Lisa Fontanesi, Los Angeles Director, Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP)

We’ve live from the Westdrift Manhattan Beach, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, the official Hotel of the 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.Tonight (9/13/25) is the 2nd, and concluding, night of the Festival. “This evening at Manhattan Village again brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurateurs, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the BeachLife DJ Music Stage and lots more.” This morning we’ll meet some of the celebrated chefs and winemakers participating in tonight’s festivities.This hour features our weekly "Ask The Chef" segment, and then interviews with Sherry Yard, Chris Cosentino and we'll learn pour into the world of Tercero Wines.

We’ve live from the Westdrift Manhattan Beach, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, the official Hotel of the 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.Tonight (9/13/25) is the 2nd, and concluding, night of the Festival. “This evening at Manhattan Village again brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurateurs, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the BeachLife DJ Music Stage and lots more.” This morning we’ll meet some of the celebrated chefs and winemakers participating in tonight’s festivities.This hours features interviews with Lisa Fontanesi of the Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP), Brendan Collins of BOA Steakhouse, Chris Feldmeier of Love & Salt and the General Manager of the Westdrift Hotel.

Chef Sherry Yard is a multiple James Beard Award winner. She is the proprietor of Bakery by the Yard in Manhattan Beach and is also a long-time resident. Sherry, among many other accomplishments, is the author of the award-winning, and best-selling, cookbooks, Desserts by the Yard and Secrets of Baking. For Opening Night of Manhattan Beach Food & Wine she hosted a standout gourmet cookie and sweets booth.

We’ve live from the Westdrift Manhattan Beach, An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, the official Hotel of the 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.Tonight (9/13/25) is the 2nd, and concluding, night of the Festival. “This evening at Manhattan Village again brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary enthusiasts and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurateurs, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, the BeachLife DJ Music Stage and lots more.” This morning we’ll meet some of the celebrated chefs and winemakers participating in tonight’s festivities.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, abbreviated and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. We’ll talk more about this next week but, today, an introduction to the California Restaurant Association’s recently launched “What The Fork!” campaign.All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Since we last spoke with Celebrity Chef Chris Cosentino he has launched his eagerly anticipated restaurant on Maui, KOAST. It’s unusually a freestanding establishment not connected to a luxury hotel. He also is the host of the podcast, “How the Sausage is Made with Chris Cosentino.”

“Larry Schaffer, the founder and winemaker of tercero wines went back to school later in life to pursue his passion, taking classes at community colleges with kids who literally could have been his kids, and then received his MS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. He moved to the Santa Barbara County wine region, and that is where he has remained since 2005, starting on the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery and then eventually branching off to start and run tercero wines. Larry is especially adept not only at winemaking but at explaining the process in a very user-friendly manner.”Visit his tasting room in picturesque Los Olivos to see for yourself or sample his wines tonight at Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.

“The Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP), the charitable beneficiary of Manhattan Beach Food & Wine, is a national workforce development nonprofit dedicated to training and supporting the next generation of food and hospitality leaders. They provide culinary arts education, job skills, apprenticeships, scholarships, and career opportunities to under-resourced high school students and adults.”C•CAP students are working in each restaurant booth this evening at Manhattan Beach Food & Wine actively assisting the executive chefs from the participating restaurants. They actually get “billing” at each restaurant station.C•CAP’s long-time Los Angeles Director, Lisa Fontanesi, joins us.

“Chef Brendan Collins is perhaps best known in Los Angeles as the Chef-Owner of celebrated restaurants Waterloo & City, Larry’s, Fia, and Market Tavern where he intertwined his British culinary background with California’s bountiful produce, seducing a lively clientele. Collins’ early background includes accolades and Michelin Stars spanning from London’s Oxo Tower Restaurant to Josiah Citrin’s Melisse in Los Angeles. “Now at BOA Steakhouse with locations in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach and Austin, Collins' reputation for deft execution, rich flavors, and playful dishes perfect for gathering, promises to elaborate on proprietors’ Lee Maen and Philip Cummins’s vision for the concept.” A Las Vegas location at The Palazzo is on the horizon.

Chef Christopher (Chris) Feldmeier of Manhattan Beach’s Love & Salt began cooking as a child when he simply asked his mother to make breakfast. She replied by saying, “I will buy you anything you want to cook, but you are going to make it yourself.” That first breakfast sparked a passion and adoration for cooking, which grew into an undeniable desire to learn more. Feldmeier then began to cook with his grandmother who became his first mentor, and ultimately, his culinary influence.“In September 2018 and now again in 2024, Feldmeier assumed the role of executive chef at Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach. In this role, Feldmeier works closely with Love & Salt owner Sylvie Gabriele to bring their shared vision for the Italian-inspired menu to life.”

“For travelers seeking an inspired Southern California escape, Westdrift Manhattan Beach, Autograph Collection, (the official Hotel of Manhattan Beach Food & Wine) is a lifestyle hotel that captures the essence of coastal living. Guests can drift into an endless summer with experiences that balance relaxation and connection—from their nine-hole golf course and pickleball to Jute Coastal Bar, where globally inspired flavors meet a beachy, laid-back atmosphere.” “Unlike traditional hotels, Westdrift offers an effortless blend of style, community, and California cool, making every stay feel both elevated and refreshingly local.”Their newly arrived General Manager, Swietlana Cahill, joins us with the overview of the expansive property. She is very visible around the property greeting guests and supportively interacting with the Staff.Sweitlana was delayed in traffic getting to the Hotel. It’s live radio…Be patient as Andy talks about Westdrift Manhattan Beach pending Ms. Cahill’s om-air arrival.