What's Cookin' Today on CRN

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2/24 Chef Tyler Florence, Napa's Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & BBQ, Scot De Lorme from PRE, Buco di Beppo Visits CRN!

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Chef Tyler Florence Offers Tips on How to Spice Up Mealtime in a Flash!

Who has time to go though chef school? And even more time to actually master the art of gourmet cooking? But what if there were ways to prepare all-natural, gourmet meals that even the busiest at-home cooks can make? Chef and TV host Tyler Florence is teaming up with Alexia Foods to provide us with delicious, easy-to-prepare dinner ideas by adding unique touches to everyday dishes. He’ll also share how we can have the chance to “Reinvent a Classic” through an online vote.

ABOUT TYLER FLORENCE: Tyler Florence is a chef and TV host who is regarded as one of America's most important culinary voices. He has starred in television programs including “How to Boil Water,” “Food 911,” “Tyler's Ultimate” and has hosted numerous other Food Network shows and specials. He is also a regular guest on CNN, NBC’s “TODAY Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The View,” “The Tonight Show” and “Oprah.”

We're Taking a Trip To Beautiful Napa Where William Wright, General Manager & Executive Chef of the Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ Tells Us About their Wines!

The Bounty Hunter offers 40 wines by the glass, 400 by the bottle, they are a retail wine shop, wine tasting bar, BBQ restaurant and a retail wine catalog that ships wines to all 50 states, all under one roof! Some of their cool featured items on the wine menu are the "Brown Bag Special" and the "Big Daddy Cabernet" on the food side their "Beer Can Chicken" and "Pulled Pork" are number one! They received "Best Wine Bar in the Bay Area" from SFGATE.com and the SF Chronicle the last two years running which they are very proud of!

William Wright grew up in a big Italian family in Tiburon, California, "The Mantegani's" so he was always in the kitchen at every family event learning! He credits his grandparents with all his culinary passion and sense of hospitality.

After College he started working for Citibank & Salomon Smith Barney as a Personal Investment Banker and after 3 years of putting on a suit and tie and sitting in front of a computer he figured it was time to call it quits! He enrolled in the California Culinary Academy shortly after and Graduated in 2003 with honors, while attending CCA he did externships with both the French Laundry and Julia's Kitchen in the now defunct Copia. Upon graduation he took a position with the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn as Sous Chef for their fine dining restaurant Santé, and after 2 years he got the opportunity to travel to Hawaii to help Fairmont open several different restaurant outlets at their new Orchid property on the big island.

He returned to the states and was offered a position at the beautiful Wente Vineyards Restaurant as Executive Sous Chef, who could ask for a more beautiful place to work? He put in almost three years at Wente before the daily commute and the restructuring of the management team lead him to pursue another position with...drum roll please...Bounty Hunter Rare Wine and Provisions, and there he is, today! William started out as the sous chef for Bounty Hunter's new wine bar and bistro at the time, then was promoted to Executive chef about a year later. They must have the smallest kitchen in the Napa Valley, if not it's definitely in the top five, so they had to use a grill and two Kamado smokers that they had out back in order to cook food, which is why they chose BBQ as their cuisine of choice. William always loved to grill, but while at Bounty Hunter he has been able to perfect his craft.

William's favorite BBQ item on the menu still has to be the Pulled Pork which he claims to have eaten his weight worth, but it's all good! People from all over the country come in to the Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ and ask him what type of BBQ we do, is it North Carolina, Texas, Memphis style...the list goes on, William always tell them it's California Wine Country BBQ, these people take BBQ seriously almost like a religion so you can imagine their surprise when they find out a kid from California can cook up some mean BBQ!

For more info about The Bounty Hunter, go to their website at www.bountyhunterwinebar.com!

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO:

A Healthy Life Begins with Probiotics and Scot De Lorme, Founder of PRE, Tells Us How to Make Pre- & Probiotics A Part Of Our Healthy Daily Routine with PRE's Delicious and Healthy Probiotic Enhancement Products!

Scot will outline the benefits of pre- and probiotics as part of a healthy daily routine and will answer questions, like:

What are pre- and probiotics?
How are they different from one another?
How do pre- and probiotics promote a healthy digestive system?
How is digestive health linked to overall wellness?
What are the benefits of including probiotics in your daily routine?
How do Inulin and Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) work to promote healthy bacteria in the digestive tract?
What is the difference between Inulin and other forms of fiber on the market?
Where can I find PRE?
What do you do to live a PREactive lifestyle?

PRE Synbiotic Drink Mixes, through their proprietary blend of prebotics and probiotics from world-renowned Jarrow Formulas, promote, restore and enhance optimal digestive balance by introducing new beneficial bacteria into the digestive tract which in turn supports immune functions.

Each .25 oz. packet of PRE Synbiotic Drink Mix has 20 calories per serving and is designed to be added to water or a favorite cold beverage for ultimate convenience. Increasingly scientists are learning that a healthy GI tract is crucial to overall well being. From breaking down food to provide nutrients for the body, to preventing harmful substances from becoming absorbed, the GI tract can be responsible for respiratory infections, high blood pressure as well as the bout of occasional constipation or diarrhea. Bacteria, both good and bad, are already present in the digestive tract and as the good bacteria increase so does the resistance to harmful bacteria causing a boost in the immune systems. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the digestive tract, where PRE Beverages work to create balance and a healthy digestive environment.

PRE Beverage Company Located in Tustin, California, PRE Beverage Company (www.preusa.com) produces a delicious line of probiotic enhancement products made with Jarrow Formulas’ prebiotic health blend, including two ready-to-drink lines, the USDA Certified Organic PRE Probiotic Enhancer (Passion Orange Guava, Pomegranate Blueberry, and Acai Acerola), 10 Calorie PRE Probiotic Enhancer made with Stevia (Pomegranate White Tea, Pomegranate Blueberry, Peach Mango, and Pomegranate Yumberry).

In addition to the mouthwatering ready to drink line, PRE produces a convenient Synbiotic Drink Mix PRE To Go to provide health benefits, great taste, and a boost for the body’s internal defenses (Acai Acerola, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pomegranate Yumberry, and Passion Orange Guava). PRE’s products are available in Albertsons, Whole Foods, Henry’s Marketplace, Bristol Farms, Mother’s Market, and Ralphs, throughout Southern California.

The PRE Beverage Company is committed to community involvement, social and environmental betterment. PRE has a dynamic School Booster Program to support athletics, health, and wellness in partnership with their retailers and is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet. 1% for the Planet is a global movement of like-minded companies that donate 1% of their sales to environmental organizations around the world.

During the lead-up to last weekend’s 68th Annual Golden Globe Award Show, Hollywood celebrities discovered a natural way to Promote.Restore.Enhance. their bodies and overall health with PRE Synbiotic Drink Mixes!

PRE Beverages was on-hand to share samples of the first Prebiotic Beverage offering consumers a healthy beverage alternative to support digestive and immune system health in the convenience of PRE Enhanced Powdered Synbiotic Drink Mix.

Go to www.preusa.com for more information on PRE products!

Jason Farned, Paisano Partner & Juan Borjas, Chef of Universal City's Buca di Beppo Stop By the CRN Studios To Give Us a TASTE of Buco di Beppo Cuisine! Yum!

Items We're Tasting: Bruschetta, Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Lasagna Chicken Carbonara, Chicken Parmigiana, Prosciutto Stuffed chicken, Tiramisu, Cheese cake!

Are you hungry, yet??

Buca di Beppo® is an authentic Italian restaurant that offers flavorful Italian dining. Dine with family and friends while enjoying the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. In the spirit of Italian culture, their dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared.

The first Buca di Beppo opened its doors in 1993 in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building. They've since grown to 87 locations nationwide. Dishes enjoyed for generations in villages throughout Italy inspire their menu, giving Buca its authentic Italian fare. They continue to innovate and create recipes beyond their traditional style by adding new menu items inspired by Northern and Southern Italian cuisine.

In September 2008 Buca, Inc. was acquired by Planet Hollywood International Inc. For more information about Planet Hollywood please visit www.PlanetHollywoodIntl.com.

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

2/23 Larry Lipson, Amy Bruni, Oscar SWAG

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Larry Lipson Gives Us The Puerto Rico Report

Larry will tell us what's the latest in food & wine in Puerto Rico!

What's everyone drinking, Larry?

What are some wines to watch for - new stuff?

What are we missing? Tell us all the good stuff about Puerto Rico! The weather, the beautiful people!

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO

Ghost-Hunter Amy Bruni Tells Us About The Spooky Hauntings of Her SyFi Show!

Amy Bruni is a good example of what happens when a hobby turns into a passion, which in turn becomes a way of life. Like many in the paranormal field, Amy grew up in a very haunted house. Yet, unlike most in that situation, Amy's family embraced it. Her father was an amateur paranormal investigator and routinely, he and Amy would investigate haunted sites. Understandably, at a young age, she was reading and absorbing everything

paranormal related she could –- and as she grew to adulthood, that didn't change.

Amy initially began investigating with a local paranormal team in Sacramento, California. As soon as she stepped foot in the field professionally, her pursuits took off. Her lifetime of supernatural knowledge drew the attention of Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson of The Atlantic Paranormal Society and the Syfy show, "Ghost Hunters." She now produces their syndicated weekly radio broadcast, "Beyond Reality Radio" and is a member of the TAPS team. In her quest to spread knowledge of the paranormal nationwide, Amy started organizing paranormal conferences, and again with Hawes and Wilson, started the company, Beyond Reality Events.

More recently, Bruni has been using her connections in the field to conduct important research on the nature of group dynamics in the paranormal, and she's begun lecturing on ghosts and the supernatural. Her goal is to work across the paranormal community with the hope that serious field research can occur and can be shared within the community.

What's SWAG? SWAG is the "Stuff We All Get" and We're Talking With Lash Fary, the Guy Who Started it All - The Sultan of Swag!

The Sultan of Swag, Lash Fary will be going over what's in the "Everyone Wins at the Oscars" gift bag that goes to all the non-winning nominee's in the major categories. Last year's bag was worth well over 80K. You read that right. EIGHTY K, BAYBEE.

When the final winner has made their speech…when Anne and James have said their goodnights….when the parties have finally come to an end….that’s when the real fun begins. It’s time to tally up the swag! The winners may walk away with an Oscar but nominees will receive the next best thing: the Everyone Wins at the Oscars Gift Bag! Lash Fary, the founder of Distinctive Assets, has worked with a veritable “who’s who” of Hollywood and his company has set new standards for "giving and receiving."

Known as a go-to Hollywood insider, Lash will give us a sneak peek of the nominee gift bag his company is putting together for the biggest night in Hollywood!

Lash Fary: Founder and CEO of Distinctive Assets, a company that is credited for beginning the marketing craze of over-the-top celebrity swag. His resume of events includes the GRAMMY Awards, the Tony Awards, the People's Choice Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the MTV Movie Awards and the Kids' Choice Awards. He is a frequent “expert guest” on fashion and gifting for Extra, E! and CNN and is quoted regularly in publications such as USA Today, Variety, Los Angeles Times and Entertainment Weekly.

2/22 Tim DeKay, Oscars Fashion, Hannah Nicole Vineyards, Napa Valley Grille, Oregon Wine Report

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Tim DeKay Tells Us About His Role on USA's White Collar!

Tim DeKay stars as Peter Burke in USA Network’s original series WHITE COLLAR with all-new episodes from season two to premiere on Tuesday, January 18 at its new time, 10/9.

DeKay has vast experience on stage, television and in feature films. He starred on HBO as a series regular in both the award winning series “Carnivále” and “Tell Me You Love Me” for multiple seasons.

DeKay’s recent feature work includes “Get Smart,” “The Chumscrubber,” HBO’s “Walkout,” “Peaceful Warrior” and “Control,” in which he starred opposite Ray Liotta and Willem Dafoe. He was also seen in the independent feature “Welcome to the Neighborhood” and the critically-acclaimed “Big Eden.” DeKay’s other feature work includes “Swordfish” and “If These Walls Could Talk,” among others.

DeKay is well known for his extensive theater resume. He was seen on Broadway in “The Show-Off,” off-Broadway in “Billy Budd” at Circle in the Square, and in the National Tour of “The Lion in Winter.” His regional theatre work includes “Burning Blue” at The Court Theatre in L.A. (receiving an LA Weekly nomination for Best Actor), “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Star Fever” at the Deven Center (where he is a company member), “The Merchant of Venice” at Hartford stage, and he has performed at the Cleveland Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Penguin Repertory, Indiana Repertory, Levin Theatre and Pasadena Shakespeare, among many others.

DeKay’s other television credits include recurring roles on “Brothers & Sisters,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Everwood,” “Party of Five” and “Seinfeld” as the classic Bizarro Jerry. His numerous guest-star appearances include roles on “CSI,” “Without A Trace” and “Friends.”

DeKay can also be occasionally heard on NPR performing in both classical and new plays for L.A. TheatreWorks and he is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. His education includes a B.S. from Le Moyne College and an MFA in Acting from Rutgers University where he met his wife, actress Elisa Taylor. They currently reside in Los Angeles with their two children.

Cristian Mejia Branding and Merchandise Development of LA's Mademoiselle Boutique Talks About Fashion at the Oscars!

Mademoiselle is a style conscious and trend-savvy boutique. A haven for shoppers looking for a source of the sexiest, trendiest and hottest fashions at the greatest value.

About Cristian:

Then and Now: He was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He currently live within walking distance of his store in Old Town San Fernando with his Australian Shepherd, Violet.

Profession: Branding and Merchandise Development for Mademoiselle Boutique

Bona Fides: Studied Architecture @ John F. Kennedy Architecture Magnet in high school; dropped out of UCLA to pursue his love for fashion; slaved as a styling assistant, personal shopper, personal stylist and image consultant for 7 years; opened his dream boutique, Mademoiselle, in September of 2010. There's nothing like paying your dues!

A Few Favorite Things: Vintage T-shirts and his collection of fedoras

Off Duty: Hiking, travel, eating and shopping! He's a proper consumer!

Upcoming: Planning a fashion show sponsored by Mademoiselle to benefit the Wildlife Waystation, with real life wild animals present!

What's Cookin' Hour TWO:

We're Visiting Contra Costa County Where Neil Cohn Gives Us A Tour of Hannah Nicole Vineyards!

Neil and Glenda Cohn started with 10 acres of land and countless hours spent working in the garage on weekends. From there, our passion quickly grew into a mission of creating boutique, handcrafted wines for more than just family and friends.

Purchasing 80 acres of prime land on Balfour Road in Brentwood, they watched the dream of Hannah Nicole Vineyards unfold. At first, they planted Bordeaux varietals. Then they added Rhone varietals. From these varietals, we now produce more than 15 wines. Their flagship Viognier and Meritage demonstrate the sophistication and distinction that are uniquely characteristic of wines from Contra Costa County.

As their vineyards continue to expand, their wine will soon enjoy the mark of being 100 percent estate grown. Their vineyards currently include 41 acres of red Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec), six acres of white Bordeaux varietals (Sauvignon Blanc), 15 acres of red Rhone varietals (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mouvedre and Grenache), six acres of white Rhone varietals (Viognier) and five acres of Italian varietals (Zinfandel). Their red vintages are pruned and thinned to produce between three and five tons of fruit per acre, enhancing the flavor and intensity of their wines. Their white varietals, which are produced from their Estate grown Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, are pruned to produce four to six tons of fruit per acre. They also utilize multiple clones of certain varietals to provide more depth of flavor and characteristics that are unique to each.

Since farming is all about timing, they make every effort to stay one step ahead of Mother Nature. Using technological innovations such as water sensors helps them monitor the moisture content of the soil – a requirement that is necessary when practicing Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI). A key process that allows the grapes to be kept in a constant state of moderate water stress, RDI enhances their varietal flavors.

For more info on this winery, visit their website at http://www.hnvwines.com

Chef Joseph Gillard Gives Us A Tour of the Napa Valley Grille in Westwood Village!

Wine country meets Hollywood at Napa Valley Grille in Westwood Village. Local, seasonal ingredients and a vast array of wines are served in a rustic, yet refined setting suitable for a pre-theater dinner for two, or a business lunch with top celebrity clients.

The wine country warmth in the main dining room is illuminated by the earth-toned hues, wooden harvest table, farm-fresh floral displays, wine artifact pieces, rustic lighting fixtures and an exhibition kitchen.

Before the Food Network and celebrity chefs, Joseph Gillard found inspiration from the earlier days of cooking television. At the age of five, he was mesmerized by Julia Child, declaring to his mother that he would one day become a chef. The budding culinary enthusiast was only ten when he read his first cookbook, Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, from cover to cover.

Gillard was raised in Freemont, Mich. on a 40-acre homestead where his mother, a single parent, raised goats, chickens, rabbits, pigs, pheasants and cows. The family’s large vegetable garden and market stand where they sold their goods provided sustenance and income for the family, making a lasting impression on Gillard as to the integrity and beauty of local and seasonal food products.

His transition into a serious culinary career came in 1987 when he joined the kitchen staff of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich. His next job was Executive Sous Chef at Egypt Valley Country Club, also in Grand Rapids, coordinating daily dining services for up to 1000 guests. Intrigued by the city’s culinary culture, Gillard moved to Los Angeles in 1993 and secured a job at Joachim Splichal’s Pinot Bistro in Studio City.

Over the next eight years, Gillard served as an integral part of the Patina Group kitchen. During his tenure with the Patina Group, Gillard played a significant role among the participating chefs for several Emmy and Grammy dinner galas.

In 2001, Gillard moved to Boca Raton to open his own catering company, but California beckoned, and thus he returned to Los Angeles in 2002 to become Executive Chef at Mirabelle on the Sunset Strip.

Gillard joined Napa Valley Grille in 2007 as Executive Chef. With his upbringing on the farm and strong relationships with California farmers, his culinary signature is a perfect fit for the wine country cuisine of Napa Valley Grille. Gillard, a Sherman Oaks resident, regularly contributes his time to several Los Angeles fundraisers, including Meals on Wheels, the Los Angeles Opera Wine Auction and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Andrew Apodaca Gives Us the Oregon Wine Report and Tells Us About the Pyranees Winery Gold Medal Chardonnay!

Apodaca family’s commitment to the superb quality of their wines is evident in its excellent quality and distinction. Pyrenees Vineyard and Winery pulls many of its influences from the Basque country of northern Spain where the Apodaca’s Heritage was originated. Pyrenees Vineyard and Cellars brings to you their many varietals of wines from the finest Oregon grapes influenced by the textures of the rich soil, the abundant vegetation and mild climate of the Umpqua Valley.

Pyrenees Vineyard and Cellars sets along the South Umpqua River surrounded by 30 acres of lush grapes and rolling hillside. You will find sitting out on the vineyard’s deck overlooking the river extraordinary, while you take pleasure in one of our indescribable wines. Come walk through our long rows of beautifully intertwined grape vines and smell the aromas in the earth and wind that you find as welcoming on your palate as you take each sip of our Vino.At Pyrenees Vineyard and Cellars we have a wonderful group of people who will welcome you as old friends and take you through our majestic wine selection. A place where relationships are created that last life times and memories will be made that last through-out countless generations!

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Monday, February 21, 2011

2/21 Primator Beer, Grilled Cheese Truck & Benovia Winery

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Christopher Uhde Stops By To Talk About Primator Beer!

The rights for beer brewing were given to the town of Náchod many centuries ago. The times when beer was brewed in burgess houses were finished by the decision to built the town's brewery. This decision was adopted at meeting of the town representatives on June 30th, 1871. The construction of the brewery was started immediately the following year and just two years later the citizens of Náchod tasted the beer from the first production. The popularity of beer of Náchod was continuously growing, therefore in the years 1925 till 1930 the brewery was enlarged. A new brewhouse was built and 7 year later the first beer brewed there was bottled.

Recently an extensive reconstruction was made in the brewery and now with its technology it ranks among the most up-to-date breweries in the country. The brewhouse has been reconstructed, new lager storage cellars and storage halls have been built. A new top filling line for the bottled beer and cask beer has been installed in the new production hall. The recent equipment enables to produce beer using classic technology proved by centuries, so characteristic for Czech beer. Therefore beer meets high international quality requirements and also keeps its characteristic taste.

Primátor beer is produced from the Czech first-quality raw materials using the technology of bottom fermentation; the malt is from South Moravia, the hops come from Žatec region and top-quality water is from natural preserve of Adršpach -Teplice Rocks - Protected Landscape Area Broumovsko. The beer is of full and relish taste without any secondary taste, it leaves a feeling of pleasant on tongue, slowly disappearing bitterness without any rough and astringent touch. An advantage of Primátor is its long durability and long-lasting visual quality and unchanging taste.

PRIMÁTOR brand keeps its top quality continuously for a long time. Not only a number of medals and prizes gained on various prestigious fairs, exhibitions and competitions (in the Czech Republic and also abroad), but also the fact that the brewery exports a part of its production abroad to the customers in Great Britain, Hong Kong, Germany, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy is an evidence of a very good tradition of Náchod´s brewery.

We're Tasting the Cheesier Side of Los Angeles with Michele Grant From The Grilled Cheese Truck!

Inspiration happens when you least expect it! What started as a fun, weekend activity to enter the Cheesy Mac and Rib Melt into LA's 7th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational quickly became the idea behind The Grilled Cheese Truck. After seeing the masses of grilled cheese fanatics gathered to pay homage to their favorite childhood (and adult!) comfort food, Dave Danhi & Michele Grant realized that this world needed more grilled cheese sandwiches brought to the streets. Not just the classic bread, butter and cheese, but amazing creations that are constructed with the best ingredients, local produce and made with nothing but love.

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO:

Let's Take a Ride Down The Russian River Valley to Beautiful Benovia Winery with Winemaker Mike Sullivan!

Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson never met, yet they raised their children with similar old-fashioned values. Hard work brings its own rewards, they would say. Be the best at what you do. Surround yourself with good people, and let them get to work. And never, ever produce anything that wouldn't make you proud. With such similar family backgrounds, it's no wonder Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane would eventually find each other and marry. Together, they began a journey that led them to found a winery that would make them, and their fathers, proud--proud enough that their label pays homage to the two men, Benovia. Their journey also inspired them to assemble the best possible team of respected winemaking veterans. They recruited Bob Mosby as general manager and found the perfect partner in Mike Sullivan, one of northern California's top winemakers, and someone who shares their passions. With Mike as co-owner and responsible for the wine making, they recruited Daniel Roberts as winegrower and viticulturalist, and Tucker Catlin as vineyard development director. Then they brought on Tina Alves as operations manager, Chris Kangas as vineyards manager, and Nick Finarelli as Enologist to bring even more depth to the winery's operations. They are good people, and together they make an even better team: a team of accomplished professionals with more than 150 years of collective experience producing some of California's best wines. "At Benovia, our team is an extension of an extraordinary family," says Joe, "a family that eats, drinks, and breathes a lifelong passion for wine." That passion led to the purchase of the renowned Cohn Vineyard atop a mountain near Healdsburg, where the couple lives, and led to a new winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The journey will continue with an exciting new Pinot Noir vineyard near Freestone, and the Martaella ranch (named after Joe and Mary's mothers), surrounding the winery itself.

Joe and Mary have invested in all the right things to make Benovia flourish-vineyards with unique terroir and a well equipped winery. But their most important investment is people.

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Friday, February 18, 2011

2/18 Brooklyn Winery, Miceli's, Gourmet Tamale Factory, Sonoma County Wines

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Meet Brian Leventhal and Connor McCormack from Brooklyn Winery. Yes, THAT Brooklyn. Brooklyn, NY! A Winery! We'll Learn Their Story and Hear All About Their Wines!

For the past three years John Stires and Brian Leventhal worked for the social media company ExpoTV.com. During that time they made wine with co-workers and friends at a place called Make Wine with Us in New Jersey.

They loved the winemaking experience, but because they didn’t have cars it was a hassle to trek to New Jersey. We really wanted a place to make wine in New York City, but there weren’t any viable options. So they left their jobs and decided to start a winemaking center themselves. After countless calls, meetings, hours of research, and interviews they hit their stride and are now bringing Brooklyn its first winemaking center, opening in Fall 2010.Their goal is to provide a unique, entertaining, and educational winemaking experience in a welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re a vinophile with an experienced palate or you’re completely new to wine, they provide you with a fun and friendly venue to enjoy the beauty and complexities of wine.

So, you think you gonna make some win in Brooklyn? Yeah? Well go to this website and check it OUT! www.bkwinery.com

Joe Miceli Gives Us a Tour off Hollywood's Very First Pizza House, Miceli's!

Miceli's was established in 1949, when Carmen and Sylvia Miceli gathered together their meager funds and, joined by sisters Angie and Millie and brothers Tony and Sammie, opened Miceli's Pizzaria -- Hollywood's first pizza house.

Using family recipes brought from Sicily via Old Chicago, the Miceli's had people lined up and down the block, savoring their opportunity to feast with the Miceli family.

Throughout the years, Miceli's in Hollywood and its sister location in Universal City, have drawn dignitaries and celebrities galore. People from JFK and Richard Nixon and the Beatles to today's stars like Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, and Julia Roberts. What brings people back, besides the terrific food, is the unique atmosphere and super-friendly service, not to mention the live entertainment.

An evening at Miceli's is more than a night out, it is a celebration of life!

Want to be crooned and wooed during dinner? Visit their website at micelisrestaurant.com

What's Cookin' Today, Hour TWO:

Tamale, Tamale, Tamale's Today, Live in the CRN Studios, Hot Tamales from the Gourmet Tamale Factory!

The Gourmet Tamale Factory in San Fernando, California makes and sells fresh, hand wrapped original tamales, chile relleno, and rice and beans. Everything on their menu is made fresh daily—you can watch them wrap the tamales in person! Best of all,they use original recipes, and use fresh cornhusks instead of dry cornhusks. Each of their tamales is from 8 to 10 ounces, and is stuffed full with meat or veggies. They make about 1500 tamales a day and 8,000 a day during the Christmas season—come and enjoy them for yourself! This family business is locally owned and operated by a husband and wife team, with more than 12 years of combined experience. Although only open since August 2005, they have already gained the reputation of making the best tamales north of the border.

Want one for yourself? check out their website at www.thegourmettamalefactory.com

What's the Latest in Sonoma County? Honore Comfort Will Tell Us! She's the Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners and CRN's Field Expert for Everything Sonoma!

Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to increasing awareness and improving the quality image of its wines to consumers, media, and trade locally and globally. With almost 65,000 vineyard acres planted among the county’s 13 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), Sonoma County is considered one of the world’s premier winegrowing regions, producing an unparalleled range of varietals and wine styles. SCV has promoted this diversity and quality since 1944, and currently represents more than 165 member wineries and 25 Affiliate Members.

For more information on the wines and wineries of Sonoma County, visit www.sonomawine.com.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

2/17 Angie Harmon, Ashlee Smith, Laila Ali, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Angie Harmon Says "Eat Your Veggies!"

Motion picture and television actress and fashion model Angie Harmon~who currently stars as Detective Jane Rizzoli on the hit show "Rizzoli & Isles” and who became a household name for her roles on such popular show "Law & Order”, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”, and “Baywatch!” Angie also knows first-hand that it can be a dinnertime struggle to convince picky eaters to touch the vegetables on their plates. And Angie is not alone.

Updated nutrition guidelines, jointly announced by the United States’ Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services and the introduction of public and private programs such as the Hunger-Free Kids Act, are keeping the issue top of mind for mothers throughout the nation. Hot on the heels of these announcements, Angie wants to instill important lessons about good nutrition, foster an appreciation for vegetables, and help children develop a life-long love of veggies through the Love Your Veggies campaign which will send schools and families on a Great Veggie Adventure in search of a new vegetable that will inspire excitement in healthy eating. Angie kicked off the campaign by joining elementary school children and their mothers at an afternoon event where they made a unusual vegetables that are now part of the Great Veggie Adventure. And Angie will not only tell us about about these new veggies, but also share recipes, unique tips, activity suggestions, and tools designed to make learning to love vegetables an exciting everyday escapade.

2010 Huggable Hero, 11-Year-Old, Ashlee Smith, Founder of Ashlee’s Toy Closet, Dedicated to Helping Children After Disasters

Ashlee’s Story: When a house fire ravaged her family's home at age six, Ashlee Smith lost everything. Two years later, as her firefighter dad battled a major blaze, Ashlee thought of the children. "I want to help kids," she told her mom, "and the most important thing to kids is their toys." Since then, Ashlee has started her own non-profit organization called, “Ashlee’s Toy Closet,” created a website (www.ashleestoycloset.org) and collected and handed out 165,000 toys and books to youngsters whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fires, floods and other natural or man-made disasters in the U.S. and around the world. She works tirelessly conducting toy drives, recruiting volunteers, soliciting donations, promoting her efforts and coming up with new ways to help put smiles on kid’s faces after disaster strikes. “The more children help, the better the world will be. Every person can make a difference.” Ashlee is a 2010 Huggable Hero.

The eighth annual search for Huggable Heroes (young people, ages 8-18 who are making a difference in their communities and around the world) is on! Anyone -- parents, teachers, friends, kids themselves -- can nominate a candidate now through Feb. 28. Ten winners will receive $10,000 ($7,500 educational scholarship and $2,500 charity donation), plus a trip to St. Louis to be recognized. They also will be featured in the Build-A-Bear Workshop 2012 Huggable Heroes calendar. Nomination forms are available at your local Build-A-Bear Workshop store or online at http://www.lovehugssmiles.com/HuggableHeroes.aspx.

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO:

Professional Athlete, “Dancing With The Stars” Alum And Expecting Mom Laila Ali Helps Parents Keep Up With Their Little Speedsters!

Between the sleepless nights, spit-up and countless diaper changes, new parents quickly realize that chasing after their little speedsters is no easy feat! Professional athlete and star of ABC’s hit show, Dancing with the Stars, Laila Ali is helping moms everywhere keep up, stride for stride, with their Little Mover. Laila is offering exclusive tips – from squeezing in daily fitness routines to finding little ways to reward yourself regularly – to help parents enjoy the unpredictable, but amazing ride called “parenthood.” Some of the tips Laila can discuss include:

Keep Moving! Don’t have time for the gym? Don’t worry about it! Whether it means walking to the nearest grocer or parking in the rear of the parking lot, Laila will help mothers find ways to incorporate aerobic activity into the everyday routine.

Your Perfect Fitness Partner? Can’t find a partner to take a walk around the block? Sometimes your little buddy is also the perfect workout buddy. Whether you’re strolling to the park or around the neighborhood, Laila will explain how putting away the stroller can be your best work out yet.

UnHappy Meals: Are constantly moving kids keeping you away from the kitchen and stuck in the drive through? Laila will share tips with new mothers on how to spend time with little ones and still find time to prepare healthy meals.

Surround Yourself with Support: Feeling disconnected? From sharing parenting advice to all those special “firsts” in your baby’s life, Laila explains the importance of connecting with other parents and surrounding yourself with needed support.

Reward Yourself: Think parents only deserve rewards on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Think again. Laila will explain to listeners how they could have a chance to win great prizes such as Starbucks gift cards, iPods and more. Laila Ali is the founder of her own company and an athlete and champion of health and fitness. The youngest daughter of Veronica Porsche Anderson, and of the legendary Muhammad Ali, she is a strong, intelligent, woman, daughter, and wife. Laila is currently the President of the Women’s Sports Foundation, an organization founded to promote sports, health and education among girls and women. Laila also authored a motivational book titled Reach! And she recently launched her consumer products brand with her own line of beauty and personal care products, “Laila by Laila Ali”. Laila currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, former NFL star, Curtis Conway, and their son, Curtis Jr. They are expecting their second child, a daughter to be named Sydney, in April 2011.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto Talk About NBC's Upcoming "Riverdance on Ice!"

Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland in the past decade including music, theatre and film, nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle that is Riverdance. Weaving Celtic mythology and Irish history through the beauty of traditional step-dancing and coupled with the power and presence of arena-rock, the original international phenomenon Riverdance debuted in February, 1995 at the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The production quickly took the world by storm selling-out five consecutive weeks in Dublin, becoming a hit in the U.S. with its first performance at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York and selling over 2.5 million copies of their Grammy Award-winning CD (certified Platinum in the U.S.) In 2000 the show additionally began performing on Broadway and to date has traveled over 500,000 miles. Riverdance has been seen live by over nineteen-million people throughout thirty-two countries and across four continents and has played to a world-wide television audience of over 1.75 billion. Prepare to be swept away by the sights and sounds of Riverdance as never before: on the ice and supported by a cast of Olympic, World and National champion figure skaters including Joannie Rochette, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto and Michael Weiss.

WHEN: Saturday, February 19, 2011

TIME: 4 to 6pm EST, 7 to 9pm PST WHERE: NBC CAST: 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist and 2009 World Silver Medalist Joannie Rochette, 2008 World Champion and 2006 Olympic Bronze Medalist Jeffrey Buttle, 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist and two-time World Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen, 2006 Olympic Silver Medalists and five-time U.S. Champions Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, 1996 World Champion and six-time U.S. National Champion Todd Eldredge, three-time U.S. Champion and two-time World Bronze Medalist Michael Weiss, eight-time National Champion (GBR) and three-time Winter Olympian Steven Cousins, ten-time Canadian Ice Dancing Champion Shae-Lynn Bourne, two-time U.S. Medalist Emily Hughes, 2010 U.S. Champions Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett, seven-time National Champions (GBR) Sinead & John Kerr.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

2/16 American Idol's Michael Orland, Redwood Hill Farm, Live Broadcast from Malibu Family Wines!

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

American Idol's Michael Orland Tells Us What it's REALLY Like Behind-The-Scenes on America Idol!

MICHAEL ORLAND (Musical Director / Pianist) is currently the Pianist, Arranger and Associate Musical Director for the hit FOX-TV series AMERICAN IDOL. Through this amazing opportunity, Michael has appeared on OPRAH, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, and THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW, and has collaborated with music industry giants such as Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, and Diane Warren, to mention just a few. He also served in the same capacity for the successful summer series AMERICAN JUNIORS and has Associate Produced two hit singles (GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. and WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE) for AMERICAN IDOL as well as the hit compilation CD from AMERICAN JUNIORS.

Michael began his impressive musical career in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts at the tender age of three, when he escorted each member of his family, one by one, to see “MARY POPPINS” and then sat down at the piano and played the songs by ear. Since this auspicious beginning, he has become one of the most acclaimed musical directors on the concert and nightclub scene.

In addition to playing and conducting for many celebrities including Lucie Arnaz, Kaye Ballard, Deborah Gibson, Shecky Greene, Jennifer Holliday, Lainie Kazan, Sally Kellerman, Gladys Knight, Barry Manilow, Chita Rivera, and the late Nell Carter and Wayland Flowers & Madame, Michael played for the hit shows “FORBIDDEN BROADWAY”, “RUTHLESS!”, and “WHEN PIGS FLY” in Los Angeles. He made his Hollywood Bowl debut accompanying the legendary MGM star Ann Miller.

Prior to AMERICAN IDOL, television appearances have included The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Leeza, The Maury Povich Show, and Geraldo. He also appeared on the hit sitcom “THE NANNY” performing an original song. Look for an upcoming appearance on the UPN sitcom “HALF & HALF” where Michael not only performs an original song, but also nails a line of dialogue with the perfect comic timing he has acquired from sitting through years of nightclub acts. An accomplished songwriter, his songs have been featured on several daytime soaps and primetime shows. On recordings, he can be heard on Debbie Gravitte’s “Alan Menken Album” and “MGM Album”; Rita McKenzie’s “Ethel Merman’s Broadway”, “Ruthless! The Musical”, and produced and arranged Roslyn Kind’s “Come What May”. Michael is currently working on a solo piano album due out soon.

Please visit Michael's web site - www.michaelorland.com - periodically for news updates and upcoming events.

We're Visiting Beautiful Sonoma County Where David Bice Tells Us What's New at Redwood Hill Farm!

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

In 1978, Jennifer assumed ownership of the farm with her late husband Steven Schack, expanding the business to produce a greater variety of goat milk products, and diversifying the dairy goat breeding program. Promoting the benefits of goat milk products and developing a genetics program of excellence has been a top priority and Jennifer’s work has positioned Redwood Hill Farm at the forefront of the goat dairy industry.

Today the herd is exhibited at major shows, holding National Champions in four of the five breeds. Redwood Hill Farm furnishes stock to dairy goat breeders across North and South America. Quality and sustainability have been the guiding principles as Redwood Hill Farm has grown over the years. They are honored that the Business Environmental Alliance of Sonoma County has awarded Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery the Best Practices Award in recognition of environmentally sound business practices and they are the first Certified Humane goat dairy.

For more info on the farm, check out their website at www.redwoodhill.com

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO:

Mike & Paul Take a Trip to Luscious Malibu Family Wines with Tami Sempler & Crew!

The rich, fascinating history of Saddlerock Ranch began more than three centuries ago when the vast expanse of land surrounding the Santa Monica Mountains was part of the original Spanish Land Grant. The area of more than 200,000 acres was a perfect site for sheep and cattle, and up until the 1930's, was known as El Malibu.

Local caves are filled with ancient pictographs painted by the Chumash Indians, dating back to the Portola Expedition of 1769. The beautiful pictographs of this culture have become very rare due to erosion and weathering, but some of the most well preserved examples remain on the ranch and have been studied by archeologists and photographed for books on the subject.

Today, the Semler Family owns Saddlerock Ranch. Ronnie and Lisa Semler, along with their nine children, have lived on the ranch for over twenty-seven years.

For more information on Malibu Family Wines, Check out their website at http://www.malibufamilywines.com/