10/31 Larry Lipson, Liz Gutman, Nyesha Arrington

LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA

LARRY IS A WEEKLY GUEST AND FORMER FOOD EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS IN LOS ANGELES. HE SPEAKS WITH US LIVE FROM HIS RETIREMENT HOME IN COSTA RICA. HIS THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FOOD AND WINE ARE PART OF HIS WEEKLY REPORT.




LIZ GUTMAN - "The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook"

Get ready for a candy revolution! Now, instead of commercial, processed chocolate bars; neon, sugary lollipops; or other boring candies that are ubiquitous at Halloween, indulge in artisanal confections that will take you to new heights of deliciousness. Think creamy-dense chocolate truffles, juicy fruit jellies, crackly nut brittles, and the French-style sea salt caramels that Daniel Boulud claimed were better than those he'd tasted in France. They're all here in THE LIDDABIT SWEETS CANDY COOKBOOK: How to Make Truly Scrumptious Candy in Your Own Kitchen (Workman / October 2012) and, yes, you really can make them in your own kitchen. Authors Liz Gutman and Jen King are the classically trained pastry chefs who traded in their toques to make candy—and now lead the candy-craft movement as proprietors of Liddabit Sweets, a Brooklyn confectionery. Their irresistible creations have drawn the attention of The Today Show, O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Food & Wine, GQ, New York magazine, and more. Geared toward home cooks, THE LIDDABIT SWEETS CANDY COOKBOOK is the perfect marriage of sugar and spice, packed with 75 foolproof recipes, full-color photographs, and a dash of attitude. Liz and Jen begin with Candy 101, a chapter dedicated to basic ingredients, techniques, and the equipment (minimal—really!) you'll need to get started. A handy, at-a-glance-guide helps you find the perfect recipe in seconds, whether you are looking for something nut-free, fruity, quick and easy, or a candy that ships well for a special gift.


NYESHA ARRINGTON - EXECUTIVE CHEF  

From the time she was a child pretending to run a restaurant, Nyesha Arrington,  Wilshire ’s Executive Chef, has loved to cook. Arrington was born in southern California to a multi-cultural family. When she was just four years old, her Korean grandmother influenced Nyesha’s youthful palate by introducing her to diverse foods such as bulgogi, octopus and kimchi. That culinary experience has shaped Arrington’s cooking technique ever since, inspiring her to integrate different flavors of cuisine from around the world and creating her individual and personal style.  A graduate of the Culinary School at the Art Institute of Los Angeles in 2001, Nyesha worked with her mentor, Josiah Citrin at Lemon Moon in Culver City and Mélisse in Santa Monica.  Her resume also includes work with legendary French chef Joël Robuchon at his Michelin and Mobil award-winning Las Vegas restaurants, L’Atelier and The Mansion. With both master chefs, she feels fortunate to have been guided by extremely talented cooks, who taught her a wide range of important skills in a highly competitive and very professional environment. Arrington, an ardent believer in using fresh, seasonal products, considers several important factors in creating her menu, including the weather, what’s in season, and the availability of locally-grown food.  Nyesha comes from an artistic family; both her father and sister are musicians, and before pursuing a culinary career she aspired to be a sculptor. Her creative upbringing is reflected in Nyesha’s approach to cooking, which she considers an art. “Every plate is  Like a canvas,” says Nyesha. “Chefs must be able to do everything, from thinking about their prep, to assessing the menu and knowing their audience. I love the process. Nyesha was named a Rising Star by Brad Johnson of Angeleno in 2010.  She has been featured in Restaurant Hospitality, on StarChefs.com and was a guest chef at the popular Test Kitchen restaurant in 2011.  In 2011, Nyesha appeared simultaneously on two reality cooking shows as a contestant: Bravo’s Top Chef: Texas and Food Network’s new series, Chef Hunter, where she won the competition for the next executive chef at Wilshire.  In 2012, Nyesha was recognized by Zagat.com as one of the 30 Under 30 – LA’s Hottest Up-And-Comers as well as Where LA’s top talent under 30. She was also profiled in the LA Weekly’s People issue as one of the most 69 interesting people to watch in 2012. She has also appeared on KTLA and Good Food on KCRW She is an enthusiastic supporter of the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market and sustainable farming as well as numerous community organizations, including Taste of the Nation for Share Our Strength; California Spirit for the American Cancer Society; Plate by Plate for Project by Project and the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Cooking for Solutions, Good Food Festival Santa Monica. When she’s not creating culinary masterpieces, Nyesha delights in spending time outdoors with her dog, Samson. She is an avid surfer and snowboarder, enjoys camping and continues to love art. However, her greatest passion will always be cooking.

10/30 CHRIS WINK AND PHIL STANTON, BARB DETERMAN

CHRIS WINK & PHIL STANTON - "BLUE MAN GROUP FOUNDERS"

INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT SENSATION BLUE MAN GROUP DEBUTS NEW SHOW AT THEIR NEW HOME AT MONTE CARLO RESORT AND CASINO LAS VEGAS!  The creative forces of Blue Man Group have been working for two years to propel their indescribable celebration of art, technology and music to a whole new level at the Monte Carlo. Audience members will be enveloped in a one-of-a-kind, colorful and interactive experience that only Blue Man Group can provide. The mega-enhanced show presents a thrilling, energy-infused combination of the signature pieces Blue Man Group is known for while introducing new playful personalities and dynamic new instruments. On October 30, two of the Blue Man Group founders, Chris Wink and Phil Stanton, will be available for interview to tell your audience about their extraordinary new show, and give an inside look at what guests of the show will see.  


BARB DETERMAN - National Pork Producers Council

Food Day (Wednesday, October 24th) raised national concerns about animal welfare, particularly on the life of young pigs and how they are treated on the farm. For example, a misleading film with an animated piglet was used to target children and raise undue concern among consumers about pork production and how food is really grown and raised. Unfortunately, the animated film didn’t include the point-of-view of a real farmer. Instead, the film used emotion and children’s entertainment to manipulate the American public, without providing an accurate account of farming.  The truth is that farmers and ranchers of all sizes are committed to the humane treatment of their animals. Farmers and ranchers take animal welfare seriously. Caring for animals, in cooperation with veterinarians, is paramount to a safe and healthy food supply. Farmers and ranchers use a variety of animal husbandry practices, housing strategies and healthcare to decrease disease risk and promote animal health. Additionally, farmers and ranchers recognize consumers’ concerns regarding animal care and understand there is no one perfect system. Improvements on farms across the nation continue as farmers and ranchers look for solutions that work best for them and the animals they raise. The bottom line is that today’s farm animals live healthier lives than ever before.

10/29 TREVOR RIGGEN, ROBERT AND DEBORAH SIMON

TREVOR RIGGEN - VP DISASTER OPERATIONS OF AMERICAN RED CROSS

Emergency management teams and utilities along the East Coast are bracing for what could be a $1 billion nightmare, as Hurricane Sandy's 100 mph winds surge toward the heavily populated region between the Carolina coast and New England.  Meteorologists say New Jersey and the New York City area could see around five inches of rain and gale-force winds close to 40 mph.  Eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania and western Virginia could get snow.  Experts are calling this a Category 2 storm, and it’s already killed dozens in the Caribbean. From Florida to Maine, the Red Cross is placing shelter locations, trained disaster workers, vehicles and supplies on alert.  The Red Cross is also working in close collaboration with government officials and community partners to coordinate potential response efforts. 



ROBERT AND DEBORAH SIMON - AKA BISTRO 

Old Pasadena’s AKA Bistro is one of Pasadena’s finest restaurants and bars offering extended food and drink specials all week long! AKA’s happy hour offers something for everyone. In addition to having a great happy hour AKA is a full-service restaurant that boasts a menu of the finest all-natural beef, seafood, poultry and gourmet appetizers Pasadena has to offer. Come experience your next happy hour at AKA Bistro which is just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles in the heart of Old Pasadena.

10/26 JUDAH FRIEDLANDER, BEN VAUGHN, HEATHER MURAN, BITSIE TULLOCH, STEVE EVANS

JUDAH FRIEDLANDER - "30 ROCK"

This Friday, October 26th, we will be doing a media tour with Comedian and star of 30 Rock, Judah Friedlander. In addition to it being the show's last season, Judah will be on hand to have some fun with one of the latest viral sensations.  As you may have seen last week, one of the hottest viral sensations is that of Snoop's parody of his hit song Drop it Like it's Hot called Pocket Like it's Hot. Over 2 million people watched the video in its first few days.  The joke Judah is playing is that he is going around taking credit for directing it, but in reality he didn't. More details will come throughout the week on this, but I wanted you to have some more info on what is happening.



BEN VAUGHN  "HEALTH INSPECTORS"

"Rats in the Cellar" Salud restaurant in Chicago specializes in high-end Mexican food and specialty tequila cocktails, but behind the festive exterior are many health code violations.   After friends of the owner came down with food poisoning, she called Ben Vaughn for help. Can Ben get Salud through their next inspection or does the restaurant have one violation too many for him to resolve? Raised in Florida, Ben Vaughn started cooking in his grandmother's kitchen before attending the Ft. Lauderdale Art Institute where he learned from some of the country's finest chefs. After graduation, Vaughn moved on to become partner and chef at River Oaks restaurants and then own two critically acclaimed restaurants, Grace and Au Fond Farmtable, located in Memphis, Tenn. Vaughn's transition from chef to consultant was triggered by his passion for teaching others and his desire to pass along the valuable lessons he learned throughout his restaurant career. Vaughn lives in Atlanta, Ga. where he now dedicates his career to helping food establishments and is the culinary director and executive chef for Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group and White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails.



HEATHER MURAN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of San Luis Obispo Vintners Association

ROCKIN HARVEST CELEBRATION--NOVEMBER 2-4, 2012 - Tickets are now on sale for the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association's 22nd Annual Rockin’ Harvest Celebration, November 2nd – 4th.  The Grand Tasting and Wine Auction will take place on Saturday, November 3rd from noon – 3 at the beautiful Avila Beach Golf Resort. Over 60 wineries and restaurants from the San Luis Obispo region are featured in the scenic seaside setting of the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Winemakers, local chefs and wine lovers share an allotment of handcrafted artesian wines paired with delicious samplings, all showcasing the best of what SLO County has to offer.  This year, SLO Wine Country will be donating funds to Hospice of San Luis Obispo in our "Fund a Need" live and silent auction lots.  SLO Wine is proud to support community non-profits through Rockin' Harvest Celebration. The weekend festivities begin Friday, November 2nd with two new events: SLO Wine Country first ever “Rockin’ Road Trip”, where attendees will have the unique opportunity to experience harvest “hands-on” with several winemaking teams. From vine to wine, 50 attendees will learn, explore, blend, trim, thieve and taste the handcrafted wine that encompasses the terrior of SLO Wine Country.  Friday evening’s collaborative winemaker dinner, "Crafted on the Coast", at the Lido Restaurant will feature Executive Chefs Jacob Moss and Maegen Loring alongside winemakers from throughout SLO Wine Country.  Four courses will be paired with some of the region’s best reds, whites and blends.  The Grand Tasting and Wine Auction will take place Saturday, November 3rd from noon to 3pm at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.  A limited amount of “back stage passes” will kick off the day at 11am.  These VIP guests will be able to attend the event at 11am and sample limited reserve wines, poured during this hour only.



BITSIE TULLOCH - "GRIMM"  

Bitsie Tulloch stars in NBC's new drama series "Grimm" as Juliette Silverton, Nick's (David Giuntoli) loyal girlfriend, who is wary of his recent forays into the Grimm world. Tulloch previously starred as Dylan on Ed Zwick's NBC drama series "quarterlife." First made as an Internet series, "quarterlife" explored the lives of six creative twentysomethings trying to find their way in the world. Tulloch led the cast as a journalist who perplexes friends over her revelatory video blog. Her additional television credits include a recurring role on "Outlaw" and guest-starring roles on "House," "The West Wing," "Cold Case," "Lost" and "Moonlight." She also had a recurring role in the online serial "lonelygirl15." On the film front, Tulloch can be seen in the Academy Award winning silent film "The Artist" with John Goodman and James Cromwell. She stars in the upcoming family drama "Caroline and Jackie," which she also co-produced, opposite Marguerite Moreau. Additional film credits include Neil LaBute's "Lakeview Terrace" with Samuel L Jackson, Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson, "Uncross the Stars" with Barbara Hershey and Ron Perlman, "Antigone" opposite Keith Carradine, the romantic comedy "Losing Control," and the independent feature "Riding the Pine." She also voiced one of the characters in the animated feature "Alpha and Omega," along with Hayden Panetierre, Justin Long and Dennis Hopper. Tulloch's theater credits include performances of "Oleanna," "Hamlet" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," as well as the Pico Playhouse production of "Quarterlife," a performance that garnered her an LA Weekly Theater Award nomination. Born in San Diego, Calif., Tulloch spent her formative years living overseas in Spain, Uruguay and Argentina until she landed in New York for middle and high school. She attended Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude with a double major in literature and fine arts. Tulloch is an active participant and celebrity representative for the Corazon de Vida Foundation, through which she fundraises and visits orphanages in Tijuana; she has appeared on CNN in support of the cause.




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.

10/25 Miek Bruno, Kerry Sparks, Rosanne Rust, Jenny Rosenstrach

Miek Bruno & Kerry Sparks - "HELLO, MY NAME IS PABST"

If you're searching for maternity skinny jeans and craving artisanally-brined pickles and small-batch ice cream, chances are you're an alterna-parent-to-be and Miek Bruno and Kerry Sparks have the first-ever baby naming book just for you. Whether you're shouting for your child to come off the BPA-free playscape to enjoy his organic quinoa snack, or embroidering his name on your Free People diaper bag, you want a moniker that stands out. HELLO, MY NAME IS PABST: Baby Names for Nonconformist, Indie, Geeky, DIY, Hipster, and Alterna-Parents of Every Kind (Crown Archetype, October 23, 2012) is the ultimate guide for next-gen parents looking to find that distinctive name for their future indie rock star/ Def Jam poet/ abstract artist. Thematically arranging hundreds of über-cool names into hipster-oriented lists, HELLO, MY NAME IS PABST injects humor and fun into the otherwise exhausting baby-naming process. Bruno and Sparks provide the answers for anyone who has ever wondered about:



Rosanne Rust - "Hypertension Cookbook For Dummies"

Hypertension Cookbook For Dummies features 150 delicious and simple low sodium and low or non-fat recipes that avoid pre-packaged and processed food while remaining economical and easy to prepare. You'll get recipes for making delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner, easy on-the-go, and kid friendly recipes to suit any lifestyle, complemented by a full-color, 8-page insert exhibiting many of the book's recipes. Twenty-five percent of American adults have pre-hypertension—blood pressure numbers that are higher than normal, but not yet in the high blood pressure range. The recipes presented in Hypertension Cookbook For Dummies are not only for those currently diagnosed with high blood pressure, but those who are at risk.
•150 recipes that cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, and on-the-go meals
•Delicious meals for those who are at risk of high blood pressure
•Special considerations for on-the-go and kid-friendly meals
Hypertension Cookbook For Dummies shows you how to take charge of your blood pressure by making simple and surprisingly delicious changes to your diet.


Jenny Rosenstrach  - World Pasta Day 

The benefits behind making a pasta meal for today’s time crunched families. How pasta can help alleviate chaotic schedules because it’s versatile (52 percent), a quick go-to meal (51 percent) and allows for multitasking while it’s cooking (44 percent), meaning that families can spend more time catching up while their dinner is being prepared. Jenny Rosenstrach is the founding editor and blogger of dinneralovestory.com, author of Dinner: A Love Story (Ecco/HarperCollins), and the co-author of Time For Dinner (Chronicle).  Jenny is a wife and mother of two whose goal is to help working parents manage their hectic lives and still be able to prepare a dinner for their families. Her book, along with her blog, includes tips and recipes on how to get families more involved in the dinnertime process and the importance of family dinners. Jenny’s work has appeared in a variety of online publications including Bon Appetite, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple and New York Times.

10/24 Larry Lipson, Regina Rago

LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA WEEKLY WINE CORRESPONDENT

LARRY  WAS THE FOOD EDITOR  AT THE DAILY NEWS IN LOS ANGELES FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS. EACH WEEK HE AND HIS WIFE LILLIAN JOIN OR SHOW FROM HIS RETIREMENT HOME IN COSTA RICA TO TALK WINE AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

REGINA RAGONE - FOOD DIRECTOR OF FAMILY CIRCLE MAGAZINE

Regina Ragone Food Director for Family Circle, brings more than twenty years of nutrition expertise to the magazine. Regina has dedicated her career to educating people on the many benefits of eating healthy foods, and is the author of "Fat War Cookbook" and "Decadent Diabetic Desserts" and co-author of "Meals that Heal". Regina also served as the test kitchen director for Ladies Home Journal magazine and was an assistant manager at the Global Consumer Food Center of the Campbell Soup Company. Regina has held including food editor for both Weight Watchers magazine and the Weight Watchers Publishing Group and as a nutritionist for Family Circle magazine.

10/23 Ellie KrIEger, Mo Rocca, Honore Comfort

ELLIE KRIEGER - FOOD NETWORK'S - "HEALTHY APPETITE"

Ellie Krieger is Diet & Nutrition expert, EverydayHealth.com, and the host of the Food Network’s Healthy Appetite where she inspires viewers with her completely positive approach to healthy eating.  She is a registered dietitian and nutritionist as well as the author of several books on healthy eating, including the “Food You Crave” and “So Easy”. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 26 Americans have diabetes, then you know that controlling blood glucose is a critical part of your treatment plan and in order to succeed eating right is key.  In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, Everyday Health’s Diet & Nutrition Expert & celebrity chef, Ellie Krieger is making meals that matter most—for health every day. Managing meal planning may often become challenging and frustrating, and Ellie will show easy and delicious diabetes-friendly and delicious meals you can make for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t give up the meals you love!

             
MO ROCCA - "MY GRANDMOTHER'S RAVIOLI"            

Join the very funny Mo Rocca as he learns to cook, and discovers treasured family recipes and stories from grandparents in their kitchens across the country. From a Filipino grandmother's Paella, a Romanian grandfather's Grilled Sausages to Italian born Pop's Focaccia and Rabbit Cacciatore, it's a delicious hour celebrating the American melting pot of food, family and fun. Humorist, actor and writer Mo Rocca is best known for his off-beat news reports and satirical commentary. Currently a Correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning News with Charles Osgood, he’s also a panelist on NPR’s hit weekly quiz showWait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and the host of Foodography on Cooking Channel. Mo spent four seasons as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and four seasons as a correspondent on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The former president and author of Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Show, Mo is no stranger to the stage, where his credits include the roles of Vice Principal Douglas Panch in Broadway’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Doody on the Southeast Asia Tour of Grease. Mo's book All the Presidents’ Pets: The Story of One Reporter Who Refused to Roll Over is a tour-de-force of investigative journalism that blows the lid off a long-held Washington secret: Presidential pets are more than just photo-ops. Equal parts All the President’s Men, Charlotte’s Web and The Da Vinci Code,Pets is the journalistic watershed event of the decade. Really.  Mo began his career in TV as a writer and producer for the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning PBS children’s seriesWishbone. He went on to write and produce for other kids' series, including ABC’s Pepper Ann and Nickelodeon’s The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss — a pre-school series combining the whimsy of Seuss characters with the magic of Jim Henson puppetry. Mo also served as consulting editor at the adult men’s magazine Perfect 10. Doing “pre-school by day and porn by night” helped prepare him for the broad range of topics he’d tackle on The Daily Show, where his eccentric profiles ranged from a man obsessed with first ladies to the point that he dresses as Florence Harding, to a husband/wife pet-mummification team. A native of Washington, D.C., Mo earned a bachelor’s degree at Harvard and resides in New York City.  You can catch Mo on Food(ography) and the special My Grandmother's Ravioli.


HONORE COMFORT - SONOMA COUNTY  VINTNERS

Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director since 2006, she has collaborated with multiple local organizations on complex projects. Working with the Winegrape Commission, to create the Presidents’ Council, a body of community and industry leaders that meets regularly to address issues and opportunities that support the wine industry.  Sonoma County Vintners and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance are co-producers of The Taste of Sonoma, which is one of two flagship events during Sonoma Wine Country Weekend – the signature weekend for Sonoma County each September. We feel that Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and the Taste of Sonoma are successful events and offer great visibility for Sonoma County wines, food and tourism for several reasons: Feature the wine, food, and lifestyle that is uniquely Sonoma County; invite guests from across the U.S. to come and be a part of our wine and food community; provide opportunity to meet the people who grow the grapes, make the wine, and produce our local products and cuisine; create hands-on experiences for people learn about and engage – not just another wine tasting; designed to communicate the range of wines produced here, and how they are integral to our local wine and food culture.

10/22 Carolyn O'Neil, Sylvia Yacoub, The Voice, NBC, Bobbie Greenfield

CAROLYN O'NEIL - REGISTERED DIETICIAN
             

October is National Vegetarian Month and with millions of Americans choosing to eat a meatless meal at least once a week, vegetarian diets raise lots of questions. Can you get enough protein without meat? What about essential nutrients, can you get those without meat? Isn’t it more expensive?  Carolyn debunks popular myths about a vegetarian diet. Registered dietitian Carolyn O’Neil, the television personality and best-selling author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous! is a driving force behind a national movement toward  hip and healthy living and away from crazy crash dieting. After all, as O’Neil professes, “the more you know, the more you can eat.” An expert on general nutrition and weight control, she is an award winning journalist leading CNN’s coverage of food, nutrition and cuisine for nearly 20 years. O’Neil’s food prowess is showcased in her weekly Healthy Eating column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In addition, she is a nutrition expert for WebMD and appears as The Lady of the Refrigerator on Alton Brown’s Good Eats on the Food Network.



Sylvia Yacoub - NBC’s  "THE VOICE"

The Voice"  with the strongest vocalists from  across the country invited to compete in the blockbuster vocal competition  show's second season. Celebrity musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton return along with Carson Daly as host and  Christina Milian as Social Media Correspondent.





Bobbie Greenfield - Beverly Hills Brownie  

After a successful career as a marketing executive and entrepreneur, founder Bobbie Greenfield found herself facing the severe economic challenges that plagued Corporate America in the depths of the recent recession. Looking for a way to de-stress and re-energize, she turned more and more to her favorite pastime – baking from old family recipes and experimenting to create her own unique baked goods. In 2009, after perfecting her own signature brownie recipe, Bobbie decided to transition her at-home hobby of baking brownies into a full force commercial venture.

First launching the Beverly Hills Brownie Company online, Bobbie found herself living the American Dream by crafting a truly American dessert using primarily U.S.-sourced ingredients and growing a successful business. With the opening of the Beverly Hills Brownie Company flagship boutique bakery, Bobbie’s vision is to grant the sugar-craving public access to the highest-quality confections and to take home their very own piece of the famed landmark town.

10/19 AARON ASH, EMMY ROSSUM, STEVE EVANS

AARON ASH - "GORILLA FOOD"

Are you a fan of the Beastie Boys? Regardless of your answer, you’re sure to be a fan of their chef—and the delicious, raw, organic, vegan food he’s creating. To find out for sure, you’ll have to venture to Vancouver, BC, where Aaron Ash recently opened Gorilla Food. His amazing new menu features cuisine from around the world, offering Mexican, Italian, Middle Eastern, and Thai options that are sure to satisfy any appetite. If that’s not reason enough to cruise on up to Canada, wait ’til you see his lengthy line-up of scrumptious-sounding sweets! Hired by Mike Diamond to relieve his ravenous raw-food cravings, Ash has also dished out his delicious creations to actor and raw foodie, Woody Harrelson.
             



ACTRESS EMMY ROSSUM

Actress/Singer Emmy  Rossum has been captivating audiences with her diverse, extraordinary talents  for over a decade – and she’s only 25 years old.  Rossum’s acting performance in SONGCATCHER earned her an Independent  Spirit Award nomination in the category of Best Debut Performance. Four  years later in 2004, her starring performance as “Christine” in THE PHANTOM  OF THE OPERAearned her a Golden Globe Award nomination.  Rossum can be seen starring in the third season of Showtime’s dark comedy  series SHAMELESS, premiering January 13th. In film, Rossum next  stars in Warner Bros’ BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, based on the popular  young-adult series of the same title. She last starred as“Alexa” in the  indie-drama DARE, starring opposite actor Zach Gilford. Other past film  credits include DRAGONBALL, POSEIDON, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW and MYSTIC  RIVER. Her television credits include guest  starring appearances on “Law and Order,” and “The Practice.” In 2007, Rossum  recorded her first album for Geffen records, “Inside Out,” which  showcased her classically trained voice as the primary instrument. She wrote and  recorded all her own songs. She is currently working on her second  album,“Sentimental Journey,” a collection of 1940s standards, which will  be released in early 2013. She is the spokesperson for “Cotton, From  Blue to Green” which is a program where people can donate their old jeans and  they are recycled   into sustainable building materials  for communities in need. To  date this program has received nearly 850,000 pieces of denim resulting in over    1.7 million square feet of insulation.   That’s approximately 531 tons of denim diverted from  landfills  The average American owns seven pairs of  jeans.. But tens of thousands of them are discarded each year, and many end up in overflowing landfills.



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.

10/18 HEDY GOLDSMITH, JUSTIN WILLMAN, WINEMAKER DANIEL PI

HEDY GOLDSMITH - "BAKING OUT LOUD"

In her first cookbook renowned pastry chef (and Cooking Channel regular) Hedy Goldsmith brings back the nostalgia of childhood treats such as Oreos, Twinkies, and Pop-Tarts—and cookies, brownies, puddings, pies, cakes, ice cream, and more—and pumps up the volume with bold flavors and exciting recipes that are sophisticated yet simple enough to make at home. 

JUSTIN WILLMAN - "HALLOWEEN WARS"

Justin Willman has quickly become  one of the busiest TV-personalities and live entertainers in America. He  presently hosts the hit show Cupcake Wars on Food Network, and is also  well known as the witty correspondent on the Rachael Ray talk show with  more than 20 appearances. Justin currently tours nationally with his Tricked  Out Tour, a popular one-man comedy and magic live  show. Willman has astounded audiences  with his magic on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, made a guest appearance on  G4‘s Attack of the Show, appeared in the Showtime documentary Make  Believe, guest-starred on the hit CBS show The Defenders, and made a  cameo on the long-running Disney sitcom The Suite Life on Deck. He  also performed at the White House as a guest of the first  family.

WINEMAKER  DANIEL PI -  "TRAPICHE" 

Trapiche is a winery in  Mendoza, Argentina. It was founded  in 1883 and consists of 1075 hectares between seven Mendoza vineyards. It is a two-time winner of the  International Wine and  Spirit Competition Argentian Wine Producer of the Year award,  and is the largest producer of wine in Argentina.   Trapiche is owned by investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette  and imported into the United States by wine importers Frederick Wildman and  Sons.
             

10/17 Larry Lipson, Regina Ragone, Dave Bentzenger

Larry Lipson - Costa Rica

OUR MAN IN COSTA RICA TALKS WINE, FOOD & GOOD TIMES. THE FORMER FOOD CRITIC FOR THE DAILY NEWS (50 YEARS) JOINS US EACH WEEK FOR A LIVE REPORT FROM HIS VACATION RESIDENCE
IN COSTA RICA.



             
Regina Ragone - Director of Family Circle Food

Talking  Breakfast Basics - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but according to a new survey from Kellogg’s, 40% of kids don’t eat breakfast daily.  Between fighting over the bathroom and making sure last night’s homework is complete, mornings are typically very hectic
for families. But even with the morning madness, families can still make time for breakfast but getting back to basics and serving up old favorites. In interviews, Family Circle Food Director and R.D. Regina Ragone  share tips on handle the morning madness and make time for breakfast. Regina Ragone, R.D., Food Director for Family Circle, brings more than twenty years of nutrition expertise to the magazine. Regina has dedicated her career to educating people on the many benefits of eating healthy foods, and is the author of Win the Fat War cookbook and Decadent Diabetic Desserts and co-author of Meals that Heal. Regina also served as the test kitchen director for Ladies Home Journal magazine and was an assistant manager at the Global Consumer Food Center of the Campbell Soup Company. Regina has held numerous positions in the publishing industry including food editor for both Weight Watchers magazine and the Weight Watchers Publishing Group and as a nutritionist for Family Circle magazine.


Dave Bengtson - Bengtson's Pumpkin Festival 

Join us for fun at the BENGTSON'S PUMPKIN FEST! "THE HOME OF HAPPY HALLOWEEN!" Open Everyday 10am - 8pm, from September 29th through October 30th, 2012.  Bengtson's Farm is Clean, Friendly & offers Family Fun for all ages! Make memories with your family that will last a lifetime at BENGTSON'S PUMPKIN FEST — voted "THE BEST PUMPKIN FEST in Chicago" by the audience of "FOX NEWS CHICAGO."  We are closed Wednesday October 31st. Bengtson Farm is located at 13341 W. 151st in Homer Glen, IL, 60491. 708.301.FARM (3276)

10/16 JAMIE & BOBBY DEEN, LISA TILLINGER JOHANSEN, MARIO LOPEZ, COURTNEY MAZZA

JAMIE & BOBBY DEEN 
            

Jamie Deen is a chef, entrepreneur, author and son of American cooking and lifestyle icon Paula  Deen. Jamie currently hosts Home for Dinner on the Food Network, which launched  in June 2012. Along with his brother Bobby, Jamie owns and operates The Lady  & Sons restaurant in Savannah, Ga. where his fundraiser will be held. The  Lady & Sons was named International Meal of the Year by USA Today in 1999. Jamie and his brother  Bobby have published four books: The Deen Bros. Cookbook Recipes from the Road  (2007), Y’all Come Eat (2008), Take It Easy (2009) and Get Fired Up (2011).  They’ve also expanded their efforts with a line of spices, barbecue sauces and  T-shirts. Today, Jamie lives with  his wife, Brooke, and their two children in Savannah. Jamie serves on the boards  of the Bethesda Home for Boys and the Coastal America’s Second Harvest, and is a  sought-after speaker at small-business conferences, schools and community  outreach programs. The American Culinary  Federation (ACF) and the makers of Hidden Valley® Original  Ranch® Dressings & Dips are partnering for a second year to host  the Lunch Break for Kids national fundraiser, an effort created to support  childhood nutrition education programs. The Lunch Break for Kids program  highlights ways for parents and kids to come together with chefs and schools to  learn more about how simple, good food can make healthier bodies and stronger  family connections.
             

LISA TILLINGER JOHANSEN - "FAST FOOD VINDICATION"             

LISA TILLINGER JOHANSEN spent seven years  as a real estate manager for McDonald’s Corporation before enrolling at  California State University Los Angeles and earning a Master’s Degree in  Nutritional Science. Now a Registered Dietitian at Kaiser Permanente, Johansen  teaches nutrition classes and counsels patients on a wide range of health  issues. She lives in Southern California. For years, dozens of books, documentaries, and magazine articles have  targeted the fast food industry as the cause for many of society’s ills, ranging  from the obesity epidemic to the proliferation of dead-end jobs. Now, hospital  dietitian Lisa Johansen makes the bold case that the fast food industry is  actually a positive force in society. Johansen takes the reader from the  industry’s scrappy, entrepreneurial beginnings to its emergence as a global  business generating hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Far from a blight  on society, the fast food industry has distinguished itself by providing a  product that meets high standards of quality and safety, often healthier than  meals served at home and in sit-down restaurants. The myth of the “McJob” is  debunked by true-life cases of corporate titans who succeeded by virtue of the  fast-food chains’ practice of promoting from within. 


Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza

Mario Lopez, 38, perhaps most  known for his former role on Saved by the Bell, is the current host of  syndicated entertainment news show Extra, and recently announced host of Fox’s  nationwide talent search show X Factor. Over the years, Lopez has appeared on  Dancing with the Stars, guest-starred on various hit TV shows, published two  books and held a number of hosting duties including MTV’s America’s Best Dance  Crew, and the Miss Teen USA, Miss America, and Miss Universe pageants. In 2008,  Lopez made his Broadway debut in the revival of A Chorus Line, where he met his  future fiancée, dancer Courtney Mazza, 28. The couple, who has been dating since  2008, have a 2-year old daughter, Gia. The couple announced their engagement  during the 2011-2012 New Year’s weekend and plan to get married in Mexico later  this year. Mario and Courtney currently star on VH1 reality show Mario Lopez:  Saved by the Baby, which premiered in November 2010. Mario and Courtney will announce the NIVEA "Kiss of the Year" contest on Facebook. Helping NIVEA search for the couple who deserves to have their "Kiss of the Year" on NIVEA's Kiss Stage this New Year's Eve. All you have to do is log onto Facebook.com/NIVEAusa and tell them why you and your loved one should experience your New Year's Eve kiss on the Times Square stage, in front of millions of people.  It could be a heartwarming story about love.  It could be about overcoming the odds.  It could be about how you've made society a better place.  It could even be a lighthearted tale about you and your better half. Together with a panel of judges, they'll help identify the three couples with the most heartwarming story. Then, it's up to America to vote for the winning couple that will join us on the NIVEA Kiss Stage in Times Square on New Year's Eve.

10/15 CHEF MICHAEL LADUKE, COLLIN McLOUGHLIN, MASTERCHEF BECKY REAMS STILLWELL, PAUL CARRICK BRUNSON

CHEF MICHAEL LADUKE - "RED LOBESTER"

Are you managing your budget and dining out less often? Intimidated by the variety of seafood choices at restaurants and don’t know where to turn? Frustrated with the lack of choice and variety at a seafood restaurant if you’re not a seafood lover? Are you trying to eat lighter? Whether you’re choosing your entrée by land or by sea, Senior Executive Chef Michael LaDuke will provide guidance on how to choose fresh, delicious and affordable meals that the whole family and all your friends will enjoy.  Michael LaDuke is Corporate Executive Chef at Red Lobster and is responsible for leading the culinary team in the creation of fresh, delicious dishes for the core menu and national promotions. Before joining Red Lobster in 2005, Michael spent 17 years at Walt Disney World, where he held a variety of culinary positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently, he served as executive chef at EPCOT Center, where he was responsible for all restaurant menus and its Food Court, which he redesigned and re-launched with more innovative food. He also directed the International Food and Wine Festival, held each year at EPCOT.


COLLIN McLOUGHLIN - "THE VOICE"


YouTube star Collin, who dropped out of the NYU Music Business Master’s Program, has over 10 million views of his online videos. An avid fan of sports and cooking, he not only plays the guitar but also writes his own songs. A self-proclaimed “folk-tronica” singer, Collin hopes that “The Voice” will help him prove he made the right decision to leave school to pursue his dreams. Follow Collin on Twitter @McLoughlinMusic.



MASTERCHEF BECKY REAMS

My favorite thing to cook is anything that is regional, local, and in season. I know that sounds like a catch-all term, but it's true. California has so much to offer, and the bounty of fresh produce, meats and seafood is outstanding. I also try to cook regionally, because I think that is something that is missing in a lot of today's American cooking. People have forgotten what kinds of food they grew up with, and what kinds of food make us unique to the area we live. My philosophy on cooking is to draw from my life experiences, and the type of food I grew up with in Stilwell, KS, and to use that as the basis for how I cook. I look to reinterpret those dishes and modernize them in a way that makes them new for people again. Specifically by using the wonderful products here in Los Angeles, like the seafood, the produce from the farmer’s market, and all the wonderful sustainably-raised meats. Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return for Season Three of the culinary smash hit MASTERCHEF. Nearly 30,000 hopefuls auditioned at MASTERCHEF's open casting calls. MASTERCHEF also hit the road for the first-ever food truck casting tour. Only the best amateur cooks were flown to Los Angeles for a chance to compete for the coveted title of MASTERCHEF and the $250,000 grand prize. This season will feature contestants from all walks of life representing 23 states, all with the hopes of turning their culinary dream into a reality.



PAUL CARRICK BRUNSON - " LOVELAND"

Paul Carrick Brunson, co-host of the new OWN show “LoveTown, USA”, is available to offer your listeners game-changing love and relationship tips from his upcoming book IT’S COMPLICATED (BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE): A Modern Guide to Finding and Keeping Love". Paul Carrick Brunson (also known as the “Modern-day Matchmaker” and the “real life Hitch”) is a professional matchmaker and certified life coach. He is the co-host of the new OWN show “LoveTown,” debuting August 2012, the dating expert on Dr. Drew’s daytime television show“LifeChangers,” and a popular weekly columnist for Essence.com. Brunson received his life coaching certification from the International Coach Federation and studied the art and science of matchmaking with renowned matchmaker and bestselling author Rachel Greenwald. In 2009 he founded One Degree From Me, a premiere matchmaking and life coaching company, and since then he has matched over 3,000 people on dates, resulting in over 300 long-term matches A former investment banker and business executive, he holds an MBA from Georgetown University.

10/12 Susan Spencer, Robert Landau, Jim Fiolek, Steve Evans

SUSAN SPENCER - "CBS 48 HOURS"

A young woman in the Air Force dies in a car crash.  One problem, the medical examiner says the crash isn’t what killed her.  Then, video evidence no one expected.  If the killer thought he got away with murder, he was wrong.         
  

ROBERT LANDAU - "ROCK N ROLL BILLBOARDS" 
          
Features scores of rock royalty, from top bands (The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The  Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Santana, the Eagles) to singer/songwriters Carole  King, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman, Jackson Browne, Neil Young and  many more. For the behind-the-scenes text essays that accompany my photos and put them in  perspective, I spent the past two years interviewing the top record executives,  art designers, graphic artists, photographers, billboard painters and musicians  who created these now-historic artifacts.




JIM  FIOLEK - EXEC DIRECTOR OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VINTNERS

Our annual celebration of the year's bounty, where vintners take a break from  the vineyards and cellars to share with you harvest tales and wines. The highlight of the weekend is the Festival itself, where every one of our  100+ member wineries gather to present their wines, often poured by the  winemakers themselves. The Festival also presents some of the best local food  from restaurants, catering companies and gourmet food creators. This weekend, wineries also present their own events, ranging from  Winemaker's Dinners through library tastings and sales to new wine releases and  barrel tastings. A favorite feature of the weekend is the Vintners' Visa - your passport to  twelve winery tasting rooms - use the Vintners' Visa to explore new wineries -  or revisit old friends.  
          

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.

10/11 Chef Richard Blais, Top Chef, Adam Gertler, Food Network, Stan Herd, Soleil Moon Frye

 CHEF RICHARD BLAIS - WINNER BRAVO'S TOP CHEF ALL STARS

Perhaps most recognizable as the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars, Richard Blais has played an influential role in hospitality for the last 15 years. He began his career as the “poissonier” at McDonald’s. His developing passion for food and the service industry led Blais to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He spent time between semesters studying at the French Laundry in Yountville, CA under renowned chef Thomas Keller and alongside then rising stars Grant Achatz and Eric Ziebold. Upon graduating from the CIA in 1998, Blais ventured to New York for the opportunity to work with Chef Daniel Boulud at his famous flagship, Restaurant Daniel. He followed his professional compass to Roses, Spain and completed a brief stage at El Bulli with culinary wizard Ferran Adria. In 2000, Blais relocated to Atlanta to oversee a local seafood concept. His wildly creative approach to cooking and cuisine later led to the establishment of TrailBlais, a forward-thinking culinary company that has consulted on, designed, and operated some of Atlanta’s most popular eateries, including multiple outposts of Flip Burger Boutique and HD-1. He recently opened The Spence, a new restaurant concept in Midtown Atlanta, and his debut cookbook, Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate, will be published by Clarkson Potter in February 2013. Blais has appeared on TODAY Show, Good Morning America, LIVE! with Kelly, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, as well as in numerous publications including The New York Times, InStyle, and Food & Wine magazine. He will be starring in Life After Top Chef premiering October 3rd on Bravo

ADAM GERTLER  - "KID IN A  CANDY STORE" - FOOD NETWORK

Inside Out  Community Arts' '4th  Annual 'Taste of Abbot  Kinney,’ a fun and fabulous  wining and dining  charitable  event in Venice Beach. In this event,  over 500 guests will  engage in a walking tasting tour featuring delectable bites and   cocktails from over a dozen Abbot Kinney  restaurants, all  while  supporting under-served youth in the community.  


STAN HERD - CROP ARTIST - BEER LOVER

The world will end on December 21, 2012…the Mayans said so. As thousands of beer-lovers from across the country gather in Denver for the Great American Beer Festival, one brewer is taking the opportunity to turn a 5-acre wheat field into a canvas. Shock Top Brewing Co. is launching its limited-edition Shock Top End of the World Midnight Wheat beer at the festival. The brew is made with unfiltered wheat, chocolate malt, chilies and other spices; ingredients that will also be included in Stan Herd’s latest work of art. People have marveled over Stan Herd’s creations for many years, wondering how it’s possible to produce such amazing works of arts from the Earth.  Well, wonder no more.   The world renowned Earthwork artist is available on October 11 to share the secrets of his art and reveal his newest “End of the World” creation.   Find out how the renowned king of crop art turns a plain field into a unique organic sculpture.  It’s an amazing picture of the day that will have your viewers saying, “WOW!”  
 Herd’s work has been featured on CBS’s Sunday Morning, NPR’s All Things Considered, Dateline NBC, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian Magazine, and The New York Times. A book about his earthworks, Crop Art and Other Earthworks, details Herd’s artistic journey through stunning pictures and stories.

 ACTRESS & MOM SOLEIL MOON FRYE - "Punky Brewster"

Soleil comes from a family that cherishes traditions and appreciates homemade food, but with two kids and a full schedule, preparing meals from scratch sometimes isn’t possible.  In this interview, Soleil will share some of her own simple, wholesome solutions for busy moms who want to give their families the best.

10/10 Larry Lipson, Costa Rica, Teri Lyn Fisher, Tiny Food Party

LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA

THE FORMER FOOD EDITOR FOR DAILY NEWS HAS RETIRED TO COSTA RICA AND OFFERS US A WEEKLY REPORT ON WINE & FOOD.




  
TERI LYN FISHER - "TINY FOOD PARTY" (Cookbook)

The cookbook is a great resource for people who like to entertain and want to have FUN with their food!  In Tiny Food Party! Jenny Park and Teri Lyn Fisher share  dozens of quick and easy recipes for bite-size munchies. Use mini-cupcake tins  to bake up sweet little Two-Bite Cheesecakes. Turn thin slices of sweet shallots  into dainty Little Onion Rings. Fill small rectangles of dough with strawberry  jam, and you’ve got adorable Mini Homemade Pop Tarts! With full-color  photographs of every recipe—plus tips and tricks for “downsizing” all your  favorite foods—Tiny Food Party! is a celebration that everyone will want to  attend!

10/09 Angie Layton, Survivor, Caryl M. Stern, UNICEF, Klara Bergman, Truxton's Bistro

SURVIVOR CASTOFF  #3 – ANGIE LAYTON

CBS REALITY SHOW HAS ANOTHER CAST OFF

Name (Age): Angie Layton (20)
Tribe Designation: Matsing
Current Residence: Provo, Utah
Occupation: Model/Student
Personal Claim to Fame: I’m Miss Utah Teen USA 2010  and 3rd runner-up Miss Teen USA 2010.
Inspiration in Life: My family. I’m the youngest of  five older brothers and one sister. They taught me how to be tough and have  thick skin, and to be proud of who you are, no matter what. 
Hobbies: All sports, working out, scrapbooking and  hanging with my peeps. 
Pet Peeves: Lazy people and slow  drivers.
Three Words to Describe You: Competitive, confident  and happy.
If You Could Have Three Things on The Island, What Would They Be and  Why? The only thing I would bring is my camera so I could take  pictures and scrapbook my journey.
SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Fabio -  because people underestimated him for a “dumb blonde” and he used that to his  advantage. At the end, he surprised everyone. I am the same way! 
Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: I want to win, meet some hotties  and prove to everyone that I can do it.
Why You Think You’ll “Survive” SURVIVOR: Because I  am mentally strong, and I have what it takes to survive the elements and  challenges. I’m also loyal and easy to get along with.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole SURVIVOR: I know  I can manipulate my way to the top! But, most importantly I am extremely  competitive and am driven to succeed. I’m not afraid of anything.


Caryl M. Stern President and CEO of UNICEF

During  interviews on Oct. 9, U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO, Caryl M. Stern can  share details about the contest and how parents and kids can help make a  difference in the lives of children across the globe this Halloween. Since its inception, the campaign has raised  more than $167 million. UNICEF is working toward the day when zero  children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy  childhood.  




KLARA BERGMAN & PRESIDENT TRUXTON'S BISTRO 

Truxton’s American Bistro has introduced a new type of dining experience  serving a wide variety of classic and ethnic American dishes with a twist, at  everyday prices. Our experience is for people who love food and a great place to  enjoy it. The first Truxton’s American Bistro location opened in Westchester in 2006,  and has been built into the area’s premier casual full service restaurant,  providing social and corporate catering services throughout Los Angeles. Our Founders, John Kaufman and Tim Foley, set out to develop the premier  casual full service restaurant celebrating American cuisine, while defining what  is an American Bistro – similar to how PF Chang’s defined the Chinese Bistro.  Their vision came to reality thanks to successes in previous  executive/management positions with California Pizza Kitchen, Houston’s, Koo Koo  Roo, Rosti, and more, plus a collection of family recipes and great space ready  for loving development on Truxton Avenue, near LAX Airport. John and Tim attribute a great deal of our success to Truxton’s experienced  management team: Executive Chef Greg Schroeppel, Kitchen Manager and Chef  Gerardo Zavala, our General Manager Shevaun Fritzius, and our catering  management team led by Kristina Miramon and Teri Kinne. This passion for an  American Bistro cuisine experience has fueled expansion plans which are  underway.