Welcome to our post-Thanksgiving, “No Leftovers,” broadcast.
“Spotlighting San Martin’s (Santa Clara County, CA) Terra Amico Farms, a thriving organic and regenerative heirloom tomato farm nestled in the countryside between Morgan Hill and Gilroy. The farm is dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices that not only produce the highest quality and best tasting tomatoes but also rejuvenate the land and support biodiversity. At Terra Amico Farms, they believe in the power of community and the joy of connecting people with the source of their food. Terra Amico Farms’ commitment to organic farming ensures that their tomatoes are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, preserving the health of the soil and the surrounding ecosystem. They embrace regenerative techniques such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting to enhance soil fertility and capture carbon, making this farm a model of environmental stewardship.” Farmer Joe Raineri takes a break from weeding to join us.
“Michael Brughelli founded his eponymous wine brand in 2018. His wines represent the culmination of a full and purposeful career in the wine industry, and a meaningful life as a father, husband, brother and son. Precise and intentional, these wines pay tribute to Michael’s Swiss-Italian roots, while building upon an American family legacy.
He’s been drawn to the natural world and farming since boyhood. An avid outdoorsman, Michael enjoys time spent in the vineyard and is inspired by its natural environs.” The premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes used in his acclaimed wines are coming from Santa Maria Valley vineyard sites that Brughelli dictated and / or managed the farming on for over a decade with the goal of applying top tier farming to top tier and potentially incredible sites. Winemaker Michael Brughelli joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Brughelli wine.
“Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach has enthusiastically welcomed back the encore of Pete’s Christmas Vacation for its second year, returning by popular demand. Running currently through January 3, the festive pop-up transforms Pete’s Sunset Grille into a coastal winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, cozy outdoor igloos, and a cheerful seasonal menu.” Executive Chef Manfred Lassahn and General Manager Jon Benson join us to unwrap all that is the encore of Pete’s Christmas Vacation.
“The name Wolfgang Puck is synonymous with the best of restaurant hospitality and the ultimate in all aspects of the culinary arts.” Our guest, Byron Lazaroff-Puck, is the President of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining. “The award-winning restaurants in the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group include Chinois (Santa Monica); Carama by Wolfgang Puck (Las Vegas); CUT (Bahrain Bay, Beverly Hills, DC, Las Vegas, London, and Singapore); Spago (Beverly Hills, Istanbul, Las Vegas, Maui, Bodrum and Singapore); re Asian Cuisine (Bahrain Bay); Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (Las Vegas and Orlando); and Merois (Los Angeles).
For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. We return to the irritating subject of the ever- increasing swipe fees that restaurateurs are charged on credit card sales. A new settlement involving Visa and MasterCard has perhaps marginally reduced these fees. Chef Andrew questions if this is a really meaningful happening.
All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!