Thursday, February 2, 2012

02/02 KFC, HERB MESA, "LOS ANGELES CLASSIC DESSERTS"

02/02 What's Cookin' Today

Author Grace Bauer Talks With Us About Her Newest Book “Los Angeles Classic Desserts”

Nothing says “celebrate” on any special occasion better than classic, yummy homemade desserts and “Los Angeles Classic Desserts” cookbook which contains over 40 dessert recipes from some of the most famous landmark restaurant in Los Angeles. The delicious and iconic recipes have been perfected for the home kitchen and the cookbook is perfect for anyone who loves to create classic desserts for family and friends, especially on occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. The recipes range in style from classic and traditional old-Hollywood to hip and trendy Los Angeles.

The full-color book includes beautiful photography illustrating the recipe and a bit of history of each restaurants represented in the book. “I was asked to write the “Los Angeles Classic Desserts” cookbook when I found a second career in the culinary world,” said author Grace Bauer. “I live in both my native New Orleans and in Los Angeles, and after graduating from culinary school in L.A., I was a recipe tester for another cookbook. Then the classic desserts book was suggested and I knew I could combine some of old-Hollywood standouts with some of the most hip and trendy present day restaurants and fabulous bakeries to create a book for home chefs, as well as bring a little Hollywood to everyone.” Restaurants represented in the book include classic favorites like: Chasen’s; The Polo Lounge; Chateau Marmont Hotel; Romanoff’s And new Hollywood favorites like: Water Grill; Patina; La Brea Bakery; Sweet Lady Jane’s Bakery.

Grace Bauer was trained at the California Culinary Academy's Le Cordon Bleu program and used her background as a New Orleans interior designer, her expertise in the kitchen and love of culinary history in Los Angeles in writing “Los Angeles Classic Desserts”. After Hurricane Katrina, she had many life-changing experiences including becoming a bi-coastal resident, now living in both her native New Orleans and Los Angeles. She incorporated the culture and diversity offered throughout L.A.’s many pastry kitchens and favorite restaurants when she produced the book


Herb Mesa, Celebrity Chef, Finalist on Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star And Fitness Expert Speaks With Us About Plans For National Heart Health Month

Herb Mesa is a restaurant-trained chef, and a self-taught healthy cuisine chef, as well as a certified personal trainer and fitness guru. As a first generation American of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents living in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Herb grew up on the flavors of the Caribbean. But with these richly intense flavors also came saturated fat, calorie-rich food in large portions. Starting his career in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher, Herb worked his way up to chef and, later, executive positions such as Director of Catering and Assistant General Manager at luxury hotels. Managing multi-million dollar budgets, menu planning and numerous staff, Herb excelled in every aspect of the culinary and hospitality industry, Herb eventually became a certified personal trainer and nutrition & wellness consultant and worked at a local family gym. He conquered food without sacrificing the flavors he loved by beginning a business for himself in 2003 called The Energy Chef, with which he taught individual clients, corporate groups and gym members how to make satisfying, nutritious dishes and incorporate exercise into their lives. Now works as a personal chef, restaurant consultant and personal trainer in Atlanta, specializing in preparing innovative and creative meals using distinctive culinary ideas for health-conscious individuals and families; dinner parties and events for celebrity and high-profile clients, and one-on-one fitness and lifestyle coaching. Most recently, Herb was featured as a finalist on the Food Network's premier reality cooking competition, The Next Food Network Star, where his excitement, enthusiasm and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, 79 million Americans suffer from vessel and heart diseases. To combat heart disease, Celebrity Chef Herb Mesa is partnering with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, encouraging Americans to “Set a Healthier Table.” The program asks Americans to pledge to set a healthier table as a simple way to manage their families’ cholesterol and protect overall heart health. For every pledge made at SetAHealthierTable.com, $1 will be donated to WomenHeart. One of Herb Mesa’s tips for lowering cholesterol is to choose foods containing plant sterols and incorporate them in every meal of the day. Plant sterols are found in certain cooking oils, fruits, vegetables and legumes and help with managing cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health.

RICK MAYNARD, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR KFC TALKS WITH US ABOUT HOW KFC IS PREPPING FOR THE SUPERBOWL

KFC has just completed a Superbowl promotion for this weekend's big game.
Rick has the results and all the details. Lots of chicken will be sold. It's the second
biggest food day for sales.


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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

02/01 Larry Lipson, Flemings Steak House, Celebrity Chef Richard Blais

02/01 What's Cookin' Today

Traveling Time! The Great Larry Lipson Tells Us About His Latest Finds


Reporting from Costa Rica, CRN's international wine correspondent Larry Lipson will tell us about his latest Wine finds, including wines UNDER $10!Larry always has something cooking up at the Lipson Institute of Advanced Wine Studies!
Larry forages all of Costa Rica for the absolute best wines. No region is spared from his intense search. No mountain or range or valley is safe from his reach. He leaves no grape unturned, this man of passion. Wine is his life. His love for wine is only paralleled with his love for his lovely partner in wine, Lillian Lipson.Be fully prepared for this master of vino as he shares his food and wine pairing techniques and experiences with you on this great day in America - and the world.


Richard Blais, winner of Top Chef (Season 4), Top Chef Masters and Top Chef: All Stars! And Now He's Talking With Us About Heart Health Month

Chef Blais (pronounced Blaze) is doing interviews on Wednesday, February 1, the first day of Heart Health Month. He is known for his innovative and personal take on classical cuisine. A science-lover, he likes to deconstruct foods and is into molecular gastronomy. He also ran the NYC marathon this fall! He’s very concerned with healthful cooking.


The Chef & Partner With Flemings Steak House, Mark Ogren, Talks With Us About Recent Additions To The Menus

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is the ultimate steakhouse destination for the wine lover: stylish, lively, contemporary, and affordable. Fleming’s was founded on the premise that a steakhouse can be sophisticated yet comfortable, and not overpriced. Fleming’s offers flavorful dishes such as daily-featured selections of seafood, fresh salads, and tasty appetizer selections. Excellence in food & wine, Fleming’s offers unparalleled atmosphere and service. Fleming’s offers the perfect backdrop for memorable times with family and friends: in the main dining area, on our patio, or in our private dining room. Fleming’s has 64 locations nationwide. Please visit FlemingsSteakhouse.com to find your nearest restaurant.


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Monday, January 30, 2012

01/31Naples Winter Wine Festival, "FRESH & EASY KOSHER COOKING"

01/ 31 What's Cookin' Today

BOB & JOAN CLIFFORD ARE 2012 CHAIRS FOR "THE NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL"

Naples Winter Wine Festival, a top wine and food charity event, has secured an extravagant lineup of cruise and yacht trips to be offered at its 12th annual auction on Jan. 28, in Naples, Fla. Festival patrons will have the chance to bid on exclusive excursions through Central America, Croatia, Northern Europe and Burgundy, by sailboat, yacht or cruise. All of the auction's proceeds benefit Naples Children & Education Foundation's mission of supporting charitable programs that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. "Every year people are drawn to Naples Winter Wine Festival for the opportunity to support an important cause, enjoy world-class wine and food, and bid on unique lots and experiences," said Joan Clifford, NCEF trustee and co-chair of the festival with her husband, Bob. "The yacht and cruise lots tend to generate enthusiastic bidding, with couples getting together ahead of the festival to plan their bidding strategies. And best of all, the money raised will have a direct impact on the quality of life for children in need."

GUEST #3 8:30 AM - Rebecca/Peter Work - OWNERS Ampelos Cellars and Vineyard

Distributes Kurt Russell wine. The Ampelos phlosophy "We believe in taking care of and respecting the environment and our vineyard needs to be in balance, therefore we are one of the first vineyards to be certified sustainability in practice, organic and bio dynamic, a milestone we are particularly proud of. One of the best things about being winemakers is our opportunity to meet and share our love for wine with others." We are driven by a deep love and passion for the art of viticulture. We are truly a small boutique winery producing about 3500 cases a year. Our focus is viognier, rosé of syrah, pinot noir, syrah and grenache. Ampelos is a Greek word meaning “vine Ampelos has been a family endeavor from the start. Initially “corporate folks”, we loved getting away to the Sta. Rita Hills on the weekends and dreamt of one day planting our own vineyard and making wines. A cancelled meeting in New York on the morning of September 11, 2001 helped us to realize that someday was today! We purchased 82 acres in 1999 not knowing that one day it would be part of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Our son, Don, came out to help get the vineyard underway and soon our dreams became reality. The first 15 acres were planted in 2001 and in 2005 we expanded with another 10 acres so today we have a total of 25 acres planted.

LEAH SCHAPIRA - "FRESH & EASY KOSHER COOKING" Fresh-Easy-Kosher

A recipe doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious, nor exclusive to certain kitchens. Such is the mantra of Leah Schapira, co-founder of the popular culinary website, www.CookKosher.com, and author of the new book, Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking: Ordinary Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals (Artscroll; November 2011). Inspiring everyone from traditional kosher cooks to everyday working women and moms, Leah shows how to use simple, fresh ingredients to create time-sensitive, tasty meals for all to enjoy. A busy wife and mother, Leah extends her recipes to a wide audience of people who don’t have much time to cook. She includes useful tips, minimal ingredients, and easy-to-follow steps. The book is organized into delicious chapters with sections containing time-saving tips such as menus, freezer-friendly meals and an index of food pairings for weeknight recipes. Her seasonal menus encourage home cooks to take advantage of market-fresh, simple ingredients for even easier recipe planning. “Food preparation shouldn’t be a point of tension,” Leah says. “This cookbook is all about easy, uncomplicated recipes for every day or for any occasion. I like to use ingredients from my pantry, adding new twists and improving on techniques.” Leah’s collection of culinary favorites transcends all food-lovers’ kitchens, non-Jewish and non-kosher alike. While certainly easing the challenges of strict kosher cooking, Leah’s recipes also provide options for even the pickiest of eaters. “You certainly don’t have to keep kosher to benefit from Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking,” she says. “But if you do happen to be a kosher cook, you’ll find a great deal of help — even relief — from all of the resources I provide in the book.” Recipes are divided into chapters covering Soups, Salads, Dips & Sauces, Sides, Brunch & Lunch, Main Dishes, Traditional, and, of course, Desserts. There is something for everyone in Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking.


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Friday, January 27, 2012

01/30 Neil Patrick Harris,Chef Fabio, Herb Mesa

01/30What's Cookin' Today

Herb Mesa, Celebrity Chef, Finalist on Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star And Fitness Expert Speaks With Us About Plans For National Heart Health Month

Herb Mesa is a restaurant-trained chef, and a self-taught healthy cuisine chef, as well as a certified personal trainer and fitness guru. As a first generation American of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents living in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Herb grew up on the flavors of the Caribbean. But with these richly intense flavors also came saturated fat, calorie-rich food in large portions. Starting his career in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher, Herb worked his way up to chef and, later, executive positions such as Director of Catering and Assistant General Manager at luxury hotels. Managing multi-million dollar budgets, menu planning and numerous staff, Herb excelled in every aspect of the culinary and hospitality industry, Herb eventually became a certified personal trainer and nutrition & wellness consultant and worked at a local family gym. He conquered food without sacrificing the flavors he loved by beginning a business for himself in 2003 called The Energy Chef, with which he taught individual clients, corporate groups and gym members how to make satisfying, nutritious dishes and incorporate exercise into their lives. Now works as a personal chef, restaurant consultant and personal trainer in Atlanta, specializing in preparing innovative and creative meals using distinctive culinary ideas for health-conscious individuals and families; dinner parties and events for celebrity and high-profile clients, and one-on-one fitness and lifestyle coaching.

Most recently, Herb was featured as a finalist on the Food Network's premier reality cooking competition, The Next Food Network Star, where his excitement, enthusiasm and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, 79 million Americans suffer from vessel and heart diseases. To combat heart disease, Celebrity Chef Herb Mesa is partnering with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, encouraging Americans to “Set a Healthier Table.” The program asks Americans to pledge to set a healthier table as a simple way to manage their families’ cholesterol and protect overall heart health. For every pledge made at SetAHealthierTable.com, $$1 will be donated to WomenHeart. One of Herb Mesa’s tips for lowering cholesterol is to choose foods containing plant sterols and incorporate them in every meal of the day. Plant sterols are found in certain cooking oils, fruits, vegetables and legumes and help with managing cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health.

CHEF FABIO VIVIANI JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MONTH

Italian chef Fabio Viviani was born on October 10, 1978 in Florence. After the need to help out the family and get a job presented itself at the young age of 12 Fabio applied to work in a bakery where first he was told he was too young and then later invited to work nights so that no one would know. In 1992 at age 14 Fabio began working at the very busy Il Pallaio, a casual Trattoria in Firenze, Italy with stellar, Italian comfort food and a 120 seat cover. An average night in the restaurant proved to be total mayhem as 700 to 800 guests came through each night. Fabio thrived in this high pressure environment and managed to become sous chef by age 16. Between training in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine at IPSSAR Saffi, working with culinary luminaries such as Simone Mugnaini, Alessandro Panzani and Saverio Carmagini, and managing and/or owning serveral restaurants and nightclubs in Italy Fabio found himself a young, well-respected business man in Italy but he was ready for a change. Fabio moved to Ventura County, California at the age of 27 and now works as the owner and executive chef of Cafe Firenze, a renowned Italian restaurant in Ventura Country and Osteria Firenze, a popular Los Angeles Italian eatery. Aside from working in his restaurants Fabio has many projects that he is passionate about– when he’s not busy promoting healthy eating for children, he is also an endorser of Italian mineral water producer San Pellegrino, Bialetti Cookwear, Bertolli Olive Oil, and Santa Margarita Winery. Fabio Viviani has published two successful cookbooks including the Cafe Firenze Cookbook and an e-book Did I Really Make Breakfast which made it onto multiple Amazon bestseller lists within weeks of release. Fabio is perhaps best known in America for appearing on season 5 of Bravo’s reality series Top Chef and earning a place among the final four contestants. Before he was eliminated from the competition, he was named Fan Favorite. Fabio returned to Bravo in 2010 to compete in their Top Chef All Stars edition.

Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, director, and magician... Seriously That's All That Needs to Be Said

Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold & Kumar series, and the title role in Joss Whedon's musical web series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. He hosted the 63rd Tony Awards on June 7, 2009 and the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 2009. On March 7, 2010, he made a surprise appearance at the 82nd Academy Awards, delivering the opening musical number. On August 21, 2010, he won two Emmy Awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony. On December 11, 2010, Harris hosted Spike's Video Game Awards, before hosting the 65th Tony Awards on June 12, 2011.

He was named as one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010. In September 2011, Harris was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
•On Monday, January, 30th, Neil Patrick Harris will be working with M&M’s to reveal the first public image of M&M’s Ms. Brown •The SWEET reveal will take place at noon PT in The Grove •Another sweet reveal will be hosted concurrently at M&M’S World in New York City •Fans can also follow the events live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mms. •Since January 24th, Ms. Brown has been hidden behind an oversized 20-foot package of M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies in both LA and NYC •Ms. Brown will officially be introduced to the world during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. About Ms. Brown •Ms. Brown has spent seven decades working behind the scenes as Chief Chocolate Officer to help make M&M’S the #1 chocolate brand in the world. •As fans seek to learn more about the companies behind the brands, Ms. Brown has chosen this moment in time to step outside of her executive office to remind the world that M&M’S is not your average milk chocolate.


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01/27 Hurley Restaurant, Honig Vineyards, Steve Evans Movie Guy

01/27 What's Cookin' Today

BOB HURLEY, EXECUTIVE CHEF & OWNER OF HURLEY'S RESTAURANT TALKS TO US ABOUT THEIR NEWEST EXPANSION TO THE MENU

Hurley's Restaurant & Bar is in the town of Yountville located in the heart of Napa Valley. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere where great food, wine and service come together. Executive Chef/owner, Bob Hurley combines fresh ingredients with a little Mediterranean flair to create a local California cuisine high in flavor. Wrought iron fencing encloses a large, heated patio for casual dining. Relax and enjoy a drink at the lively bar that is graced by warm mahogany and amber lighting. The Dining Room, highlighted by a stone fireplace, is a favorite among locals and winemakers. Bob Hurley has expanded his popular all-day menu to include late night dining . The menu can be enjoyed nightly from 9pm to midnight on the heated patio and also in the bar.

Stephanie Honig With Public Relations Of Honig Vineyard and Winery Talks To Us About A SPECIAL Charity Event On Feb4

Honig Vineyard & Winery is a small, family owned and operated winery located in Rutherford, the heart of the Napa Valley. We have been making wine since 1980 and focus exclusively on hand-crafted Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Our family is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the Napa Valley, through quality wines, sustainable farming practices and community involvement. Stephanie Honig was born in Havertown, Pennsylvania. When she was six years old, she moved with her family to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After graduating from high-school, Stephanie moved to Florida in 1994, where she attended Florida International University, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a raging passion for wine. Stephanie moved to Philadelphia and worked as a Sales Manager for Marriott Corporation, and in 2000, moved to New York to pursue a career in the wine industry. She worked as a Sales Manager for Clicquot, Inc., and then at Rudd Winery as the Eastern Regional Sales Manger. In 2005, she earned the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Higher Certificate and the WSET Diploma. She left Rudd Winery in 2006 to import her own wine brand from Argentina, while also teaching wine classes at the French Culinary Institute in New York and at Florida International University. In 2006, she moved to the Napa Valley and married Michael Honig. Stephanie works for the family winery teaching wine classes, developing international and national sales, and partnering with Michael in public relations. Stephanie also sits on the board for the American Cancer Society, coordinating a program for Spanish speakers called “Look Good, Feel Better”, and is active in raising funds for mental health research.

She is also the Vice President for an investment club in the Bay Area. She lives on the Honig property in Rutherford with her husband Michael, their daughters Sophia and Lola and son Sebastian, and their dogs Raisin and Kota.

Movie Guy Steve Evans Gives us the Movie Hits and Misses!


Steve Evans, the Movie Guy, is going to tell us what we need to run out and see and what we can avoid in the movie theaters, this week
So, grab your popcorn, folks! Get your movie news and reviews right here on the What's Cookin' Today show! Steve “The Movie Guy” will take a look at what’s hot at the box office and the new films being released this weekend.


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Thursday, January 26, 2012

01/26 Chef Danny Boome, PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE, Chef Fabio Viviano

01/26 What's Cookin' Today

Celebrity Chef Danny Boome of “Food Network’s” “Rescue Chef” And Also Correspondent For “The Chew’s” Talks To Us About How A Disability Doesn't Limit You In The Kitchen

Live from a kitchen set, Danny will demonstrate the challenges of cooking with arthritis by preparing an exclusive healthy breakfast recipe and discuss how he manages the condition. Provide viewers with practical tips and solutions to overcome arthritis pain. Showcase cutting-edge tools anyone can use to reduce their pain and keep enjoying the activities they love.

Danny is resident correspondent on the daytime lifestyle television series “The Chew”, providing viewers with the latest news in food from throughout the nation to around the world. In his own “Food Network” series “Rescue Chef”, everyday cooks experiencing personal culinary obstacles welcome Danny into their homes to save the day. Danny offers viewers creative solutions and a true understanding of the basics necessary for success in the kitchen. A former English professional ice hockey player, Danny is also an active sportsman.



MEAGAN CROSS Communications Manager For PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE Share With Us Their Newest Deals On Great Wine

The 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 16 – 18, is one of the most exciting weekends in Paso Robles Wine Country, and Sneak Peek Passes to the Saturday, Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction are only available until January 31. The Sneak Peek Pass offers a $10 discount on both ZIP and Zin Fan Del ticket levels, available for purchase on www.pasowine.com. This is the perfect opportunity for Zinfandel enthusiasts to grab this steal of a deal for a celebration of Paso’s most influential winegrape. In addition to offering the Sneak Peek Pass, Paso Robles Wine Country is also giving away the “Ultimate Zinfandel Festival Getaway” to one lucky winner. The getaway includes: Two (2) ZIP tickets to the Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction; hotel accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Paso Robles, sponsored by the Travel Paso Robles Alliance (TPRA); 2 – 4 VIP winery tours and tastings; and a winemaker dinner experience. Those interested should “like” Paso Robles Wine on Facebook by February 29, 2012 to be entered to win. “So many wine enthusiasts have not yet explored Paso Robles Wine Country, let alone the appellation’s heritage winegrape, Zinfandel,” said Jennifer Porter, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. This ‘ultimate’ getaway allows one lucky winner to discover what makes Paso so special: unique winemaker personalities, its proximity to the ocean and of course, world class wine!” To experience Paso’s world class wine first hand, Zinfandel enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the marquee Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction on Saturday, March 17. Both ZIP (Entrance at 6 p.m.) and Zin Fan Del (Entrance at 7 p.m.) ticketholders enjoy vast selections of Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, as well as a Wine Country Auction featuring unique items exclusively available during the Zinfandel Festival. One-of-a-kind wine auction lots feature special large formats, vertical lots and library wines signed by the winemakers themselves. Funds raised through this auction will be gifted back to local organizations that support healthcare, education and greater community services. Visit www.pasowine.com in March for a sneak a preview of auction lots. Zinfandel lovers should be sure to purchase their tickets early to take advantage of the discounted Sneak Peek Pass. Stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter and Foursqaure for a chance to win “The Ultimate Zinfandel Festival Getaway” and other special giveaways. Certain restrictions apply. A winner will be announced on March 1, 2012.

2010 Fan Favorite Of Bravo's Top Chef, Chef Fabio Viviano, Talks With Us About California Restaurant Month

Italian chef Fabio Viviani was born on October 10, 1978 in Florence. After the need to help out the family and get a job presented itself at the young age of 12 Fabio applied to work in a bakery where first he was told he was too young and then later invited to work nights so that no one would know. In 1992 at age 14 Fabio began working at the very busy Il Pallaio, a casual Trattoria in Firenze, Italy with stellar, Italian comfort food and a 120 seat cover. An average night in the restaurant proved to be total mayhem as 700 to 800 guests came through each night. Fabio thrived in this high pressure environment and managed to become sous chef by age 16. Between training in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine at IPSSAR Saffi, working with culinary luminaries such as Simone Mugnaini, Alessandro Panzani and Saverio Carmagini, and managing and/or owning serveral restaurants and nightclubs in Italy Fabio found himself a young, well-respected business man in Italy but he was ready for a change. Fabio moved to Ventura County, California at the age of 27 and now works as the owner and executive chef of Cafe Firenze, a renowned Italian restaurant in Ventura Country and Osteria Firenze, a popular Los Angeles Italian eatery.

Aside from working in his restaurants Fabio has many projects that he is passionate about– when he’s not busy promoting healthy eating for children, he is also an endorser of Italian mineral water producer San Pellegrino, Bialetti Cookwear, Bertolli Olive Oil, and Santa Margarita Winery. Fabio Viviani has published two successful cookbooks including the Cafe Firenze Cookbook and an e-book Did I Really Make Breakfast which made it onto multiple Amazon bestseller lists within weeks of release. Fabio is perhaps best known in America for appearing on season 5 of Bravo’s reality series Top Chef and earning a place among the final four contestants. Before he was eliminated from the competition, he was named Fan Favorite. Fabio returned to Bravo in 2010 to compete in their Top Chef All Stars edition.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

01/25 Larry Lipson, "Noir Food & Wine", "Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen"

01/25 What's Cookin' Today

Traveling Time! The Great Larry Lipson Tells Us About His Latest Finds


Reporting from Costa Rica, CRN's international wine correspondent Larry Lipson will tell us about his latest Wine finds, including wines UNDER $10!Larry always has something cooking up at the Lipson Institute of Advanced Wine Studies!
Larry forages all of Costa Rica for the absolute best wines. No region is spared from his intense search. No mountain or range or valley is safe from his reach. He leaves no grape unturned, this man of passion. Wine is his life. His love for wine is only paralleled with his love for his lovely partner in wine, Lillian Lipson.Be fully prepared for this master of vino as he shares his food and wine pairing techniques and experiences with you on this great day in America - and the world.

CLAUD BELTRAN, EXECUTIVE CHEF AND PARTNER WITH "NOIR FOOD & WINE" IN PASADENA TALKS WITH US ABOUT THEIR MENU

"A Restaurant, Cafe, Bistro or Wine Bar has a Soul, you can feel it when you enter a room! People create that energy and we have brought together a group of dedicated individuals to create and fulfill that vision" .

It's time for the annual Pasadena PinotFest (the fourth, actually) which kicks off Jan. 15 with a five-course dinner at Altadena Town & Country Club. Each course is cooked by a local chef and paired with a Pinot Noir producer. Chefs involved include AKA Bistro and Bistro 45’s James Labrinus, the Raymond’s Tim Guiltinan, and Noir Food & Wine’s Claud Beltran. And Pinot producers pouring their juice include Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Winery, Clos Pepe Vineyards, and Williams Selyem. Part of the proceeds for the $149 dinner ticket help Los Angeles County families in need. But the dinner isn't the only event. Weekly Pinot tasting events at $15 per person follow for a month, and Saturday afternoon, Feb. 11, a grand public tasting at the Altadena Town & Country Club will feature up to 100 wines. That tasting costs $89 per person, a bit more for those who fancy hanging around the "VIP" lounge. If learning more about Pinot Noir happens to feature on your new year’s resolutions, this event is for you. For more information and tickets, call (626) 795-7199 or go to pasadenapinotfest.com.

TALKING WITH US IS DAVE WILLIAMS GM OF "RALPH BRENNAN'S JAZZ KITCHEN" ABOUT WHAT'S NEW FOR THE NEW YEAR

Jazz on over to the Jazz Kitchen, a savvy representation of New Orleans’ dual legacies – food and music- served up in a whimsical setting depicting the charm, ambience and hospitality of historic and contemporary New Orleans. Located in Downtown Disney® District, our two-story replica of traditional French Quarter architecture includes a ground floor, interior, open-air courtyard flanked by a quick service dining facility (Jazz Kitchen Express) and a New Orleans-style jazz club (Flambeaux’s). Upstairs, you’ll find traditional New Orleans dining rooms and an outdoor ‘Jazz balcony’ with seating that overlooks the revelry of the Downtown Disney® District. For over fifty years, Ralph Brennan and his family have proudly served the finest Louisiana ingredients and our Chef, Darrin Finkel, has peppered those celebrated flavors throughout our menus. The Jazz Kitchen boasts festive, ‘Big Easy theme, private party facilities and comprehensive event planning services. From our mouthwatering Louisiana cuisine to the live jazz played at Flambeaux’s every night, every detail of the Jazz Kitchen delivers on the promise of New Orleans.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

01/24 Burger King's "We Love Bacon", "Pinot Days", ILL Fortune Cookies

01/24 What's Cookin' Today

BURGER KING's Executive Chef John Koch Talks To Us About "WE LOVE BACON", BK's Celebration Of America's Comfort Food

We are living in a Bacon Nation. From bacon vodka to bacon mints…from Kevin Bacon to bacon air fresheners…bacon has gone beyond breakfast and infiltrated into almost every aspect of everyday life! Let’s face it…what is America’s comfort food? We think…no, we KNOW…it’s BACON! For generations people have been waking up to the salty, sweet and smoky flavors of bacon on the skillet. Now, people are beginning to look outside of the U.S. As well to find the “bacon” from around the world, such as Spain’s Iberico ham, Chinese lap yuk and British rashers. Bacon is also a “real food,” which is another big trend right now. We are becoming more aware of additives and heavy processing. We’re moving toward clean foods, foods and ingredients we recognize and can pronounce.

Talking With Us About the 3rd Annual Pinot Days SoCal Grand Festival Public Tasting Is Lisa Rigisich The "PINOT DAYS" Organizer

Saturday, January 28, 2012 1:00pm-5:00pm Barker Hangar, Santa Monica - 3021 Airport Avenue, Suite 203, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Cost: $60 Saturday's Grand Tasting will showcase over 80 phenomenal producers of pinot noir. Consumers will be able to sample up to 300 pinots from every important pinot noir region, from the Russian River Valley to the Santa Rita Hills, Oregon to the Anderson Valley, Burgundy to New Zealand to the Sonoma Coast. Come to the Barker Hangar to taste these highly acclaimed wines, meet the gifted and charming winemakers who create them, and experience the passion and romance that the pinot noir industry continues to embody. Discover and celebrate pinot noir in its many diverse styles, ranging from modern to earthy to elegant. Explore new producers, find wines you love, and become a pinot devotee if you are not one already. We call it Serious Fun. Come see for yourself.

Saturday, January 28, 2012 11:00am-1:00pm Barker Hangar, Santa Monica - 3021 Airport Avenue, Suite 203, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Cost: Complimentary Saturday's Trade Tasting will showcase over 80 phenomenal producers of pinot noir from California, Oregon, Burgundy and New Zealand. Trade will be able to sample up to 300 pinots, expand their pinot portfolios, and speak with the winemakers and winery owners before the public enters.

PINOT DAYS SANTA RITA PALOOZA AT WEST RESTAURANT AT HOTEL ANGELENO
Thursday, January 26, 2012 6:00pm-9:00pm West Restaurant at Hotel Angeleno - 170 N. Church Lane, Los Angeles, Penthouse Level, 17th Floor Cost: $35
The Santa Rita Hills is one of pinot noir’s most celebrated growing regions, and the area seems not only to produce some of the most compelling pinot noir on the planet, but to attract some of the most colorful and memorable winemaker personalities as well. Put these wines and winemakers in a room with a view, and you have one night not to miss! Six celebrated SRH winemakers will pour the best pinot in their lineup, including Clos Pepe, Pali, Hitching Post, Sandler, Zotovich Family Vineyards and Arcadian and the Winemakers who put the magic in the bottles. Allow these inspired, charming winemakers to immerse you in this famed pinot region. You will not want to miss one single articulate, inspired word or sip! Angeleno's West will prepare pinot-paired appetizers for you to pair. Come find out what makes the SRH legendary.

PINOT DAYS PINOTS AND GRILLED CHEESE AT WINE HOUSE
Friday, January 27, 2012 8:15pm-10:00pm Wine House - 2311 Cotner Avenue, Los Angeles, CA Cost: $35

David Fenton, Owner Of "ILL FORTUNE", Talks To us About Taking The Opposite Approach to the Fortune Cookie

We all know about fortune cookies, those sweet treats with sappy messages tucked inside. The tradition began in San Francisco around the year 1900, and today the fortune cookie industry creates 3 billion of these sweet treats each year. Now iLLfortune has turned the concept upside down. iLLfortune’s top cookie David Fenton grew tired of the boring drivel spouted by fortune cookie makers, so he took a different tack: “Fortune cookies for the brave.” The iLLfortune cookie’s fortunes are irreverent and often off-color snippets designed to bring about laughter, surprise and the ultimate “gotcha” moment. And, yes, they even create friendships, bringing people together in unpredictable ways. What if your cookie contained the following iLLfortunes?:

• Your pet is planning to eat you.
• Your likeness to a hobbit will not serve you in the dating world.
• Prozac is planning a long term relationship with you.
• Counting sheep is not meant for the purpose of arousal. Get help.
• The voices in your head think you’re an idiot.

The company’s playful website, www.illfortune.net, says it best:
“Cookie meet more people. Prank stranger, make friend. You share with friends. Make you likeable. Finally.” These are the words of Cookie, the schizophrenic mascot who wishes people ill through the fortunes he writes. “There's a back-story to iLLFortune involving a mysterious orphan “Cookie” who appeared on the doorstep of the founder. This orphan possesses an uncanny ability to not only predict the future but also see through people like cellophane”, says Fenton. ILLfortune cookies come in traditional Chinese takeout containers, in orders from 20 cookies (only $12) up to 700. And, while the unfortunate messages may make you cringe, the nutritional label won’t. ILLfortune cookies contain no saturated fat and no cholesterol, and one cookie contains fewer than 30 calories.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

01/23 Invino Unitas So Cal, Palms Restaurant

01/23 What's Cookin' Today

Susan Cannon , Owner of Susan G. Cannon Estate Wines Is Telling Us About Her Participation In The INVINO UNITAS SO CAL

Susan Cannon is the owner of Susan G. Cannon Estate Wines in the greater Los Angeles area. Susan's Experience involves her being Regional Sales Manager at Silver Oak Wine Cellars, Regional Sales Manager at Trefethen & Shramsberg Vineyards

Sommilier Jonathan Mitchell Is Giving Us An Update on What We Can Expect When Visiting The Palms Restaurant In West Hollywood, CA

At The Palm, our philosophy is simple: Treat guests like family, serve great food, and always exceed expectations. That philosophy was born in 1926, when Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened the first Palm in New York City. From day one, Pio and John shared their commitment to quality and generosity of spirit with every guest who walked through their doors. What began as a restaurant became a legend ? a place to not only enjoy an excellent meal but also catch up with old friends, meet new ones, close business deals, and celebrate family milestones. Still owned and operated by members of the Bozzi and Ganzi families, The Palm continues to serve as a second home for countless patrons, thanks to the exceptional standard of hospitality established by our founders.

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

01/19 "The Wine Guy", Cruiseworks, Ronald Reagan Pres. Library

01/19 What's Cookin' Today

Nelson Tucker CEO -"THE WINE GUY"

Everyone knows that Nelson Tucker is The Wine Guy. He's not the first and is not the only Wine Guy but he is the only one with the legal right to use the name in California. He has been in the wine business for many years as a retailer, provider of hard-to-find, rare wines, and wine and food critic. Actually, the word "critic" does not fit when it comes to wine since he has rarely met one that he didn't like. His discerning palate does give him the ability to know the difference in good and great wines. He and his wife, Elva, have travelled to most wine producing countries in the world in search of the world's best wines

Dawn Jackson Blatner - The Author of the Popular Book ?The Flexitarian Diet?
and Health and Wellness Writer for?Health?, ?Fitness?, and ?Ladies Home Journal? Reveals How to Makeover Your Eating Habits in 2012 With the Easy-to-Prepare, Balanced, Nutrient-Rich, and Filling

Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, CSSD, LDN, a registered dietitian and avid advocate of exercise and nutrition, is the nutrition consultant for the Chicago Cubs, ?USA Today? food and nutrition blogger, and nutrition expert on the advisory board of ?Fitness? magazine. Having been featured on ?The Dr. Oz Show,? ?Dateline?, ?Newsweek?, ?USA Today?, ?Cooking Light? and WebMD. In addition, Dawn writes health and wellness articles to magazines such as ?Health?, ?Fitness? and ?Ladies Home Journal?. The author of the popular book ?The Flexitarian Diet?, Dawn is currently working on a new diet book for ?Health? magazine.


Duke Blackwood - Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

R. Duke Blackwood was appointed the Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum effective June 19, 2000. In October 2003, Mr. Blackwood also assumed the position of Executive Director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. During his tenure at the Library, Mr. Blackwood has overseen the largest expansion of the Reagan Library campus since its opening in 1991. With the addition of the Presidential Learning Center and the Air Force Pavilion, over 115,000 square feet of program, education, and exhibitry space has been added. Under Mr. Blackwood?s leadership, annual attendance has more than doubled, placing the Reagan Library at the top of the most visited Presidential Libraries in the country. Mr. Blackwood has continued an aggressive programming schedule for the Library?s Center for Public Affairs that include visits by presidents, senior administration officials, United States Supreme Court Justices, Congressional leaders, Governors, as well as business and community leaders. On May 3, 2007 the Library hosted the first Republican Presidential Candidates debate for the 2008 Presidential election. Mr. Blackwood has established a comprehensive education program that reaches across the country with programs such as The Great Communicator Files and Picturing the Presidency. In the fall of 2007, one of the country?s most unique education experiences will be inaugurated when the Air Force One Discovery Center opens. From 1988 to 2000 Mr. Blackwood worked at the University of Southern California in fundraising and program development. From 1981 to 1988, Mr. Blackwood was a marketing and political consultant serving on the 1984 Reagan Bush reelection campaign, the 1982 and 1986 gubernatorial campaigns for George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson?s United States Senate campaign and assisted in fundraising for the George H. W. Bush 1988 Presidential campaign. Mr. Blackwood graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1980, earning a B.A. in Business Administration/Marketing Management. He is married to Anne Blackwood and they have two daughters, Emma and Abby.



DON FENWICK - CRUISEWORKS - CRN "MURDER MYSTERY"; Don's TALKS ABOUT CRN CRUISE AND SAFETY -

"More than a cruise...an experience!" Join us for a variety of unique annual cruises to exciting destinations. With it's private functions, each cruise is specifically designed for each theme. Since 1984, whether it's a murder mystery filled with mirth and mayhem, workshops taught by outstanding dollhouse miniature artisans, or America Philatelic guest speakers and stamp auctions. Cruiseworks, Inc. Provides a relaxing and entertaining experience at sea!

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