SoCal Restaurant Show Andrew Harris and Andrew Gruel

Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s fame on the RCS Carnival Midway. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now for the closing weekend of the Los Angeles County Fair and beyond.
Then it's on to the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar (June 12th) and the OC Fair launching on Friday, July 19th. We’re taking Fair Food at its tastiest best with The Midway Gourmet.
On Chef Dominic’s menus are a Dill Pickle Split with Pineapple Whip, a Candied Pickle and Candied Watermelon Slice, Peaches and Cream Funnel Cake and Nashville Chicken Tots. Yum …!

Memorial Day Weekend good wishes to all.
Outrageous Fair Food is always a mouthwatering highlight. What crazy edible will they next put on a stick? One of the all-star, Fair Food personalities is the well-traveled Midway Gourmet, Chef Dominic Palmieri of Biggy’s fame on the RCS Carnival Midway. We’ll find out what indulgent deliciousness Chef Dominic is cooking up now for the closing weekend of the Los Angeles County Fair and beyond.
Then it's on to the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar (June 12th) and the OC Fair launching on Friday, July 19th. We’re taking Fair Food at its tastiest best with The Midway Gourmet.
“The second annual Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week  returns June 2 to 9, 2024.  The 2024 event and future events are now owned/organized by United Cambodian Community (UCC) of Long Beach, a California registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week is an avenue to bring everyone to the table, from all walks of life, to showcase the city's delicious and diverse Cambodian food scene. The eight-day event also seeks to highlight Cambodian-owned food businesses as well as Cambodian chefs and bartenders.” Shlap Muan (Khmer for chicken wings) known for their novel selection of incredible chicken wings and house-recipe sauces is one of the participating restaurants in Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week. Proprietor Hawk Tea is our guest with a spicy preview.
“McPrice 'Mac' Myers (Paso Robles-based) has been crafting high-expression wines of balance, value, and place since 2002. A lifelong, self-proclaimed "food and wine geek,” Mac was a quick study and almost immediately had the media lauding his wines from near and far. His passion for unique sites in Paso Robles and California's Central Coast, combined with his meticulous attention to detail in the cellar, result in stunning wines that more than actually live up to the hype.” McPrice “Mac” Myers and Associate Winemaker Adrian Perez join us to uncork all that is McPrice Myers Wines.
This September it’s the 75th Anniversary of NORMS famous for their hotcakes. “In 1949, Los Angeles native Norm Roybark opened one of the first 24/7 restaurants in Southern California. A small diner located near the famed Hollywood corner of Sunset and Vine, NORMS quickly became the neighborhood destination by delivering on its promise of “great food, great service, and great value.” Today there are 23 locations across Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties with more on the way in 2024 including Las Vegas.” NORMS’ David Cox, Vice President of Food & Beverage and Corporate Executive Chef, is our guide to share all things NORMS.
“Upland Lemon Festival in the Inland Empire returns from June 14th through the 16th. This annual community-driven event celebrates Upland’s citrus heritage while showcasing local businesses, varietal food vendors, live musical entertainment, a carnival and lots more. The Festival first debuted in 1997 and is set to be even bigger and better this time around. This FREE family-friendly event annually attracts more than 100,000 attendees from around the Inland Empire and all of Southern California.” Producer Steve Clayton of Soundskilz and food and beverage coordinator Sarah Madriz join us to squeeze out all that is the Upland Lemon Festival.
Chef Andrew Gruel’s usual “Ask the Chef” segment on the controversial “Duff Cut” for a sandwich is rescheduled for next Saturday, June 1st. He was in the air on a delayed flight at his usual time. Instead we used the opportunity to present a tribute to Cuban-refugee Raul Porto, Sr. who co-founded Porto’s Bakery and Café with his late wife Rosa in 1976 in Los Angeles. Mr. Porto passed away earlier in the week at 92. The legacy of Porto’s is now safely in the hands of the 2nd generation of the founding and hard-working Porto’s Family.
All of this and heaping helpings

The second annual Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week  returns June 2 to 9, 2024.  “The 2024 event and future events are now owned/organized by United Cambodian Community (UCC) of Long Beach, a California registered 501(c)3 non-profit. The 2023 inaugural event was organized by non-profit Long Beach Food & Beverage, who transitioned the event to UCC earlier this month for the token amount of $1, and will remain involved in 2024 to insure a smooth transition.”
“Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week is an avenue to bring everyone to the table, from all walks of life, to showcase the city's delicious and diverse Cambodian food scene. The eight-day event also seeks to highlight Cambodian-owned food businesses as well as Cambodian chefs and bartenders.”
"We are excited to take the reins of Cambodian Restaurant Week beginning this year, and owning this successful brand!" stated Susana Sngiem, Executive Director at UCC. “This will again give our local Cambodian community the opportunity to share our culture and cuisine with all food lovers in Long Beach and encourage them to try something they may not have experienced before."
“Long Beach is home to the largest community of Cambodians outside of the country itself, many refugees settling in Long Beach after escaping the Khmer Rouge regime genocide of the late 1970s. The city's own "Cambodia Town" is a bustling collection of eateries, shops and retailers.”
Shlap Muan (Khmer for chicken wings) known for their novel selection of incredible chicken wings and accompanying signature sauces is one of the participating restaurants in Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week. Proprietor Hawk Tea is our guest with a spicy preview.

“McPrice 'Mac' Myers (Paso Robles-based) has been crafting high-expression wines of balance, value, and place since 2002. A lifelong, self-proclaimed "food and wine geek,” Mac was a quick study and almost immediately had the media lauding his wines from near and far. His passion for unique sites in Paso Robles and California's Central Coast, combined with his meticulous attention to detail in the cellar, result in stunning wines that more than actually live up to the hype.”
“Over the last two decades, McPrice (Mac) Myers has been crafting wines of depth and balance that showcase the multiple terroirs and climates of the Central Coast – from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Mac produced his first vintage in 2002 with half a ton of grapes in a small cooperative in Paso Robles. From that humble beginning, Mac has developed a growing portfolio of wines with broad appeal. In 2014, Mac moved the winery to the current site nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Adelaida District. Over the years, McPrice Myers wines have garnered increasing attention from wine lovers and critics alike.”

“On a cold December day, a wine enthusiast walked into the rustic McPrice Myers tasting room to try Mac’s wines for the first time. Venus Lai signed up for the wine club and was immediately wowed by the depth and sophistication of the wines. Little did anyone know that this would be the beginning of a journey that two years later would lead to a partnership to purchase the property - 84 acres of Adelaida District land that they named Belle Terre (a play on Beautiful Earth – one of Mac’s flagship wines), which was home to the winery, 20 acres of vineyards, and a house sitting atop the hill.”

“The property had good bones - rich terroir, excellent climate, and a top-notch production site, but there was so much more potential to be realized. Mac and Venus shared a vision to transform the property into an experience that would live up to the quality and breadth of the wines. In 2018, the Hilltop House was transformed into a luxurious, modern vacation home.”
“They plan to showcase both the wines and the property by increasing the vineyard acreage, creating a new hospitality and tasting facility (opening in later 2024), and elevating the experience for wine club members. In 2020, McPrice Myers began releasing wines from The Estate Vineyard, opening a new chapter in its diverse offerings. Above all else, McPrice Myers will remain true to their roots in delivering the wines and experiences their loyal customers have come to expect!”
McPrice “Mac” Myers and Associate Winemaker Adrian Perez joins us to uncork all that is McPrice Myers wines.

“Over the last two decades, McPrice (Mac) Myers has been crafting wines of depth and balance that showcase the multiple terroirs and climates of the Central Coast – from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Mac produced his first vintage in 2002 with half a ton of grapes in a small cooperative in Paso Robles. From that humble beginning, Mac has developed a growing portfolio of wines with broad appeal. In 2014, Mac moved the winery to the current site nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Adelaida District. Over the years, McPrice Myers wines have garnered increasing attention from wine lovers and critics alike.”

“On a cold December day, a wine enthusiast walked into the rustic McPrice Myers tasting room to try Mac’s wines for the first time. Venus Lai signed up for the wine club and was immediately wowed by the depth and sophistication of the wines. Little did anyone know that this would be the beginning of a journey that two years later would lead to a partnership to purchase the property - 84 acres of Adelaida District land that they named Belle Terre (a play on Beautiful Earth – one of Mac’s flagship wines), which was home to the winery, 20 acres of vineyards, and a house sitting atop the hill.”

“The property had good bones - rich terroir, excellent climate, and a top-notch production site, but there was so much more potential to be realized. Mac and Venus shared a vision to transform the property into an experience that would live up to the quality and breadth of the wines. In 2018, the Hilltop House was transformed into a luxurious, modern vacation home.”
“In 2020, McPrice Myers began releasing wines from The Estate Vineyard, opening a new chapter in its diverse offerings. Above all else, McPrice Myers will remain true to their roots in delivering the wines and experiences their loyal customers have come to expect!”
McPrice Myers and Associate Winemaker Adrian Perez continue with us uncorking all that is McPrice Myers wines.

This September it’s the 75th Anniversary of NORMS famous for their hotcakes. “In 1949, Los Angeles native Norm Roybark opened one of the first 24/7 restaurants in Southern California. A small diner located near the famed Hollywood corner of Sunset and Vine, NORMS quickly became the neighborhood destination by delivering on its promise of “great food, great service, and great value.” Today there are 23 locations across Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties with more on the way in 2024 including Las Vegas.”
“NORMS helped usher in a new era of casual family dining in Southern California. The friendly service and welcoming environment, along with the fresh, quality meals at affordable prices, attracted a following that has remained incredibly loyal. Today, NORMS fans span across generations, and as it continues to grow in both presence and popularity, NORMS remains the place “Where Life Happens.””
NORMS’ David Cox, Vice President of Food & Beverage and Corporate Executive Chef, is our guest to share all things NORMS.