06/24 Chef Claud Beltra, Jeremy Jerome, STAR TREK WINE

CHEF CLAUD BELTRAN

Pasadena Chef Claud Beltran, Executive Chef/Owner of Noir Food & Wine, has been honored as one of the country’s top culinary talent as seen in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America. This exquisite 386-page coffee table book is the first-ever peer review guide of U.S. chefs, who were chosen after extensive interviews between fellow chefs and Best Chefs America analysts. Best Chefs America is the ultimate chef’s guide to chefs. Analysts conducted more than 5,000 interviews with chefs who were nominated by other chefs, culinary professionals and food enthusiasts across the country. Chefs earning the highest scores among their peers in their region were included in this guide. Chef Beltran recently opened The Eatery Restaurant, his new Creative Test Kitchen located at 488 N. Allen Avenue, Pasadena as a natural extension of Claud & Company Catering. The Eatery’s menu changes every month styled to a different seasonal theme. Creating special dinner events such as “Sweet Garlic Night” and “Gumbo Fest”. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. with A la carte, Tasting Menus, each month will unroll a new themed menu featuring a beguiling take on seasonal cuisine. Upcoming monthly menus include “Heirloom Tomato Month”, “Hail to the Pig” and “A Night in Provence” etc.


JEREMY JEROME - STAR TREK WINE 

A team of wine industry insiders will allow you “to boldly go where no one has gone before” with the release of collectible wines to commemorate the Star Trek series’ nearly fifty years of greatness. A limited 1701 cases of wine have been produced, all of which are available for sale exclusively on Vinport.com.

From the delicate Bajoran spring wine of Kendra province to the fruity bouquet of rare Tulaberry wine, Star Trek has a longstanding appreciation for wine and its many varietals and complex flavors. STAR TREK, the wine, sourced from Viansa Winery in Sonoma, California, is a medium bodied red blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc. This beautifully developed blend shows its unique character for a balanced and complex wine that’s pleasurable from start to finish. STAR TREK, the wine, retails for $24.99 on http://www.vinport.com/startrek and can be enjoyed with pizza, grilled meats or vegetables, or your favorite Romulan dish.

STAR TREK, the wine, is licensed by CBS Consumer Products and features artwork designed by artist Juan Ortiz in celebration of Star Trek: The Original Series. Fans will recognize three of the wine labels as three of the most beloved episodes of all time: “The City on the Edge of Forever,” “The Trouble with Tribbles” and “Mirror, Mirror.”

For bottle images or additional information, contact Margot Dempsey at mdempsey(at)colangelopr(dot)com or (646) 624-2885, ext 155.

06/21 SCOTT MACCONNELL, MICAH MUZIO, MICHAEL JORDAN, STEVE EVANS

Scott MacConnell - WINE WAREHOUSE IMPORTS

Just to say how much I enjoyed meeting you and tasting through so many good wines with you. It was an honor to finally be invited to judge in this competition and you helped to make it a fun experience. Be Well & Drink Well!






 

Micah Muzio - Managing Editor for Kelley Blue Book

The expert editors from Kelley Blue Book’s website, the leading provider of new car and used car information, have just named the 2013 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000!  While many inexpensive cars are decidedly uncool, the world’s auto manufacturers are putting more personality and distinction into their lower-priced offerings.  Not only have small cars never looked so good, but they also have never been more filled with cool content.  Two criteria -- fun-to-drive and fun-to-own -- are critical among the deciding factors of what the editors freely admit is a very subjective “cool factor,” the over-arching number-one criterion for a vehicle to place on this list.  Each vehicle is available for purchase at $18,000 or less.  Micah Muzio, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book, will be available for interview to reveal the full list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. He will offer his tips for finding the perfect new car at the right price, and give your viewers a first look at a few of this year’s featured cars.

Micah Muzio is the Managing Editor for Kelley Blue Book’s website.  Muzio’s responsibilities include producing unique and engaging video content, attending new-vehicle introduction events on behalf of Kelley Blue Book and writing knowledgeable yet pithy new car reviews.  Muzio is Kelley Blue  Book’s on-camera talent in their vehicle video reviews, feature videos and auto show coverage.  Prior to joining Kelley Blue Book, Muzio held a variety of positions in radio, video and production.


MICHAEL JORDAN  

Highly respected in the wine community, Jordan holds both Certified Wine Educator Diploma from Society of Wine Educators and Master Sommelier Diploma from the International Court of Master Sommeliers. (One of only 15 people in the world to hold both diplomas)

Michael’s father Matteo “Matty” Jordan (Owner of Matteo’s Italian Restaurant and “Maitre d’ to the stars”) served 5 different US Presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan & Ford at his restaurant.
Michael has served 3 US presidents: Nixon, Reagan and George Bush Sr..

Michael opened and was General Manager of the three top Zagat rated restaurants in O.C. - Pavilion, Pinot Provence & Napa Rose. In addition Jordan has worked as an Executive Chef, General Manager and Sommelier/Wine Director with long and extensive experience in the Food Service industry.
After creating wine programs for Both Pinot Provence and Napa Rose, both restaurants have been awarded Food and Wine magazine’s “Best New Wine List”

Napa Rose received Wine Enthusiast magazine’s highest wine award – Award of Ultimate Distinction - 2004-2009

Owner/Chef of Bella Teresa Restaurant with wife Teresa in Corona del Mar, California
Jordan personally grows 40 different types of organic heirloom tomatoes and supplies his restaurants in summer months.

Personally created and taught the sommelier classes resulting in over 400 students passing Court of Sommeliers Exams and 45 working in Napa Rose alone! (Most in any restaurant in world)
Jordan was responsible for bringing first Court of Master Sommelier to ever be held annually in Southern California (2001 to present) - AND brought first ever Court exams to China (in Hong Kong and Singapore 2009, and Shanghai in 2010)

Over 35 yrs in restaurant business. Started washing dishes and prep cook in father’s Matteo’s restaurant, worked his way up to Executive Chef of their two restaurants in Hawaii then general manager and finally Director of Operations of five Matteo’s Restaurants in California and Hawaii.

Graduate of Kalani High School, Honolulu

University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Food Service Mgt. Program

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.

06/20 Brooke Peterson, Private Chefs of Beverly Hills, Stephanie Honig, Honig Vineyard and Winery, Cobb Hirsch Vineyards, Larry Sharp, William Shatner, Hot in Cleveland

Brooke Peterson - Star of The Food Network’s “Private Chefs of Beverly Hills”

Brooke Peterson is a lifestyles expert like no other and believes FUN to be paramount in every aspect of her multi-faceted life.

Growing up as the daughter of designer and the granddaughter of a chef, you could say she was born into the Ultimate Martha Stewart Training Camp…on steroids.   It was among these women that Brooke’s creative juices starting flowing and set her on her path - a career and life dedicated to making something out of nothing and making everything uniquely fun.

Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2006, Brooke created and starred in Yahoo’s original series Cheap N Easy, a tremendously popular cooking and lifestyles show. Brooke’s quick wit, humor and tremendous attention to budget allowed her to stand strong among the other talent on the site including Martha Stewart, Wolfgang Puck and Rachael Ray.  Next she went on to star in Food Network’s Private Chefs of Beverly Hills.

Named by various newspapers and media outlets as ‘one to watch,’ Brooke has worked as a correspondent for Showtime, V.I.P. Access, The T.V. Guide Channel, The Style Network, The Rachael Ray Show, CW’s Career Day, Martha Stewart Radio, Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer, TV Guide, Health Magazine, Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect, Los Angeles Magazine, MommyCast.com and Rock What You Got with Brooke Peterson on Style Haul.

In the summer of 2010 Brooke welcomed her daughter Rome Issabella into the world and added All things Mom to her resume as a lifestyles expert.

Brooke owns and operates the creative services firm, Experience Architecture in Los Angeles. Her firm creates one of a kind projects and events for private Hollywood clients, hotels and celebrities.

Brooke Peterson’s brand operates under one simple philosophy…Celebrate Every Moment and she can be found doing exactly throughout this site.


Stephanie Honig - Honig Vineyard & Winery

Rutherford Dust Society Private Tasting  - On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Rutherford Dust Society, I would like to invite you to our annual, private media tasting of the Top 20 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons on Wednesday, July 10th at the Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford House, 1074 Rutherford Road. Join president Regina Weinstein, Andy Beckstoffer, Davie Pina, Jeffrey Stambor and other key members of the Rutherford Dust Society for a guided tasting and panel discussion, which will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.  Please plan to arrive at 10:00 for a meet and greet. This year, we will focus on the 2010 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon and cabernet blends from the Rutherford AVA, tasting the wines first in an open format with a panel of growers and vintners from the appellation. Following this exclusive media tasting, we’ll enjoy the same wines and discussion over lunch, also at the Rutherford House.   After lunch, you are welcome to join us for A Day in the Dust, a grand tasting for Bay Area trade representatives, which will offer wines from more than 35 Rutherford AVA wineries. Media will have early entry at 1:30. The tasting will also feature a White Wine Tasting Bar, offering guests the opportunity to taste a selection of Rutherford white wines from the 2012 vintage. We will take the short walk from the Rutherford House to the barrel room at Beaulieu Vineyard.IMPORTANT: the afternoon tasting will take place in a working winery. Due to legal restrictions, please wear closed-toe shoes and no high heels.


Ross Cobb - Winemaker at Hirsch Vineyards 
   

Long time friend of our family, our site, and its fruit. Worked with Hirsch grapes while making wine at Williams Selyem and at Flowers where he was chief wine jefe from 2004-2008. His family planted and farms Coastlands Vineyard down the coast from us: he is a total denizen of this True Sonoma Coast.

Perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Fort Ross, Hirsch Vineyards is the birth ground of great pinot noir on the extreme Sonoma Coast. David Hirsch founded the vineyard in 1980 to grow fruit and make site-specific wine. From the start all efforts have been on the growing of fruit that makes wines profoundly characteristic of the site vintage after vintage.

The wines from Hirsch Vineyards give the passionate drinker an experience of the clash of opposites meeting in Nature and Life: the edge of the continent washed by the sea; the eviternal grinding of the North American and Pacific plates along the San Andreas Fault; the wet winters and dry summers caused by the ocean and desert climates; the dripping rainforest and parched pastures; the contact and intermingling of cultures: Native American, Mexican, Russian, European; the change in rural economy from logging and ranching to winegrowing.

In the wines of Hirsch Vineyards you find a natural balance and consistency in the harmonious resolution of these opposites. This complex, unique site produces fruit and wines of unusual acidity and balance with a vintage specific concentration of pinot noir or chardonnay fruit. These are wines to be enjoyed now or laid down for future consumption.


Larry Sharp – KVYN and KVON

Wine Country Broadcasting Company is a small San Francisco, California, United States, based radio broadcasting company that owns radio stations in Napa and Saint Helena, a broadcast translator in Calistoga, and repeater in Cordelia, California.

Wine Country Broadcasting, a California corporation, is owned by the Roger O. Walther SP Trust, and administered by the Tusker Corporation of San Francisco (a Delaware corporation). The trust is administered by Roger O. Walther and Anne Newton Walther, husband and wife. Roger O. Walther is the Chairman and CEO of Tusker.

Wine Country Broadcasting bought the properties in 2003 from Charles B. Moss III, and CBM Napa LLC.


William Shatner

To celebrate its summer premiere, the cast of "Hot in Cleveland" took on a challenge most shows don't even consider. Thought it's been seen from time to time in recent years as a stunt, this was the first time "Hot in Cleveland" went live, That said, series star Betty White is more than familiar with live television, as most of television was broadcast that way when she got her start.

Overall, it was a fairly seamless performance, with nobody breaking character or noticeably messing up. Zap2It was looking for flubs, and attributed the only one they could notice to Betty White herself, ironically enough. But it happened early and didn't disrupt the flow of the scene.
Even the litany of guest stars had no problems with the live format, including Danny Pudi ("Community"), Brian Baumgartner ("The Office"), Shirley Jones and -- strangely -- William Shatner as Jones' son. Strange because Shatner is actually older than Jones.

But while nobody broke character during the episode, it was a whole different ballgame at the end, with the dialogue clearly talking about the live experience. "Right on time, give or take," Joy said.

“I don’t know about you, but my hands are empty. I feel like I need a martini," Victoria countered.

And that's exactly what the ladies did, as evidenced by the pictures they all shared via Twitter of them each enjoying a martini.

The summer season of "Hot in Cleveland" continues -- albeit not live -- every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on TV Land.

06/19 AIDA MOLLENKAMP, HEATHER TERHUNE

Aida Mollenkamp - Chef Host of Cooking Channel’s - FoodCrafters and Food Network’s Ask Aida

The first day of summer is upon us and grilling season will soon be in full swing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 48 million Americans, roughly one in six people in the United States, get foodborne illness each year – more in the summer months when people are camping, hiking, picnicking and grilling outdoors. Most people think they have food safety basics down, but often overlook simple steps that can make a big difference like defrosting meat in the refrigerator, using separate plates for raw meat and poultry, or cooking meat thoroughly. Before firing up the grill this summer, always remember the Chicken ABC’s: Always Be Careful  Chef Aida Mollenkamp will be available for live interviews to provide the latest food safety tips for summer grilling. She will discuss everything from avoiding cross contamination at the grocery store to safely preparing and storing meat and poultry prior to putting it on the grill, to proper cooking temperature, times and storing leftovers. Aida will also demonstrate two delicious and seasonally-inspired recipes perfect for summer grilling season.


Heather Terhune - Executive Chef of Sable Kitchen & Bar Chicago

A recent survey indicated that 95% of Americans get at least one thing wrong when asked about proper use and handling of cutlery. 87% of Americans got multiple things wrong. Heather Terhune is the Executive Chef of Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago. She presents a thrilling opportunity to continually push her ingredient-driven food philosophy in new directions. Focused on New American social plates, Terhune elevates classic dishes with contemporary flavors, building upon a decade of experience perfecting American comfort food at Chicago's beloved Loop mainstay Atwood Café. Her culinary expertise helped push her into the top ten on Bravo TV’s Top Chef Texas.  Terhune uses Sable's state-of-the-art open kitchen to interact with guests and serve food that is both innovative and appealing in its simplicity. "My focus is on the quality of the ingredients, not the quantity," she explains.

06/18 Pat LaFrieda, Heather Muran, Roll Out The Barrels

Pat LaFrieda - Owner of Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors

Pat LaFrieda's first foray into the meat world began in the summer of 1981, when he was just 10 years old, when he started learning the tricks of the meat trade from sunrise to sundown under the watchful eye of his forefathers. That particular summer changed the course of his life. Twenty-eight years later, he owns and operates New York City's most prestigious and most valued meatpacking facility. Selling to the finest restaurants around the country — including ones in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and Chicago — Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors is synonymous with quality. As the The New York Post put it, "If carnivores really want to get respect, they need to name-drop cult butchers like Pat LaFrieda."  Famous for their “chopped,” not ground, meat, Pat has created more than 50 custom hamburger blends and is the mastermind behind such burgers as the famous Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern (the reigning haute burger in NYC), as well as signature custom blends at hot spots such as Shake Shack, Spotted Pig, Union Square Café, Blue Smoke and Market Table.  He has been featured in such esteemed outlets as The New York Times, New York Magazine, Men's Vogue, Saveur, The New York Post and Time Out New York. He has also appeared on the Food Network, Martha Stewart’s show, ABC News’ Nightline, Anthony Bourdain'sNo Reservations and Mike Colameco’s Real Food on PBS.


Heather Muran - San Luis Obispo Wine Region

For 23 consecutive years, our annual Roll Out The Barrels summer celebration has set the pace for good times, good vibes and good wines in San Luis Obispo County.

The festivities begin with a Thursday evening “Barrels in The Plaza” grand tasting adjacent to the historic Mission in downtown San Luis Obispo. Here, the wines of SLO Wine Country are served with artfully paired treats prepared by local chefs. Then, on Friday evening, our wineries team up with area restaurants to offer a selection of winemaker’s dinners to fit every taste.

Over the weekend, you will enjoy a two-day passport to more than 20 wineries offering wine and food pairings, live entertainment, exclusive specials, barrel and library wine tastings and more. Complete your 2-day adventure with our SLO Wine Country Shuttle Touring Ticket--our flexible touring schedule allows you to experience wine country at your leisure!   It’s never too early to mark your calendars for this signature SLO Wine Country event.

06/17 Alain Coumont, Le Pain Quotidien, Daymond John, Shark Tank, Larry Van Aalst

Alain Coumont founder of Le Pain Quotidien

Alain Coumont is the founder of Le Pain Quotidien and currently serves as the Company's Chief Creative Officer. In this role, he remains the driving force behind the brand's dedication to organic ingredients. Prior to founding Le Pain Quotidien, Alain began his career working as a chef with Michel Guerard, Georges Blanc and Joel Robuchon. He lives with his family near Montpellier, France. Jean-Pierre Gabriel is an award-winning author and photographer.


FAVORITE RECIPES FROM THE LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN KITCHENS, THIS BOOK IS A LITTLE SLICE OF 'OUR DAILY BREAD' TO ENJOY AT HOME LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN COOKBOOK

Best known for its organic bread and signature tartines, Le Pain Quotidien is also about enjoying great food with family and friends- any time of the day. Now Alain Coumont, the founder and driving force behind Le Pain Quotidien and a true pioneer in promoting organic food, presents more than 100 of his recipes for simple, wholesome and healthy fare—everything from handmade breads and breakfast dishes to tartines, soup, salads, sharing dishes for family and friends and desserts—in Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook (Mitchell Beazley, June 2013, $29.99, Hardcover).

First there are the world famous breads from grissini, baguettes and focaccia to the popular nut and raisin flutes and signature sourdough bread, which is the foundation of Le Pain Quotidien tartines. Coumont reveals his secrets for baking great sourdough bread at home: getting the temperature right, helping the dough to rise and creating steam in your oven to get the characteristic dark, chewy crust. He also provides step-by-step instructions for creating the all important sourdough starter. Baking your own bread goes against the very nature of the modern world and demands patience, he explains, but it is ultimately greatly rewarding and embodies Le Pain Quotidien’s embrace of the slow life.

The  book features a wealth of recipes for tartines, the wonderful open-faced sandwiches made on slices of sourdough: Smoked Salmon and Celeriac; Toasted Camembert, Walnut & Fig; Asparagus & Ricotta; Eggplant, Mozzarella & Tomato; Goat Cheese, Pear & Honey; Lamb and Rosemary. Tartines are delicious, easy to prepare, and adaptable to seasonal produce. And they are perfect for lunch, dinner, snacks, and entertaining. Throughout, healthy, fresh recipes prevail, calling for more grains and vegetables and less meat.

For breakfast there is a Chia Seed Banana Muffin, Buckwheat Pancakes with Chestnut Puree and a zesty Thai-inspired Lime & Coconut French Toast. Tantalizing salads include Yellow Beet & Chicken Salad and the classic Belgian Liégeoise Salad. An innovative Brussel Sprouts Carpaccio served with goat cheese offers a summery take on this favorite little vegetable. Mussel Soup with potatoes, saffron and aioli seduces, and main dishes for sharing feature a rich and full flavored Chili Sin Carne and Pearl Barley Paella. Desserts favorites such as Classic Canelés de Bordeaux; a brownie-like Chocolate Tart; and Ines’s Cookies, a fantastic and flavorful cookie with ginger, clove and cinnamon topped with nougat, are sweet notes to end a meal on or delectable on their own anytime.

With Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook, Alain Coumont reveals all, from artisanal baking tricks to delicious slow-fast food recipes that you can now make at home. Le Pain Quotidien began in 1990 as an artisan bakery in Belgium and has evolved into a chain 172 restaurants worldwide serving delicious, slow-fast food that does you good - all handmade with the best organic and local ingredients. With its communal tables where guests can sit and eat together in a tranquil, rustic environment, Le Pain Quotidien transports its customers to a simpler way of life.

Worldwide locations include Belgium, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, United States, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Russia, Qatar, Australia, Spain, Mexico, Bahrain, India, Japan, the Netherlands and Brazil.



Daymond John - ABC's  'SHARK TANK'

A young entrepreneur, industry pioneer, highly regarded marketing expert and a man who has surpassed new heights of commercial and financial success are just a few ways people have described Daymond John. Based on his early success as a young entrepreneur creating tie-top hats for himself and his friends in New York, Daymond recruited neighborhood buddies to create FUBU (For Us By Us), one of the most iconic fashion brands for the once untapped urban apparel space.  Daymondeventually convinced Hip-Hop superstar LL Cool J to wear FUBU for a promotional campaign. The Hip-Hop community began to support the new brand and eventually transcended into mainstream and at its peak recorded annual sales of $350 million.  Many of today’s greatest companies were started by a group of friends with a good idea. TV Star, fashion icon, branding expert, author, and motivational speaker, Daymond John, will talk about the launch of an exciting New Business Competition; “Miller Lite Tap the FutureTM,” where up-and-coming entrepreneurs Compete for a $400K Prize Pool in business grants. Five regional teams can win $20K each, but only one team can win the grand prize of $250K. Additionally, consumers will be able to vote online for their favorite team. The five teams with the most fan votes will be awarded $10,000 each. Competitors will also have a chance to pitch and receive advice from some of the sharpest business minds in the country, including Daymond John, also known as “The Shark” from ABC’s “Shark Tank,” and other inspirational entrepreneurs.


LARRY VAN AALST - SOMMELIER

LARRY HOSTS A WEEKLY PROGRAM ON CRN AND ALSO IS AN EXPERT ON WINE WHO IS SOUGHT AFTER FOR EVENTS, TASTES AND MAJOR SOMMELIER EVENTS IN  THE SAM FRANCISCO AREA. HE COMMENTS ON THE INDUSTRY AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT WINE.

06/14 NANCY GARDELLA, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, DR. JOEL FISHER, STEVE EVANS

NANCY GARDELLA -  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE           

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce is delighted to welcome you to the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard and its rural towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury, and the more populous towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven (also known as Tisbury).

Whether you seek the natural beauties of pristine beaches, clay cliffs and plentiful bird watching, historical and cultural attractions, exquisite  dining and world-class accommodations, diverse outdoor activities or the many artists, handcrafts and one-of-a-kind boutiques, the Vineyard provides these and so much more.

Martha’s Vineyard is the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding and honeymoon, as well as a lovely retreat from the hectic pace of the world.

The Vineyard also welcomes corporate meetings and executive retreats, offering state of the art technologies to accommodate every need.

When contacting any of these listings, please let them know you found them through the Chamber of Commerce.

Whether your visit to Martha’s Vineyard is for a day or more, for business or pleasure, or joining us as a summer or year-round resident, we stand ready to welcome you to this beautiful island.
 Martha’s Vineyard can be reached by sea or by air. Many options exist including: by ferry, by car to the ferries, by bus to the ferries, by plane, by train, by private boat, or by securing concierge and travel services.

 Home to nearly 100 lodging options, Martha’s Vineyard has options to meet any need. Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting, a family vacation, or a romantic dream wedding –  If you’re looking for B&B's, Inns, Guest Houses, Hotels,  Motels, Resorts,  Cottage and House Rentals, or even  Campgrounds – There is a place for you on Martha’s Vineyard.


DR.  JOEL FISHER  

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.

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.

06/13 Emilio Estefan, John Emmerich

Emilio Estefan - Grammy Award-winning musician, producer and entrepreneur

In today’s constantly changing world, traditional notions of retirement are being rejeccted by Americans 50+ who don’t see themselves at or near the end of work.  In fact, a recent AARP of 50+ voters revealed that 50 percent of working respondents believe they will never stop working. Driven by either necessity or personal passion, more boomers are pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors with about one-sixth of baby boomers expected to go into business for themselves at some point.


This has led to people creating a new life stage; they are rejecting the notion that their possibilities are shrinking as they get older. They want to use their years of experience not to “wind down,” but to reach even higher for new opportunities in work and business, to take action to overcome fears and achieve their aspirations, and to build a greater sense of community.

In an effort to guide Americans through life transitions and discover new possibilities, AARP is launching Life Reimagined, a free - online and offline – tool in English and Spanish, that helps people in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s navigate and adapt to this new life stage and achieve their goals and dreams. Combined with insights from the world’s leading experts in health, relationships, career coaching and entrepreneurship, LifeReimagined offers a step-by-step approach that prepares Americans for the change they want, and supports them as they make it happen.

As part of Life Reimagined, AARP announces 19 Grammy Award-winning musician, producer and entrepreneur Emilio Estefan as its newest ambassador. Estefan will draw on his personal experience to share his point of view and expertise on a variety of subjects, including his passion for living, mentoring, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and much more.

Learn more about Life Reimagined at lifereimagined.aarp.org
Or in Spanish at AARP.org/posibilidades



JON EMMERICH – SILVERADO VINEYARDS

Jon is only the second lead winemaker in the history of Silverado Vineyards. During his years at the winery, he has grown Silverado’s reputation for quality and consistency.
Jon has come a long way since his days as a kid in Redwood City, a suburb south of San Francisco. In those days, he remembers his parents drinking Mateus Rosé and Blue Nun, popular wine brands in the 70s. It wasn’t until Jon went away to college at UC Davis where, on a lark, he enrolled in the Fermentation Science program, that he was introduced to the greater world of California wine.

As it turns out, Jon’s lessons took place not only in the classroom, but also in his dorm room. He and a dorm mate, whose family owned a small farm and winery in Lodi, decided to use some of the family fruit to make wine in their dorm room. It was a red blend and, at that point, Jon realized that if he could make decent wine in a dorm room, then he could make really good wine out in the world.

In 1985, Emmerich tested his wings in France for an internship where he augmented his knowledge of the traditional wine making craft. After graduating from The University of California, Davis in 1987 with a BS in Fermentation Science, Emmerich worked a harvest at Stags Leap Wine Cellars. He then spent a year at Conn Creek Winery and Sebastiani before moving to Silverado Vineyards in 1990.

Emmerich is Past President of the Napa Valley Wine Tech Group and Past President of the Winemaking Techniques Committee of the California Enological Research Association. He is currently on the Board of The Trellis Alliance, an advisory committee to The University of California, Davis Viticulture and Enology Department.

Managing winemaking is just one part of what Jon does at Silverado Vineyards. He spends a lot of time on the road, meeting consumers and carrying the Silverado story outside the Napa Valley. He also spends copious amounts of time working in Silverado’s estate vineyards to understand the terroir and communicate its story through the wines. Jon sums it up nicely – “If my staff enjoys their work and our customers enjoy our wines, then I have done my job. In the end, that’s what really matters.”

06/12 LARRY LIPSON, LOU FERRIGNO

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.



LOU FERRIGNO - ACTOR

Actor Lou Ferrigno has an iconic roar.  But Lou is now ready to go public and admit that recently, his roar was heard not when in the throes of a particularly intense workout or while becoming a “hulking,” green creature on TV, but when he suffered from a more mundane problem: computer rage.  Many of us suffer the same rage inducers: the blue screen of death, network disruptions, failure to print etc., but admitting that you have a problem is the first step.  And as Lou discovered, there are ways to face this issue head-on, use some easy steps to ease the frustration, and avoid the roar.  

Lou is an American actor, fitness trainer/consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuildingdocumentary Pumping Iron. As an actor, he is best known for portraying the titular role in the CBS television seriesThe Incredible Hulk and vocally reprising the role in subsequent animated and computer-generated incarnations. He has also appeared in European-produced fantasy-adventures such as Sinbad of the Seven Seas and Hercules, and as himself in the sitcom The King of Queens and the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man.

06/11 Chef Luigi Diotaiuti, Jimena Turner, Alamos Winery, Chef Charlie Palmer

Chef Luigi Diotaiuti

Luigi Diotaiuti was born in a farm near Lagonegro, in the mountains of Southern Italy. He completed his culinary degree at the Culinary School in the seaside town of Maratea. That was the launching of a prestigious career, working in world famous places before choosing to settle in Washington, DC. His training experiences include working in renowned restaurants, such as the ones of Hotel Georges V in Paris, the Grand Hotel Bauer Grunwald in Venice, Il Gourmet restaurant and Hotel Bellavista in Montecatini, Tuscany and Costa Smeralda and Forte Village in Sardinia. Chef Luigi opened Al Tiramisu restaurant in 1996, after having worked in several Italian restaurants in Washington, DC. Chef Luigi's cooking philosophy is and has always been: "Respect the ingredients, the food and the people".

His background, his training and his talent all provide Al Tiramisu patrons a consistently exciting cuisine, allying classical Italian fare with creative techniques. His trademark outfit is a red bandanna around his neck, and bowtie pasta buttons on his jacket. Today, Chef Luigi keeps his inspiration by traveling and training, attending classes at the Istituto Etoile, in Tuscany, the Ritz Escoffier in Paris or recently training in some kitchens, such as Enoteca les Logge in Siena or Ristorante Il Silene with Chef Roberto Rossi, near Grosseto, or even perfecting family recipes from his three sisters Maria, Lina and Giuseppina in Lagonegro.

Chef Luigi is also a certified Sommelier from the Association of Italian Sommeliers. In fact, he is the first certified professional sommelier from the AIS in Washington, DC. Chef Luigi is always in search of a birthday to celebrate or a song to sing along or an occasion to ring the bell: you will come to Al Tiramisu as a customer and leave as a friend.


Jimena Turner - Brand Ambassador of  Alamos Winery in Mendoza

Jimena Turner, director of wine education for Wines of Catena in Mendoza, Argentina, embodies the sophistication and international character of Argentina’s highly developed culture of food and wine.
Born of a Welsh father and Argentine mother, Turner started her professional education in North Wales as an honor roll graduate in hotel and restaurant management from College Menai. She went directly into the top of the trade, working at the Royal Celtic Hotel in North Wales, then for the Mathis properties in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Her experience with international cuisines spurred her passion in wine, and Turner returned to her native Argentina to focus her energies on the life of wine in Mendoza. She has continued her education in the detailed practices of viticulture and winemaking, working side by side with the vineyard managers and winemakers of Alamos.

Since joining the Catena family enterprise in 2006, Turner has developed innovative wine education and hospitality programs, and she travels the world to present these wines at private dinners and public events.


Master Chef, Charlie Palmer - Rustic Dishes from New Cookbook

From sun up to sundown, meals prepared on a campfire are meant to be simple, but they can still aspire to be more than the typical fare that often goes hand-in-hand with outdoor cooking. 

The meals that come out of these experiences are memorable.  While the setting helps, being away from the fridge and oven, or even the backyard grill, seems to spur cooks to greater achievements and ever-more-clever ways of enjoying the experience of cooking and eating outdoors.

Charlie Palmer is a respected and admired chef, hospitality entrepreneur, author and hotelier.  Over the years, Palmer combined his creative cooking spirit and flair for business to open twelve notable restaurants across the country, award-winning boutique hotels and a growing collection of food-forward wine shops. He’s also the author of four cookbooks, Great American Food (Random House/1996), Charlie Palmer's Casual Cooking (Harper Collins/2001), The Art of Aureole, (Ten Speed Press/2002), and Charlie Palmer's Practical Guide to the New American Kitchen (Melcher Media/2006).  His fifth book, a collaborative project, Remington Camp Cooking by Charlie Palmer (Welcome Books/2013) is to be released in early summer 2013.   He is a 20-year board member of City Meals on Wheels and longtime supporter of Share our Strength as well as a member of James Beard "Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America,” and was named Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America in 2012.