05/24 AUCTION NAPA VALLEY, JUDD FINKELSTEIN, EMMA SWAIN, STEVE EVANS

GET READY FOR THE AUCTION NAPA VALLEY ON JUNE 1, 2013

AUCTION NAPA VALLEY IS THE AMERICAN WINE CLASSIC WHERE WINE LOVERS AND WINEMAKERS MEET AT THE SOURCE OF AMERICA'S LEGENDARY WINES TO PARTAKE IN AND CELEBRATE THE BEST NAPA VALLEY HAS TO OFFER.



Insider's access to the cool cellars and warm hospitality of renowned Napa Valley vintners. Your choice of dozens of parties, ranging from blue-jeans casual to wear-your-finest formal, each hosted by the people behind some of the world's most recognized wines. More than 250 auction lots, yours for the bidding - from a single case of wine to trips offering experiences not available anywhere else. Return home with memories to last a lifetime and perhaps bragging rights to some amazing wines. Proceeds from this weekend support community health and children's education. To date, Auction Napa Valley has given more than $111 million to dozens of these organizations.


JUDD FINKELSTEIN – JUDD’S HILL WINERY - AUCTION NAPA VALLEY

Judd was raised in Napa Valley. He graduated from The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication at Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in Television Production, but you might say winemaking was in his blood. Since he was a tot, his parents were making wine. From pruning to picking to punching to pressing, Judd has been involved in every facet of winemaking, and he also studied winemaking at UC Davis and Napa Valley College.

One of Judd's other passions is playing his ukulele, both solo and with his band, The Maikai Gents Featuring The Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa. "We perform old-time Hawaiian crooning in the Hapa-Haole style. We started because I wanted some Hawaiian music for a birthday luau I was having for myself and couldn't get the entertainer I wanted. We learned a few Hawaiian tunes and performed them at the party. My friends and family loved it, of course, but the funny thing was that the resort asked us back for a festival they were having later that spring! So we learned some more songs and have been gigging ever since." Why the ukulele?" Someone needed to play it! We thought a ukulele would round out our sound....and I haven't put it down in three years!" Judd has also started a ukulele club in the Napa Valley, The Wine Country Flea Jumpers. You can learn more - and hear what it all sounds like---at www.mkgents.com. Judd and Holly enjoy simple dinner parties for friends; one of their specialties is concocting tropical taste treats for the luau set!


EMMA SWAIN - ST. SUPERY - AUCTION NAPA VALLEY

Emma Swain is the CEO of St Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery. She received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis and is a Certi-fied Public Accountant. Emma has worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years. She began her career with Niebaum-Coppola Winery and served as the Chief Operating Officer at Sebastiani Vineyards prior to joining St. Supéry Estate. Emma currently serves as a board member for the Napa Valley Vintners, as well as serving on multiple sub-committees. Emma also volunteers locally with a number of environmental, educational and health-based charities. She is an avid runner and has several half marathons under her belt of accomplishments.

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

05/23 SLOAN D. GIBSON, JENNIFER BEHM, CAROLINE KLINGE

JENNIFER BEHM – MASTER CHEF AND CATERER

FIRE UP YOUR GRILL THIS SUMMER IN SUPPORT OF THE TROOPS. Former Miss Delaware Jennifer Behm beat out 100 of the best amateur chefs in America to claim the title Master Chef. Since MasterChef Season 2, Behm has created a highly successful catering company based out of Delaware; Pink Martini Catering (their trademark is the entire staff wears bright pink sneakers). Her signature dish is Coconut Curry Lentil Soup with Spicy Shrimp and the first dish she mastered was a grilled cheese. Jennifer has a brother in the Air Force and was inspired to compete on MasterChef by her 5 year old nephew, whom she cared for while her brother was deployed to Afghanistan. She recently wed a fellow chef.

SLOAN D. GIBSON – PRESIDENT OF THE USO 

Sloan D. Gibson was elected by the USO Board of Governors to become the 22nd president of the USO in September 2008.Prior to joining the USO, Sloan spent more than 20 years in banking in Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Birmingham, Ala. In 2004, he retired from AmSouth Bancorporation, a New York Stock Exchange traded corporation, where he served as vice chairman and chief financial officer. During his tenure as CFO, AmSouth was added to the S&P 500. Sloan also has a long history of service and leadership with a variety of nonprofit organizations. In 2002 he chaired the United Way campaign in Central Alabama, which raised more than $30 million.  Sloan is a 1975 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He earned both Airborne and Ranger qualifications and served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He earned a Masters in Economics from the University of Missouri in Kansas City and a Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

For many Americans, a cornerstone of summertime is the BBQ!  This year, The United Service Organization (USO) is launching of an exciting new grassroots fundraising campaign called Barbecue for the Troops.  Running from memorial Day through Labor Day, this grassroots fundraising campaign encourages communities across the country to host barbecues and raise funds for USO programs and services for deployed troops, ill, wounded or injured troops, their caregivers, as well as the families of the fallen.  Barbecue for the Troops offers a fun fundraising platform for people looking to make a meaningful impact to those who serve all while enjoying the time-honored summer tradition: barbecue!

Chef Jennifer Behm, owner of Pink Martini Catering in Delaware and the winner of the second season of TV’s MasterChef knows firsthand the importance of the USO: her grandfather was a paratrooper in the Army during World War II and her brother, Tech. Sgt. Joshua Behm, is active duty Air Force and a recent recipient of the prestigious Col. Billy Jack Carter Award.  Chef Behm and Sloan Gibson, the President of the USO are available for interview to reveal more about the Barbecue for the Troops campaign, how your viewers can get involved in YOUR community, as well as provide some BBQ recipes and tips!



Caroline Klinge - Sales & Marketing Manager for LoSalt

With a background in biochemistry, food science, and catering, Caroline Klinge is the consumer spokesperson for LoSalt®. A reduced sodium salt alternative that contains 66% less sodium than table salt, LoSalt is manufactured at Caroline’s family company Klinge Foods Ltd in Glasgow, Scotland.

Consumers of all ages are making the healthy and happy switch by choosing LoSalt, a blend of two naturally occurring mineral salts – Potassium Chloride and Sodium Chloride – that form an alternative that retains the look and taste of conventional table salt. LoSalt contains 66% less sodium than regular table, sea, and rock salts and its great taste makes it an ideal salt alternative for all types of cooking and use on the table. As with regular salt, it should be used sparingly in cooking and baking.

Since launching in the US in 2009, LoSalt sales have grown rapidly and it is now sold in over 4,500 stores across the U.S.  at supermarkets and natural food retailers including Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb, Randall’s, Whole Foods Market, H-E-B, Basha’s, Shoppers Warehouse, Farm Fresh, BI-LO, Shaw’s, Shop Rite, and in the natural foods aisle of Kroger stores (including Ralphs, QFC, Fred Meyer, Smiths and Fry’s). www.losalt.com

05/22 Jeff Foxworthy HOST, Gavin DeGraw, Nicky Morse, Aric Almirola

JEFF FOXWORTHY -  THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION

Jeff Foxworthy is one of this country’s most successful comedians. A multiple Grammy Award nominee who is the largest-selling comedy recording artist in history, Foxworthy is also a best-selling author of more than 26 humorous books that range from children’s works to how-to guides. Foxworthy is an accomplished host/actor/producer whose unique comedic talents have graced a diverse array of TV projects, including “Foxworthy’s Big Night Out,” “Blue Collar TV,” and “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.” Currently, Foxworthy hosts “The American Bible Challenge” and has the upcoming animated show “Bounty Hunters” set to debut this summer.

THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION, based on the hit UK format “The Great British Bake Off,” features 10 passionate home bakers competing for the title of best amateur baker in America. Each week, these bakers will compete in three unique challenges – “Signature Bake,” “Technical Bake” and “Showstopper Bake.”  The contestant who out-bakes the rest is that week’s “Star Baker,” while the one whose creations fail to impress is eliminated.  The final challenge will be among the three remaining contestants, one of whom will go on to be crowned the best amateur baker in America and win the $250,000 grand prize.  The winner will also be awarded a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster to publish their own cookbook with Gallery Books.
 Premieres Wednesday, May 29 on the CBS Television Network. ON AIR: Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)


Gavin DeGraw - Folgers Jingle

Multi Platinum Recording Artist Gavin DeGraw has been beloved by fans for his blue-eyed soul vocals, freewheeling melodies, and earthy charm. Now, Gavin has will reveal the top 10 finalists in the search for the next great version of the iconic jingle. These ten finalists have all put their own stamp on the iconic jingle and starting today, the jingles and videos will be featured on Folgers.com/jingle.In interviews on May 22, Gavin will tell your listeners how they can vote for their favorite, who will win the grand prize of $25,000, as well as how voters can win daily prizes, even$10,000! He’ll also reveal his thoughts about YOUR local finalist and their version of the jingle. 

DeGraw is not a stranger to the top of the charts, he first broke through with the 2003 release of his debut album, Chariot, which sold over a million copies, earned platinum certification, and yielded three hit singles: “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Follow Through,” and the title-track,“Chariot.” Gavin’s self-titled second album debuted at No. 1 on the digital sales chart and at No. 7 on the Billboard®Top 200 album chart in 2008, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album. It spawned the hit singles “In Love With A Girl,” which Billboard dubbed “a rocking homerun,” and the gold-certified “We Belong Together.” In 2009, Gavin released Free as a gift to his die-hard fans clamoring for recorded versions of Gavin’s live favorites. DeGraw released his third studio album, Sweeter, in September 2011. The album’s first single, “Not Over You,” reached #1 on the Hot AC charts, was a top 10 hit on Top 40, and was certified double platinum. “Soldier,” his current single is quickly climbing the charts.


Celebrity-Chef Art Smith -   "Taking Diabetes to Heart"

Taking Diabetes to Heart – he’s teaming about with Merck on its Taking Diabetes to Heart campaign to educate people living with type 2 diabetes understand that small, but important, changes in their lifestyle, including food choices, can help them better manage the disease. He weighed 325 pounds when he was diagnosed in 2010, committed to a healthy lifestyle and lost 120 lbs to better manage the disease. He can share his story, and offer tips for others to do the same!

Art Smith's Healthy Comfort (his new book, launching in May) – Over 100 pounds overweight and facing a personal health crisis that included diagnoses for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, Smith started to exercise and made changes to his diet while continuing to prepare delicious meals. For the first time, he shares his weight-loss secrets and the recipes that helped him keep off the pounds.  The book is filled with stunning full-color photos and easy-to-follow directions.


ARIC ALMIROLA - NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES DRIVER
         
Nicky Morse, “The Racing Chef” GENTLEMEN…START YOUR ENGINES
INSIGHT INTO THE UPCOMING NASCAR RACES AND TIPS TO HELP THROW A “1,000 HORSEPOWER” RACE-DAY VIEWING PARTY

With America’s most popular sport is in full swing and with the Coca-Cola 600 just days away (MAY 26), NASCAR fans nationwide are getting ready to watch the big race. NASCAR driver and 2012 Coca-Cola 600 Pole Position Winner Aric Almirola is available to provide your viewers with an insider’s look at the upcoming race and provide his predictions on the winners! And with his current standing at 8th in the Sprint Cup Series, he knows a thing or two about winning. Joining Aric will be Nicky Morse, “The Racing Chef”, who will provide your viewers with tips and recipes to help them throw a “high-octane” viewing party for their families and friends.

Aric Almirola’s entrance into the motor sports world began in 1992 at the age of eight. Racing go-karts, Almirola earned championships at both the local and state levels   before advancing  national competition in 1998.  

That year, he earned the pole for the World Karting Association’s prestigious Grand  National  event in Daytona, Fla., before finishing the year fourth in the national point standings. In 2000, Almirola earned Rookie of the Year honors in the  Florida  Modified  division and the Southern Automobile Racing Association.

Almirola made his way to the Florida Sunbelt Series and took Rookie of the Year honors there as well before winning a series-high six poles the following year. Due to his results in the grassroots levels, in 2003, Almirola was tapped to be one of the original members   of the Joe Gibbs Racing/Reggie White Driver Diversity Program. He made his first foray into NASCAR competition in 2004 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C. Almirola collected two victories, six top-five and 15 top-10 finishes that year. Almirola moved to the NASCAR Nationwide  Series in  2006 and earned hisfirst career Nationwide Series pole at The Milwaukee Mile. He remained in the Nationwide Series in 2007  and was credited with his first   win at The Milwaukee Mile, qualifying and starting a car entered for Denny Hamlin, who flew in from a SprintCup Series event and replaced him midway through   the event.That shared victory helped open doors to NASCAR’s premiere series when Dale Earnhardt, Inc. inked Almirola to apart-time Cup Series deal in 2008.

Almirola drove sporadically in the Cup Series and Nationwide Series the following two years. Joining Richard Petty Motorsports in January 2012 to drive the  legendary No. 43 Ford, Almirola made his way back to the Sprint Cup Series and earned his first full-season opportunity. Almirola wasted little time being successful, earning his first Cup Series pole for the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He finished the season with four top-10 finishes and one top-five. He returns to the No. 43 in 2013 looking for his first win and entry into the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup

Nicky Morse: The NASCAR community welcomed Chef Nicky as a staple in 2010-2011 when he joined SPEED Television Cable Network as the “The Racing Chef”. He hosted a 30 episode-run of a TV show called The Racing Chef which featured Chef Nicky traveling the NASCAR circuit profiling unique restaurants and cooking with the drivers, team owners, fans, and members of the media. He made regular appearances on SPEED’s most frequently watched program, “NASCAR Race Day” where he cooked live in front of several hundred fans at the track. You could also catch him on “The Hub” TV show as well as making regular appearances “Trackside” TV show. Chef Nicky has been a staple on the racing circuit ever since.

05/21 Dr. Joel Fisher, Mareya Ibrahim Founder, Eat Cleaner

DR. JOEL FISHER - THE WINE GURU

Joel M. Fisher, PhD is the wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson Magazine's tasting panel.

Dr. Fisher is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK) and was awarded a Wine Enthusiast Media Scholarship for 2005 at the Culinary Institute of America. He is the author of the Wine Work Book now in its 6th edition.

In 2004 he co-led a program for chefs and culinary students to the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany and to wineries in Burgundy and Champagne. In June 2006 he again led a program, "Wine and Cuisine of Iberia," to Spain and Portugal.

2013 LA WineFest – June 8 & 9

Five Reasons the LAWineFest is GOOD For You!
1. Travel the world (without walking more than a city block). Taste your way around the globe, sampling hundreds of wines from more than 15 countries.
2. Connect with history. Refresh your taste buds in the beer garden brought to you by Stella Artois, brewed in Belgium since 1366.
3. Improve your cooking. Catch a demo by LA’s celebrity chefs.
4. Expand your mind. Whether it’s about how to pair wine and cheese or about Spain’s Rioja region, check out a seminar, enjoy exclusive tastings, and learn something new. (Seminar descriptions under Fest Facts.)
5. Eat healthily (or not). From vegetarian fare to dessert goodies, your needs are covered with the city’s hottest food trucks.


Mareya Ibrahim - Founder and CEO of Eat Cleaner


Are you frustrated with why you can’t lose those stubborn pounds, even though you’re on a perpetual diet? Do you want to make a lifestyle change that will rock your food and fitness world?

For example, did you know most people need to exercise less and EAT more?

It’s MAY DAY! Celebrity chef and clean food expert Mareya Ibrahim is calling a state of the plate emergency with the release of “The Clean Eating Handbook: 31 Essential Rules For Health, Wellness and a Fabulously Fit Life” and her “Cleaner Plate Club Meal Prep Program” launching today onhttp://www.eatcleaner.com/. 

“It’s time we clean up our plates.  People are dieting like crazy, yet disease is increasing along with our weight.  We need to fix mealtime for good and I’m sharing a real, actionable plan to do that,” commented Ibrahim.

“The Clean Eating Handbook” is not a diet book - it’s a lifestyle approach with bite-sized, realistic steps that once practiced and repeated, create lifelong, healthy habits in just 31 days.  In her debut publication, Ibrahim shares her true story about beating a decade-long eating disorder by discovering how to eat cleaner.  Her essential rules include three critical keys to becoming fabulously fit.  She also unlocks the metabolic dilemma of most dieters with her “Fit Foody Triangle” approach to balancing nutrients and managing blood sugar.  Rather than focusing on calorie restriction, the book provides insights on getting the right amount of the right macronutrients at the right intervals throughout the day. This proven approach has been used on thousands of clients to effectively help them take back their plates for good.  The goal is to eat cleaner and get leaner for life.

Some of the essential steps include:

o   Rehab your refrigerator and purge your pantry
o   Kick the habit, sugar
o   Skim the saturated fat - but don't go fat-free
o   Choose cleaner carbs

Ibrahim also shares 10 key recipes and how she keeps it clean as an entrepreneur and single mother of two young children.

In addition to the book, May 1st is the launch of the “Cleaner Plate Club Meal Prep Program, the only program that follows Mareya’s proven “Fit Foody Triangle” method.  Customers will receive a weekly meal prep guide, daily meal plan, exclusive recipes, a shopping list and a nutritional breakdown. Pre-balanced recipes include Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken Pesto Pizza, Superfood Salad with Salmon, and Chocolate and Flax Protein Pancakes.  The program is an affordable $9.99 per month.

The Clean Eating Handbook: 31 Essential Rules for Health, Wellness, and a Fabulously Fit Life! Written by Mareya Ibrahim, The Fit Foody.  Edited by Ryan Chandler Brown.  The book is available May 1st, 2013 as an eBook on www.eatcleaner.com for only $4.99 for the month of May and will be available onwww.amazon.com by June 1st, 2013 for $9.99. 

The Clean Eating Handbook and The Cleaner Plate Club Meal Prep Program are both available for purchase athttp://www.eatcleaner.com/.

About Mareya Ibrahim

Orange County, CA resident Mareya Ibrahim is “The Fit Foody” – an award-winning chef, writer, food expert, educator and founder of EatCleaner.com, the premier lifestyle destination for how to eat clean and live fabulously fit. She is a featured chef on ABC’s Recipe Rehab, is the Clean Eating expert for eHow.com, and is the resident food expert for San Diego Channel 6 News. She has appeared in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Parents Magazine, Oprah.com, Sunset Magazine, Epoch Times, INC Magazine and Edible Community Magazine. Mareya has been honored with multiple awards for her work including  the 2013 California Women Making a Difference Award, the Gold Prize for the World’s Best Technology 2011, the Disney iParenting Award 2010, and was a finalist for Inc. Magazine’s Newpreneur of the Year. Ibrahim is also dedicated to helping at-risk communities through her landmark work with the Network for a Healthy California and the LA Unified School District. For further information about Mareya Ibrahim, please visitwww.EatCleaner.com.

05/20 Nestor Carbonell, Executive Chef William Bloxsom-Carter, and Chef Jim O'Connor

Nestor Carbonell  - Sheriff Alex Romero from A&E’s "BATES MOTEL"

The Sheriff of White Pine Bay, Romero is the “moral” center of the town, although morality is often a shifting line here. Imposing and discerning, he gets involved in Norma Bates’ life after an unfortunate incident at the motel. "I am the last person who you want on your bad side, Mrs. Bates…” And he’s not kidding.

Nestor Carbonell was born in New York City and raised in numerous locales including, Mexico, Venezuela, Florida, Connecticut, the Bahamas and London. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English. It was during his time at Harvard that a first-year drama course led to his interest in performing.

Nestor is most often recognized for his integral role in the acclaimed series “Lost,” as the iconic ‘Richard Alpert.’ This role, as well as his turn as ‘Mayor Anthony Garcia’ opposite Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, has shown Nestor’s versatility and range as an actor and showcased the complexity he has exhibited in a variety of roles. Nestor reprised his role as the Mayor in the box-office hit The Dark Knight Rises.

Nestor can next be seen on the highly-anticipated A&E series “Bates Motel” opposite Vera Farmiga. His additional television credits include “Ringer,” “Cane,” “House,” “Scrubs,” “Monk,” and “Suddenly Susan,” for which he earned two ALMA Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.

Prior to Nestor’s role in The Dark Night, Nestor’s feature credits include, Smokin Aces, opposite Ray Liotta and Ryan Reynolds, Andy Garcia’s The Lost City, The Laramie Project, and the title role in Jack the Dog.

Nestor currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Shannon Kenny, and their two sons.

Executive Chef William Bloxsom-Carter – Playboy Mansion

Mr. William S. Bloxsom-Carter is the Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California. He has been creating extraordinary food and exclusive wine offerings for Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion parties for over 26 years to 100,000 guests annually.

Chef Carter’s philosophy is to bring out the best flavors in food products from beginning to end with minimal intervention and uncompromising standards.

At the Playboy Mansion, Chef Carter has developed an internship/externship program with culinary schools nationwide. The program has garnered an exceptional reputation as the preeminent host facility for students. Additionally, Chef Carter is a recurring featured guest on numerous radio shows syndicated nationwide describing and promoting California wines and foods.

Food Network’s Chef Jim O’Connor

Food Network Chef & TV Host Jim O'Connor is best known for bringing fun and creativity to the foods we enjoy. As a Food Network host, O'Conner has discovered the flavors of America at events such as the Hope Watermelon Festival, the National Hard Crab Derby Competition and the Chuckwagon Cookoff. And now, this world famous connoisseur of festival fun, available to share his experience for creating summer entertainment adventures for your viewers.   He will do a live demonstration from his favorite backyard paradise as part a unique and timely interview.   

•  GRILL THRILLS-Tasty recipes that go from grill to gourmet
• SMOKING SECRETS-Why cool tools are key for a "pampered chef"
• SWEET TREATS-Adding sweet natural honey flavors to summer favorites
• CHEF CLEANUP TIPS-Tips for easy cleanup after grilling experience is over

O'Connor is a Food Network original host of All-American Festivals and a show called, The Secret Life of .... O'Connor also has hosted a special called Scoop, in which five Food Network viewers create a new flavor of ice cream

05/17 Armen Keteyian, Jason Pugach, Steve Evans

Armen Keteyian – Reporter for CBS 48 HOURS

48 hours takes a deep look into the War in Chicago.  Inner-city Chicago has become a war zone, with more Americans reportedly gunned down there last year than died in Afghanistan. Now the chaos is reaching into the windy city’s suburbs too, where people are dying not from gun shots – but from another killer, heroin. 48 Hours takes you from the mean city streets and leafy suburban cul-de-sacs where hundreds of children are dying from guns and drugs, and where a federal agent – himself once marked for death by a heroin kingpin - is waging a war to take the communities back. Our special investigation will include access to a DEA raid, a manhunt for one of the world’s most wanted drug lords, and the stories of loss, survival and activism residents caught in the cross-fire have to tell.  Armen Keteyian and Maureen Maher report. Don’t miss 48 HOURS "48 Hours Special Report: The War in Chicago" airs on Saturday, May 18, 2013 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)

Jason Pugach – Event Specialist - The 24th Annual Culinary Evening with California Winemasters 

   

The 24th Annual Culinary Evening with California Winemasters May 18th, 2013 at Warner Bros., "Midwest Street" - the Quintessential Any Town USA. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. 

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States, and 70,000 people worldwide. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

When the Foundation was established in 1955, children with CF were not expected to live long enough to attend elementary school. Due in large part to the Foundation's aggressive investments in innovative research and comprehensive care, people with CF are now living into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Winemasters is one of the most important CFF fundraisers in the United States and one of the largest single-day charity wine auctions in the world, having raised almost $25 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 23 years. “Adding tomorrows every day” expresses the mission - and results - of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s steadfast efforts to continue extending the length and quality of life for people with CF. For more information please visit the CF Foundation website www.cff.org.

 

STEVE EVANS  "THE MOVIE GUY"

Great movies opening this weekend and box office predictions and hopes, find out what movies are the ones to see! Get set for the weekend with The Movie Guy’s Movie Report!

05/16 BOBBY DEEN, RICK TIGNER, KENDALL JACKSON, UNDERCOVER BOSS, BOB CAMPBELL

Bobby Deen - Helps Feed the US Military and Families

To Recognize Their Service and Commitment this Memorial Day Weekend. In Honor of Their 100th Anniversary Kenmore Salutes America’s Troops. Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial kick off of summer - which means warmer weather, longer days and spending more time with friends and family. Most importantly, Memorial Day is a time to remember all of our US military service men and women. Bobby Deen, chef, restaurateur and Cooking Channel star suggests serving up something special to remember those who serve our country every day. Bobby has teamed up with Kenmore, as a part of their 100th anniversary, to help give back to the U.S. military service men and women. Despite the recent cutbacks during Fleet Week in New York City, Kenmore is stepping up with its own event to ensure that this tradition of recognizing US military service continues. Through May 3, 2013, home cooks are invited to post their favorite home-style, hero-worthy recipes on cookmore.com. For every recipe uploaded, Kenmore will donate $5 to Heroes at Home, which supports military men and women and their families. On May 24th, Bobby Deen will dish up his favorite home-style recipe aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City, along with the three winning recipes as voted on cookmore.com.  

After high school, Bobby Deen began working as a deliveryman for his mom's now legendary home business The Bag Lady, which grew into a nationally recognized restaurant The Lady & Sons. After appearing on Paula’s Food Network shows he and his brother launched their own show, Road Tested. They have released four cookbooks, and worked with the Grains Foundation by supplying healthy grain-based recipes. Earlier this year, Bobby made his solo television-hosting debut on Cooking Channel in Not My Mama’s Meals.


RICK TIGNER - CEO OF KENDALL JACKSON - UNDERCOVER BOSS ON CBS

After learning that most of the workers in the vineyards don’t speak English and really aren’t able to communicate well with their superiors in order to have any sort of voice at the company, he created language programs – both for people who want to learn English and Spanish.  The Spanish speaking employees are so grateful.  Now that they can communicate in English they feel empowered – and they said they’ve never had that opportunity at another company.  Also, Rick has been learning Spanish.   Additionally, after meeting a 20 year employee while he was undercover who said he didn’t feel appreciated, Rick decided to create the Jess Jackson Award to honor an extraordinary employee each year.  (Jess Jackson was the late founder of the company.)

“Epic Bosses” – This special episode of UNDERCOVER BOSS features updates on some of the most compelling bosses and how the undercover experience impacted them personally as well as the companies they lead, on the fourth season finale of UNDERCOVER BOSS, Friday, May 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The bosses include the Diamond Resorts International CEO who created a crisis fund that saved an employee’s life and the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates President who has eased communication barriers among his workforce. Also, see where the Hooters CEO is now after experiencing one of the most shocking moments on the series and the Modell’s Sporting Goods CEO’s physical transformation.
The company heads who will be featured in “Epic Bosses” include:

•     Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR, headquartered in Birmingham, Mich.
•     Rick Silva, President and CEO of Checkers & Rally’s, headquartered in Tampa, Fla.
•     Kat Cole, President of Cinnabon, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta
•     Mayor Mark Mallory, City of Cincinnati
•     Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and CEO of Diamond Resorts International, headquartered in Las Vegas
•     Dina Dwyer-Owens, Chairman and CEO of The Dwyer Group, headquartered in Waco, Texas
•     Coby Brooks, formerly President and CEO of Hooters (currently President and CEO of La Cima Restaurants, headquartered in
Atlanta)
•     Rick Tigner, President of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif.
•     Mitchell B. Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods, headquartered in New York City
•     Don Fertman, Chief Development Officer of SUBWAY, headquartered in Milford, Conn.

The Emmy Award-winning UNDERCOVER BOSS is produced by Studio Lambert.  Stephen Lambert, Eli Holzman and Chris Carlson are executive producers.


BOB CAMPBELL - MASTER OF WINE FOR NEW ZEALAND


Your guest tomorrow at 8.40 is Bob Campbell, who is the only master of wine in New Zealand and a wine journalist.  He will talk about the New Zealand American tour -   He can also talk about the Sauvignon Blanc Day on Friday "Friday, May 17 will be the fourth annual #SauvBlanc Day. Once again St Supery will be taking the lead and NZW will also be very involved. The idea is to get people to try Sauvignon Blancs on that day and to post comments on social media. The day will begin with the sun over New Zealand and work its way around the globe with a finish in California."

05/15 LARRY LIPSON, ANTONIO SABATO JR, JJ DUNCAN, GARY LANEY

LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA CORRESPONDENT

LARRY WAS FOOD CRITIC FOR THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS AND NOW FILES A WEEKLY REPORT DIRECT FROM COSTA RICA AND THE LIPSON INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED WINE STUDIES.


ANTONIO SABATO JR - ACTOR

Antonio Sabato, JR, one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People, actor (of General Hospital fame), reality TV star and model. He’s talking about the new rules and trends of finding love in the digital world. He can also talk about his personal life and career. While you might think a guy like Antonio wouldn’t have a problem dating anyone, he’s got a real insight on the importance of diversified dating and can serve as a dating diplomat-sort of the “Hitch” to your readers Kevin James character.

We thought we could all agree that the single life and dating scene are a lot of work but according to a recent Harris survey—men may not be willing to invest the time, money or effort in the dating scene. It’s no wonder that in our instant gratification society with crowded bars and expensive nights out – American men have been struggling to keep up.

But help is on the way. On Wednesday, May 15th, actor and reality TV star Antonio Sabato, Jr (of General Hospital fame), model and International heartthrob, will be on hand to discuss with your viewers how men have lost their confidence and forgotten how to date and share the survey results. Sabato, Jr, was recently named celebrity spokesperson for the International dating site AnastasiaDate.

According to the survey, more than 50% of men, ages 35-55, have turned to the digital world to find love and 65% of those men have met somebody through online dating. By meeting a woman online, men are able to gain confidence when they know that someone is interested in them and gives them the ability to find the women of their dreams that they might be too nervous to talk to in a bar or social setting.   With online dating on the rise, men have turned to international dating websites to find love with beautiful women with old world values.


JJ DUNCAN - DEPUTY EDITOR FOR ZIMBIO ENTERTAINMENT

Livingly Media is an online media company that reaches an audience of more than 30 million monthly readers across fashion, beauty, celebrity, home, lifestyle, and entertainment. Livingly owns and operates three sites: Zimbio.com, comScore’s #5 Entertainment News site, StyleBistro.com, comScore’s #5 Fashion, Beauty, and Style site, and Lonny Magazine, an online home decor magazine acquired by Livingly in July 2012. Professionally produced content combined with an at-scale publishing platform have driven strong growth and exceptionally high user engagement. Brands are connected with this deeply engaged and influential audience through high impact media placements and innovative content integrations. The company, which was founded as Zimbio, Inc in 2006, has offices in San Carlos, Calif. and New York City and is venture-backed by Menlo Ventures and Draper Richards.


GARY LANEY - DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING FOR CRAVON

Can you unfry the great American french fry? Can you imagine a french fry that’s never actually been fried? A never-fried fry that preserves that real potato taste you crave? That includes only five simple ingredients? That tastes even better without all the frying?

Well, now you can. And on May 15, we want to give you a taste of the great American french fry’s first major makeover in nearly a decade.  Getting fried is never good. So the J.R. Simplot Company – the company recognized for creating the frozen french fry market 50 years ago – thought it was time someone made a French fry with all of the goodness and none of the fried-ness. CravOn Never Fried French Fries will be officially rolling out across Southern California on March 7, and will be available in more than 500 Southern California stores in the next few months!  CravOn Never Fried French Fries are partially cooked in a blanching process and tossed in olive oil and sea salt prior to being frozen, resulting in a better-for-you french fry made with five natural ingredients, half the fat of regular fries (and none of the remorse), and a delicious, crispy texture that preserves the real potato taste consumers crave (is your mouth watering yet?). And now, we want YOU to be among the first to try a life never fried. We’ve teamed up with The Lime Truck – season two winner of the Food Network’s ‘The Great Food Truck Race’ – and its chef and founder, Daniel Shemtob, to serve up tasty inspirations featuring CravOn fries all year long.

05/14 Nancy O'Dell, Russell Hornsby, Adrien Laurent, Lisa Lillien

Nancy O'Dell - Co-Host of Entertainment Tonight

While parents are the primary source of information for teen drivers, recent research has found that parents don’t understand the most deadly risk to their teen driver – inexperience. And car crashes are the number one killer of teens, important to remember as we head into summer – the deadliest time of the year for teen crashes.

Through market research, The Allstate Foundation has found that two-thirds of parents wish they spent more time teaching their teen to drive, especially in high risk situations and 64 percent of parents are actively looking for resources to help manage their teens’ driving experience. In light of these alarming statistics, The Allstate Foundation is helping The National Safety Council launch the Drive It Home initiative.  Created by parents for parents of teen drivers, DriveitHome.org is a resource for parents to help educate them on the crucial role they play in the driving process and empower them with coaching tips and tools for their recently licensed teen drivers.

Award-winning journalist Nancy O’Dell is available for live interviews to provide tips and best practices on how parents can help their teens stay safe on the road. As research shows that more than half of teens want more time behind the wheel with their parents, Nancy will discuss her own personal experience practicing driving with her teen in high-risk situations, as well as help educate other parents on the crucial role they play in the driving process. She will also provide information on the Drive it Home program and resources available at driveithome.org.

Named one of "Television Week's" 10 Most Bankable Stars in Syndication, Emmy Award-winning entertainment journalist O'Dell has proven to be a force in all areas of her career as a host, author, producer and entrepreneur. One of the country's most respected and leading entertainment journalists, O'Dell is the host of the most watched entertainment news program in the word, Entertainment Tonight. In addition to her work with ET, O'Dell has contributed reports to "CBS This Morning," NBC's "Today" show and "Dateline. She is executive producer and host of "Celebrities at Home", which was recently picked up for a third season on HGTV. O'Dell was handpicked by Oprah and Mark Burnett to host "Your Own Show," one of OWN network's premiere primetime shows. Having over 20 years experience, O'Dell is a go-to anchor for live TV specials including the 2011 national Emmy pre-show, "Countdown to the Emmys", and FOX's New Year's Eve Special ringing in 2011. She was a special presenter on CBS' 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards, as well as a special host of Fox's American Country Music Awards. Previously, O'Dell served as the co-anchor of "Access Hollywood" for 13 years. O'Dell often appears on the big screen as well. An award-winning journalist, O'Dell has been honored with three Associated Press Awards, two Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Awards, an Emmy Award and has been nominated for seven additional Emmys.  Produced for: Allstate (one mention only)


Russell Hornsby - Hank Griffin on NBC'S "GRIMM"

Tuesdays on NBC (10-11 p.m. ET) "Grimm" is a drama series inspired by the classic Grimm Brother’s Fairy Tales. After Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, “Turn the Beat Around”) discovers he’s descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as ‘Grimms,’ he increasingly finds his responsibilities as a detective at odds with his new responsibilities as a Grimm. His attempts to shield his fiancée, Juliette Silverton (Bitsie Tulloch, “The Artist”), and his partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, “Lincoln Heights”), from the hazards of his new life have reached a crisis, leaving Juliette in a mysterious coma and Hank on the verge of a mental breakdown.  Russell Hornsby stars in NBC’s acclaimed drama series “Grimm” as Nick’s partner, Hank Griffin, who is blind to Nick’s new powers in the Grimm world. Hornsby is best known for his long-running lead role as Los Angeles cop Eddie Sutton in “Lincoln Heights.” Most recently, he starred opposite Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in August Wilson's “Fences.” He also completed a season of HBO's Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated drama "In Treatment," opposite Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest. His additional television credits include Showtime's “Shameless,” “Law and Order,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Good Wife,” and “Playmakers." His feature film credits include “After the Sunset,” “Big Fat Liar,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” “Meet the Parents,” and “Stuck.” His theater credits include “King Hedley,” "Gem of the Ocean,” “Two Trains Running,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Joe Louis Blues” and “Six Degrees of Separation.” Hornsby attended Boston University, College of Fine Arts.


Adrien Laurent - Director of Communication - Baron Philippe de Rothschild

Born in 1970 in Paris, France, hotel school educated, Adrien is an MBA graduate from Essec-Cornell University. Before joining Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 2000, Adrien worked in the gastronomy industry for Le Meridien hotel group in London and in Phuket, Thailand, and for must-seen dinner cruises of Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux London, as F&B Director.   Adrien had diverse and extensive export experiences with Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, among those being in charge of markets such as Africa & Middle-East or USA & Mexico. Adrien was appointed Head of Communication in 2012, to oversee Mouton Cadet’s partnerships with the European Tour (Golf) and the 2014 & 2018 Ryder Cups. HE lives in Bordeaux with his wife, one girl and two boys, and enjoy cooking for his friends, along with large bottles of fine wine of course.


Lisa Lillien - Food Network & Cooking Channel’s TV show, “Hungry Girl,”

The 30th Anniversary California Strawberry Festival is coming up May 18-19 and is jam-packed with strawberry goodness and good deeds. Always in abundance and creatively crafted, strawberries take center stage during fun and informative presentations at the Strawberry Promenade, a tented oasis for demonstrations and interactive activities. One of our celebrity chefs will be available for interviews prior to the Festival and would be perfect for CRN’s cooking show.

Lisa Lillien, star of Food Network and Cooking Channel’s popular TV show, “Hungry Girl,” and #1 bestselling cookbook author, reveals how you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to delicious, guilt-free cooking. During her presentation, she will answer questions and talk about extra special strawberry recipes from her new book “Hungry Girl – 200 Under 200, Just Desserts,” available for purchase. Lillien’s presentation is at 12:30pm on Sunday, May 19that the Strawberry Promenade at the Festival. She will be in the Los Angeles area and available for interviews starting May 15.

Ranking among the top Festivals in the nation, the fruitful fete boasts strawberries every way imaginable, featuring all day fun for the entire family with concert performances, the Strawberry Promenade with celebrity cooking demonstrations, more than 250 Fine Arts & Crafts booths, Strawberryland For Kids with free rides and attractions, gooey contests, special appearances, and more on 15 acres of parkland. The event has helped raise over $4 million for various Southland charities while paying tribute to the region’s agricultural heritage and winning award recognition for its recycling and “green” policies that began in 2001.

Oxnard is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. The free Park & Ride “Strawberry Express” shuttles from convenient locations off the 101 Fwy make getting to the Festival a breeze. Amtrak offers special Festival weekend discount rates (shuttles meet the trains). Limited parking is also available for $10 on site at Strawberry Meadows of College Park (3250 S. Rose Avenue in Oxnard).

05/13 JULIA REED, WAYNE TUCKER, BIO S.I. TECHNOLOGY, RICH AURILA

JULIA REED - BUT MAMA ALWAYS PUT VODKA IN HER SANGRIA!

JULIA REED is a contributing editor at Garden & Gun, where she writes the magazine's “The High & the Low” column. She is the author of Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties, Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena, and The House on First Street, My New Orleans Story. Reed lives in New Orleans.

In her new book, But Mama Always Put Vodka in Her Sangria!, Julia Reed, a master of the art of eating, drinking, and making merry, takes the reader on culinary adventures in places as far flung as Kabul, Afghanistan and as close to home as her native Mississippi Delta and Florida’s Gulf Coast. Along the way, Reed discovers the perfect Pimm’s Royale at the Paris Ritz, devours delicious chuletons in Madrid, and picks up tips from accomplished hostesses ranging from Pat Buckley to Pearl Bailey and, of course, her own mother. Reed writes about the bounty—and the burden—of a Southern garden in high summer, tosses salads in the English countryside, and shares C.Z. Guest’s recipe for an especially zingy bullshot. She understands the necessity of a potent holiday punch and serves it up by the silver bowl full, but she is not immune to the slightly less refined charms of a blender full of frozen peach daiquiris or a garbage can full of Yucca Flats. And then there are the parties: shindigs ranging from sultry summer suppers and raucous dinners at home to a Plymouth-like Thanksgiving feast and an upscale St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This delightful collection of essays by Julia Reed, a master storyteller with an inimitable voice and a limitless capacity for fun, will show you how to entertain guests with style, have a good time yourself and always have that perfect pitcher of sangria ready at a moment’s notice.


WAYNE TUCKER - CEO  BIO S.I. TECHNOLOGY

Soil inoculants are bacteria or fungi that are added to soils in order to improve plant growth by
entering into symbiotic relationships with plant root systems. They improve soil condition and
promote plant growth by freeing up soil nutrients for plant use and acting as antagonistic
organisms against plant pathogens. Mr. Tucker’s 19 years of experience in developing inoculant products dates back to 1989. Mr. Tucker has conducted extensive research and worked with many notable industry experts including James H. King, Jr.: BS, MA; Gerard O'Donovan, Professor and Former Chairman, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas; Michael J. Reber, Park Services Manager, Town of Flower Mound, Texas; and Dr. Benny Bruton of the USDA Research Facility and Noel Garcia of Texas Plant & Soil Lab.

Mr. Tucker is a featured speaker, educator, and industry representative at trade events and state
and national agricultural conferences and possesses a broad technical knowledge of micro
bacteria, enzymes, fungi, microbes and plant metabolism. He attended the University of Houstonand has an extensive educational background in Chemistry and Pharmacy. 

Bio S.I. Technology, LLC was incorporated in 2006 and includes a team of experts who have
over 20 years of experience producing microbial products since 1989. Bio S.I. solutions are all
natural, made with soil borne microbes, and do not contain any laboratory engineered or
manipulated microbes. The company constantly strives to improve their products and uses
cutting-edge testing methods for improving the consistency of every product they make.  For
more information about Bio S.I. Technology, or to purchase their cutting-edge formulas, please
visit  www.biositechnology.com   or email  info@biositechnology.com .  


RICH AURILA - RED STITCH WINE GROUP  

Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In 1992, Rich was selected by the Texas Rangers in the annual Major League Baseball draft and would go on to play for such teams as the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and the Cincinnati Reds. His baseball career would eventually bring him to San Francisco, where he played 11 seasons for the San Francisco Giants. He was honored in representing the Giants in the 2001 All Star Game  in Seattle, Washington.

Rich worked for Comcast Sports Bay Area and played an active role throughout his career  in San Francisco with the Bay Area Make a Wish Foundation. Living in the bay area and traveling  to the wine country for so many years gave him a wonderful love and appreciation for fine wine. In addition to Red Stitch, Rich enjoys cooking many wonderful types of foods for family and  friends - always sharing a favorite bottle of wine. Rich currently resides in Phoenix Arizona with his two sons, Chaz and Gavin.

Drawn together through a blind tasting group, our families (the Aurilias, Miceks and Roberts) have become close friends and devoted wine enthusiasts. Beginning in 2007, we have enjoyed incredible tastings in our homes and at our favorite restaurants across California and around the world. As our love for wine brought us closer together, our relationships across Napa and Sonoma grew deeper as well. After the 2008 baseball season ended for Rich and Dave, we started to lay the groundwork for our venture into the wine business. Enjoying one incredible tasting after another across the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, visits with Rolando Herrera of Mi Sueño Winery, and the story of his passion for the art of fine wine, led us to friendship and an ultimate partnership. Rolando’s knowledge and enthusiasm for Red Stitch gave us the opportunity to source incredible grapes from the Frog Tree Vineyard in the Coombsville region of Napa Valley for our first vintage of Red Stitch.

Since the formation of Red Stitch, all three couples have been intimately involved in the wine making process, and have worked closely with Rolando and the entire Mi Sueño family to craft a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that would stand the test of time. This hands-on approach defines our group’s desire to be involved in all aspects of the winemaking process. We are especially excited to include the Malbec varietal in our 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon both due to the vintage’s outstanding characteristics and the fact that a fantastic Malbec tasting first brought our three families together in San Francisco.