This show was a celebration of suds for our craft brew loving listeners, and we kicked off Arizona Beer Week in style from a place where crooked is king, the Crooked Tooth Brewing Company!

Gabe Ceniceros, Danny Perez, Matt Russell, Mondo Basurto & Jodee Basurto

Our celebrity co-host was two-time Iron Chef Danny Perez who brought us up to speed on his new gig at Shamrock Foods. We also heard from Allan Conger of 1912 Brewing Company who shared his plans for the upcoming Tucson Craft Beer Crawl. We were then joined by Mondo and Jodee Basurto of Crooked Tooth who told the story behind the concept, the funky name, the brewing philosophy, their flagship brews, and a special Valentine’s Day petition for craft beer enthusiasts that they have aimed straight at the White House.

A flight of beers, which arrived on a skateboard. That’s how it rolls at Crooked Tooth!

We wrapped up with Gabe Ceniceros of the Blacktop Grill food truck who was on hand to feed the Crooked Tooth crowd. His food went quite well with the beers! We had a blast with our new friends from Tucson’s official crooked community!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:53 — 12.6MB)

The back alleys of Louisiana were recreated in Main Gate Square this weekend, and the gators were on full parade on our live broadcast from the Louisiana Back Alley BBQ at Red’s Smokehouse & Tap Room!

Chef Travis Peters, Chef Ramiro Scavo, Matt Russell, Rob LaMaster & Scott Miller

Our celebrity co-host was fellow smoked meat enthusiast Rob LaMaster of Make-A-Wish Arizona. In addition to talking about his true passion, Texas BBQ, he also updated us on some cool things happening in his job of granting wishes. Event producer Rob Base sat down with us as well to share some news about his upcoming Lord of the Wings chicken wing challenge. Red’s craft brew curator Scott Miller also joined the party by talking about pairing ‘cue and brew, including his picks for the beers that go great with gator! Our featured guests were Red’s Chef Ramiro Scavo and Chef Travis Peters of The Parish, who partnered on this killer southern-inspired event.

Our kind of alligator…bacon-wrapped and smoked!

We talked gators, gator gumbo, whole pigs, and smoked shrimp, and put a little south in our mouth with a tasting of some Pelican State delicacies. This was serious Louisiana Love!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:58 — 12.6MB)

It’s been said that folks down in the bayou will eat anything that doesn’t bite or snap at them first, and we had plenty of snapping, biting, eating, and drinking on this weekend’s show from Sazerac Creole Kitchen & Cocktails!

Aric Mussman, Tiffany Eldredge, Matt Russell & Laura Reese

Our celebrity co-host was lifestyle publicist Laura Reese, founder and executive producer of the annual Tucson Craft Beer Crawl, who got us current on her plans for this year’s salute to suds in a couple of weeks. We also checked in with Ramiro Scavo of Red’s Smokehouse and Tap Room for details on his upcoming Louisiana Back Alley BBQ that he’s hosting with brother-in-BBQ Travis Peters of the Parish. Sazerac’s mixology maven Tiffany Eldredge sat down with us to talk about the central role that the Sazerac plays in the southern cocktail culture, and co-owner Aric Mussman shared the story behind his hot new creole concept. We were also joined by Robert Iaccarino, Sazerac’s executive chef, whose journey includes stints at some of New Orleans best restaurants.

Fried green tomatoes with bronzed baby shrimp and sauce magnolia

He treated us to an array of southern-inspired dishes including fried green tomatoes, gumbo, jambalaya, and, of course, beignets. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 12.6MB)

It’s been reported that the average person consumes two pounds of garlic every year, that’s 302 cloves, and we came close to hitting that number in a single hour on this live broadcast from the Wild Garlic Grill!

Mike Rapp, Maudi Gourdin-Schultz, Chef Steven Schultz, Matt Russell & Anna Perreira

This week’s celebrity co-host was Mike Rapp, host of Tucson Morning News on KQTH, who shared some of his thoughts on the local food scene, his penchant for Bloody Marys, and his go-to fuel that fires up his early morning shows each and every weekday. Anna Perreira of Yellow Brick Coffee sat down with us as well to share news on the upcoming 4th on 44th event in Tucson’s craft beverage district. We then shifted to wine, with Wild Garlic Grill’s sommelier Kris Rezac, and cocktails, with bartender Dallas Seeliger. Ever had a Garlic-tini? We did – just listen for our reaction! Our featured guests were Wild Garlic Grill’s own Chef Steven Schultz and Maudi Gourdin-Schultz who talked about their cool fusion of French and California cuisine.

Soft shell crabs with seaweed salad and a ginger soy beurre blanc.

Many examples were served for us to try, including a lovely sea bass with an avocado and heart of palm tapenade and soft shell crabs with a ginger soy beurre blanc. It’s Garlic Gone Wild at the Wild Garlic Grill!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:03 — 12.8MB)

There’s a lot of talk these days about the delicious things happening in the shadows of the magnificent Pusch Ridge, so we thought we better see what all the buzz was about on this live broadcast from the Hilton El Conquistador Resort!

Adam Lehrman, Kevin Brady, Chef Josh Willett, Matt Russell, Ruben Encinas & Cait Huble

Our celebrity co-host was Tucson Foodie’s own Adam Lehrman who got us current with the food stories that he’s been covering lately. Cait Huble of the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance joined us as well with some exciting news about the upcoming SAVOR Food & Wine Festival. With all the shaking and stirring going on at the El Conquistador’s Colibri Lounge, we then caught up with beverage manager Ruben Encinas who demonstrated how to cocktail like a true conquistador. Our featured guest was Chef Josh Willett, of the El Conquistador’s Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, who revealed his new seasonal menu. It was fun to hear his stories about how he approaches the construction of a menu from a blank canvas.

Beef short rib with mushroom medley, asparagus, and squash puree

He then treated us to some new selections, including the watercress and endive salad, the grilled quail with tamarind and lentils, and the beef short rib with a squash puree. Channel your inner conquistador and enjoy some great food and drinks!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:52 — 12.6MB)

It’s been said that the more things change the more they stay the same, and we showcased that on this broadcast from a restaurant that’s as relevant today as it was when it opened its doors more than 60 years ago…Saguaro Corners!

Dave Musso, Matt Russell, Chef C.J. Hamm & James Blue

Our celebrity co-host was James Blue, food and beverage writer with 520 Eats and certified sommelier with Quail Distributing. James talked about his top food moments of 2016 and offered some predictions on what he thinks will make food news in 2017. We also heard from Saguaro Corners GM Dave Musso, who walked us through his craft beer program and gave us an idea of some cocktails that are trending at the Corners. Chef C.J. Hamm sat down with us as well to talk Saguaro Corners cuisine, his approach to comfort food, and his plans for an upcoming beer dinner with Barrio Brewing Co.

White cheddar cheese curds with a sweet chili sauce

We also enjoyed the fruits of some of C.J.’s labors, like the white cheddar cheese curds and shrimp and grit cakes! Catch ya later at the Corners!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:52 — 12.6MB)

At the end of another delicious year, we celebrated 2016 in all of its epicurean excellence at a restaurant that helped to define Tucson’s food-forward culture more than two decades ago: Pastiche!

Cole Connors, Jessica Nenadic, Matt Russell & Chef Tim More

Our celebrity co-host was Jessica Nenadic of Young’s Market Company who talked bubbles, the year’s top beverage news, and her predictions on what would dominate the libation landscape next year. We also sat down with Pastiche’s own Cole Connors who unveiled his new cocktail menu and talked about the restaurant’s impressive whiskey collection.

Pork osso buco with wild mushroom risotto

Pastiche Chef Tim Moore joined us as well to walk us through his New Year’s Eve menu, which included an ancho beer braised pork osso buco and grilled yellowtail veracruz! Happy New Year, fellow foodies!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:52 — 12.6MB)

The smoke was rising throughout this show, and where there’s smoke, that’s gotta signal BBQ! What a blast we had on this live broadcast from Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ.

Bill Hemmer, Matt Russell, Zach Clark, Brother John Aldecoa, Brad Walling & Chef Patrick Vezino

Our celebrity co-host was Zach Clark, of the Zach Clark Show on ESPN Tucson, who talked about one of his favorite pairings, BBQ and sports! We also caught up with Chris Cohen of Young’s Market Company, who introduced us to some spectacular spirits coming out of the St. George Distillery, like their dry rye gin which anchors a great cocktail we had recently at Commoner & Co. Brother John Aldecoa himself stopped by as well, with bar manager Brad Walling, for a conversation about his extensive whiskey collection which includes a beautiful bourbon distilled exclusively for Brother John’s! We also caught up with executive chef Patrick Vezino, who shared a little about his ‘cue creds and what he has up his sleeve for a New Year’s Eve party that will blow the roof off the place.

Beef short rib – now THAT’S a rib!

We then sampled a big beef short rib with the kinds of sides that made us feel right at home among our ‘cue crew. We closed out the show with general manager Bill Hemmer who got us current with his series of upcoming beer and whiskey pairing dinners. Beer…bourbon…BBQ, three of the basic food groups on our personal pyramid!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 12.6MB)

With the holiday season in full swing, we thought we’d take time to just kick back and relax in some big comfy chairs and enjoy a few glasses of wine, on this live broadcast from the Living Room Wine Lounge & Cafe in celebration of their first anniversary!

David Emran, Matt Russell & Scot Litteer

Our celebrity co-host was Scot Litteer of Litteer Films who revealed his personal picks for seasonal craft brews this year. We attempted to hear from C.J. Hamm of Saguaro Corners about a beer dinner he was planning with Sentinel Peak Brewing Company, but signal issues got in the way : (  Our featured guest was Living Room managing partner David Emran, who talked about the Living Room’s first anniversary, the past year’s wine trends, and some of his favorite varietals.

Prime rib sliders

He also walked us through his menu of amazingly shareable selections and treated us to some of the top-sellers, including the prime rib sliders with Gorgonzola and creamy horseradish, a dish that he said will never come off the menu due to its wide-reaching following. Lots of love, laughs, and lounging from the Living Room!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:52 — 12.6MB)

As the countdown to kick-off commenced for the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on December 30, we prepared our palates for the delicious things that awaited us on this weekend’s Bowl-themed broadcast from Sir Veza’s Taco Garage!

Ray Flores, Kym Adair, Matt Russell & Mike Feder

Our celebrity co-host was Kym Adair, senior vice president of NOVA Home Loans, who talked about the important role that the Bowl plays in the community and why her company decided to get behind it in such a huge way. We also caught up with Bowl executive director Mike Feder, who talked about some of the delicious things planned for Bowl week while offering various scenarios on the teams that could be coming to Tucson. We also heard from Sir Veza’s own Ray Flores, who had some tasty news to share about the pregame Nacho Average Tailgate Festival that will convene 30 local nacho purveyors in a chip-to-chip challenge for the title of Nacho King or Queen!

The Mexi-CAN, with fried pork rinds, shrimp, Asian peanuts, veggies, Tajin, Chamoy, and a cold Modelo!

Then we ate. Nacho burgers, chopper shrimp nachos, and the newest dish to hit the Sir Veza’s scene, the Mexi-CAN!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:52 — 12.6MB)