Celebrity Chefs

Honda Center Announces Grand Terrace Restaurant Will Be Wolfgang Puck-Branded

As your Anaheim Ducks charge into the playoffs (and win despite the referees turning a blind eye to the attempt by Detroit and their fans to get a timeout with less than a minute on the clock, not that we're bitter), changes are afoot at the Honda Center for next hockey season. The Grand Terrace--yo ... More >>

Emeril Lagasse Takes on Florida but We'd Like Him to Come to Orange County.

Emeril Lagasse has done it all in his long career in the culinary world. He's an accomplished chef and regional James Beard Award winner, he's a successful restaurateur with eateries all over the US, he's written plenty of amazing cookbooks enabling us to channel our inner chef, and most notably, he ... More >>

Tom Colicchio Debuts YouTube Fishing Talk Show

Have you heard of the Reserve Channel? It's a YouTube-only network that features full-length shows by respected people who usually appear on regular TV shows but aren't exactly the Anthony Bourdains or The Oprahs of the world. Eric Ripert has a show on there called On The Table. Now Tom Colicchio do ... More >>

ABC Reveals Details About Nigella Lawson & Anthony Bourdain Show

As his No Reservations show on Travel Channel is winding down, Anthony Bourdain shows no signs of doing the same. He's working on his next travel series for CNN; there's that show on PBS called The Mind of a Chef his company is producing; and now comes more details on the culinary competition show h ... More >>

A Long, Withering Takedown of Rick Bayless on Occasion of Him Receiving an Award from Mexico, or: Rick Bayless, the Michael Bolton of Mexican Food

On June 6, Chef Rick Bayless received from the Mexican government the Order of the Aztec Eagle, Insignia class (lower ranking reserved for non-royals and non-politicians) for his work in promoting Mexican cuisine in general, and Mexican haute cuisine, specifically, in his PBS television series Mexic ... More >>

Anthony Bourdain Moving To CNN

Anthony Bourdain has been everywhere, eaten everything, and held various titles of increasing influence, including Executive Chef at a NYC restaurant, best-selling author, Emmy-winning travel show host, and publisher. Now the man who makes news with his exploits and quips (see his comments on the Pa ... More >>

On the Line: Carmina Casso of Ciao! Deli & Pizzeria, Part One

​Ask and you shall receive, at least for one Forker's request to have us go On the Line with Ciao! Deli & Pizzeria in Costa Mesa. A husband-and-wife operation, Carmina and Ray Casso roll out family recipes as effortlessly as their pizza dough. Near the intersection of Baker and Bear, we see wh ... More >>

Paula Deen Releases a Healthy Cookbook (LOL)

​So Paula Deen is a spokeswoman for the fight against diabetes and the world is like OMFG. But look! The butter-slathering celebrity chef is making some big diet changes--check out this preview for her new, healthy cookbook! 

On the Line: Pedro Resendiz of Tamarindo Truck, Part One

Photo by Meranda Carter​We meet up with luxe lonchera owners Pedro and Sarah Resendiz of Tamarindo Truck after their SoCo lunch stop one afternoon. Our humble chef was excited to share his thoughts on epazote, chiles and things that crack him up. Get to know our friends who can't sit still [Editor ... More >>

On the Line: The Men of the Burnt Truck, Part One

Photo by Meranda Carter​When we suggested the guys behind local luxe lonchera the Burnt Truck split up the answers, it wasn't until after the fact we realized all three (Paul Cao, Phi Nguyen and Minh Pham) submitted answers to the entire questionnaire. So this week, we flex our keyboarding muscles ... More >>

PBS Launches More Streamlined Food Site With Full Episodes of Julia Child

http://www.pbs.org/food/​ PBS has long been the bastion of hype-free cooking shows, the home of Julia Child, as well as such varied personalities as Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan and Mary Ann Esposito in the old days; plus, the brilliant Korean-food documentary series Kimchi Chronicles With Marja Vong ... More >>

On the Line: Judy Fleenor of Cafe Chiarini, Part One

​There is a dynamic duo adjacent to Santa Ana's courthouse. (It's a trio if you count pastry chef Vicki Schrimmer.) Superfriends Judy Fleenor and Iliana Chiarini win patrons over with charm and a cure for everyday lunches. Part one with the soup Nazi Judy clues us in on their greatness, as well as ... More >>

On the Line: Gloria Mogollon of Franco's Pasta Cucina, Part One

Photo by Meranda Carter​It will be soon be October, and while researching subjects, I was introduced to a sudden influx of female chefs. So we're unofficially dedicating this month to the ladies. And to kick it off, we seek the impossible: tasty Italian in a food court. Gloria Mogollon of Franco's ... More >>

On The Line: Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish Taco, Part One

Photo by Meranda Carter​One-third of the founding brothers behind Orange County's quick-casual eatery simply known as Wahoo's is not just On The Line, but on the go. We accompany Wing in the carpool lane one afternoon as he reflects on his education and passion for cooking to the masses. Buckle up ... More >>

Carla Hall at the OC Fair: The Interview!

​ Despite the plethora of entertainment options to chose from (judging by the excess of nosh and the impressive line up all-star chef guest speakers) food is the star attraction at the O.C. Fair. Last Thursday, Duff Goldman (of Ace of Cakes fame) kicked off the O.C. Fair Chef Series ... More >>

On the Line: Renzo Macchiavello of Renzo's A Taste of Peru, Part One

Photo by Kevin Lara​Trying to sit down with Renzo is a sight to see. Shaking our hand, quipping with a customer, working with a vendor and responding to a text is a post-lunch breather for this social businessman. He runs both a catering company and Peruvian establishment, the latter hidden in the ... More >>

Five Ways To Tell Which Dave Lieberman Is Which

Food NetworkDid you know there are two food people named Dave Lieberman? Only one looks like this... and it's not me.​There's been somewhat of a rash of people lately asking me what happened in my career that I'm suddenly writing here. I was confused the first time or two, until I realized they th ... More >>

Gordon Ramsay Tries Planking in Newport Beach, British Media Declares Trend Dead as Result

Gordon Ramsay's Twitter page​Oh, those silly Brits! Gordon Ramsay was in Newport Beach over Father's Day and went fishing off the coast. Somewhere along the line, he had someone take a picture of him "planking," the Internet phenomenon that is lying face down somewhere and taking a picture of it, ... More >>

On The Line: Hop Phan of Dos Chinos, Part One

Photo by Amy Kaplan​What can we say about newlywed Hop Phan? The face behind luxe lonchera sensation Dos Chinos, he's a funny guy who doesn't need cookbooks to inspire their signature cuisine. We could say more, but Hop's thoughts speak for themselves. What are six words to describe your food?Ga, ... More >>

On the Line: Dave Dennis of Matador Cantina, Part One

Photo by Amy Kaplan​A man who loves his turf as much as surf, Dave Dennis banged out our questionnaire in one day (Thanks, Dave!). Is he hungry to discuss his views or just starving all the time? Only one way to find out what the chef at Matador Cantina is thinking . . . and rocking out to.What ar ... More >>

Michael Voltaggio Among Chefs to Appear at OC Fair

Flickr User Erik Anestad​Michael Voltaggio, the brooding champion of Top Chef Season 6, will be one of four celebrity chefs who will talk, and perhaps do a cooking demonstration, at the upcoming OC Fair.

On the Line: Brent Palmer of Mesa, Part One

Photo by Amy Kaplan​When Mesa first opened, it was like the Skull and Bones Society: a secret society with no calling card, website or markings on the building. Now, the vibe is LA hipster without the commute and better food. Chef Brent Palmer helms the back of this house, and he has allowed us ac ... More >>

Guy Fieri And Rachael Ray's New Food Network Show

First the news from Alton Brown that Good Eats is going bye-bye. It was the only show left on Food Network worth watching. Today, on the Rachael Ray Show, the annoyingly spunky Ray announced a new show premiering this summer on the Food Network with faux-bro co-host Guy Fieri.The elevator pitch? "It ... More >>

On the Line: Manuel Gonzalez of TAPS Fish House & Brewery, Part One

Kevin Lara​We head north this week to visit with Brea mainstay TAPS, which locals frequent for Sunday brunch. This is the domain of Manuel Gonzalez. His heart belongs to pho, and his weirdest customer request is NSFW. This certainly makes for an interesting start to On the Line. (Stay tuned for pa ... More >>

On The Line: Jay DiEugenio From BACON MANia, Part One

Kevin Lara​Who doesn't love a slice of bacon? Chewy with extra grease, or baked crisp, Shuji-style, its universal appeal is probably only outnumbered by oxygen. It was a matter of time before a luxe lonchera came along to steal the snout-loving diners of Orange County. Half of the visionary duo BA ... More >>

Japanese Tsunami Aid: Chef Eric Ripert

This just in from New York's Le Bernadin restaurant. From celebrity chef Eric Ripert's Twitter feed:​ It's a big move from a high-profile chef which might prod others into their own ways of helping victims in Japan. Know of others doing their part? Let us know in comments!

On the Line: Arturo Briones of Wildfish, Part One

Photo by Kevin Lara​Wildfish, for a lot of people (including myself), is known for its generous Happy Hour--one of the best in OC. The discounts extend later than most and continue on the weekends. But it should also be known for its seafood and the man who makes it sing. Here, we talk with exec ... More >>

On The Line: Dean Simon of Bruxie, Part One

Christopher Victorio​If you've not heard of Bruxie, the waffle sandwich shop in Orange, time to catch up. We've reviewed it. Twice. We had slideshows, blog entries, the works. And it's not even a food truck. Now we go more in depth with Dean Simon, one of the owners as he goes On The Line. S ... More >>

Grab Bag o' Goodies

Nine great posts from our Stick a Fork In It blog you might've missed

On the Line: Britta Kvinge Pulliam

Photo by Todd Barnes​Orange County--fleeting, impermanent, forever-discarding Orange County--is severely lacking in longstanding food personalities who aren't afraid to open new places while keeping a signature style. There's the Goodells, Pascal Olhats, Chef Abe and...who else? Definitely on that ... More >>

Three Celebrity Chefs Converge Upon South Coast Plaza This Week

Photo courtesy of Macy's​This week is turning out to become a sort of food-celebrity invasion at South Coast Plaza. Three noted chefs and cookbook authors are slated to make appearances and demos at various stores there--all this after recent appearances by Rick Bayless and Bobby Flay.First, Micha ... More >>

On The Line: Timothy Kast of Seasons 52, Part One

Photo by Todd Barnes​Timothy Kast is the executive chef partner of the new Seasons 52 at South Coast Plaza, a restaurant that doesn't use butter, has no deep fryers, and keeps everything it serves under 475 calories or less. Here's Part One of out On The Line interview with Chef Kast. Stay tuned ... More >>

Five Reasons to Like Bobby Flay

​Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is coming to South Coast Plaza this week (see end of blog post for event info!) to promote his latest book, and again: I won't be able to attend a food celebrity's gracing of our backwater 'burbs because the day job beckons. I don't have any pressing questions for the ma ... More >>

Kris Kirk of Ecco Restaurant, Part One

Photo by Todd Barnes​Kris Kirk used to cook at the late Sage on the Coast, but now heads the kitchen at the new Ecco at The Camp in Costa Mesa. The restaurant, which opened a few months ago after a prolonged delay, is already making up for lost time doing pizza, a seasonal menu, and, um, a s ... More >>

Ronnie Arnold of K'ya Street Fare, Part One

Photo credit: Meg Strouse​Drive up Harbor Boulevard in the Anaheim Resort and you might think the only things to eat are pre-made burgers, dreadful pancakes and fancy-yet-still-corporate steak. You'd be missing something, though, because at the very top of the district, in the Hotel Ménage, lies ... More >>

James Foxall of OC Foodie Fest (and Taco Dawg), Part Two

Photo: Meg StrouseJames Foxall and Virginia Strickland, organizers of the OC Foodie Fest​The success of last weekend's Long Beach Street Food Fest bodes well for OC Foodie Fest, a gathering of fifty food trucks (the final list of which was just published on their website) at the Honda Center on Sa ... More >>

Jason Quinn of The Lime Truck, Part Two

Photo by Christopher VictorioDaniel Shemtob and Jason Quinn​Today we conclude our Q&A with Chef Jason Quinn. If you missed the first part, read it here. Stay tuned tomorrow for our final installment: a recipe from the chef. What would you'd like to see more of in Orange County from a culinary ... More >>

New Horror Film Features Celebrity Chef

The one sheet poster for Bitter Feast seems pretty standard. There's a sullen-looking man sitting at dining table in a blood-stained shirt. It looks to be yet another schlocky torture-porn horror film. But watch the trailer and you find out there's more than a few extra ingredients.

Laura De Martin of TusCA, Part One

Kimberly Valenzuela​The recent renovation of the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove ushered in a new upscale eatery--TusCA. The menu features rustic Italian cuisine with a touch of California, with the help of Italian native Chef Laura De Martin.Chef Laura took the time to go On The Line and answer Par ... More >>

Jose Piaggio of Piaggio On Wheels, Part One

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​Jose Piaggio is literally the driving force behind Piaggio on Wheels, one of the most sought after and one of the first in the gourmet breed of food trucks in O.C.--one that our own Gustavo Arellano gave a rare, but enthusiastic thumb ups. But before he took to the ro ... More >>

Harry Kho of Harry's Deli, Part One

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​Ask a local foodie who the sandwich maker/deli owner/chef of the moment is and they'll tell you it's Harrison Kho, or Harry for short. His Harry's Deli, an Irvine office-park lunch stop, like I said in my recent review, is the busiest and buzziest sandwich shop ... More >>

Gino Buonanoce & Salvatore Ferrara of Antonello Ristorante, Part One

Kimberly Valenzuela​ This may be the first time we've profiled two people at the same time for On The Line, but both men are actually on the line at South Coast Plaza's Antonello Ristorante as co-executive chefs. Forget about that idiom about "too many cooks in the kitchen". Any restaurant w ... More >>

Gabriel Caliendo of The Lazy Dog Cafe, Part One

Kimberly Valenzuela​With the recent opening of Lazy Dog Cafe in the Irvine Marketplace--the chain's third OC location--word is spreading about the little chain of restaurants with rustic decor and an eclectic menu. The man behind the food at all Lazy Dog Cafes is Executive Chef Gabriel Caliendo. P ... More >>

Jonathan Munsayac of Tranquil Tea Lounge, Part 1

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​Jonathan Munsayac and Michellee Phelps are the siblings behind Tranquil Tea Lounge, a loose-leaf tea bar which has become a sort of refuge in Downtown Fullerton for those who aren't feeling up to getting drunk at its many rock & roll bars or boozy cantinas. At t ... More >>

Mariela Rebollo of Barcelona On the Go, Part 1

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​We've interviewed the chefs of fancy places, we've interviewed the chefs of hidden holes in the wall, but we've never interviewed the chef of a food truck until now. Mariela Rebollo is the force in the mobile kitchen of Barcelona on the Go, a Spanish food truck that's ... More >>

Five Food Network Shows First In Line For Reanimation

Believe it or not, children, there was a time when the Food Network actually concentrated on teaching people to cook. The idea of ten hours a day of inane food "battles" was unheard of, Iron Chef still came to us from campy Japan, the appetite suppressant known as Sandra Lee hadn't yet created her f ... More >>

Delia Snyder of Don the Beachcomber, Part 1

Just hearing the name "Don the Beachcomber" conjures up mental images of a ramshackle tiki bar serving rum-laden drinks with entire fruit salads on sticks emerging from the rim of the cup, pupu platters full of egg rolls and potstickers, and a menu chock full of what 1950s America thought Chinese pe ... More >>

David Coleman of Michael's on Naples, Part 2

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​Today, we continue on our interview with David Coleman of Michael's on Naples. Missed the first part? Then click HERE. Otherwise read on after the jump.

Tanya Petrovna of Native Foods, Part I

​Tanya Petrovna is the chef and owner of Native Foods. Her ever expanding vegan eatery started out in Palms Springs in 1994, but we in OC know her best from her restaurant at The Camp, which is housed inside a yurt. She has two other restaurants in OC, not all of them in yurts, but serving the ... More >>

[Year In Review] Of Taco Trucks and Votes That Suck: 2009 On Our Stick a Fork In It Food Blog