We just love the flavors of Peru, and they were on parade at our live broadcast from the Pena Peruana Party at Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine & House of Pisco!

Matt Russell, C.J. Hamm, Fatima Campos, DP & Luis Campos

Our celebrity co-host was C.J. Hamm, the guy behind the Nine on the Line column in Tucson Foodie, who got us current on his latest food news after his first official shot of pisco! We were then joined by Jason Machamer of the Trident Grill who shared his plans for opening Trident II early next year in Plaza Palomino. Inca’s manager Luis Campos, and bartender DP, sat down with us to talk about the role that pisco plays in the Peruvian culture, and walked us through the preparation of the Pisco Sour. Delicious! Finally, Inca’s proprietor Fatima Campos shared some delicious stories behind her cuisine and served up some that had us saying, “Pena Peruana…si!”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:10 — 27.5MB)

There’s always a party going on around town, but there’s only one Ultimate Party, and we did some partying on this show in the countdown to one of the biggest events of the year!

Kelle Maslyn, Matt Russell, Lorraine Morgan, Melissa Royer & Frank Williams

Our celebrity co-host was event chair Kelle Maslyn who walked us through all of the ultimateness planned for the event, starting with the Ultimate Happy Hour! Allan Conger of 1912 Brewing Company also joined in the fun with some information about a new commemorative brew that he planned to tap at his place on Veterans Day, and Lorraine Morgan of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson discussed all of the great programs that benefit from the Ultimate Party and other delicious events. Speaking of delicious, Chef Carlos Calderon, brand chef for North Italia, called in to revel the menus that each of the Fox Restaurant Concepts eateries will be serving up at the Ultimate Party. We’re talking North, Blanco, Zinburger, and Wildflower…ultimate food for an ultimate evening!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:58 — 27.5MB)

This spooky broadcast came to you live from an undisclosed location; it was simply too scary to share, but we had a delicious time nonetheless on our Halloween show!

Back row: Michael “Barefoot and Cooking” Balazs, Matt Russell & Scot Litteer; Front row: Nancy Russell, Sarah “Craft Beer Betty” Ritchie & a special guest

Our celebrity co-hosts were Sarah “Craft Beer Betty” Ritchie of Golden Eagle Distributors, and Scot Litteer of Litteer Films, who conducted a tasting of some spectacular pumpkin-inspired brews. Personal trainer Nancy Russell of Anytime Fitness stopped by as well to serve up some of her world-famous pumpkin soup (yes, the one with the lime-ginger cream) and pumpkin chocolate chip loaf. Our featured guest was barefoot sous chef Michael “Barefoot and Cooking” Balazs who made a lot of friends with his “Halloween Hot” chili. He also talked about his personal culinary journey while ladling up bowl after bowl of his steaming deliciousness. Not too many tricks during the hour, but lots of treats!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:06 — 27.5MB)

Wine always seems to play a central role in memorable culinary experiences, and we transformed the Power Talk studio into a wine country tasting room on this weekend’s broadcast!

Matt Russell & John Kulikowski

Our celebrity co-host was John Kulikowski, director of wine and spirits at the Hacienda del Sol. We learned about John’s unique journey on his way to sommelier-dom, as well as some of his personal wine picks for the season. We also discussed some of the food and wine events that are coming up at the Hacienda, including Argentina Heart and Soul, Travel the World Wine Dinner: Mexico City, and, of course, a spectacular Thanksgiving! We also checked in with Jamie Slone of Jamie Slone Wines in Santa Barbara who talked about some of his new releases. Viva Vino!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:53 — 27.4MB)

Our cravings for comfort food led us to the corner of Sunrise and Kolb this weekend for a live broadcast from Commoner & Co.!

Engineer Jackson, Chef Ryan Clark, Matt Russell, Kim Kaiser & Brian Morris

Our celebrity co-host was three-time Iron Chef of Tucson Ryan Clark, in his first broadcast interview since leaving Agustin Kitchen. He shared some news about that development, along with what he hopes to do in the next phase of his career. We also caught up with Dennis Arnold of Barrio Brewing Company, who talked about some recent local and national awards that his brews have earned. We then sat down with Commoner & Co. bartender Kim Kaiser, who discussed her creative cocktail program and revealed what fall looks like in a glass! Our featured guest was Commoner & Co. partner and GM Brian “B-MO” Morris, who discussed the art of comfort food and the flavors of fall on his new seasonal menu. After sampling some of these dishes – including chicken and dumplings, a double-patty burger with brown sugar bacon, and Thai wings with hoisin and sriracha – we realized how much we love the fall season. Head to Commoner for comfort cocktails and cuisine!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:48 — 26.9MB)

A bottle of red, a bottle of white, it all depends on your appetite! And we brought our appetites to Caffe Torino this weekend for an al fresco broadcast in the Foothills!

Ollie Shouse, Tessa Cunningham, Matt Russell & Tom Alfonso

Our celebrity co-host was Tom Alfonso, of Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics, who talked about the significance of fresh olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. After a round-up of some upcoming food events in town, we welcomed Caffe Torino general manager Tessa Cunnigham to the show who taught us how to libate like an Italian! Exhibit A was a gorgeous cocktail called the Basil Smash. After snacking on some cured meats, gourmet cheese, and flash-fried calamari, we were joined by the one and only Ollie Shouse who talked about the story behind this wonderful eatery. He also brought along some Italian wines, as well as a few more dishes to show us what an Italian culinary experience is like. A lovely veal piccata dish and perhaps the best lasagna we’ve ever had made this experience so very real. These were our kinds of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:33 — 27.3MB)

October is National Pizza Month, and to celebrate the critical role that pizza plays on our collective palate, this show came to you live from a place where sauce reigns supreme…Sauce Pizza & Wine!

Rita Connelly, Matt Russell & John May

Our celebrity co-host this week was Rita Connelly of the Well-Fed Foodie blog, who shared her thoughts on the perfect pizza. She also talked about her upcoming book, Lost Restaurants of Tucson, which will hit the shelves in early December. We then welcomed Mandy Carlsen of Nourish, an organization providing support to children with feeding challenges, who revealed some exciting plans for a delicious fundraising event later this month at the Fox Theater. Our featured guest was Sauce kitchen manager John May, who unveiled this year’s plans for National Pizza Month! He also discussed what’s new at Sauce while treating us to some yummy Sauce selections, including the sausage and caramelized onion pizza, chicken pesto pizza, pasta with red sauce, and a new winter vegetable salad that will soon be making an appearance on the menu. This was a sauced-up show for sure!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:53 — 27.4MB)

Here comes the sun! Literally. And when you want more fun under the sun, there’s only one place to go that will authentically deliver the soul of the sol…the destination of this week’s broadcast, the PY Steakhouse at the Casino Del Sol Resort!

Chef Erik Savin, Matt Russell, Aaron DeFeo & John Brauneis

Our celebrity co-host this weekend was Aaron “Doc” DeFeo, property mixologist at the Casino Del Sol Resort, who talked about his spirituous journey and how that inspired the amazing cocktail program at the PY Steakhouse. We also heard from John Brauneis of Gourmet Aire, Tucson’s most romantic date, and his love-inspired package that bundles together limo transportation, a private aerial tour of the Tucson mountains, and a gourmet meal at one of Tucson’s top restaurants. Our featured guest was PY Steakhouse Chef Erik Savin, who talked about his culinary path, some new seasonal dishes, and, of course, prime beef! It was so exciting that the roasted bone marrow that accompanied the prime T-bone rolled off of Matt’s fork and onto his shirt (hence the apron in the photo!)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:56 — 27.4MB)

Football season has officially arrived, and what’s our favorite part of this annual pig skin tradition?

John Adkisson, Matt Russell & Dan Dickman

The tailgate, of course, and we transformed the Power Talk studio into a Power Talk Tailgate party this week with delicious tools, trends, and techniques for powering-up your next pre-game! Our celebrity co-host for this show was John Adkisson of Iron John’s Brewing Company, who talked about his bottle model and what makes it the right call for tailgate parties everywhere. We also heard from the Food Network’s  Ray Lampe, Dr. BBQ himself, who talked about what he’s been seeing out on the tailgate BBQ circuit this season. You can’t have a tailgate without a premium cigar, and Freddy Valencia of Jerry’s Cigars joined us to reveal his picks for pre-game sticks. Our featured guest was local butcher Dan Dickman of Dickman’s Meat & Deli, who gave us a complete rundown of the meats that he thinks should be tailgate centerpieces!  Exhibit A? Cheesehead Brats! Touchdown Dickmans!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:03 — 55.0MB)

In celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month, we thought that Union Public House would be the perfect backdrop for this week’s big, bold, bourbon broadcast!

Chef Patrick Malarchik, Andy Bulkley, Chris Cohen, Matt Russell & Thom Wadlund

This week’s celebrity co-host was Thom Wadlund, agent extraordinaire with American Family Insurance and one of our resident whiskey authorities. Thom shared some stories about his recent visit to Scotland (52 Scotch distilleries in three weeks!), and talked about some of the bourbons he likes closer to home. We also sat down with Chris Cohen of Young’s Market Company for a bourbon history lesson, and a tasting of three premium bourbons in his portfolio. Union beverage director Andy Bulkley then walked us through his impressive whiskey collection, which includes the highly sought after Pappy 23! Our featured guest was Union executive chef Patrick Malarchik who discussed his thoughtful menu, a little about his culinary journey, and his upcoming Scotch & Smoke dinner. He also treated us to some of his delicacies, like his take on the BLT (forget everything you know about the BLT, by the way!) and the hog pizza. Time for another bourbon!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:03 — 54.1MB)