Show Introduction with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
“On July 26th, Team USA 2027 competed in the Bocuse d’Or Americas competition in New Orleans, Louisiana, alongside esteemed culinary teams representing eight countries from across North, Central, and South America. Following an intense five-and-a-half-hour competition, Team USA captured Gold, marking the fourth time that Team USA has taken first place at the Bocuse d’Or Americas. They are now preparing for the Bocuse d’Or Finals in January 2027 in Lyon, France. Led by Head Chef Vincenzo Loseto and Commis Tyler Higson, with Head Coach Chef Mathew Peters, and Jury Member Chef Robert Sulatycky, Team USA completed the competition’s two signature challenges, the platter theme and the theme on a plate.” Chef Vincenzo takes a break from training to join us.“It’s about here…”Ready for LA Chef Con 2026 ? An eagerly-anticipated event for the chef and restaurant community with great networking opportunities. Come hungry for information, inspiration, delicious food & drinks. LA Chef Conference 2026 presented by OpenTable + Slang and produced by BMRS Hospitality Recruitment, is the well-established, top-shelf gathering for chefs and restaurant professionals in the heart of Los Angeles. This year’s event takes place Monday, October 5th at City Market Social House in Downtown LA. 15% of all ticket sales will benefit the Independent Hospitality Coalition.” The concluding event at LA Chef Con is the celebratory and festive Cocktail Party from 5 to 7:00 p.m. hosted by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Chef Eric Klein, Senior Vice President, Culinary for Wolfgang Puck Catering joins us with the salivating preview. The key culinary dream team from WPC will be cooking for this.“Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, The Pastry World Cup, is recognized as the most prestigious Pastry Competition in the World.Born from the vision of legendary chef Gabriel Paillasson in 1989, the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie was created with the support of the French M.O.F association and the French Pastry Chefs Federation, to elevate pastry to its highest artistic expression. Every two years in Lyon, France, the world’s finest pastry chefs gather to represent their nations in a celebration of craftsmanship without equal.With 52 countries competing and more than 200,000 visitors attending the Finale, the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie stands as the most prestigious event in international pastry.” Team USA 2027 will be competing in Lyon. All of the team members volunteer their time to represent the USA. Joining us with the overview of the Pastry World Cup is Chef Donald Wressell, The Training & Operations Director for Team USA 2027 and Chef En-Ming Hsu, a previous Gold Medalist at the World Pastry Cup where she served as the United States Pastry Team’s Captain in 2001. “Every day at Bracken’s Kitchen based in Garden Grove, they see the difference a meal, an opportunity, and a little kindness can make. Hungry Games 9.0 is their biggest fundraiser of the year, with a goal of raising $600,000 to help fuel their community feeding, food rescue, and culinary training programs across Southern California. On Thursday, September 10, Bracken’s Kitchen is bringing their community together for a night of incredible food, live music from Super Deluxe, and a little friendly competition, all for a cause close to our hearts. Every ticket, sponsorship, and dollar raised brings Bracken’s Kitchen closer to their goal and helps them continue feeding the need.”Founder and Chef Bill Bracken joins us with an exclusive preview.Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) now joins us with his timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. Today Chef Andrew is sharing his very timely American Gravy Substack piece, “How to Eat Better for Less.” All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
