If Southern Arizona had an official fragrance, there’s no doubt it would be mesquite, and we celebrated the wonder of that wood on this live broadcast from the Horseshoe Grill!

Ramon Olivas, Chef Andy Romero, Kevin Bedient, Matt Russell & Rob LaMaster

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie, BBQ guru, and Southern Region Director for Make a Wish Arizona, Rob LaMaster. Rob got us current on his latest culinary adventures while sharing details about an upcoming event that will showcase craft beer for a cause. We also sat down with Ramon Olivas, assistant distiller at Hamilton Distillers, who revealed some exciting news about the latest round of awards for his mesquite-smoked Whiskey Del Bac. The Horseshoe Grill’s bar manager Kevin Bedient walked us through the Shoe’s libations and happy hour, while Chef Andy Romero, a local mesquite maven, talked about his perspectives on smoking, BBQ, and some spectacular steaks. The pulled pork sliders, brisket, and smoked-rubbed wings were also some of the stars of this delicious broadcast. See ya at the Shoe!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:15 — 12.2MB)

Our broadcast this weekend commenced the chorus of goodbyes as we say farewell to one of Tucson’s great restaurants, Acacia Real Food and Cocktails.

Chef Brian Smith, C.J. Hamm, Matt Russell, Chef Albert Hall & Jonathan Revies

Our celebrity co-host was C.J. Hamm, general manager of Red’s Smokehouse and Tap Room, who talked about a Summer BBQ Bash that he’s planning for May 21. We also chatted with two-time Tucson Chili Champ Jonathan Revies, who shared his strategy for what he hopes will make him a winner again at this year’s Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Chili Cook-off. Our featured guests were Chefs Albert Hall and Brian Smith of Acacia, who are preparing for Acacia’s final month in business. We talked about Mother’s Day Brunch on May 8, their Grand Finale Dinner on May 15, and what they’re planning for life after Acacia. Stay tuned…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:17 — 12.2MB)

The embers were definitely glowing when we fired-up this weekend’s broadcast, live from Humble Pie at La Encantada!

Tony Eden, Matt Russell, John Farlow & Tom Kaufman

Our celebrity co-host was PR maven, concert crusader, and rum rooter John Farlow, whose report of recent adventures included beaches, blenders, and bathing suits. We also caught up with Jeremy Hilderbrand of Sentinel Peak Brewing Company who shared all of the details on the upcoming Baja Beer Festival. Humble Pie owner Tom Kaufman sat down with us to talk about the concept as well as his favorite pizza, and Humble Pie’s Tony Eden walked us through the menu while discussing the significant role that real fire plays in the preparation of his signature pies. More pizza please!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:51 — 12.3MB)

While Matt was on assignment in Colorado this weekend, guest host Mark Irvin took a seat behind the mic for a show dedicated entirely to The Event, a food and beverage extravaganza benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson (BGCT).

Mark Irvin, Chef Ryan Jones, Bruce Suppes, Debbie Wagner, Chuck the Producer & Goel Ellis

Mark’s guests for this delicious broadcast included Debbie Wagner, CEO of the BGCT, Chef Ryan Jones of Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Goel Ellis, BGCT’s Youth of the Year, and Bruce Suppes, this year’s BGCT president. Great food, great drink, great cause!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 18.8MB)

There’s typically a lot of buzz when a new restaurant opens its doors, and the buzz behind the latest to hit the scene is all about the bark! That’s why we headed to Stray Dogs for this weekend’s broadcast!

Myles Stone, Chef Andres Lopez, Tom Eiff, Matt Russell & Rick Fink

Our celebrity co-host was Myles Stone of Borderlands Brewing Company who talked about some of his suds that have earned favor among craft brew enthusiasts lately. “Rotary Tom” Eiff, of the Rincon Rotary Club, joined us as well with all the sweet deets on the upcoming Tucson Taste of Chocolate. Head Dog at Stray Dogs Rick Fink himself also sat down with us to tell the story behind his hot new concept, and Chef Andres Lopez walked us through his vision for fresh, fun, and frolic on the Stray Dogs menu. Warning…the house-made onion rings with spicy thousand island are habit-forming, and the Chicago Dog made us fall in love with the Windy City all over again. You’ll beg for more at Stray Dogs!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:23 — 12.5MB)

The downtown dining scene has never been more dynamic, and we gave props on this show to one of the restaurants at the epicenter of downtown’s culinary and cocktail community, Proper!

Mark Erman, Anya Linda, Matt Russell, Adam Lehrman, Chef Kris Vrolijk & Tafao Faumuina

Our celebrity co-host was Adam Lehrman of Tucson Foodie, who talked about some of his latest foodie headlines. Then we got all the details on the new Tucson Wine Club from club co-founders Mark Erman and Anya Linda of Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar. The cocktails arrived at this point, and we learned what sits at the heart of Proper’s craft cocktail conversation from bar manager Tafao Faumuina. House-made beet bitters anyone? Our featured guest was Proper’s chef Kris Vrolijk, who talked about his personal culinary journey, the Proper philosophy on cuisine, and what he expects to see on the upcoming spring menu. We even sampled one of the dishes in the running, a banh mi that redefines the banh mi! Props to Proper!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:35 — 13.4MB)

This was our first show with our new media partners at 104.1 FM, KQTH, and we wanted it to be special. So where did we broadcast from? The Chef’s Table at the Hacienda del Sol!

John Kulikowski, Matt Russell, Chef Bruce Yim & Dan Gibson

Our celebrity co-host was Dan Gibson of Visit Tucson who discussed all of the fun things going on this season in the Old Pueblo. Freddy Valencia of Jerry’s Cigars joined us as well with information on an upcoming cigar dinner, and the Hacienda’s director of wine and spirits John Kulikowski spoke spring time libations, with the Mulberry Bush as Exhibit A. Then Hacienda del Sol executive chef Bruce Yim shared his plans for some upcoming events, including the iconic Zin, Blues & BBQ. A star-studded show from top to bottom. See you soon at the Hacienda!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:18 — 19.8MB)

In our countdown to Valentine’s Day, we focused on love; love of delicious food, love of great drink, and love for all of the people in our lives who weave love and hospitality into their work.

Edie Jarolim, Matt Russell & Chef Ken Harvey

Our celebrity co-host was food and travel writer Edie Jarolim, who shared some of the love she’s been experiencing on the Southern Arizona food and beverage scene. We also checked in with Steve McFate of Fate Brewing Company, who talked about the lovely brews that he’ll be bringing down next week to the Tucson Craft Beer Crawl. Chef Albert Hall of Acacia Real Food and Cocktails joined in the conversation as well to talk about three upcoming events that are perfect for lovebirds, and Chef Ken Harvey joined us in the studio for an update on Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and all of the love that you’ll find on property these days. Loews Knows Love!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:03 — 27.5MB)

Whenever there’s an anniversary celebration, there must be beer, right? And when it’s the beer itself that’s celebrating the anniversary, the party is expected to be of epic proportion. We didn’t miss a single sip on this live broadcast from the Ten Fifty-Five Brewing Company’s Third Anniversary Celebration of Suds!

J.P. Vyborny, Laura Reese, Matt Russell, Tyler Fenton & Brandon Dillon

Our celebrity co-host this weekend was publicist Laura Reese who shared some exciting news about her upcoming Tucson Craft Beer Crawl. We also chatted with 1055’s co-owner and head brewer J.P. Vyborny who reflected on three years of brewing, what he has planned for the Tucson Craft Beer Crawl, a rundown on his anniversary activities, and a planned expansion for later this year! We were also joined by chefs Tyler Fenton and Brandon Dillon of Reilly Craft Pizza who were on hand feeding the masses at the event. What was on the menu? Pork porchetta sandwiches with braised kale and a provolone fondue! Great brew, delicious food, and one heck of an anniversary party!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:15 — 25.3MB)

We taste. We enjoy. We savor. Three things we do each and every week on this program. So we decided to dedicate this week’s show to the spirit of savor, and the upcoming Savor Food and Wine Festival!

Chef Kevin Handt, Erika Mitnik-White, Matt Russell, Kyle Jefferson, Linette Antillon, Matt Montgomery, Chris Dudding & Chef Jim Murphy

Our celebrity co-host was Erika Mitnik-White of Local First Arizona, who shared all of the details on the Savor event. We also sat down with some local food and beverage celebrities who discussed their delicious plans for Savor, including Kyle Jefferson and Linette Antillon of Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, Matt Montgomery and Chris Dudding of Three Wells Distilling Company, Chef Kevin Handt of Wildflower American Cuisine, and Chef Jim “Murph” Murphy of Kingfisher. All such spectacular savorists!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:07 — 27.5MB)