08/14 ROBERT WEAKLEY, CANDICE DELONG, JIM FIOLEK

ROBERT WEAKLEY

After a weekend filled with many bottles of rosé and short rib sliders, the second annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival wrapped up Sunday afternoon at L.A. Live after four days of chef-driven tastings, demos, samplings and other events that featured some of the top culinary talents in the country. The most memorable event of the weekend was Friday night's Asian Market, hosted by Andrew Zimmern and Eater L.A., which took place on a red carpet-lined section of street just outside Staples Center. Chefs including WP24's Sally Camacho, Nobu's Jorge Mijangos and television host Ming Tsai offered up spicy, sweet and savory Asian bites. Roy Choi stopped by with the Kogi truck, slinging short-rib tacos to eager fans, while David Myers of Comme Ca served up chili crab wontons filled with a fiery red sauce. The bite of the night, though, was probably David LeFevre's cold green tea soba with house-made dashi broth and pickled lotus root -- the perfect respite from the sweltering heat that lingered into the evening. The rest of the weekend brought two Lexus-sponsored Grand Tastings, housed in large white tents downtown, which -- thanks to intermittent air conditioning -- became miniature greenhouses in the summer sun. We even spied one chef trying to cool off in front of a massive fan with his kitchen whites puffing out like the Michelin man. The roster played out like a Top Chef reunion: Brian Malarkey served lobster rolls, The Gorbals chef Ilan Hall whipped up a bizarre, bacon-infused snow cone and Antonia Lofaso signed cookbooks. Celestino Drago and Wolfgang Puck both busted out the truffles (the former summer white truffles, the latter black winter truffles) for some decadent pastas


CANDICE DELONG - "DEADLY WOMEN"


CANDICE HOSTS "DEADLY WOMEN" A REAL CRIME SHOW ON
The Sixth Season of "Deadly Women" Premieres Friday, August 17th at 10PM (ET/PT) on Investigation Discovery.



JIM FIOLEK - SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VINTNERS

The Santa Barbara Vintners' Foundation is the charitable umbrella under which the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association conducts its philanthropic work. Proceeds from the Silent Auctions at April's Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival and October's Celebration of Harvest benefit a number of community organizations. Since 1986, the Vintners' have provided scholarships to local students, and today provide scholarships to a graduating senior in each of the six public schools in our viticultural areas. The Foundation has been a strong supporter of the Santa Ynez Valley's Arts Outreach and People Helping People, most recently being a major sponsor of their Vino de Sueños program. The Silent Auctions have also provided funding to Santa Barbara's Unity Shoppe as well as consistent support of San Marcos High School's Kids Helping Kids program benefitting the Unity Shoppe. They also benefit the Food Bank of Santa Barbara, a non-profit organization working to eliminate hunger by providing food, education and other resources to a network of hunger-relief charities and their communities.

08/13 Chris Grundy, Andy Schloss, SARAH KEELING

DIY Network host Chris Grundy "Blog Cabin"

On August 13, DIY Network host Chris Grundy will be available to give your audience a sneak peek at the 2012 Blog Cabin, a viewer-created Cape-style home nestled along the scenic Medomak River in Waldoboro, Maine. Originally part of a working farm, this year’s Blog Cabin is a 19th century four bedroom, 2-bath, 2,500 sq. Ft. Home that DIY Network’s all-star team of renovation experts transformed into an ultimate vacation getaway. Construction began this winter and continued through the spring with input every step of the way from online fans. Now, viewers can enter for a chance to win the Blog Cabin by entering from Monday, August 13 to Friday, September 28. They can also view the renovation in its entirety during DIY Network’s sixth season of Blog Cabin, which premieres on Monday, Aug. 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET. Tool expert and avid do-it-yourselfer Chris Grundy is living his dream working with tools and chillin’ with other home improvement fanatics. In 2012, Grundy takes the reigns as the host of the sixth season of Blog Cabin, DIY Network’s interactive homebuilding series.


ANDY SCHLOSS - "CHEF SALT"

Award-winning cookbook authors, grill masters, and the creators of Chef SaltTM, Andy Schloss and David Joachim, show how the right salt can turn an ordinary summer barbecue into something extraordinary. Salt is the single most effective flavor enhancer for food, intensifying flavors and adding complexity to anything you cook. Using salt right can mean the difference between a good meal and a great one. Most of us recognize this but few have mastered it. Best-selling cookbook authors, grilling experts, and food connoisseurs, David Joachim and Andy Schloss, have set out to help home cooks master the art of using salt for quick and easy delicious outdoor grilled meals this summer. Last year they created Chef Salt, a unique line of hand-crafted, small batch artisanal salts, and began educating consumers on the art of salt.


SARAH KEELING - TRAVEL EXPERT EXPEDIA.COM

We discuss great short trips and focus on after Labor Day and before Thanksgiving when there's less crowds, extended Friday to Monday long weekend short trips to festivals, wineries, pumpkin and apple picking and numbers things families and couples can do during the Fall months from the East to West Coast..

08/10 LES KINCAID, Chuey Martinez, STEVE EVANS

LES KINCAID - LAS VEGAS CHEF

Les Kincaid was born in Dayton, Ohio and moved to California at age 12 to spend the summer with his father and stepmother. He shortly discovered a passion for food because of his step-grandfather (who was an executive chef-retired). Started cooking for the summer visit and by September 1st was preparing three meals a day. His family moved to San Francisco and was hired for his first culinary job at 14. Because of his love of food he has been cooking most every day since.

Les has been teaching cooking and wine appreciation classes thru the continuing education, or Outreach department, at UNLV for well over twenty years and consulting to restaurants and hotels all over the west from west Texas to Oregon since 1983. He also taught cooking classes at the Clark County Community College for several years, and school politics forced him to quit there. Politics is not part of his personality.

Les has penned several cookbooks and the latest is titled "Never Trust A Skinny Chef". Les started broadcasting in Las Vegas with a radio program called "Les Kincaid's Lifestyles Las Vegas" in January 2000. The show emanated from Charlie Palmer's Aureole Las Vegas restaurant "lLIVE in Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino. This show ran from noon to 1:30 p.m. (Pacific each Saturday). After one year the show went national and syndicated the show into over 26 million households. In September of 2000 he started a unique wine show (Les' Wines & Vines). This was Americas first wine show that has an invited guest audience and tastes wines and food during the show while interviewing the winery owner, winemaker, wine writer, sommelier or master sommelier. It is currently nationally syndicated over two networks and six internet outlets every Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. “LIVE”. In October 2011 he decided to re-brand this show and changed the name to Wines Du Jour. The second network Global American Broadcasting Network and this helped the ratings and they feel very confident that this show will be around for several years to come. There are a few more projects in the mill at this time and we will be happy to share them with you as they develop, including some things from Baja California, Mexico. Both radio and television broadcasts.


Chuey Martinez “All You Can Meat”

A meat enthusiast all his life, Chuey Martinez spent much of his youth on his grandfather’s cattle ranch, and has seen firsthand what it takes to make great meat. Growing up in Los Angeles, his family’s get-togethers were (and still are) legendary when it comes to good eats. Bringing together traditions from Mexican, Dominican, Salvadorian and Cuban backgrounds, Martinez and his family have passed down their secret recipes for generations. But Martinez’s food experience isn’t just all in the family – from a young age, his mother encouraged him to branch out and try new things. From sushi to Filipino fare and good old-fashioned barbecue, Martinez knows his food and loves meeting new people to enjoy it with. Give this guy a plate of food and some good company, and he’s happy! Chuey has been hosting radio and television programs since age 16. As a former correspondent for MTV Tr3s, he’s interviewed A-list stars both on and off the red carpet. “All You Can Meat” follows Martinez as he travels America in search of the nation’s most mouth-watering, succulent and perfect cuts of meat (Premieres Sunday, August 12 at 10pm ET/PT; moves to regular time period on August 19 at 9pm ET/PT). . “All You Can Meat” takes viewers to some amazing corners of the country including Austin, TX, Kansas City, MO, Charlotte, NC, New Orleans, LA, Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO to discover these mouth-watering recipes, and reveals how – and why – each location has a different approach to cooking these American classics. From the Texas pit master to the woodsman in Appalachia curing jerky in his shack, the best eats start with great American characters and there is much to be learned about a region by how they prepare their meat


STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

STEVE REPORTS ON HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS AND WHAT TO SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN THIS WEEKEND. HE TALKS ABOUT BOX OFFICE AND YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE CELEBRITIES.

08/09 JENNIE FINCH, ESPN, Jason Miller, LARRY MANETTI

JENNIE FINCH - ESPN ANALYST

Jennie Finch was born on September 3, 1980, in La Mirada, California and grew up in a close knit family. Finch is a former American softball player who pitched for the USA national softball team and the Chicago Bandits. Finch helped lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Time magazine described her as the most famous softball player in history. In 2010, Finch retired from softball to focus on her family. In August 2011 she started work as a color analyst for ESPN doing National Pro Fastpitch and college softball games.


Jason Miller Corporate Executive Chef Balducci’s locations in, New York, New York City, Maryland and Virginia.

His responsibilities include the overseeing of the culinary operations of the brand. His assignment includes menu development, food safety, research and development, product sourcing and catering production. Prior to joining Balducci’s Jason specialized in the culinary avenues of the hospitality industry and was a key culinary team member at two platinum star-nationally ranked country clubs. At age 13, Jason got his start in the kitchen as a dishwasher and quickly moved to a line position; from here he never looked back and knew what he was destined to do. He attended culinary school and participated in an ACF certified chef apprenticeship where he completed 6,000 hours of hands-on training with certified chefs. In 2000, he was awarded the Chef Apprentice of the Year. Jason reveled in the thrill of competition and participated in many culinary competitions including Supermarket Chef Showdown, winning a spot as a finalist!


LARRY MANETTI - "ALOHA MAGNUM" RECIPES

Larry Manetti started acting in his of hometown Chicago. After studying acting with the Ted List Theater Players, Larry drove to Los Angeles in 1972. Larry landed an agent and was sent to Universal Studios to audition for an opening as a contract player. Luck was on his side. Jack Webb was casting a new series for NBC called The Chase. Larry played a young detective. After attending acting school at Sal Dano's at night and doing bit parts by day, he scored. Baa Baa Black Sheep was being produced and cast at Universal, and the now famous writer Stephen J. Cannell was the executive producer and the role was a natural for Larry. He was cast as a cocky, hot shot pilot named Bobby Boyle. The show was a big hit for NBC but was cancelled within two years. Because the network was so impressed with Larry's on-screen presence, they cast him in a new series called The Duke. Bad luck! The Duke was cancelled in one year. Larry was back to playing whatever Universal told him to. Hoping to catch lighting in a jar, along came Magnum, P.I. And the role of Rick. This was his elevator...the show became a mega-hit for 8 years. Since Magnum, P.I., Larry has done co-starring roles in 25 feature films and guest starred on many hot TV shows. Larry is the author of a book titled Aloha Magnum.

08/08 Larry Lipson, Executive Chef Toshiya Nemoto, Emily Ellyn

Larry Lipson - Costa Rica

Larry is the former food critic of the Daily
News and reports weekly on Wine and food discoveries from his retirement home in Costa Rica.



Executive Chef Toshiya Nemoto - Benihana

"Executive Chef Toshiya Nemoto, better known as “Chef Tony,” is Benihana’s foremost culinary master. He has served as a standout star of the Benihana family for more than 30 years, since being handpicked by founder Horaki “Rocky” Aoki at only 18 years old when he was discovered in Hawaii.




Emily Ellyn - Food Network’s, “Next Food Network Star”

Emily Ellyn currently divides her time between finishing up her Ph.D in Food Service Education at University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando, teaching food and beverage classes, doing consulting work for Teak’s Restaurant in Orlando and Sublime Doughnuts in Atlanta, working on developing her Retro Rad culinary TV career after competing on The Food Network’s, “Next Food Network Star.” Emily Ellyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and worked as a teaching assistant at the CIA until moving to Paris to attend graduate school. During the next two years, she earned two Master’s degrees in Hospitality Management -- one in Paris and one from UCF’s Rosen College in Florida. She is currently finishing up her Ph.D degree in Food Service Education at the Rosen College. Emily Ellyn’s food philosophy, evolved out of her hometown values and culinary education and can best be described as “wholesome with an edge.” She takes the retro, remixes it and makes it rad. She urges everyone to dig through their mom's recipe boxes, dust off their pressure cookers and crock pots and learn how to take the old and make it new through retro re-dos.

08/07 Chris Capehart, Capehart Cutlery

Chris Capehart - "Capehart Cutlery"

I started Capehart Cutlery with the intention of developing innovative knife edges I learned in my travels. We combined the best of different edges to create "The Educated Edge." This is a self-adjusting edge. I can customize this edge to any type of meats and vegetables "I've known Chris for about 15 years and he's worked with us to prepare a culinary package that the kids can use at a relatively inexpensive price. "We're a training facility and it's a great deal he's put together. The knives are purchased in the book store and that makes it easy for the students. He offers good quality knives and a good price"

08/06 Chef Christopher Vane, Gary Murphy, Terry Hall

Chef Christopher Vane - "Crush Wine Bistro"

Chef Christopher Vane will be at NOAA for the Great American Seafood Cook Off and can describe his participation. Producers of the Great American Seafood Cook-Off have confirmed the judge’s panel for this year’s event, which is set to occur on Saturday, August 11, 2012 in New Orleans. This summer will mark the Cook-Off’s ninth year. Each year, a group of discriminating culinary experts is selected to critique the seafood dishes that are prepared by competing chefs from around the United States. Judges for the 2012 Great American Seafood Cook-Off include: Chef Joho of Everest and Paris Club in Chicago, Brasserie Jo in Boston and Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas; Chef Johnny Nunn of Portland, OR’s Ringside Steak House and Ringside Fish House); Liz Grossman, managing editor of Plate Magazine; Ron Ruggless Bureau Chief at Nation’s Restaurant News, Vicki Wellington, vice president and publisher of Food Network Magazine, and Sam Rauch, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “This is a terrific and truly diverse panel of judges and I look forward to welcoming them to New Orleans to assess the domestic seafood dishes that will be prepared by some of our nations best and fastest rising chefs,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and the creator of the Great American Seafood Cook-Off. The Great American Seafood Cook-Off is the most prestigious seafood cooking competition in the country. The first Cook-Off took place in the summer of 2004 and the event has attracted celebrity chefs and up-and-coming culinary stars ever since. Sponsored by NOAA, the competition celebrates domestic seafood and encourages the use of product from sustainable fisheries.



Gary Murphy - VP AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways just celebrated its 10th Anniversary and is currently operating 15 luxury river cruise ships throughout Europe, in Russia, on the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia and on the Chobe River in Africa in conjunction with land safari tours. AmaWaterways is running European Wine River Cruises for the third year and has six scheduled to go this November; each with at least one top-notch wine expert on board to give lectures, conduct tours of local European vineyards, supervise wine tastings and mingle with the passengers. See attached PDF and note that Gary Murphy will be on the Barry Wiss Wine River Cruise



TERRY HALL - COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR OF NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS

It began as most things do in Napa Valley: over a table replete with good food and good wines. Sixty-five years later, that Epicurean and social camaraderie has grown into a spirited partnership committed to advancing Napa Valley wines worldwide. Founded in 1944, the Napa Valley Vintners is a regional trade group with an active membership of more than 350 wineries, representing a tradition of dedicated vintners and grape growers who have worked and cared for this premier winegrowing region since the early 1800s.
For more than 150 years, vineyards have been part of the Napa Valley landscape. George Yount planted the first Napa Valley vineyards in 1838; the town of Napa was laid out in 1848; by the mid-1850s there were about 50,000 grapevines planted in Napa Valley--by 1860 there were about 200,000. The industry continued to expand, and by the late 1860s there were 50 vintners in Napa Valley. Wines from Inglenook, Charles Krug, Beringer and others won international acclaim in the late 19th century.

08/03 KRISTEN MITCHELL, HONORE COMFORT, STEVE EVANS

Kristen Mitchell - VP of Marketing Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Cape Cod. Warm sea breezes, 559.6 miles of unspoiled coastline and breathtaking scenic vistas. Generations of families return year after year to reclaim memories of sandcastles and seashells, flip flops and fried clams. Others come for the world’s finest beaches or to explore one of the nation’s top 25 arts destinations. Enjoy 15 distinctive towns, arts & culture, quaint shops, fine dining, superior accommodations, New England’s best golf and an endless array of land & sea activities.



HONORE COMFORT - EXEC DIRECTOR - THE SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS

Honore is back from representing Sonoma County wines in Asia for the first time ever. Also, ALL Sonoma Wine Country Weekend tickets will be newly on sale. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Labor Day Weekend | August 31 - September 2, 2012 - 3 Days. 200 Wineries and Chefs. One Unforgettable Sonoma Experience.



STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

STEVE REPORTS ON HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS AND WHAT TO SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN THIS WEEKEND. HE TALKS ABOUT BOX OFFICE AND YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE CELEBRITIES.

08/02 LOUIS VILLA, MARTY BLITZ, CHEF NEAL FRASER

LOUIS VILLA - "AGAVE BAR & GRILL" ANGELES NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

Guests at Angeles National have several options to satisfy their food and beverage needs. For a change of pace and scenery, relax in our course-side restaurant. The Agave Bar & Grill features a diverse menu that ranges from light appetizers and salads to a more heartier fare. Multiple large flat screen televisions adorn the restaurant walls to keep you connected to your favorite sports scores. Kick back and relax on the patio and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the golf course.


MARTY BLITZ - Exec Chef, Mise en Place Restaurant

Chef Marty Blitz, who began his career at the American Culinary Federation, is a culinary pioneer in the Tampa area. He has been featured on many local and national television broadcasts, as well as in such highly regarded publications as Southern Living. Mise En Place is a sought-after reservation always at the top of the list in the Zagat Survey. Marty is known for a truly seasonal approach, using the freshest ingredients available as he changes his menu daily for lunch and dinner, from appetizers and salads to entrees and pastries and other desserts - often with a soupçon of the Cuban and Spanish influences routinely seen in much of Florida life. This meal-by-meal round of new menus and dishes is a challenge to both Marty's skill and his artistry, calling for much creativity. His regular patrons appreciate the effort and keep flocking back to see what's new from their favorite chef.


EXEC CHEF NEAL FRASER - "THE STRAND HOUSE"

Down at the beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean,The Strand House rises elegantly and iconically above the breakers. Like in an oceanfront home, friends become family and strangers become friends. Owner Michael Zislis and Master Chef Neal Fraser present a colorful menu of traditional dishes expressed with fresh and exciting interpretations. We call it, “modern heirloom.” Here, the freshest produce is hand-selected from local farms. Every dish is created with complex flavors, subtle textures and luxurious finishes.

08/01 Gary Berbiglia, Larry Lipson, Robert Weakley

Gary Berbiglia - Arthur Bryant's BBQ

This BBQ legend was founded in the early 1920's, by Charlie Bryant, Arthur's older brother. When Charlie died, Arthur took over and moved the BBQ restaurant to 18th and Brooklyn, just four blocks away from Municipal stadium, the home of the Kansas City Blues, followed by the Kansas City Athletics. Municipal Stadium was also the first home of the Kansas City Chiefs. With the move near to the ball park, it became a nationally known eatery. Major league players ate there and fans would stop in before the games to eat on the premises or take out to the ball park. The fame of Arthur Bryant's grew. Then renowned author Calvin Trillin declared in Playboy magazine that "...the single best restaurant in the world is Arthur Bryant's Barbeque at 18th & Brooklyn in Kansas City."


LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA

The former food critic of the Daily News talks about food & wine choices each week and recommends favotites and relives dining and beverage experiences. From the Lipson Institute for Advanced Wine Studies in Cost Rica.


Robert Weakley - Partner, Co-Founder Coastal Luxury Management

It is a four-day event taking place August 9 through 12 at L.A. Live Nokia Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles—with other locations in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. A portion of the proceeds benefits the St. Vincent’s Meals On Wheels program.
Grand Tastings – The grand tastings, held at the event deck at L.A. Live, will include 30+ chefs per day, featuring national and local talent, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations and tastings from over 250 premiere international wineries.
Marquee Events – Marquee events include the Giada’s Fiesta Italiana with Giada de Laurentiis (Food Network’s Everyday With Giada); Asian Night Market featuring Andrew Zimmern; Summer at the Shore; and Wolfgang Puck & Friends: Live on the Plaza at the Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live, capped with a concert from renowned band, Third Eye Blind.