The Best Ceats Podcast

When it comes to this fantastic labor of love, my friend Erin Kirschenmannknows more about it than I think I could ever hope to. She is the Managing Editor at Wine Business Monthly, a prolific figure in the wine industry, an educator, and an entrepreneur. As a lover of books, and a voracious reader, she is now launching her own wine and book club - Novel Pairings. We sit down to discuss the world of wine, tariffs, and Novel Pairings in this wonderful new episode.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality...

This episode is all about what comes next - what lies ahead. What was once a crushing weight of failure has been altered, and new life has been given to The Best Ceats. Join me for the next fifteen minutes, as we walk through just what the future holds, as we all continue to live well, and often.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very best of...

When a new restaurant or bar opens, seeing how the local industry folks react to it is always a great indicator of how good it is. I have found that in most circumstances if you hear about a place from folks or consistently see a place filled with servers, bartenders and cooks on their days off, you're in for a treat. Verde is just such a place - though when you learn of its founders, who are industry vets themselves, it makes sense. Koire Rogers and Anthony Laborin are established hospitality industry professionals who have opened an amazing new spa...

This new year has wasted no time making itself known to all - wildfires have ravaged many areas of Southern California, leaving thousands deeply affected. In dark times like these though, humanity shines its brightest - strangers come together to help each other in amazing ways. The hospitality industry is no stranger to aiding others in times of need. The simple act of feeding someone a meal can go miles in helping heal the soul. Recently, three individuals with deep ties to the Orange County hospitality industry - Jill (Cook) Morris, Jennifer Wales, and Niyaz Pirani - got together t...

Well, here we are. One hundred and fifty episodes. In a year of ups and downs, things truly could not have worked out better than for this episode to land on New Year's Eve, 2024. Welcome everyone to the 3rd Annual Deli Awards - my "best of," if you will, for 2024. Cheers to you, your continued support, and the year ahead.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with every interview, The Best Ceats Podcast showcases the very...

When learning about a new wine or the people making it, I ask myself, "Why?" What reasons are behind this brand - what is the intention beyond just making a delicious bottle? Sometimes, the answers are just what you would expect them to be, but ever so often, the rare situation comes along that gives you an answer you never expected but are so glad to have discovered. Native Hands Wine is just such a brand - their founder, Chris Lobo, joins the show to discuss what makes this new venture such a special one and how his team's wi...

Friend of the show, and expert on all things wine and style, Lamar Engel, joins the show for another episode. He sits down to discuss his new educational endeavors meant to bring wine knowledge to hospitality workers and the continued work of his brand, The Wine Militia. He also gets candid about marketing practices in an ever-evolving wine market landscape and gives some refreshing insight into current trends in the industry. You don't want to miss this, my wine-loving friends!

Cheers!

he Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each...

This may surprise some of you, but I am not a vegetarian - I'm definitely not a vegan. Nothing against either, by the way, but it's just not me. I am, however, a massive proponent of what each brings to the culinary landscape, and, in a broader sense, what the ethics behind each bring to the larger conversations about food, our interaction with nature, reducing waste, and more. My guests are absolutely driving forces behind these various aspects and more, as I am joined by the incredibly talented Chef Davin Waite and his incredible wife, Jessica Waite. Owners of T...

There are moments when you see someone succeed and do well, and then there is something else entirely. The journey of a chef is a long, arduous one. Coming from varied backgrounds and places, no two stories are ever the same, but there is a common factor, and that is memory. Some defining moment that imprints on a chef, and they chase, sometimes, forever. In the case of my friend, Chef Alan Sanz, his journey has landed him at a place he can - in my opinion - not call home but is home: Enter Maizano. The upscale Mexican...

Beyond everything else that makes up this wonderful world - the food, the drinks, the travel, and more - there is one thing that stands above the rest: The people. In this very special episode, I sit down with two of the best I know to discuss all those other people who inspire us. Specifically those in the bar industry and the people around them that make our lives so fun. Accomplished writer Rich Manning and his wife, the fantastically fabulous Heather Hotcakes (as she is known worldwide), join me to celebrate the wonderful people who fill our glasses...

It's always great when you see your friends succeeding - and in the case of returning guests and friends of the show, Chef Zach Scherer, it is made even better. A prior guest, Scherer, is joined by his longtime culinary companion, the very talented Chef Drew Adams, as they sit down to discuss their new project, Darkroom. Scherer has touched on this new restaurant, wine bar, and more in prior episodes, but now, we find ourselves recording this interview sitting in the actual space as it comes to life, molded by Zach and Drew's hands. This is a very...

I am fascinated by technology. Admittedly, I don't always understand it, but nevertheless, It fascinates me - especially when it can make everyday tasks easier. I don't support AI creating artwork, but I'm all in if it can help me find something faster. My guest for this episode, Gregg Foster, feels a similar way. That is why he co-founded WALDO, a hospitality tech company that aims to assist beverage programs with product tracking, training, and much more! What else, you ask? Well, that's a question for him, as WALDO is in its infancy but has some mighty big goals...

For all the bad that 2020 brought to the hospitality industry, there were some moments of good. In San Clemente, CA, Gibroni's was a perfect example of this. I say "was" because their original pop-up location is no more - but fear not - because my guest, founder and owner Tony Gioutsos, returns to The Best Ceats Podcast to share all about the new brick-and-mortar location for Gibroni's. From finding the space to expanding upon his dream and more, this episode truly is a success story long in the making. Enjoy.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to...

My guest this episode is truly a wonderful person, and chef. He recently shot into the stratosphere of stardom after a stellar season on the critically acclaimed show, Hell's Kitchen. Nestled in a bustling Long Beach food oasis sits Bar Becky, and at its helm, Chef Johnathan Benvenuti. The chef joins the show to discuss his time on the show, the fame that comes following it, his family-inspired menu, and how Bar Becky came to be. This is a very heartfelt episode, and one I am, as always, very proud of. Enjoy.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings...

In this episode, we get to learn just what it takes to put on one of the biggest wine festivals in the Southland - LAWineFest. The woman behind the behemoth, CEO and Fest Director, Scherr Lillico joins me digitally to discuss what it takes to put on an event like this. How do you find wines, food, parking, and everything else that comes with a major event almost 20 years old? Well, my friends, that's what we are about to find out. 

As a bonus, should you want to purchase tickets, you can save 20% by using the code BE...

For this episode, we are heading back to Santa Barbara Wine Country - one of my favorite places on Earth - to talk about the legacy, inspiration, and quality of grapes Winemaker Megan McGrath Gates gets to work with every day. Megan was appointed winemaker for Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards in 2007, and hasn't looked back since. She brings a wealth of knowledge to a winemaking landscape she knows incredibly well, and does it with grace, style, and an enduring commitment to getting the very best out of each and every grape. We discuss her history, approach to wine, the history an...

We live in a digital age of constant creation, evolving algorithms, and a bombardment of content and information - so how can you stand out from the crowd? My friend Brooke Martin joins me from Utah to talk about this and a lot more! Brooke is the founder of The Brooke Blend and works deep in the wine industry as an educator, broker, and more. On top of all of this, though, she has also garnished a massive, totally organic social media following with creative and fun content she creates regularly. We sit down to talk about her various en...

The best part about running your own show like this is being able to decide who you highlight and have on. In an industry with so many people constantly working hard to deliver great experiences to guests, it is hard to tell every story out there, but I can try. In this episode, my friend Brandon Howard joins me. Brandon is a great bartender and friend, and can be found behind the stick at the ever-popular StillWater Spirits & Sounds in Dana Point, CA. This bar/restaurant/live music venue is a South County staple, and Brandon handles his duties...

When it comes to the world of cocktails, creativity makes something simple into a magical experience for guests. Embedding emotion into drinks is a special talent that my guest, Jade Bustamante, excels at with abandon. She is wildly talented, and the drinks she slings at Broadway by Amar Santana just hit differently. In this brand-new episode, we sit down to discuss her techniques, inspirations, approach to cocktails, and more.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange County hospitality industry each and every episode. Bringing you the best stories, and the people behind them with...

The time has come once again for Orange County Restaurant Week! That special time of year when countless Orange County restaurants present inviting, special menus and dining options to guests in an effort to expose new diners to their spaces. In this episode - and the subsequent Patreon-only bonus episode - I pick my OC Restaurant Week Top 20. Tune in for some amazing offerings so you can plan your OC Restaurant Week accordingly. 

Get out there. Have fun. Eat, drink, and smile. Above all else, live well, and often.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented a...

I'm proud to welcome the immensely talented Chef Zach Scherer back to the show. Zach has been running his new pop-up as of late - Chrysalis - to continue to bring his highly coveted food to guests while he lays out the plans for his new brick-and-mortar rendition of Chrysalis. We sit down to discuss his design for the pop-up, his approach to the menus, his cooking challenges on various job sites, and more. He also lays out the first-ever publicly shared information about what people can expect from Chrysalis when it becomes a full-fledged space. 

Enjoy.

The world of food and drink is filled with beautiful items desired by many. This is especially true in the world of wine and premium butchery - enter Wagyu & Wine. Founder and industry veteran Justin Wilson joins the show to talk about bringing the world of hyper-luxury to his clients and future customers. His approach to how he curates world-class wines, premier wagyu, and many more top-tier items is second to none, and the experiences and ways he delivers these products to customers are unlike anything anyone else is doing. From professional athletes to the .01% to those who want...

With 2024 underway, it's only natural that we collectively look ahead. In the restaurant and hospitality business, though, we mustn't forget to look back and celebrate those who have endured. To survive a year in this world is an achievement - to survive three decades? That, my friend, is heroic. In this episode, I am joined by Domenico Maurici of the thirty-one-year-old Il Farro restaurant in Newport Beach. In this brand-new episode, we chat about three decades of business, launching a winery, ever-changing technology, and more.

Enjoy!

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the...

A new year means new restaurants. This is always an exciting prospect as I believe a high tide raises all ships - however, I'd be lying if I didn't say that some openings are slightly more exciting than others. One that I have had my eye on for a while now is Trattoria Trullo, which is opening soon in Aliso Viejo (January 10th, to be exact). Chef/Owner Marco Criscuolo is bringing his wealth of work and traveling the world to a brand new, intimate, yet relaxed venue where he hopes to showcase his hometown of Puglia to hungry...

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Deli Awards! What better way to end the year than by reflecting on all the wonderful things it brought us? No item reflects the hospitality industry better than the humble deli container, hence why it was chosen as the icon of these awards during last year's inaugural awards. There are a host of new categories this year, too! I hope these picks for the best of 2023 bring a smile to your face and, hopefully, something to try in the new year if you learn something new through this selection process. Awards are always subjective...

The year is almost at an end, and as 2024 sits on the horizon, the time felt right to talk about it. This episode is all about you - or, more specifically, your questions, predictions, and more related to the year ahead. I gathered some of my favorite submissions from followers about what lay before us, from restaurant trends to mocktails. From chefs to influencers - nothing was off the table. So settle into one of the last episodes of the year as we discuss everything you believe 2024 will bring. 

Cheers.

The Best Ceats Podcast brings u...

There are good restaurants, and there are great restaurants. Then there are restaurants that challenge the entire notion of what a dining experience can be - Matsu, in Oceanside, CA, is this type of restaurant. It is not just a fantastic place for Japanese cuisine - it is as close as one can get to the soul of Japanese culture outside of living there. It is a love letter - an adoring obsession even - to the craft, ingredients, and very ethos of what Japanese fine dining can be, and it is all thanks to Chef William Eick. So...

The joy of having your own podcast is you get to interview friends you want to celebrate - talented people who work so hard in the industry. They grind and hustle, all the while keeping customers happy, perfecting their craft, and being great people. When they launch another avenue of their lives, like my guest and friend Jared Murphy - bartender at Hotel Laguna, and founder of the recently launched Slowdays Gin Co. - you celebrate them even more. Tune in for a great episode about cocktails, gin, entrepreneurship, and loving what you do.

Enjoy!

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I said a few episodes back that the episodes to the end of 2023 would be wine-filled, and that trend continues. I recently headed up to the Santa Barbara Vintner's Festival, and on the way up, I decided - very last minute, I might add - to bring my equipment in case anyone wanted to sit down for an episode while I was up there. To be honest, with the festival going on, harvest still being well underway, and the truncated schedule I was working with, I didn't expect anyone to have time.

I was wrong, though, and...

We are talking all things mead with Alex Gonzales of Honey Pot Meadery! This is a fun episode, because while they're a great many things I like to think I know about, mead is absolutely NOT one of them. I understand the concept, sure, but the intricacies, flavor development, and even the business side of it - finding market penetration, new customers, sourcing honey, and more - are all foreign to me. That's why I am so thrilled Alex agreed to sit down, and really open up to let me - and all of you - get an inside...

In this episode, I am joined by the awesome husband and wife team behind The Wine Militiaand Militia Consulting, Lamar Engel and Sonja Strand-Engel. They are some of my favorite people to work with regarding wine, and beyond. They are professionals through and through, but they also bring an unbridled passion to everything they do. We sit down to discuss the upcoming Santa Barbara Vintners Festival, working as a couple, balancing boundaries with clients, and much more!

Also, for those who listen to this episode before the Vintner's festival and would like tickets, simply go to sbvintnersweekend...

After a brief hiatus due to some unforeseen circumstances, it feels great to be back - and what a way to return as we head to Temecula, California, to talk all things wine! You would be forgiven if Temecula isn't the first wine region to come to mind - many in California often overlook this wonderful region. However, there are simply too many people doing really good things to ignore any longer. That is why I sit down with the team at Wiens Family Cellars in this episode to talk about their operation. I became smitten with Wiens and...

Locally acquired - Globally inspired. That's how they do things at Trevor's at the Tracks.

This is more than a restaurant - it is a symbol of San Juan Capistrano. It is a love letter to history, tradition, and the region. Yet, it isn't stuck in antiquity - rather, Trevor's is a restaurant that embraces change, along with the bounty of the surrounding region in its approach to the food, drinks, and more. Owner and Operator Trevor Baird joins me to discuss how the restaurant came to be, his approach and ethos to day-to-day operations, and what...

To my mind, the classic pizzeria is a glorious restaurant industry staple. For many, it is a glorious thing that acts as either a gateway restaurant to the world of dining, or for the older ones of us, a time capsule to memories past. They are timeless - filled with food, fun, and a good time, whether solo dining, date night, a family outing, or meeting up with friends. All seems right when there is good pizza and a cold drink.

That is why I wanted to sit down with Marcos Costas, and Christopher Christian of the...

Recently I've been asked to guest host on another podcast that films in Orange County called the Taco Tuesday Podcast - an awesome new show featuring all things in and around the most favorite weekly holiday of those who enjoy a good time: Taco Tuesday. You can learn more about them here. However after a recent recording, there was no way I couldn't share this guest's story…

The guest for this collaboration episode is none other than professional drummer, song writer, producer, co-founder of the band Suger Ray, and, more importantly for the sake of this podcast, th...

Great cities are measured in several ways - for The Best Ceats this usually involves taking stock of the restaurants, bars, hotels, and other forms of hospitality and entertainment available for people to enjoy. One major piece of that puzzle, is professional sports franchises and their relationship with their host city, or area. To learn more about this, I am joined by Paul Speaker, the CEO of the San Diego Seals, and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs - both franchises within the National Lacrosse League. However - as fate would have it - it isn’t just local professional te...

In this episode, I welcome back a friend of The Best Ceats and a dear friend of mine, Chef Paige Riordan. She is a talented chef, and owner of Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge in Rancho Mission Viejo. I wanted to have her back on the show for a few reasons - she has recently announced and launched a new Chef's Table series at the restaurant on select Monday nights. These multi-course tasting menus are created and presented exclusively by Paige, and are a welcome creative outlet for her. Also, she has never been shy to discuss pressing industry topics such...

A new business is interesting - when that new business is a distillery, brewery, restaurant, bottle shop, and more? All in one location? In a city that desperately needs it? Count me in.

That is why I am so happy to sit down with the team behind Webb's Grainworks, which is currently under construction in Aliso Viejo. The massive, sprawling location - set to open, ideally at the end of summer - is a showcase to the art and dedication of distilling and brewing. Jeremy Webb is a student of the history of distilling, and the team...

I always love to welcome guests back to the show - I think it's good to see the ups and downs of the industry. This world moves very fast, and a lot can change for guests of this show. This is why it was so important to get Kevin Hammons and Curtis Sheetz back to update the world on their wildly popular burger concept, Hammer Burger. Built better since 2020, these smashed-so-good-they-are-flat patties have stolen the hearts and tastebuds of countless people, and, like many others, change was inevitbale for the team. However, this is a very good, and welcome...

I have a special place in my heart for a local, family-run restaurant. The type of place that serves breakfast items all day, knows you and what you like to order, supports the local community, and more. Spots exactly like Chelas Mexican Kitchen, where Karla Vasquez has been bringing smiles to faces and stomachs for 13 years. She sits down to discuss how the restaurant essentially became a member of her family, moving locations to San Clemente and more, all on this beautiful new episode.

Enjoy! 

The Best Ceats Podcast brings unprecedented access to the Orange C...