The Produce Pair

Dan Avakian
  • 5.0 (5)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Dan The Produce Man and Guido The Gardener share the enjoyment of fresh fruit and vegetables with guests in the food world.

  1. FEB 21

    Too Hot Tamales and Tortilla Soup – A Classic Produce Pair with Mary Sue and Susan

    This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Historic Archives, we roll back to February 23, 2002, as Dan and Guido welcome The Border Girls, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. These two are pioneers of modern Mexican cuisine and true culinary trailblazers. With a partnership spanning more than 40 years, they built an empire that helped shape the Southern California restaurant scene, including the iconic Border Grill. Many know them from nearly 400 episodes of Too Hot Tamales and Tamales World Tour on the Food Network. They were also the first women to receive the Julia Child Award in 2018. We talk about the food behind the movie Tortilla Soup, and how Héctor Elizondo mastered the recipes for the role. We dive into their restaurants, breaking barriers in a male dominated industry, and they share practical tips you can use in your own kitchen. Classic Produce Pair fun with serious culinary firepower. This show will open up and excite your culinary creativity, so tune in and turn on.

    39 min
  2. A 23-Year Time Capsule: The Produce Pair Radio Show on January 18, 2003

    JAN 18

    A 23-Year Time Capsule: The Produce Pair Radio Show on January 18, 2003

    This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Historic Archives, we step back to January 18, 2003 - the week we added the Universal Talk Network to our list of stations. Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener dig into Red D’Anjou pears, Lee mandarins, Texas citrus, sunchokes, early asparagus, and more. We also answer a great listener question: why were the Kinnow mandarin and the Mercott orange renamed, and what was happening in the fresh produce world at the time. It’s a snapshot of what was happening 23 years ago in fresh produce, straight from the mic so Tune in… and turn on!

    41 min
  3. The Produce Pair radio Show January 2, 1999

    JAN 10

    The Produce Pair radio Show January 2, 1999

    This week on The Produce Pair Radio Archives, we go wayyy back to when the show was still in its infancy — January 2, 1999. Trivia question: what 1960s band recorded the song “Broccoli”?Guido the Gardener shares his Produce Predictions for 1999, we tackle the question of who is the patron saint of broadcasters, and have some real fun with callers. It’s a laid-back, energetic, and genuinely fun show, broadcast live from the cozy, warm home of our producer Jay Michaels. Hear what was happening in the world of fresh produce at the very start of 1999 - tune in and turn on!

    38 min
  4. Date Talk with Hadley Dates: A Produce Pair Classic

    12/13/2025

    Date Talk with Hadley Dates: A Produce Pair Classic

    This week on the Produce Pair Historic Radio Archives, we roll back the clock to December 11, 2004 with Albert Keck (K-E-C-K) of Hadley Dates. Albert joins Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener for a fun, information-packed conversation covering everything you ever wanted to know about date growing, availability, varieties, and how dates are used throughout the holiday season. Originally broadcast on the Talk America Radio Network to stations across the country, this episode is a great look back at the fresh produce world as it stood in 2004. So tune in and turn on!

    37 min
  5. Chef Tony’s Turkey Secrets: A Produce Pair Classic (Historic Archives)

    11/14/2025

    Chef Tony’s Turkey Secrets: A Produce Pair Classic (Historic Archives)

    This week on The Produce Pair Radio Show – Historic Archives…We’re stepping back to November 6th, 1999, when Guido the Gardener and Dan the Produce Man welcomed the one and only Produce Chef Tony Merola — author of Floribbean Flavors and an all-around fresh-produce legend. Chef Tony brings a ton of goodies to the table:• His special turkey brining tips• Roasting tips and times• Ham roasting tips• BBQ and smoking tips• Broccoli Rabe• Avocado Varieties• Plus a whole lot of fun with callers It’s a lively, flavorful blast from the past…Tune in and turn on!

    40 min

  6. 10/29/2025

    Simonian Fruit, Retro Tech, and Kitchen Oddities — 2001 Throwback

    This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show – Historic Radio Archives, we step back to October 20th, 2001. Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener welcome David Simonian of Simonian Fruit Company for a deep dive into pomegranates — varieties, growing regions, and why this bold, ruby-red fruit deserves a spot in every kitchen. Then the guys tackle some early-2000s “cutting-edge” tech:➡️ Should they finally buy a digital camera to post photos on their website, or stick with developing film at the local drugstore? Plus, listener calls spark conversations about: Fiddlehead ferns (even though it’s totally the wrong season) Yucca root tips Better ways to cook beans The Produce Pair Radio Show Archives.Tune in and turn on!

    42 min

  7. 10/02/2025

    Fast Food, Good Fats, and Junk Food Seduction — A Look Back 21 Years

    This Week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Historic ArchivesWe go back 21 years, to October 2nd, 2004. Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener welcome Cathy Napoli, registered dietitian and holistic nutritionist, for a look at the health and nutrition trends of the time. And you know what? Some things haven’t changed much at all… and some things have changed a whole lot. We dive into: What a real portion size actually is The dangers of a steady fast-food diet Good fats vs. bad fats High fructose corn syrup — and how “you become what you eat” Food colorings and late-night eating Why having fruits and veggies in the house matters Junk food seduction and how one “off” ingredient can wreck your salad What to replace chips and soda with Insulin, inflammation, detox, and so much more It’s a lively discussion from 2004 that still rings true today.Be sure to check it out — without a doubt. Tune in and turn on!

    46 min
  8. A Cheesy Trip Back to 2001 with the Cheese Dude!

    09/27/2025

    A Cheesy Trip Back to 2001 with the Cheese Dude!

    This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Archives, we’re rolling back to September 29th, 2001 with none other than Mark Todd, the Cheese Dude! That’s right — it’s a show packed with cheesy goodness and a whole lot of fun. Mark takes us through the history and origins of different cheeses, explains what the wax colors mean and why they matter, and even tosses in some fascinating cheese trivia. Plus, we explore some incredible California varieties. Whether you’re a cheese lover or just looking for a fun and flavorful listen, this one’s for you. It’s all right here on the Produce Pair Historic Archives, from the Talk America Radio Network. Tune in and turn on!

    42 min
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About

Dan The Produce Man and Guido The Gardener share the enjoyment of fresh fruit and vegetables with guests in the food world.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Avakian
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dan Avakian
  • Show Website
    The Produce Pair