001 from Seattle. Jerrett was the co-owner of the Bent Lounge, Bar 9, and Sodo Grill located in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to Ben and Bar Nine, Jerrett opened and designed some of the areas hottest night spots and restaurants. Jerrett’s love of food came at a young age and has carried over into The Wild Mushroom Steakhouse and Lounge, which opened its doors in October of 2009. This fine dining establishment has won multiple awards in the Dallas Fort-Worth community and continues to push the envelope with creative and enticing options that keep regulars and new guests coming back for more. Forget standard starters like jalapeno poppers or bacon wrapped dates, at your next gathering spice up cocktail hour by adding quail to your appetizer arrangement. At The Wild Mushroom Steakhouse in Weatherford, Texas, Co-owner and Executive Chef Jerrett Joslin combines quail with a trifecta of bacon, jalapenos and goat cheese for a one-of-a-kind way to start any meal. To make this delectable dish, Chef Joslin uses only the finest of ingredients and starts with the star of the show, free-range quail. “I always suggest the quail appetizer to my customers because it has such a rich and delicate taste, yet boasts a breadth of flavors,” says Joslin.  A whole quail is stuffed with goat cheese and jalapenos before wrapping in home-smoked applewood bacon. “The creamy notes of the goat cheese balance the heat from the jalapenos,” adds Joslin. “All the flavors work together, creating a unique take on ingredients you may find in the average appetizer.”


BRENT PIERCE - OWNER  KNOT WINES

KNOT Wines, the latest venture in winemaking to come from the Napa Valley—and it’s not Cabernet Sauvignon—announces its release of two beautiful sparkling wines. Produced and bottled in Napa Valley from vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma and Monterey Counties, this new wine has been six years in the making. KNOT is a collection of carefully sourced and handcrafted wines, made only in exceptional vintages to strict standards, blended to perfection. The Halyard, named for the sailing rope, is a non-vintage Brut from 2006 and 2007 fruit, with four years en tirage, the wine is both full-bodied and powerful with a creamy finish. It’s classic in style. Suggested retail price is $25. The Sinnet, named from this graceful and intertwining knot, is a wine that reflects that lyrical movement. A Rosé that is a bit more serious, from acclaimed vintage 2007. Here, aromas of ripe Pinot Noir soar in the nose to a long, spicy finish. This is a drink now or cellar for five or more years to what promises to be a lovely, developing bottle bouquet. Suggested retail price is $32. “When we blended the final dosage s earlier this year, we finally felt that they were as good as they were going to get—and the wines are tasting beautifully,” said Owner and Partner Brent Pierce. “We thought these were exactly the wines we wanted to toast with this holiday season, so it seemed like exactly the right time to send them to market.” We're proud to offer our first release – two tremendously satisfying and delicious sparkling wines made in the heart of the Napa Valley. They are available to the trade through Kimberly Jones in Californiakjswines.com and direct to consumers nationwide at sales@knotwines.com. The knot is a compact intersection of interlaced material... a fastening made by tying together lengths, such as rope, in a prescribed way... a unifying bond. Be it soil, vines, or winemaking, tying one to the next to create a synergy of balance and excellence is our philosophy. The wines are crafted in the heart of the renowned Napa Valley from great vineyards of California’s North and Central Coast.

12/19 William McDonald, Frank Pellegrino

William McDonald - Editor "OBITS" New York Times

Did you know Steve Jobs (page 69) had a long-lost sister? Or that Loretta Young and Clark Gable had a love child (Judy Lewis, page 125). Or that Stalin’s daughter, Lana Peters (page 119) - the “little Princess of the Kremlin”—ended up in a cabin in northern Wisconsin? It’s little-known facts like these that make "The Obits 2012 "- the best of the New York Time's obituaries from the past year - such a compelling read!!  This year’s collection features the obituaries of 144 wild characters, renegades, and innovators: from Ralph J. Lomma (page 33), who helped make miniature golf one of America’s most famous pastimes, to Arch West (page 44), the inventor of Doritos, to William Hamilton (page 233), the theologian who asked, “Is God dead?”  Where else will you find the story of Robert de la Rochfoucauld (page 293), a reckless French spy who once posed as a nun, between those of the Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (page 290) and the beloved children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak (page 295)?  And, of course, Nancy Wake, the socialite of the book’s title, who parachuted into France during World War II to hide weapons and ammunition in preparation for D-Day—and, by her own account, strangled a German sentry with her bare hands.   William McDonald is editor of THE OBITS: THE NEW YORK TIMES ANNUAL 2012 and has been obituaries editor at the TIMES since 2006. He started at the newspaper in 1988 and has held a number of editing positions there on its Metro, National, and Culture desks. He was part of the team that won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for the series “How Race Is Lived in America” and has edited several other major TIMES projects. Bill began his newspaper career as a reporter and editor in Connecticut at the GREENWICH TIME and was an editor at Newsday on Long Island before moving to the TIMES.


Frank Pellegrino – Roa’s Restaurant

Born in East Harlem, Pellegrino has often acted in law and gangster-themed film and television productions. He was a member of an early 1960s singing group called the Holidaes. There is a rare recording of a song called "Never" that appears on FOUND IN THE BASEMENT VOL. 1. Notable roles of his include Johnny Dio in GoodFellas, assorted appearances on Law & Order, and FBI Chief Frank Cubitoso on The Sopranos. Pellegrino is a co-owner of the restaurant Rao's in New York City. Books written by Pellegrino include Rao's Cookbook, Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood and Rao's on the Grill. He also produced the CD An Evening at Rao's, featuring music from Rao's jukebox.

12/18 FRANCINE SEGAN, TONY "THE GOOSE" SIRAGUSA, David Hedman

FRANCINE SEGAN - LECTURER & FOOD HISTORIAN  

This lavishly illustrated cookbook introduces us to the real Italy. Francine gathered recipes come from hip young Italian bloggers and grandmas in remote villages, from important Italian dessert manufacturers, including Bauli, Corsini and Falanga, as well as some of Italy's most famed chefs. From thousands of recipes, she has selected the very best---a list that includes both the classics and desserts that contemporary Italians prepare in their homes today. Holiday segment with chocolate expert, reknowned cookbook author and food historian, Francine Segan.  As the author of DOLCI: Italy's Sweets as well as several  other award-winning cookbooks, Francine can delight your audience with a variety of decadent desserts for holiday entertaining. She is a dynamic personality with a wealth of knowledge culled from her international travels. Trained in the art of chocolate making in Perugia, Italy, Francine has simplified her show-stopping desserts for the home chef.  Both the James Beard Foundation and IACP nominated Ms. Segan's latest book, Opera Lover's Cookbook, for awards. She writes a monthly feature for the Tribune Media Syndicates, which has included interviews of such noted chefs as: Jacques Pepin, Lidia Bastianich, and Mario Batali. Ms. Segan's lively and informative lectures range in topic from Dining Customs of Ancient Greece to How to Taste Chocolate. She addresses audiences across the country for organizations including The Smithsonian Museum, Virginia Fine Arts Museum, New York Times Travel Show, 92nd Street Y, Museum of Natural History, Princeton Club, New York Chocolate Show, and Newport Historical Association. In December 2009 Francine Segan was named USA spokesperson for Italian sweets by Italy's national association of confectioners, Associazione Industrie Dolciarie Italiane, A.I.D.I. (www.DolceItalia.com) Director Mario Piccialuti notes, "I am very pleased that Francine Segan is the spokesperson for Italian traditional sweets. Her background in Italian food history coupled with a deep understanding of contemporary Italian culture and true appreciation of Italian desserts and dessert wines make her an ideal ambassador for Italian sweets. With her love of and interest in our sweets tradition I am sure she will have also Americans loving them too!"


TONY "THE GOOSE" SIRAGUSA

As a restaurateur and lover of guy food, “Goose” has teamed up with Ball Park for the launch of its new line of burgers, Ball Park Flame Grilled Patties and to lead a search for the best burger recipes from across the nation. Tony is available to share his picks for making game day-winning burgers, including his signature “Sizzling Siragusa” recipe that has a surprising ingredient.  Tony “The Goose” Siragusa is the ultimate guy to lend his expertise on DIY Network's original series Man Caves. A locker-room regular for more than 25 years, Tony knows what a guy wants, especially when he finds time to relax at home. Tony is the NFL's only field analyst and teams up on Fox Sports with other commentators, analyzing each game from a position in the end zone. His athletic career ignited in high school when he became the New Jersey state wrestling champion. In football, he later earned All-American honors at the University of Pittsburgh before signing as a defensive tackle with the Indianapolis Colts (1990-1996) and then the Baltimore Ravens (1997-2001). Tony helped lead the Ravens to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Tony is the founder of the Tony Siragusa Foundation, an organization aimed at helping underprivileged kids. He and his two brothers also helped start the American Italian Association in Kenilworth, N.J., to raise funds for needy children. When Tony’s not on the football field, volunteering his time, spending time with his wife and three children or hanging out in his man cave, he stays busy with other business endeavors including acting and working on his own line of food products, most notably Goose's Baby Back Ribs.  Tony can talk about:




David Hedman - CEO of ThermaPure

This holiday season will NOT bring glad tidings to all the millions of travelers exposed to the unknown dangers of bed bugs lurking in hotels, planes, taxi’s, car rentals, even Aunt Sandra’s home! What can be done? David Hedman, the CEO of ThermaPure (www.thermapure.com), one of country’s foremost firms for the successful eradication of bed bugs without pesticides, would like to offer you his TOP FIVE TIPS for knowing what to be aware of when travelling this holiday season so as not to be a victim of bed bugs.

12/17 Brett Runyan, David LaHuta

Brett Runyan - GROUPON FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Hailing from the incredible Mitten State, Brett Runyan is no stranger to all things Groupon.   Starting as an Account Executive for the Grand Rapids market, Brett has managed teams for Groupon Now, Groupon Goods and currently seven Groupon markets in the Midwest.   A former Michigan State University cheerleader, Brett is always the loudest in the room with the most spirit.   On any given weekend you can find him out with his friends, shopping downtown, stopping strangers in River North to pet their dogs or on the couch at home watching Aladdin (his 2nd favorite Disney movie behind The Lion King).  No matter where he is or what he’s doing, it’s safe to say he’s having fun and looking great doing it. Groupon has revolutionized the online shopping experience and has created the gift of the local experience (skydiving, cooking classes, concert tickets, hot air balloon rides, travel adventures, museum memberships…and beyond).  The gift-giver gets a deep discount, and the recipient will never know!   It also allows you to give out-of-town friends/family something they can use locally.



David LaHuta -  International Adventurer, TV Host/Journalist

International adventurer, television host and seasoned journalist David LaHuta has reported on everything from the politics of Cyprus to bonefishing in the Bahamas—a fifteen-year career that has taken him to more than 40 U.S. states and over 50 countries worldwide. A graduate of the University of Maryland College of Journalism, David is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, Travel+Leisure and Caribbean Travel+Life in addition to Budget Travel magazine where the savvy traveler spent six years as an editor.  As the travel and adventure correspondent for the nationally syndicated talk show Rachael Ray, David accompanied guests on adventurous pursuits worldwide, including swimming with sharks in northeastern New York and bungee jumping from North America's highest crane. As a sought after travel expert, David also appears regularly on The Forbes Luxe 11 (Travel Channel), American Morning (CNN), The Sauce (FUSE) and Good Day New York (FOX) while continuing to write for Outside, Every Day With Rachael Ray, Sunset, Cruising World and Concierge.com, among others. Currently David is the host of Outside Film Festival: Mountainfilm and a correspondent on The Buzz, both of which air on Outside Television. He is also the Bermuda Resident Editor of Voyage.TV. Originally from New York City, David has also lived in Bayswater, London; Lund, Sweden; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and is currently based in Bermuda where the adventurous outdoorsman enjoys sailing, SCUBA diving and snorkeling near his home in Southampton.  Regardless of how spontaneous your travel plans are, internationally recognized travel expert David LaHuta is available to provide tips on how to best plan a last minute trip.  He will discuss how to overcome the challenges of last minute planning and will provide tips on everything from choosing the best accommodations, road trip checklist to how to get the best deals. He will also provide insight on the latest travel trends and best local places to go in your area.
David is available to discuss:

12/14 Chelsea Prince, Tom Tiburzi, Domaine Chandon & Newton, Val Moon, Steve Evans

Chelsea Prince - "Rock & Vine"

Rock and Vine reveals the lives and innovations of next generation changemakers in California’s wine country. In the 70s and 80s, winemaking started to become a legitimate profession in California. Winemakers, particularly in Northern California, showed the might of Napa and Sonoma wines, made from its rocky and diverse soils. In the 90s, American wine became more extravagent and winemakers became icons. Now, the children and grandchildren of those early winemakers have matured and are crafting their own convivial brands with less pomp and better circumstances. Through eleven unforgettable stories, author Chelsea Prince and photographer Mary Steinbacher introduce talented wine industry trailblazers who are primed to perpetuate and evolve the legacy of Napa and Sonoma.


 Tom Tiburzi  - Winemaker - Domaine Chandon & Newton 

When we created our Crémant, Sparkling Winemaker Tom Tiburzi was inspired by our Club members’ passion for great wines. And with the new release, he’s decided to go a step further: “Chandon Crémant was the first wine made especially for the Club, so to honor our Club members, this unique wine will now be named for them.”  “Our Club members are a really dedicated group,” explains Tom. “Many of them visit the winery, and they like to connect the great experience they have here with drinking our wines at home. So we wanted to give them something special: a wine in their honor that is truly different from all our other wines.”








STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/13 DAVID HEDMAN, SUSAN REID, ANNA POST, GAIL SIMMONS

David Hedman, the CEO of ThermaPure

This holiday season will NOT bring glad tidings to all the millions of travelers exposed to the unknown dangers of bed bugs lurking in hotels, planes, taxi’s, car rentals, even Aunt Sandra’s home! What can be done? David Hedman, the CEO of ThermaPure (www.thermapure.com), one of country’s foremost firms for the successful eradication of bed bugs without pesticides, would like to offer you his TOP FIVE TIPSfor knowing what to be aware of when travelling this holiday season so as not to be a victim of bed bugs.



SUSAN REID -  THE KING ARTHUR FLOUR, Bakers Companion

In the decade since it first landed in stores and became an instant-classic, must-have cookbook for bakers across America, THE KING ARTHUR FLOUR BAKER’S COMPANION (Countryman Press; October 17, 2012; $24.95) has lost none of its freshness. If anything, its irreplaceability has grown, cementing its status among the great modern culinary texts, such as The Joy of Cooking and the Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook. It’s hard to be modest about a baking guide as comprehensive and approachable as this. Whether you’ve been elbows-deep in flour and eggs for years or are setting out to try your first batch of muffins, you’re destined to learn something new in the art of baking from the experts at King Arthur Flour.


ANNA POST - GREAT-GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF EMILY POST 

Anna Post~the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners for a New Work” 18th edition book, “Do I Have to Wear White? Emily Post Answers America’s Top Wedding Questions”, “Emily Post’s Wedding Parties”, and “Great Get-Togethers”~will share with your listeners: With cold and flu season bearing down on us in full force, prevention can be as easy as practicing proper flu etiquette, however unfortunately too often it is not practiced correctly or simply overlooked entirely. In fact, a survey discovered that two-thirds (64-percent) of people admitted to being that inconsiderate and rude person who goes about his or her daily activities while coughing, sneezing, sniffling, snorting, and blowing their nose with minimal, if any, regard for the people around them. While influenza (flu) is unpredictable, the CDC is already reporting flu activity across the U.S. So…is there actually a proper way to cough, sneeze, sniffle, and blow your nose? How do you manage situations where the virus may be passed from person to person, such as shaking hands, handling money, opening public doors and using public bathrooms, shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, commuting to work on a bus or train or traveling on an airplane, hugging relatives and friends at holiday celebrations, attending school, sharing workspace with colleagues, etc.? Well, there is proper flu etiquette! And who better than The Emily Post Institute to give you the 411 on manners for all seasons, including both the dreaded flu season and year-round! Anna Post~the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners for a New Work” 18th edition book, “Do I Have to Wear White?


GAIL SIMMONS - TOP CHEF JUDGE

Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer and dynamic television personality. Since 2006, she has served as a permanent judge on BRAVO’s Top Chef, and is the host of Top Chef: Just Desserts, BRAVO’s pastry- focused spin-off of the Top Chef franchise. Gail joined FOOD & WINE in 2004 and handles special projects for the magazine. During her tenure, she has been responsible for overseeing the annual FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, America’s premier culinary event. Prior to joining FOOD & WINE, Gail was the special events manager for Chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurant empire. Gail makes frequent television appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America and Fox & Friends, among others. She has been featured in New York Magazine, Travel + Leisure, GQ, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the The New York Post.

12/12 LARRY LIPSON, Donna Smallin Kuper, DON WHITTEMORE

LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA

LARRY IS THE FORMER FOOD WRITER FOR THE DAILY NEWS AND REPORTS FROM HIS HOME IN COSTA RICA ON FOOD TRENDS AND GREAT WINE FINDS





Donna Smallin Kuper    "Shopping Tips"

Organizing expert, Donna Smallin Kuper, is the author of nine books on uncluttering, organizing, cleaning and simplifying life that have sold nearly one million copies worldwide She's been a guest on the CBS Early Show, Better TV, HGTV, CNN, Fox & Friends and Canada AM as well as Martha Stewart Living Radio, Lifetime, CNN and BBC radio programs. An Amazon.com reviewer refers to Donna as “the Suze Orman of organizing.” Often quoted by the media, her tips appear frequently in Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day and Woman’s World as well as other major magazines. Her newest book How to Declutter and Make Money Now (Amazon Digital Publishing, 2012) went straight to the top of Amazon’s Best-selling New Releases in the Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating category in just six days.

DON WHITTEMORE - DANDY DON'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

FORMER RECORD PROMO GURU IS FOUNDER OF HOMEMADE ICE CREAM COMPANY FEATURING GREAT FLAVORS, QUALITY PRODUCTS AND MORE.  FEATURING "PARTY IN A BOX" WHICH  ALLOWS THE FUN TO BE SHARED BY MANY. HIS TRADEMARK "ICE CREAM" SUIT AND ON LOCATION PRESENCE AT MANY AREA EVENTS HAS BECOME PART OF THE SCENE IN SOUTHERN CA.

12/11 Rinku Bhattacharya, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, David Bice, Tai Nguyen

Rinku Bhattacharya  - "The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles" 

Rinku Bhattacharya was born in Kolkata, India and currently resides in Westchester, NY. She teaches cooking classes, maintains a popular food blog, Cooking in Westchester, and writes a weekly column "Spices and Season" for The Journal News website. Bengalis have been compared to the French in terms of food-obsessed peoples, as dining and entertaining are such an integral part of the culture. The book begins with a thorough introduction to Bengali culture and cooking, including sections on spices, ingredients, and equipment. Following are recipe chapters (incorporating a balance of traditional and contemporary recipes) on Rice & Breads, Lentils, Fried Vegetables and Fritters, Vegetarian First Courses, Vegetarian Entrees, Eggs, Fish, Chicken & Poultry, Meat Dishes, Chutneys & Relishes, Drinks & Snacks, and Desserts. Includes 180 easy-to-follow recipes, plus sections on spice pastes, spice blends, and essential tools, and sidebars with family anecdotes and historical and cultural information.


Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan - "The One Minute Wine Master"

Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan Shares Top Industry Tips to Help You Find the Best Wines to Suit Your Taste  With the holidays coming, people want to choose the right wine for their parties and for gifts.  But with thousands of grape varieties and over 50,000 wineries, it’s easy to get overwhelmed!  Master of Wine, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan is available on December 11th to help you feel less intimidated and have you choosing the best wine for you and guests in a flash. She will also tell you how to spot the best bargains and give you perfect recommendations for this holiday season. Ms. Simonetti-Bryan will also be able to discuss her new book, The One Minute Wine Master, which literally helps you choose wines in less than 60 seconds!  Readers complete an easy and fun Cosmo-like quiz, which takes under a minute to complete, and then discover 10 wines that are personalized to their palate type.

David Bice - Marketing/Community Relations Redwood Hill Farm

Located among the picturesque redwoods of western Sonoma County, California, sixty miles north of San Francisco, Redwood Hill Farm is a different kind of dairy. A small family farm, we have been producing delicious, award-winning goat milk dairy products since 1968 when owner, Jennifer Lynn Bice's parents first decided to build their grade A goat dairy in Sonoma County providing fresh goat milk to the public.


Fleming’s Steak House - Beverly Hills Operating Partner Tai Nguyen

Fleming’s Beverly Hills Operating Partner Tai Nguyen shares the scoop on the new restaurant, which debuts a distinctive new design look for the iconic brand, along with the kinds of food and wine offerings Fleming’s innovates to provide a distinctly contemporary, artful, lively prime steakhouse dining experience that completely departs from the classic, clubby “ good ol’ boy” steakhouse environments. Hear more about Fleming’s 100 wines by the glass list and Fleming’s Four Nights of New Years Celebration (Dec 28-31) holiday menu.

12/10 Nils Haupt, Lori Lange, Nancy Grando, David Hedman

Nils Haupt - Dir Corporate Communications - Lufthansa  

BIG DOINGS AT LAX TODAY - A STEP FORWARD IN TRAVEL. Lufthansa Introduces Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental to Los Angeles Flight marks aircraft’s first-ever passenger flight to California “Queen of the Skies” now servicing Frankfurt – LAX route.   Inaugural Flight and Arrival of the first-ever Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental passenger flight to California.


Lori Lange - "Recipe Girl" for  McCormick

Lori  teamed up with McCormick to make healthy foods more flavorful and freshen family-favorite recipes, while dialing back sugar, sodium and fat. In the interview.
* Tips to use spices to add flavor while reducing calories, fat and sodium; ways to sneak in vegetables; and ideas to add fiber to better for you recipes
* Her favorite "Recipe Refreshes" for easy and delicious "fried" chicken and macaroni & cheese



Nancy Grando - Pairings with Italian Wine

Feel free to visit my website at www.grandocioccolato.com and my handmade Italian chocolate that I personally produce in a commercial kitchen in Santa Barbara. My website features the history of my company; which I hope will provide you with some insight into how my business was created. I just realized that I actually launched my chocolate business a year ago today on 11/11/11. However; I have been developing my business for more than 3 years; mastering the art of chocolate making from mentors throughout the world.  I believe that Grando Cioccolato fills a niche due the organic quality, design and packaging of my chocolates that I am pairing with fine Italian varietal wine also from Santa Barbara


David Hedman - CEO of ThermaPure - "Bed Bugs"

This holiday season will NOT bring glad tidings to all the millions of travelers exposed to the unknown dangers of bed bugs lurking in hotels, planes, taxi’s, car rentals, even Aunt Sandra’s home! What can be done? David Hedman, the CEO of ThermaPure (www.thermapure.com), one of country’s foremost firms for the successful eradication of bed bugs without pesticides, would like to offer you his TOP FIVE TIPS for knowing what to be aware of when travelling this holiday season so as not to be a victim of bed bugs.

12/07 MARGARET JEFFARES, JOHN S. ANDERSON, STEVE EVANS

JOHN S. ANDERSON - OWNER OF "WOODHOUSE CHOCOLATE"


The Holidays are here and Woodhouse is ready to sweeten the season with chocolate gifts for Hanukkah, Christmas,New Year and "fill in the blank".  Just give us your list and we'll do the rest! Woodhouse Chocolate is located in Wine Country (St. Helena, CA).



MARGARET JEFFARES FOUNDER OF "GOOD FOOD IRELAND"

Good Food Ireland, which launches on October 29th, is a grassroots industry network aimed at promoting innovations in Irish food, the country's commitment to sustainable, authentic products across food, hospitality and travel industries - incorporating farmers, chefs, hoteliers and outposts of cultural interest. The organization seeks to promote its authentic products in the U.S. and to inspire Americans to travel to Ireland to experience the contemporary cuisine and engage with its citizens and culture. The cross section of agriculture, food & culinary, production/mfg and tourism industries seeks to grow and sustain the Irish economy.




STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/06 RANDY BERNSTEIN, COURTNEY TAIRA, MS GREEN, M&M, VANESSA NGOY

RANDY BERNSTEIN - CASTING PRESIDENT - CBS  BAKE  OFF

After making the transition from the stage to behind-the-scenes, Casting Duo President and co-founder Randy Bernstein quickly moved up the casting ranks. Since its inception in 2005, Casting Duo has become the go-to casting agency for all types of projects—cooking shows, game shows, talent shows—you name it, they've cast it! Now, with over a decade of experience under his belt and over fifty shows successfully cast, Randy has established himself as a true “connoisseur” of the casting industry, harboring a resume that includes hits such as Top Chef, MasterChef, Project Runway, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, and The Glee Project. Randy’s innate ability to pinpoint interesting and outrageous characters has led to the discoveries of some of television’s most memorable personalities, including Project Runway’s Christian Siriano, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover’s Tabatha Coffey, and Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi, to name a few. Recent castings include ABC’s The Taste, featuring celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson, as well as Naomi Campbell’s new venture, The Face, on Oxygen. Randy’s infectious personality and forward-thinking approach to casting keep his finger on the pulse of the reality television industry. He exemplifies his motto, “ABC: Always Be Casting”, every day--no matter the time or place.  Randy lives in Calabasas, California with his wife Kharen and their two sons, Asher and Levi. When not in the office, he can typically be found on a cruise.  CBS is holding open casting calls for its new competition baking reality series based on the hit UK format “The Great British Bake Off,” where skilled amateurs with a passion for baking can prepare their signature dish for a chance to compete on the series. Potential applicants who think they have what it takes to “whip” the competition, should grab their baking utensils and sign up for an open casting call by visiting http://www.cbs.com/bakingshow.


COURTNEY TAIRA - "KINGS HAWAIIAN"  

Courtney Taira, granddaughter of King’s Hawaiian founder Robert R. Taira, has fond memories learning about the King's Hawaiian family business as early as age six, when she started helping out during the busy holiday seasons. Courtney now serves as principal spokesperson and leads consumer care for King’s Hawaiian. She thoughtfully and personally responds to consumer questions and comments. Courtney spreads Aloha Spirit with everyone around her – sharing true Hawaiian hospitality and treating everyone as King’s Hawaiian ohana (or ‘family’ in Hawaiian). Strong family involvement has played an important role in the success of King’s Hawaiian. Courtney is a part of the third generation upholding her grandfather’s uncompromising commitment to quality. Prior to leading the King's Hawaiian consumer care team, Courtney worked in several departments at King’s Hawaiian including finance, marketing, logistics, as well as working at King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant, and The Local Place restaurant.  Courtney graduated from the George Washington University. She has studied abroad at Universidad de San Andreas in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is currently studying Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School in Santa Monica, Cali.


MS GREEN - M&M CANDIES 

For the first time, M&M’S has asked America to decide what color combination of M&M’S® Chocolate Candies should go together in a single package.  After thousands of Facebook fans cast their votes, the new limited edition color blends are ready for store shelves – and feature three existing favorites – blue, red and green – as well as three NEW colors – purple, aqua and dark pink. During her interview, Ms. Green can discuss:
•    America’s new color blend that will be available in M&M’S Milk Chocolate and Peanut varieties, and how it came to be
•    How she feels about being included as a fan favorite for the new color combination
•    Her career as an M&M’S spokescandy, and experiences as the ultimate socialite

VANESSA NGOY - VP OF THE VILLAS at THE GRAND DEL MAR

Vanessa Ngoy is the Vice President of The Villas at The Grand Del Mar. She has worked for The Grand Del Mar for seven years since pre-opening and has always managed The Villas during this time.  She is in charge of preparing the Del Mar for the Holiday Season