Chef Andrew Gruel (Co-host) of Calico Fish House with “Ask the Chef”

“Ian McCall’s ISM Brewing & Kitchen in Downtown Long Beach marks its second anniversary with a three-day celebration (December 12th - 14th) highlighting fresh beer, community partnerships, culinary creativity, and local artistry. The anniversary weekend invites guests to celebrate alongside the ISM team with three days of fresh craft beer, friends, and family. ISM’s kitchen will offer a special “greatest hits” menu along with limited-time dishes created by the culinary team, led by Chef Bobby Gill.” Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing.Every Christmas Eve Baker Dean Kim of OC Baking in Orange hosts a mouthwatering Holiday Marketplace Pop-Up featuring the very best in local food products from area small businesses. It’s everything from artisan pastries, holiday breads, pie, cakes, handmade treasures and even gourmet soup. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. and it runs until 1:00 p.m. Most participants operate on a cash basis. Joining us is OC Baking’s Master Baker Dean Kim and Lisa Gilmore of Soup’d Up“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise. Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.” Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.

“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise. Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.” Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.Food walking tours led by knowledgeable locals are a smart way to experience the local flavors of any destination. “Oceanside’s Carla & Linda’s Local Tours offers area specific beer, wine and food tours. As true insiders’ guests experience an intriguing variety of the local flavors in Oceanside and nearby Vista. Local Tours operates a tour company that shows guests the unique things Oceanside has to offer. The tours specialize in the community's food, beer and wine scenes while celebrating the independently owned businesses that make Oceanside so special. Tour guests meet innovative Chefs, world renowned brewers and winemakers. Guests interact with locals to eat, drink, explore and support Oceanside while making new friends along the way. Food is a great common denominator.” The Co-founder of Carla & Linda’s Local Tours, Linda Pina, is our guest.The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, starts at sundown on Sunday, December 14th. A tradition at The Milky Way (a long-established Kosher-Dairy restaurant) in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles is the availability of special Hanukkah Boxes available from December 14th through December 22nd. “The Latke Kits contain a dozen crispy Latkes with sour cream and Chef Phil Kastel’s house-made apple compote along with reheating instructions. The salivating Sufganiyot Box features six decadent Jelly Doughnuts made by The Milky Way’s friends at Mensch Bakery.” The Milky Way’s executive chef, Phil Kastel, joins us with a decorative Latke Box at the ready.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. How important are Michelin Stars or any Michelin recognition to a thriving restaurant? What is the Bib Gourmet designation? How are the annual Michelin judgements determined? Chef Andrew explains…

“Ian McCall’s ISM Brewing & Kitchen in Downtown Long Beach marks its second anniversary with a three-day celebration (December 12th - 14th) highlighting fresh beer, community partnerships, culinary creativity, and local artistry.”“In 2025, ISM earned significant recognition on the global and national stage, bringing home two silver medals at the World Beer Cup for Hamburghini, its Italian Pilsner, and Plough & Harrow, its Classic Saison. The brewery also secured a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the New Zealand-Style IPA category for Chepedelic. Throughout the year, ISM continued to build community through food and beer collaborations with Hamburgers Nice, Got Your Back LB, Loquat Oysters, Battambong BBQ, LA Taco, Terrible Burger, and Moonlight Mash.”“The anniversary weekend invites guests to celebrate alongside the ISM team with three days of fresh beer, friends, and family. ISM’s kitchen will offer a special “greatest hits” menu along with limited-time dishes created by the culinary team, led by Chef Bobby Gill.” Think Poke Nachos…Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing.

We’re broadcasting from Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on December 20th at High Steaks, located 50 floors above the fabled Las Vegas Strip! Please join us.“Ian McCall’s ISM Brewing & Kitchen in Downtown Long Beach marks its second anniversary with a three-day celebration (December 12th - 14th) highlighting fresh beer, community partnerships, culinary creativity, and local artistry. The anniversary weekend invites guests to celebrate alongside the ISM team with three days of fresh craft beer, friends, and family. ISM’s kitchen will offer a special “greatest hits” menu along with limited-time dishes created by the culinary team, led by Chef Bobby Gill.” Ian McCall joins us to tap the keg on all that is ISM Brewing.Every Christmas Eve Baker Dean Kim of OC Baking in Orange hosts a mouthwatering Holiday Marketplace Pop-Up featuring the very best in local food products from area small businesses. It’s everything from artisan pastries, holiday breads, pie, cakes, handmade treasures and even gourmet soup. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. and it runs until 1:00 p.m. Most participants operate on a cash basis. Joining us is OC Baking’s Master Baker Dean Kim and Lisa Gilmore of Soup’d Up“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise. Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.” Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.Food walking tours led by knowledgeable locals are a smart way to experience the local flavors of any destination. “Oceanside’s Carla & Linda’s Local Tours offers area specific beer, wine and food tours. As true insiders’ guests experience an intriguing variety of the local flavors in Oceanside and nearby Vista. Local Tours operates a tour company that shows guests the unique things Oceanside has to offer. The tours specialize in the community's food, beer and wine scenes while celebrating the independently owned businesses that make Oceanside so special. Tour guests meet innovative Chefs, world renowned brewers and winemakers. Guests interact with locals to eat, drink, explore and support Oceanside while making new friends along the way. Food is a great common denominator.” The Co-founder of Carla & Linda’s Local Tours, Linda Pina, is our guest.The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, starts at sundown on Sunday, December 14th. A tradition at The Milky Way (a long-established Kosher-Dairy restaurant) in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles is the availability of special Hanukkah Boxes available from December 14th through December 22nd. “The Latke Kits contain a dozen crispy Latkes with sour cream and Chef Phil Kastel’s house-made apple compote along with reheating instructions. The salivating Sufganiyot Box features six decadent Jelly Doughnuts made by The Milky Way’s friends at Mensch Bakery.” The Milky Way’s executive chef, Phil Kastel, joins us with a decorative Latke Box at the ready.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. How important are Michelin Stars or any Michelin recognition to a thriving restaurant? What is the Bib Gourmet designation? How are the annual Michelin judgements determined? Chef Andrew explains…All of this...

Every Christmas Eve Baker Dean Kim of OC Baking in Orange puts on a mouthwatering Holiday Marketplace Pop-Up featuring the very best in local food products from area small businesses. It’s everything from artisan pastries, holiday breads, pies, cakes, handmade treasures and even gourmet soup. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. and it runs until 1:00 p.m. For best selection plan to arrive early! Most participants operate on a cash basis.Joining us is OC Baking’s Master Baker Dean Kim and Lisa Gilmore of Soup’d Up.

“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise.”“Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine (including sparkling wine) to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.”“Coravin was born from my personal desire to enjoy any wine, in any amount, without the pressure to finish the bottle. As I savored that remarkable glass of Hermitage, the true power of that freedom became clear. I realized at that moment that every bottle, no matter how rare or special, was now accessible, one perfect glass at a time.” Greg Lambrecht, Founder and InventorFounder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht joins us to uncork all that is Coravin.

“Coravin, Inc. is the leading global innovator of wine-by-the-glass systems, transforming how the world experiences wine. Since the company launched in the USA in 2013, Coravin’s pioneering technology has empowered trade professionals and wine lovers alike to explore, enjoy and serve wine without compromise.”“Trusted by leading sommeliers, retailers and wine lovers around the world, the Coravin portfolio includes Coravin Timeless, Coravin Pivot and Coravin Sparkling wine-by-the-glass systems. These systems allow wine (including sparkling wine) to be poured in any amount, at any time, with the remaining wine completely unaffected — even years later.”Founder and Inventor Greg Lambrecht stays with us uncorking all that is Coravin.

Food walking tours led by knowledgeable locals are a great way to experience the local flavors of any destination. Oceanside’s Carla & Linda’s Local Tours “offers area specific beer, wine and food tours. As true insider’s guests experience an intriguing variety of the local flavors in Oceanside and nearby Vista.”“Local Tours operates a tour company that shows guests the unique things Oceanside has to offer. The tours specialize in the community's food, beer and wine scenes while celebrating the independently owned businesses that make Oceanside so special. Tour guests meet innovative Chefs, world renowned brewers and winemakers. Guests interact with locals to eat, drink, explore and support Oceanside while making new friends along the way. Food is a great common denominator.”“Carla & Linda’s Local Tours takes about 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Carla and Linda walk the guests to their favorite restaurants, breweries and wineries. The hosts provide guests with tastings of specially chosen items. During the tour Carla and Linda provide some appetizing history of the restaurant, the chef and the surrounding area.”Carla & Linda’s Local Tours will be hosting special Weekend Food Tours keyed to the participating restaurants of “Swell Plates” Oceanside from January 14th to February 11th, 2026The Co-founder of Carla & Linda’s Local Tours, Linda Pina, is our guest.

“The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, starts at sundown on Sunday, December 14th. A tradition at The Milky Way (a long-established Kosher-Dairy restaurant) in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles is the availability of special Hanukkah Boxes available from December 14th through December 22nd.”“The Latke Kits contain a dozen crispy Latkes with sour cream and Chef Phil Kastel’s house-made apple compote along with reheating instructions.”“The salivating Sufganiyot Box features six decadent Jelly Doughnuts made by The Milky Way’s friends at Mensch Bakery.”“Each order comes beautifully packaged in Milky Way’s blue tulip boxes and make perfect additions to any holiday gathering. Add a handwritten gift note at no extra cost. Their Hanukkah Boxes will be available for curbside pickup and delivery via their website (minimum 48 hours' notice required). Last-minute orders can be placed via DoorDash, or by calling the restaurant directly at 310-859-0004.”The Milky Way’s executive chef, Phil Kastel, joins us with a decorative Latke Box at the ready.The Milky Way is the Spielberg Family’s loving, and ongoing, tribute to it’s founder Leah Adler.

How important are Michelin Stars or any Michelin recognition to a thriving restaurant? What is the Bib Gourmet designation? How does Michelin (a for-profit enterprise) monetize their ratings? How are the annual Michelin judgements determined? Chef Andrew explains…