Friday, June 29, 2012

06/29 WILLIAM CLOSE, PHIL SOINSKI, CHRIS SLAUGHTER, STEVE EVANS

WILLIAM CLOSE - America's Got Talent

William Close Audition City: Los Angeles Hometown: Los Angeles Million Dollar Prize: I would use it to create a new show, a music museum and a school. William Close, 42, is a musician and inventor that has created over 50 musical instruments, including the Earth Harp. William first set up the Earth Harp, the world's largest harp, across a valley that extended 1000 feet. A performer of 20 years. America's Got Talent Mondays (8-9 p.m.) & Tuesdays (9-10 p.m. ET) on NBC





PHIL SOINSKI - International Printing Museum

Phil is a friend of the show and is on to promote a special event this weekend.






Chris Slaughter - Santa Maria Valley Wine Country Association

Mike will be in attendance at this weekend's event. CHARDONNAY SYMPOSIUM Educational Experience Saturday, June 30 10-4 pm




STEVE EVANS - THE MOVIE GUY

Latest box office info and news from the world of movies and films…Steve talks about the good, the bad and the ugly. His extensive theatrical experience makes him the right guy to talk about movies and their effect on popular cultures.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

06/28 THOMAS HEILIG, STACEY KEIBLER, CHEF MARIO BATALIA, JEFF SCHECKMANN

THOMAS HEILIG - ANGELO HOTEL PILSEN IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Situated in the heart of Plzen, Angelo Hotel Pilsen is close to Pilsner Urquell Brewery, Brewery Museum, and West Bohemian Museum. Also nearby are St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and Great Synagogue. Angelo Hotel Pilsen has a health club, a steam room, and a sauna. Public areas are equipped with wireless and wired high-speed Internet access (surcharges apply). This 4-star hotel features business amenities including a business center, small meeting rooms, and limo/town car service. Dining options at this business-friendly hotel include a restaurant and a bar/lounge. A complimentary breakfast is available. The staff can arrange concierge services, wedding services, and event catering. Additional amenities include a fitness facility, multilingual staff, and laundry facilities. Guest parking is available for a surcharge. The property has designated areas for smoking.


STACY KEIBLER

Stacy, a Baltimore, Maryland native who began her career as a model at the young age of six, has graced the silver screen in such feature films as “The Firm” with Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, and Holly Hunter; “The Pelican Brief” with Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, and Sam Shephard; “True Lies” with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis; “The Comebacks” opposite David Koechner and Matthew Lawrence; and “Dysfunctional Friends” opposite Stacey Dash, Tatyana Ali, and Terrell Owens; and more. Stacy first became a household name when she dazzled millions of viewers every week as a celebrity contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” on which she was among the final three contestants Having guest-starred on such television series as “How I Met Your Mother”, “Psych”, “The George Lopez Show”, “What About Brian”, “October Road”, “Samurai Girl”, “Blue Mountain State”, “In the Motherhood”, “Mayne Street”, and “Chuck”, Stacy has also starred on television movies. A former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader, Stacy was the “Nitro Girl” for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) which was later acquired by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) who brought Stacy, as the only female, to the new company where she immediately became a regular on the longest-running live program in television history. A model of peak physical fitness, Stacey has graced the covers of numerous magazines including “Shape”, “TV Guide”, “Maxim”, “FHM Australia”, “Muscle & Fitness”, “Vegas,” “6 Degrees”, and “Beverly Hills 213”. In addition, Stacy has been featured in “Esquire”, “Cosmopolitan”, “Elle Girl”, “LA Times”, “Maxim” (UK), “Parade”, and “Fitness” and regularly appears in “People”, “Entertainment Weekly”, “People”, “Us Weekly”, “The Look”, “OK”, and “Life & Style”. The issue of “Stuff” featuring Stacy on the cover was one of the magazines highest selling issues of all time. Stacy is an active volunteer and supporter of After-School All-Stars, a program that provides after-school programs such as academic support, enrichment opportunities, and health and fitness activities for children in need.


CELEBRITY CHEF MARIO BATALI

Summer entertaining is heating up! And with the Fourth of July quickly approaching, who better than world-famous chef Mario Batali~author of nine cookbooks, legendary chef from the uber-popular “Food Network” series “Iron Chef”, former host of the “Food Network” series “Ciao America” and “Molto Mario”, star of the daytime talk show “The Chew”, and owner of 20 restaurants~to reveal to your listeners his tasty tips for entertaining this season! Live from the beautiful Chateau Chantal in Traverse City, Michigan




JEFF SCHECHTMAN - KVON 1140 AM IN NAPA , CA

Jeff Schechtman , program director of KVON in Napa, CA joins Mike & Paul in studio to talk about wine country and his popular daily show.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

06/27 CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME, ESPERANZA RESORT, MARC RODRIGUEZ, RICK JONES

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.



MARC RODRIGUEZ - ESPERANZA RESORT IN CABOS SAN LUCAS

At the end of a continent lies a tranquil Cabo resort retreat. Where the body is healed, the soul is revived, the senses are awakened and the spirit soars to new heights. A place where sun, sea, sky and earth join as one to form a tropical oasis like no other. A place called Esperanza.



RICK JONES - JONES FAMILY VINEYARDS

In 1992 Sally and Rick Jones found a gorgeous view that came with a few acres of vineyards. A retirement home; a family place was what they had in mind. After selling grapes to Stag’s Leap Winery for a few years Rick tasted the unblended wine made from the vineyard’s fruit and decided it was too good to let it be blended away in someone else’s wine. Jones Family Vineyards was born from this in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards unique flavor characteristics grow from our special terroir – a combination of soils and micro-climate. Our three estate vineyards are located in the northern Napa Valley at the base of Howell Mountain about 5 miles north St. Helena. The soils are rocky which allows for excellent drainage, but each vine must burrow deep into the soil to find nutrients and water. Water is also a precious commodity in our land; we irrigate just enough to compensate for the drying effect of the sun. Our vineyard elevations vary from 600 feet at the base of the estate to about 900 feet at our highest point. Throughout each vineyard the slopes undulate from relatively flat, to almost 35% in slope. Each vine has adapted to its unique location, and the variation in elevation and slope allows for a layering of flavors in the fruit we harvest.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

06/26 BILL KURTIS, Stuart Spoto, ROBERT BLAKESLEE

BILL KURTIS - TALL GRASS BEEF

The grass-fed beef revolution is here, and Tallgrass Beef Company is leading the way. If you’re new here, we invite to explore our site to learn the benefits of grass-fed beef, and why we believe our grass-fed beef is healthier, tastier, more environmentally responsible, and more humanely raised than any grass-fed beef available anywhere. And if you’re one of our many loyal customers, welcome back. As a Tallgrass revolutionary, you already know that when it comes to grass-fed beef, Tallgrass Beef sets the standard.


Stuart Spoto - Winemaker


The Spoto family has been hand-crafting wines for over 30 years. Stuart Spoto learned the art of winemaking from his father Henry Spoto Jr. who was featured in Wine Spectator for his award-winning wines in June of 2003. This family collaboration has greatly influenced Stuart to create his small boutique winery and perfect his Oakville Bordeaux blends. Stuart’s formal education is in Chemical and Civil Engineering from the University of California at Davis. He has also acquired an extensive knowledge in the art of winemaking by working closely with the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. Stuart’s daughter, Arianna, recently graduated with a degree in Wine and Viticulture from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo and is currently distributing Spoto Wines around the Central Coast. Spoto Wines is truly a small family business dedicated to producing the finest Oakville Cabernet and Bordeaux blends.



ROBERT BLAKESLEE - COOK BOOK AUTHOR


The books are YOUR TIME TO COOK (winner of the 2011 IBPA Ben Franklin Award for Best Cookbook) and the just-released YOUR TIME TO BAKE. In addition to the fun and beautifully-designed books, Robert also works hard at his fun YouTube channel of cooking clips (with a first part that's always a skit, and a second that features cooking).

06/25 CHEF MAUREEN PETROSKY, JONATHAN MONFORT, HELENE LEADS

Maureen Petrosky - Food Network’s Iron Chef - All American Eats for the 4Th of July

Maureen Petrosky is a professional chef, author and Lifestyle expert. Maureen has made regular television appearances as a food and wine expert conducting segments relating to hot topics in the culinary industry. Maureen has appeared numerous times on NBC’s The TODAY Show, CNN, CNN Headline News, FOX News Channel, the Food Network, and the broadcast network affiliates across the country, representing her own projects as well as appearing as an on-air spokesperson for Better Homes and Gardens, and as a Contributing Editor for Bon Appétit magazine. Most recently Maureen has appeared as a judge for Food Network’s Iron Chef America. In addition, Maureen appears on many webisodes for different television networks and magazines and has hosted DVD series for both PBS and Cuisinart. Maureen is also featured on numerous radio prorams and is the featured Wine Expert for “A Chef’s Table” on National Public Radio. Maureen authored her first solo lifestyle book, The Wine Club, A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine with Friends. The book includes her best recipes as well as wine and entertainment tips. She has contributed as a freelance writer covering food, wine, travel, and the restaurant scene for CNN Interactive, Bon Appétit, Better Homes and Gardens, Wiesner Publications, vinesugar.com, vino.com, Newcomer Magazine, and The Wine Report. Currently, she has a regular wine column in NJ Life Magazine and most recently has been writing for Scripps Networks Inc.’s FoodNetwork.com and FineLiving.com.


HELENE LEADS - FOX'S MASTERCHEF

She was eliminated this past Tuesday GORDON RAMSAY, JOE BASTIANICH AND GRAHAM ELLIOT ANNOUNCE THE “MASTERCHEF” TOP 18 FINALISTS Stockbroker, Homemaker, Contractor, Health Coachand Series’ First Blind Contestant AmongThe Top 18 Competition ContinuesTomorrow, June 26 ,on FOX After a nationwide search drew nearly 30,000 hopefuls, the Top Amateur Cooks were flown to Los Angeles for a chance to become America’s next MASTERCHEF. Following a grueling round of auditions and culinary boot camp, the MASTERCHEF judges have chosen this season’s Top18 finalists: Stacey Amagrande, MontiCarlo, Michael Chen, TaliClavijo, Samantha de Silva, Felix Fang, Christine Ha, Mike Hill, Helene Leeds, Scott Little, Dave Mack, Josh Marks, David Martinez, Frank Mirando, Tanya Noble, Becky Reams, Anna Rossi and Ryan Umane. Only one finalist will be crowned the MASTERCHEF winner and walk away with a cookbook deal and the$250,000 grand prize.


Jonathan Monfort - President and Founder of "Nostalgia Kitchen"

Izetta was a pioneer for women in business back in the 1930's. It was 1938 and the country was recovering from the Great Depression and Europe was on the doorstep of WWII. Izetta was a homemaker who dreamt of owning her own business. An opportunity came up to purchase Betty's Place, a roadhouse restaurant just outside Russell Kansas and Izetta knew she had found her calling. With money her mother lent her, Izetta became the owner. On top of that, the restaurant's BBQ recipe, which was already famous and was the best kept secret in town, was an additional cost of $150 (that's $2300 in today's dollars). Grandma knew she had to have it, so as collateral, Izetta put up her prized China set. Grandma Izetta kept the restaurant's name and the cook (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) and soon jumped into serving hungry folks down home cookin'. The restaurant was on the Victory Highway (Highway 40) just west of Russell, the main road for anyone traveling to, from, or through town. People came hungry and left with full bellies. They arrived tired and departed renewed. It was not only a place to eat, but also a place to catch up on local news, meet travelers from far and wide and get to know your neighbors. Russell, Kansas, with fewer than 5000 inhabitants and home to future Senator Bob Dole, was serving up some amazing BBQ. Needless to say it was a great investment and Grandma got her fine China back. The restaurant thrived until the 1950s, when Interstate 70 was built and took nearly all road traffic away from Highway 40. Unfortunately, the new Interstate was not kind to Grandma Izetta and the restaurant closed down. But the recipe remained Izetta's prized possession, so much so, she left it as a special line item in her will, bequeathed to her only child Hathalie. In 1968, Izetta passed away and Hathalie was let in on the biggest secret of her childhood - the recipe to the famous BBQ sauce and other recipes that were used at the restaurant. Hathalie remembers helping the cook pluck fresh chickens out back at the restaurant and meeting a lot of weary travelers. As a homemaker and then later a teacher, Hathalie would make big batches of the BBQ sauce and give it out to her family and friends. She also served it to her four boys growing boys. She never divulged the recipe, not even to her husband or her children. Years later, as Hathalie (my mother) got older, I asked her for the recipe. She looked at me skeptically, and said she would give it to me, as long as I did something with it. I promised her I would and She quietly handed me the original recipe papers-written in Grandma Izetta's hand over 70 years ago. The paper was delicate, yellowed and stained from years of stove-side vigilance. And that folks, is how Grandma Izetta's BBQ sauce was born. I still can't believe she handed me those recipes!

Friday, June 22, 2012

06/22 CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME, PREZ HILTON, CHRISTIE RAMPONE, STEVE EVANS

CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME - K-PAULS / NEW ORLEANS

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.


PEREZ HILTON - CELEBRITY BLOGGER

Miami, Florida and Cuban native Perez Hilton is the Internet's most beloved celebrity, entertainment, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle columnist and blogger. Currently residing in Hollywood with his precious mini goldendoodle Teddy Hilton, the “L.A. Times” has called Perez, "like `US Weekly’, the `Star’, the `Enquirer’ and `Life & Style’ all rolled into one." Named the #1 web celeb for 2007, 2008, and 2009 by “Forbes” Magazine, one of the 15 most influential Latinos in the United States by “People en Espanol”, and 2009 Hispanic of the Year by “Hispanic” Magazine, Perez’ website www.perezhilton.com garners more than a whopping 300 million hits every month! Having been features in/on the “Time”, “LIFE”, “The View”, “CBS News”, “Dateline”, “CNN”, “E! Entertainment Television”, “Billboard”, “SPIN”, “MTV’s `TRL’ (`Total Request Live’), “In Touch Weekly”, “US Weekly”, “Business Week”, “The Wall Street Journal”, “The New York Times”, “L.A. Times”, “L.A. Magazine”, “Much Music”, “Howard Stern”, “Paper” Magazine, and much more, Perez has created an empire which includes his own record label Perezious Music (introducing acts like Slimmy, Travis Garland, and Semi Precious Weapons). He has also launched his mobile website at m.perezhilton.com, a new fashion website CoCoPerez.com, and two bestselling books “Perez Hilton’s True Bloggywood Stories” and “Perez Hilton’s Red Carpet Suicide”.


CHRISTIE RAMPONE - CAPTAIN OF THE 2012 US WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM

Christie Rampone is recognized as the best defender in the world of women’s soccer. With a decade of experience under her belt, she has defined herself as the leader of the United States Women’s National Team, which remains the #1 ranked team in the world. When not on the soccer field Christie spends all her free time with husband Chris and daughters Rylie and Reece. She enjoys volunteering her time as a soccer and basketball coach. Rampone is a talented seamstress and sewer. Her current obsessions include golfing, cooking, swimming, and reading as much as she can on parenting. She enjoys playing with her two dogs, a black lab named Tiger and a yellow lab named Murphy. Rampone is also a closet reality TV Junkie. Christie was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1975, but grew up in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. As a senior at Point Pleasant Boro High School, she was named New Jersey High School Female Athlete of the Year. During her senior year, Rampone became the first female athlete in the state's history to lead her conference in scoring in three different sports (soccer, basketball and field hockey). This astounding accomplishment would earn her All-State honors in all three sports. Christie is still heralded as one of the finest athletes the state of New Jersey has ever produced. The Newark Star Ledger ranked her No. 4 in their Top 50 High School Athletes of the 20th Century.


STEVE EVANS - THE MOVIE GUY

Latest box office info and news from the world of movies and films…Steve talks about the good, the bad and the ugly. His extensive theatrical experience makes him the right guy to talk about movies and their effect on popular cultures.






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Thursday, June 21, 2012

06/21 RICHARD SHEA, IVANO TOSCANI, RICK MAYNARD

GEORGE SHEA - "NATHAN'S HOT DOGS"

Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his sixth straight title this year. Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA will defend her title as Female Champion. She consumed 40 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes last year. According to archives, the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. In recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan's Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest in person. The live ESPN telecast of the event drew an audience of 1.95 million viewers in 2011. It was the highest rated telecast since ESPN began broadcasting the event in 2004.


IVANO TOSCANI - ANCHOR BAR

On a Friday night in 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar at the now famous Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. Late that evening, a group of Dominic's friends arrived at the bar with ravenous appetites. Dominic asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat. They looked like chicken wings, a part of the chicken that usually went into the stock pot for soup. Teressa had deep fried the wings and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn't take long for people to flock to the bar to experience this new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar. The phenomenon created in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo has spread across the globe. Although many have tried to duplicate Buffalo Wings, the closely guarded secret recipe is what makes Frank & Teressa's the proclaimed "Best Wings in the World."


RICK MAYNARD - COLONEL SANDERS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Fans of KFC's Facebook® Pages around the world can access exclusive content from "Colonel Harland Sanders: The Autobiography of the Original Celebrity Chef." The original manuscript, written by the Colonel himself in 1966 and discovered by accident more than 40 years later, is being launched exclusively on Facebook. The entire book can be downloaded for free at Facebook.com/kfc . It is not available in book stores or via online book sellers. "What's most amazing about the book is that while it was written nearly a half-century ago, both the insightful life lessons and the delicious recipes remain relevant today," said Jason Marker, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC in the United States. "Because of that, our goal is to share the autobiography with as many people as possible, free of charge. We couldn't think of a better way to do that than via Facebook." KFC U.S. Has a robust following on the world's most famous social network, boasting nearly five million Likes at Facebook.com/kfc.


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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

06/20 BOB DEVON, JASON ROBERTS

BOB DEVON - COMPLETE WOOD PELLET BBQ COOKBOOK

Mouthwatering, tender, and scrumptious that s what you can expect from food that is prepared on a wood-pellet grill. This complete guide and cookbook provides all the information you need to create taste-tempting meals on this unique and amazingly versatile outdoor cooker. Bob Devon, barbecue master Extraordinaire, begins by explaining how you can use a wood-pellet grill as a smoker, grill, barbecue, oven, and broiler to cook virtually any food out of doors. He then kicks off the recipes with a medley of barbecue rubs, marinades, and sauces designed to transform even the most mundane food into a culinary treat. Following this are recipes for steaks; burgers, dogs, and sausages; pork; chicken; turkey; seafood; vegetables; breads and pizzas; and even desserts. And from slow cooked, fall-off-the-bone meats to crispy pizzas, every dish is easy to make and even easier to enjoy. If you think that an outdoor cooker is just for grilling franks and burgers, get ready to learn a whole new way of preparing your favorite foods. The Complete Wood Pellet Barbecue .

JASON ROBERTS - Celebrity Chef   "The Chew"

Jason’s high energy and fabulous sense of humor means he could easily be mistaken for a carefree college student instead of the world-renowned executive chef, author and television personality that he is.  His cheeky nature captivates people on all continents, while his health-conscious culinary skills – currently on display in his cookbooks Elements and Graze: Lots of Little Meals Fast – tantalize taste buds everywhere.  Already famous in Australia and New Zealand for his Channel Nine show, Fresh, Jason was introduced to 16 million Americans on the ABC TV program Good Morning America.  The segment became a hit on line, and Jason’s American career took off.  Today Jason is the latest addition to the daytime food talk show, The Chew where he travels the country in search of all things food, a welcomed addition, working alongside Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Daphne Oz and Clinton Kelly.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

06/19 JEFF MAURO, PAM STARR, JOHN O'HURLEY, JENNIFER FOX

JEFF MAURO - FOOD NETWORK / THE SANDWICH KING

There is no summer ritual that exudes iconic Americana more than the state fair. From corndogs to apple pie bake-offs, this tradition beganback in 1841 where Americans would attend in droves for livestock judging, butter sculpting, and cheese curds. Today, state fairs have evolved to become a hotbed of over-the-top culinary creativity – from chicken fried bacon and red velvet funnel cake  to frozen sweet tea and fried lemonade.   Jeff Mauro, winner of the seventh season of Food Network Star, graduated from California’s Hollywood Kitchen Academy, and has worked in the food industry since high school in various roles, including line cook, caterer and chef instructor. After pursuing a career as an entertainer and comedian in Los Angeles, Jeff returned to Chicago to spend time doing what he loves: cooking. His down-to-earth personality coupled with his comic skills make a great combination in the kitchen. In his Food Network cooking show, Sandwich King, Jeff proves you can turn any meal into a sandwich and any sandwich into a delicious meal.


PAM STARR - WINEMAKER/OWNER "CROCKER & STARR VINEYARDS"

Pam Starr has been the co-owner, manager and winemaker of Crocker & Starr since its inception in 1997 when she helped resurrect the vineyards on the Crocker Estate in St. Helena and established a winery to create world-class wines. After toiling as a winery employee for 18 years, Pam’s transformation at a relatively young age into owner, manager and winemaker was unique and remarkable. It required a special mix of skill, passion and dedication. All of which describe Pam Starr.  Pam’s love affair with winemaking began as a harvest intern for Sonoma Cutrer in Sonoma after graduating from the University of California at Davis in 1984 with a degree in Fermentation Science. Headed down a different path, the daughter of an orthopedic surgeon who was planning to go to dental school quickly switched gears. Attracted by the fast pace, the pleasures of working the land and the wine itself, Pam knew she’d found her calling. “I was simply smitten – the way one is when falling madly in love. Winemaking is mysterious, it’s sexy, it’s magical.” And it’s been her life since.  After the internship, Pam worked for Edna Valley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo stacking barrels for a season. Her dream of becoming a winemaker began to take shape. For the next six years she was an enologist and assistant winemaker for Carmenet Winery in Sonoma, a job that taught her how to run a winery from cellar to bottle. In 1991, she became the winemaker for Spottswoode Vineyard & Winery in Napa Valley where she worked until she and Charlie Crocker established Crocker & Starr and she built the foundation of the business. At the same time Crocker & Starr opened its doors, Pam began wine consulting for Adastra Vineyard in the Carneros, Gemstone Vineyard in Yountville and Garric Cellars of Calistoga, among others.  Passionate about translating terroir into wine, Pam is known for her distinctive Bordeauxstyle blends that express a deep sense of place. For this enthusiastic and inspired winemaker who views her job as translating soil into wine, great wine must taste of the sun, of the earth it comes from and of the place it grows. Pam is a member of the Napa Valley Vintners, Appellation St. Helena, American Society of Enology and Viticulture, Concierge Alliance Napa Valley and Wine Entre Femme, an international consortium of women winemakers. She is married, lives in Napa and embraces mountain biking, scuba diving, water skiing, sailing, gardening and motorcycling wine roads with her husband. Pam’s dog Griffin, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, is her loyal vineyard companion.


JOHN O'HURLEY - ACTOR / TV PERSONALITY 

As national spokesperson for USAGE, John O’Hurley, Seinfeld and Dancing with the Stars actor and TV personality, is one of the 71 million Americans diagnosed with high cholesterol. Behind the camera, his commitment to public health education—including serving as Public Relations Director of the American Red Cross has compelled him to raise awareness of the seriousness of high cholesterol, and the ways patients and doctors can partner to improve effective cholesterol management.


Jennifer Fox - PBS Cinematographer

It’s the 25 Anniversary of POV ( Point of View) on PBS.   – opens with the new documentary  “My Reincarnation” Which was filmed over 20 years! By acclaimed documentarian Jennifer Fox.  My Reincarnation opens POV’s 25th anniversary season on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 10 p.m. On PBS. (Check local listings.) American television’s longest-running independent documentary series, POV is the winner of a Special Emmy for Excellence in Television Documentary Filmmaking and two IDA awards for Best Continuing Series.  Jennifer Fox (Director, Co-producer, Cinematographer)  Jennifer Fox is an internationally acclaimed director, producer, camerawoman and educator. Her first film, Beirut: The Last Home Movie won seven international awards, including Best Documentary Film and Best Cinematography at the 1988 Sundance Film Festival and Best Documentary at the 1988 Cinema Du Reel Festival, Paris. She produced, directed and shot the groundbreaking ten-hour PBS/BBC/ARTE series An American Love Story, which received a Gracie Award for Best Television Series and was named “One of the Top Ten Television Series of 1999” by The New York Times, Time Out.

Monday, June 18, 2012

06/18 ROGER BERKOWITZ, WILLIAM MOSS, LARRY MANETTI

ROGER BERKOWITZ - CEO "LEGAL SEAFOOD"  
 
Legal Sea Foods was born in 1950 when George Berkowitz opened a fish market in the Inman Square neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He opened it adjacent to his father Harry’s grocery store Legal Cash Market where customers were given “Legal Stamps” (forerunners of S&H green stamps) with their purchases.  It’s here that the “Legal” name became synonymous with quality and freshness. 

In 1968, the Berkowitz family opened its first seafood restaurant, right next to the fish market.  The fish was simply prepared, either broiled or fried, and served on paper plates at communal picnic tables.  Despite the low-key trappings, the food was second to none and word quickly spread.  This early success led to further expansion and now, six decades later with restaurants along the Eastern Seaboard, the family philosophy endures: Legal Sea Foods is a fish company in the restaurant business. 

George's son, Roger, has been at the helm since 1992 and has expanded the business into new markets while maintaining the company's focus on its proud tradition and core values.  So when we say, "If it isn't fresh, it isn't Legal!," we renew a commitment that has sustained us for over a half-century.  It’s not a fish tale, but a tale of fish 60 years in the making…of a family-owned seafood market that spawned a restaurant company.  See the Timewave for an interactive look back.  Or view our restaurants’ placemat that details our history.


WILLIAM MOSS - HGTV  "GROWING TOMATOES"

William Moss inspires people to “Get Out & Grow!”  As a trusted authority in greening, gardening and urban agriculture, he connects with audiences and explains how to make healthier choices that improve their lives, their communities, and their environment. Coined the Garden Boss for his in-depth knowledge and sound advice, William uses his landscaping know-how and charming personality to engage, educate, and entertain audiences with relevant, informative content. His ability to bring complicated subject matter to life leaves audiences enthusiastic and charged to get out and grow.  A teacher at heart, William passionately spreads his love of the natural world.
 That love fostered during childhood in the foothills of South Carolina manifest itself years later in Chicago.  After graduating from Northwestern University, William went on to teach sixth grade. He later completed the Chicagoland Master Gardeners program and joined the Chicago Department of the Environment to work on habitat restoration and greening efforts throughout the city.  This led to a career as a horticultural educator for the Chicago Botanic Garden working with youth programs, adult continuing education courses, and school gardens.  William’s venture into television began with the Discovery Channel’s ‘Rally Round the House’ where he taught America about gardening, landscape construction, and the plant-O-the-show. On TLC’s ‘Town Haul’ William enjoyed designing artistic yet functional landscapes to get people outside and active. As host of HGTV’s “DIG IN”, he helped homeowners tackle landscape projects resulting in dramatic transformations.
 As a greening expert William has regularly appeared on national news programs such as The Early Show, Good Morning America, CNN, WGN and may also be seen as a QVC gardening guest. Whether in person, print, television, or on-line multi-media, William spreads the good news about gardening and greening.  William is author of Any Size, Anywhere Edible Gardening: The No Yard, No Time, No Problem Way to Grow Your Own Food and contributes content for various online, print, and social media.  He serves on the advisory board for The Talking Farm, an urban agriculture venture, as spokesperson for the National Gardening Association, and as an instructor for the Chicago Botanic Garden. When he’s not producing video for television or other online multimedia content, he provides landscape consultation and gives presentations at trade shows, symposia, and continuing education forums.


LARRY MANETTI -  RECIPES  

Larry Manetti started acting in his hometown of Chicago.  After studying acting with the Ted List Theater Players, Larry drove to Los Angeles in 1972.  Larry landed an agent and was sent to Universal Studios to audition for an opening as a contract player.  Luck was on his side.  Jack Webb was casting a new series for NBC called The Chase.  Larry played a young detective. 
After attending acting school at Sal Dano's at night and doing bit parts by day, he scored.  Baa Baa Black Sheep was being produced and cast at Universal, and the now famous writer Stephen J. Cannell was the executive producer and the role was a natural for Larry.  He was cast as a cocky, hot shot pilot named Bobby Boyle.  The show was a big hit for NBC but was cancelled within two years.
Because the network was so impressed with Larry's on-screen presence, they cast him in a new series called The Duke.  Bad luck!  The Duke was cancelled in one year.  Larry was back to playing whatever Universal told him to.

Hoping to catch lighting in a jar, along came Magnum, P.I. And the role of Rick. This was his elevator...the show became a mega-hit for 8 years.  Since Magnum, P.I., Larry has done co-starring roles in 25 feature films and guest starred on many hot TV shows. 

**Larry Manetti's Tuscan Chicken:

Tools: Roasting Pan w\ Cover
(1) Large Fryer Chicken (Cleaned)
Stuff the following into the cavity of the chicken:
-1 tbsp Pepper
-1 tbsp Salt
-1 tbsp Dry Rosemary OR 2-3 Sprigs of fresh Rosemary
-1 tbsp Dried Sage
-1 whole celery stalk (halved if can't fit in cavity)
Salt and Pepper outside of chicken to taste
Place chicken BREAST DOWN in the roasting pan
Chop 3-4 Idaho Potatoes into large chunks, place in pan
Add Water\Chicken broth (enough to roast for 2 hours without completely burning off, replenish during cook cycle if necessary)
Cook at 350 deg, covered. for 2 hours
10 minutes prior to finish, pour 1/4 bottle of Pinot Grigio over chicken (use the cheap stuff). Finish cook.
Serve with your favorite sides and a glass of Chardonnay!

** Larry Manetti's Italian Sausage and Peppers:

Buy: Italian Hot Sausage from your favorite Italian Deli, grill or Broil for prep.
Saute 1/4 to 1/2 Clove of garlic  (sliced or chopped) in a large pot with 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
Add previously cooked sausage, cubed.
Lightly steam 2-3 Sweet Bell Peppers (Red, Green, Yellow), add to pot.
Add Hunt's tomato sauce (Big Red Can) to COVER ingredients.
Simmer for 1 hour, until smells of garlic and peppers fill the house.
Serve with French Rolls, with your favorite Summertime Libation!

Friday, June 15, 2012

06/15 Rory Herrmann, Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli, Alfredo Rodriguez, Steve Evans

Rory Herrmann - Chef de Cuisine     

As Chef de Cuisine of Bouchon in Beverly Hills, Rory Herrmann is responsible for the daily supervision of the kitchen and staff, in addition to ensuring that the restaurant's high standards are met in every dish. Previously, Rory served as the Private Dining Chef for Per Se, Chef Thomas Keller's fine dining restaurant in New York City. In this position, he was responsible for the culinary preparation and execution of all large parties and offsite events. He first joined Per Se as Chef de Partie when the restaurant opened in 2004. Rory is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. He has worked under notable chefs in the industry, including 3-star Michelin Chef Alain Ducasse at his eponymous restaurant at the Essex House and at the more casual Mix; as well as for Chef Dan Barber at Blue Hill Restaurant, all located in New York City. He also worked for several years in the kitchens of the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah.  A California native, Rory is a firm believer in giving back to the community and actively contributes his culinary talents in helping raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, March of Dimes and the Starlight Children's Foundation.
Summer Supper's- Return to the French Classics which is taking place on Sunday through the Summer and served family style. Each week has a different dish from a different region of France. Also, with Father's Day that weekend, we would love to discuss the Father's Day special.

 Chef Alexandra “Alex” Guarnaschelli - Food Network


 Chef Alexandra “Alex” Guarnaschelli There are few American chefs, much less female chefs who can boast staying power in Michelin-starred restaurants. Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli can boast indeed — she embarked on a culinary journey in France and ended up working in some of the country’s top restaurants including esteemed chef Guy Savoy’s eponymous three-star kitchen.  After seven successful years in France, Guarnaschelli returned stateside where she joined Daniel Boulud at restaurant Daniel, and then moved to Los Angeles for two years to join Joachim Splichal’s Patina Group, where she worked at the acclaimed Patina restaurant in West Hollywood before moving to New York to open Splichal's first New York City venture.  In 2003, Guarnaschelli become the executive chef at Butter Restaurant, where she would create her own eclectic American and green market-inspired menu. In addition to her restaurant work, Guarnaschelli inspires budding chefs as a Chef-Instructor at New York City’s Institute of Culinary Education.Chef Guarnaschelli has appeared on Food Network’s Iron Chef America as both a challenger and a judge, a reoccurring judge on the popular primetime series Chopped, along with her own shows, The Cooking Loft, as well as Alex’s Day Off.


Executive Chef Stefano Cordova - Au Bon Pain

Au Bon Pain, the international café bakery and a leader in the fast casual restaurant category specializing in serving delicious foods with warm hospitality, announced today the introduction of 11 reinvented sandwiches that bring this American staple, and all of its layers, to a whole new level. After months of perfecting a new “Sandwich2.0 Method,” Au Bon Pain is now officially unveiling the newly crafted sandwich line, the creation of Executive Chef Stefano Cordova. “This is one of the biggest changes our menu has seen,” said Maria Feicht, Au Bon Pain’s Chief Branding Officer. “Chef Cordova has transformed our sandwich menu by combining ingredients to create distinctively delicious new flavors and by completely reinventing the way we construct our sandwiches.” The new Au Bon Pain sandwiches have been redesigned to reflect the role sandwiches often play in America: a complete meal. Au Bon Pain sandwiches have been reevaluated and rebuilt from scratch to ensure that each one has the traditional components of a main course, including delicious, fresh baked breads, fresh vegetables and quality proteins, like antibiotic-free turkey and black Angus roast beef, as well as bright and bold dressings. Designed for the last bite to be as scrumptious as the first, Cordova compares the new sandwich building method to architecture.  “With each layer, we achieve the right balance of flavors and textures made from quality ingredients, turning the simple sandwich into a very satisfying meal,” said Chef Cordova. “Everything is factored in – the size and texture of the bread, the sharpness of the cheese, the density of the protein, the acidity of the spread and the crunch of the vegetable – to make every bite perfect. This ideal balance is what we’ve achieved with our new ‘Sandwich2.0 Method,’ and it’s the basis of how we carefully craft all of our new sandwiches.”   Additional information about Au Bon Pain,  headquartered in Boston, may be found at www.aubonpain.com.


Piano Phenomenon Alfredo Rodriguez – Playboy Jazz Festival

 2012 PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL TO PRESENT WORLD CLASS LINEUP OF GRAMMY WINNERS, JAZZ ICONS, AND RISING STARS,  SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH & 17TH AT HOLLYWOOD BOWL

Headliners include Ramsey Lewis, Robin Thicke, Ozomatli, 
Sheila E., Boney James and Christian McBride

Bringing an international flavor to the Festival are the Global Gumbo All-Stars. A creation of the legendary Quincy Jones, the group features acclaimed bassist Richard Bona, noted guitarist Lionel Loueke, drummer Francisco Mela, and young piano phenomenon Alfredo Rodriguez, in a rotating ensemble of top singers and musicians from around the world. Born in Cameroon, bassist Richard Bona has worked as the musical director for Harry Belafonte and toured with Pat Metheny as a percussionist and vocalist. A native of West Africa, Lionel Loueke has performed with Herbie Hancock, Angelique Kidjo, Wayne Shorter, Santana and Sting. Cuban drummer Francisco Mela is a favorite among such elite jazz musicians as Joe Lovano, John Scoffield and others. Since being discovered by Quincy Jones at the Montreux Jazz Festival, young pianist and Jones’ protégé, Alfredo Rodriguez has sky rocketed to success, performing with such legendary jazz artists as Herbie Hancock, and McCoy Tyner, playing many of the world’s top jazz Festivals, including the Playboy Jazz Festival in 2009.






STEVE EVANS - THE MOVIE GUY

Latest box office info and news from the world of movies and films. Steve talks about the good, the bad and the ugly. His extensive theatrical experience makes him the right guy to talk about movies and their affect on popular cultures

Thursday, June 14, 2012

06/14 BRANDON NICKENS, CHEF TIM LOVE, Jake Reid, Melissa d’Arabian, EXECUTIVE CHEF MARK BUCHER

BRANDON NICKENS - The Biggest Loser

Brandon Nickens has been in the reality TV/game show business for over twelve years. In 1999, he began his career at MTV Networks climbing the ranks and becoming an associate producer, when he realized that production was not for him. His love for people then brought him to reality casting. Brandon has worked on hit shows such as: "The Apprentice", "Deal or No Deal", "The Bachelor", and "Extreme Makeover:  Weight Loss Edition". He has cast NBC's "The Biggest Loser" for the past 12 seasons. He has been referred to as a weight loss casting specialist, do to casting over 18 seasons of reality weight loss shows. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he still lives today.

CHEF TIM LOVE - FOOD & WINE CLASSIC ASPEN, CO 

 Celebrity Chef Tim Love, famous for his roles on “Top Chef Dallas” and “Iron Chef America” and beloved for his freewheeling Texas personality and signature urban western cuisine, will be celebrating delicious food and memorable moments live from America’s premiere culinary event~the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado~one of the nation’s largest, favorite, and most respected food festivals! Having been a judge on the popular “Food Network” television series “Best in Smoke”, Tim will share with your listeners some of his family food traditions and recipe secrets demonstrating how to use simple, quality ingredients to put a delicious spin on some of America’s favorite classic summer dishes!  Tim will also discuss this year’s Food & Wine Classic and the events that he is looking most forward to. In addition, Tim will reveal where your listeners can go for a behind-the-scenes, exclusive insider’s look at this year’s Food & Wine Classic, showing your listeners how they can bring the delicious food enjoyed at the Classic home to their own tables through recipe demonstrations and chef secrets.  Classic consists of three days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, entrees, appetizers, and desserts, and panel discussions by world-class chefs and wine experts. Event attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy. Lauded as America’s premier culinary event, the Food & Wine Classic consists of three days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, entrees, appetizers, and desserts, and panel discussions by world-class chefs and wine experts. Celebrity chef Tim Love, beloved as much for his freewheeling personality as his signature urban western cuisine, has been featured on numerous television shows, including “Top Chef Dallas” and “Iron Chef America”, and has been a judge on the popular “Food Network” television series “Best in Smoke”. His inspired and innovative dishes (including everything from wild boar to rattlesnake) have earned critical and popular acclaim, and his charm and southern hospitality are always on display, whether it is at his Dallas/Fort Worth-area restaurants “The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro” and “The Love Shack” or at culinary events and cultural festivals around the world such as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and Austin City Limits (for which he serves as official chef). A supporter of such charitable causes as Burgers 4 Babies and Spoons Across America, Tim has become the de facto culinary ambassador for the state of Texas, always doing his fans and family proud.


Jake Reid - Expedia Outdoor Expert

Live remote from the mountains of Colorado with Jake Reid who is the outdoor expert at Expedia. Jake is going to be discussing the best deals for booking a trip outdoors and in general coming into and out of any city. During the segment, Jake will discuss:
•Fathers Day quick travel tips
•Traveling with Kids and going out doors for the first time
•The best deals coming into and out of your neck of the woods.
•How to maximize your vacation without maxing out your bank account.
We will be conducting this live from the mountains of Colorado


 Melissa d’Arabian - THE FOOD NETWORK


“The Food Network’s” “TEN DOLLAR DINNERS” Host and Winner of the Most Recent “THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR” Melissa d’Arabian Serves Up Easy, Delicious, and Healthy Meal Ideas




 EXECUTIVE CHEF MARK BUCHER - BGR: THE BURGER JOINT

Mark Bucher is the originator and executive chef of BGR: The Burger Joint, and has significant experience in the restaurant industry. Mr. Bucher started his career in commercial real estate, working with national restaurant chains with their site selection, construction and maintenance. Mr. Bucher was Mid-Atlantic Vice President of Real Estate for Allied Domecq USA, operator of Dunkin Donuts franchises.  After this period, Mr. Bucher was brought in to handle real estate for a very fast growing bagel franchisor. He ultimately became COO of American Bagel Company, the parent of Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, and was part of the team that grew that chain from 20 to 340 stores in 3 years, and then successfully sold the chain to AFC Enterprises.  Mr. Bucher took home the title of Grand Champion at the 2009 Summit Food & Wine Festival in New York, beating some of the best chefs in New York City and the country for this coveted prize. He most recently competed in Rachael Ray’s annual Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.




 
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

06/13 TODD SIMON, CHRISTOPHER ATKINS, JAKE STEINFELD, CHEF PIERO BIONDI, LARRY LIPSON

Omaha Steaks’ Senior VP Todd Simon 

With Father’s Day approaching, Omaha Steaks’ Senior Vice President, Todd Simon, has  all the details on the company’s unique quality-and-savings difference, the limited-time promotions hot off the grill for June’s biggest weekend and the easiest ways to order right now. “Omaha Steaks makes hosting the perfect Father’s Day cookout easy and convenient by offering a complete line of gourmet foods,” says Simon. “For the perfect Father’s Day gift, we encourage our customers to try one of Omaha Steaks’ gift packages like the one we call “Thrill the Grill.” It’s a great value and it includes something for every dad.” 

 
CHRISTOPHER ATKINS - THE BLUE LAGOON: THE AWAKENING  

Christopher Atkins was nominated for a Golden Globe for his debut performance opposite Brooke Shields in the worldwide blockbuster film, The Blue Lagoon.  Chris went on to star in over fifty film and television projects including -- A Night in Heaven with Lesley Anne Warren and The Pirate Movie with Kristy McNichol --both for Twentieth Century Fox.  On Dallas, he caused controversy playing opposite Linda Gray as Sue Ellen’s young lover Peter Richards.  Chris is an accomplished screenwriter and producer.  He has traveled around the world and has received a patent for one of his inventions.  Born and raised in Rye, New York, as a child Chris raced sailboats on Long Island Sound and learned to scuba dive and of course is an avid fisherman.  It was his love for the water that landed him the starring role in The Blue Lagoon and motivated Chris to write his latest screenplay Feathering the Wind, a coming of age family film set in the world of competitive sailing.  He just finished directing the short film A Man with a Child in His Eyes.  Chris has two adult children, Grant and Brittney. Lifetime premieres the Original Movie Blue Lagoon: The Awakening,  starring Denise Richards and up-and-coming actors, Brenton Thwaites (Home and Away) and Indiana Evans (Home and Away) in the provocative story of teens who fall in love while marooned on a tropical island, Saturday, June 16 at 8:00pm ET/PT.  The two-hour film, a modern-day retelling of the classic coming of age love story, also features an appearance by Christopher Atkins (The Blue Lagoon).  In Blue Lagoon: The Awakening, overachieving high school student Emma Robinson (Evans) and slacker Dean McMullen (Thwaites) find themselves on the same class trip to Trinidad.  Though they have little in common, Emma and Dean attend a wild party on a boat, and when Emma falls overboard during a police raid, Dean jumps in to save her.  The pair drifts in a motorless dinghy until they end up stranded on a deserted island.  While their parents desperately search for them, Emma and Dean are forced to rely on each other for survival, and the more time they spend together the more they realize their attraction to one another. Despite their differences, they eventually create a bond between themselves.  But as days on the island become weeks and then months, Emma and Dean wonder if they’ll ever be rescued or if their life on the Blue Lagoon will last forever.  Richards stars as Emma’s devoted mother Barbara, who refuses to give up the search for her missing daughter.  Atkins, who starred in the 1980 romance adventure movie The Blue Lagoon, portrays Mr. Christiansen, a high school teacher who helps in the search for Emma and Dean. 


JAKE STEINFELD - BODY BY JAKE

He’s considered the father of fitness, responsible for creating the personal training industry nearly 30-years ago.  His “Body by Jake” program is responsible for helping some of Hollywood’s hottest celebs like Harrison Ford and Mario Lopez.  But now Jake Steinfeld is targeting more than just Hollywood, he is looking to communities across the country to get fit!  Jake has teamed up with The Coca-Cola Company to build 100 fitness centers in schools nationwide in an effort to encourage physical activity.  The fitness centers are part of the Company’s commitment to nutrition, physical activity and community


CHEF PIERO - RECIPES

THE MAN WHO HELPED LAUNCH "WHAT'S COOKIN" MANY YEARS AGO IS WITH US TO DISCUSS SOME RECIPES HE CONTRIBUTES TO THE CRN WEBSITE.  THE OWNER OF A POPULAR RETSAURANT ACROSS FROM NBC IN BURBANK FOR MANY YEARS, CHEF PIERO TALKS ABOUT THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF GREAT FOOD.



LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA CORRESPONDENT 

 
LIVE FROM COSTA RICA LARRY UPDATES THE FOOD & BEVERAGE SCENE AND COMMENTS ON HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND WINES. FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS HE WAS THE FOOD CRITIC FOR THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS.
 




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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

6/12 LEO BORRELLO, AMY GRANT, JIM KIMMEL

LEO BORRELLO - Love in the Wild

This summer, NBC"s "Love in the Wild" returns for the show"s second season with new host Jenny McCarthy, a new location in the tropical paradise of the Dominican Republic, and even wilder adventures chock-full of surprises and dramatic twists. More hearts will be broken and catfights will abound when the new crop of singles embark on their journey to find true love.  Hosted by McCarthy ("Singled Out"), the series puts relationships to the ultimate test with exhilarating and wild adventures that challenge the participants, both physically and emotionally. Single men and single women, all looking for love, will experience a romantic adventure unlike anything they could have ever imagined. McCarthy will guide these contestants through rigorous adventures as well as the choppy waters of relationships in their quest to find love. These singles have tried it all -- speed-dating, blind-dating, Internet dating -- and now, they will journey to a tropical paradise to see if they can find that special someone for whom they"ve been looking.   LEO BORRIELLO    Age: 27  Hometown: Windsor, CT; resides in Philadelphia, PA - Leo Borriello loves the ladies - and they love his six-pack and contagious smile. Borriello takes pride in his chiseled body, but there is more to this Italian financial analyst than just his good looks. He's looking for a woman who can keep up with him. He will shower his dates with wine and cheese while watching a beach sunset. Borriello is excited about a trip around the world and the possibility of finding a new love along the journey.   Borriello is a U.S. Navy veteran and will be graduating from Drexel University. He then plans to begin a two-year rotational program with a global financial services firm. "Love in the Wild"  Tuesdays on NBC (10-11 p.m) 
 
 
AMY GRANT

Amy Grant’s career spans more than 25 years. The singer-songwriter has sold more than 30 million albums and won six GrammysÒ in multiple categories. She is only one of two contemporary Christian musicians to be awarded a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.  For much of the month of April 2011 Amy, with her sisters, served as primary caregiver for her dying mother. Amy will share anecdotes and advice for consumers facing this experience, including how what she learned impacted plans for her own future and that of her kids.  Amy is married to country singer Vince Gill and a mother of a blended family of five.  As a wife, mother and daughter of elderly parents, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant knows first-hand why understanding your options and planning ahead are key to successfully navigating the unique challenges her generation faces daily. That’s why she is partnering with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to encourage baby boomers to get smart about choices they face in this complicated life stage. Amy will share heartfelt stories about personally caring for her ailing mother who passed away last April. Amy also will relate how that experience impacted her own plans and the advice she gives her children. Kevin McCarty, NAIC President and Florida Insurance Commissioner, will join Amy to share specific educational resources and tips that empower consumers age 50+ to make the right health and life insurance decisions for this life stage and their unique financial situation.


JIM KIMMEL - Kimmel Vineyards

For nearly fifty years, four generations of our family have enjoyed the natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna of Kimmel Ranch. It is a welcome place to gather and and even more stunning place to explore, no matter the season.  Now, as we usher in a new era on the Ranch, we are working even harder to maintain a healthy ecological balance through sustainable farming practices. Our commitment to the land has carried us from cattle ranching to the vineyards. Our practices permeate every area of our operations out to the unplanted habitat acres and extending to the people who work in our vineyards. We continue to look for ways to improve our practices including solar, water, and wind power opportunities. All that we do and plan to do is with the sole purpose of producing the best possible grapes and absolutely delicious wine for you!

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Monday, June 11, 2012

06/11 Dandy Don, Doug Circle, Sierra Madrea Vineyards, Alan Thicke, Executive Chef Stanley Licairac!

"DANDY" DON WHITTEMORE 
 
Our most popular ice cream social includes a 4-foot red & white portable ice cream stand stocked with 100 scoops of ice cream (usually Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Cappuccino Crunch, Non-fat Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, and Raspberry Sorbet). A second 4-foot table holds our Top 20 Toppings. The party usually lasts an hour hosted by one gracious server. This party in Beverly Hills or Hollywood costs about $700.  If it’s located in downtown L.A, or Camarillo, it runs about $720. For Orange County, figure around $855. Of course your party might need a different number of sundaes and/or toppings, plus a longer or shorter serving time. There are other wonderful options. 


Doug Circle - Sierra Madrea Vineyards




Doug Circle knows how to pull together a team that delivers. He listens to his customer to conceive the vision, then, in his words, “hires great people, and then gets out of the way.” With Doug’s confidence and authority in their expertise, they get things done. Per one employee, “Doug makes us feel like we own the company. We always come away with a great feeling of accomplishment.” In the case of Sierra Madre Vineyard, he has many expert teams – management, viticulture, winemaking and administration.


Alan Thicke - Father's Day
Alan Thicke's distinctive humor and charm have established him as one of America's all-purpose entertainers. Of course, he's best known for his role as super dad Jason Seaver on the hit sitcom GROWING PAINS, and in real life as the father of three sons, including Robin Thicke, the famous musician and entertainer. From these experiences, Thicke has written several humorous books about family life that have spawned a popular segment on his syndicated radio show and blog called, "Thicke's Picks."  Thicke will bring your viewers and listeners with some timely advice for anyone who may still be looking for ways to celebrate Father's Day. TV Guide lists Thicke as one of the top TV dad's of all time. Thicke also has had a long and diverse career, writing theme songs for numerous TV shows, including DIFFERENT STROKES, and hosting everything from pageants to game shows.   His books include,"How Men Have Babies:The Pregnant Father's Survival Guide" and "How to Raise Kids Who Won't Hate You".


Executive Chef Stanley Licairac - Havana Central

Back in 2001, Jeremy Merrin was looking for a new, entrepreneurial concept. He loves Latin cooking and frequented local Cuban restaurants. After seeing the popularity of many local Cuban restaurants, he began to think about a concept where people could get big plates of rice and beans for reasonable prices. However, he knew nothing about the restaurant business. After extensive interviewing, Jeremy met with Arlene Spiegel, a restaurant consultant and former restaurant owner. Together, they decided that there is a great opportunity in Cuban cuisine and dedicated the next nine months to creating a restaurant plan that had the best possible chance for success. Jeremy’s first hire, to manage the restaurant was Stanley Licairac. Stanley was (and still is) instrumental in setting the culinary direction and very much the atmosphere of Havana Central. Stanley is currently the Executive Chef of Havana Central. On June 24th, 2002, Havana Central opened its doors to a big crowd and great reviews. With a spirited sense of buen gusto, Havana Central presents a portal to Cuba’s golden era, when life on the island paradise was a continuous party. Stepping through the doors, diners enter circa 1950s Havana, where Celia Cruz is singing her latest hit with the La Sonora Matancera band, where the flavorful food is gently spiced and comfortingly reminiscent of home (no matter where home might be!). The bartender has a refreshing mojito waiting and Ernest Hemingway could walk in any minute and belly up to the bar. An unmistakable celebration of Cuban culture, the food, the music and the people of Havana Central afford patrons a fanciful excursion to the fabled island – an excursion that, in keeping with Cuban tradition, embraces the whole family.



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