While Matt Russell was on assignment this weekend, judging the Nugget Rib Cook-off in Nevada, two guest hosts took over the Power Talk mics on this show; Frankie Santos of Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks and Albert Hall of Acacia Real Food & Cocktails!

Frankie Santos & Albert Hall

Frankie and Albert got our listeners current with local and national food news, as well as some things making news at their own eateries…righteous ribs on Frankie’s catering menu and an upcoming Pacific Northwest dinner at Acacia. They also caught up with Chef Paul Cummings of Skyline Country Club for a sneak peek at what he has planned at the club this fall, and Matt called in with a report from the rib fest. So much fun!

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

The sound of slurping has taken over downtown Tucson, and our destination for this week’s broadcast was Slurp Central itself, Obon Sushi + Bar + Ramen!

Chef Paulo Im, Matt Russell, Matt Martinez & Jamie Rice

Our celebrity co-host was Jamie Rice of 520 Eats, who got us up to date on everything making news on his online food and beverage beat. We then welcomed Obon’s owner Brandon Katz for a conversation about his concept and what he thinks is behind the new restaurant’s early success. Obon’s bar manager, Matt Martinez, sat down with us as well to talk Asian-inspired cocktails and sake.  Our featured guest was Obon’s executive chef Paulo Im, who walked us through his fascinating journey, talked about his creative menu, and demonstrated how to approach and enjoy a bowl of ramen. At Obon, slurping is not just allowed, it’s encouraged, and we slurped our way through a traditional Japanese dining experience with modern expressions!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:25 — 26.7MB)

In our annual countdown to the Nugget Rib Cook-Off, the biggest, boldest, and most boisterous BBQ rib event in the nation for which Matt serves as a judge each year, we dedicated this broadcast to the righteousness of ribs!

Matt Russell, Eric Jacobson, Mary Jacobson & Alan Zeman

Our celebrity co-host was the Z-man himself, Alan Zeman, who serves as lead judge for this annual event. He shared a little about what it takes to win this national contest. We also checked in with Randy Kennedy of the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, the official event venue, who shared all the details on this 6-day rib extravaganza. You can’t talk about great BBQ without a great cigar, and Kyle Hoover of Texas’ own Ezra Zion Cigars joined us to talk about some of his new sticks and his recent success at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers convention. Our featured guest was Tucson pitmaster Eric Jacobson of Chillin n Grillin Kick Back BBQ, who talked about his smoking philosophy and catering business, while treating us to some of his ribs that were just fired-up earlier in the day. They rocked!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:27 — 27.2MB)

The sweet succulence of a peach and the natural beauty of a poppy were together under one roof on this weekend’s broadcast.

Matt Russell, Scot Litteer & Josh Proctor

Our celebrity co-host was award-winning filmmaker Scot Litteer, who got us current on his recent shoots and helped us to sample some peach-inspired beers to celebrate the season. We also checked in with Mandy Kirkendall of Apple Annie’s Orchard, who gave us an update on her peach harvest and the orchard’s Peach Mania event. Our featured guest was Josh Proctor, general manager of Poppy Kitchen, who walked us through his line-up of tap cocktails (you must try the Little Piggy!) while treating us to a tasting of some of his seasonal dishes. The Chicken Under a Brick was off the hook! Cast-iron roasted chicken thighs, rosemary marinade, creamy mashed potatoes, creamed corn and pan jus. Right?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:17 — 27.1MB)

What? An entire show dedicated to the art, science, and soul of the michelada? Yes please! Special guest hosts Billy Elliott (Elliott’s on Congress) and Jessica Nenadic (Alliance Beverage) got our listeners prepared for the upcoming Tucson Michelada Challenge by eating and drinking their way through the most delicious hour on radio (a minor microphone malfunction caused a short-term disruption, but was fixed 4 minutes in).  Joining them for the michelada madness was Rob Betancourt, co-chair of the event, Tiffanie Hassell of the Tucson Convention Center, the event venue, and Tafao Faumuina of Proper, one of the event contestants. Tafao also brought along some of Proper’s famous prop-prop wings, and Billy made some new friends when he served his duck sliders, jalapeno shrimp boats, and bacon rangoons. Cheers!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:08 — 27.1MB)

While Matt was on assignment on Cape Cod this week, Tucson Foodie’s own Adam Lehrman took over the mic for this delicious show.

Miranda Morrison, Chef Omar Ramirez & Adam Lehrman

Adam’s celebrity co-host was self-described “dive bar girl, through and through” Miranda Morrison of Merit Foods, who ranked some of her favorite dives while sharing some news about Merit Foods’ upcoming customer appreciation show. Michael Luria of Children’s Museum Tucson then joined the conversation to discuss an upcoming dinner to benefit the Bald Beauties Project, in memory of his daughter Kelsey. Our featured guest was Chef Omar Ramirez of Omar’s Hi-Way Chef Restaurant who talked about the fascinating history and spectacular menu at this iconic eatery. Deep dish apple pie anyone?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:46 — 54.7MB)

There were definitely some Cougars in the house on this live poolside broadcast from Matt’s 30th high school reunion, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, celebrating the mighty Cougars of Sahuaro High School!

John Farlow, Chef Ken Harvey & Matt Russell

Our celebrity co-host was fellow Sahuaro class of 85-er John Farlow who shared some of his latest culinary and cocktail adventures. We also sat down with Chuck Stopani, another local celeb from this outstanding class, who got us current with all the action at the 1912 Brewing Company that his cousin owns. We then welcomed Sheila Bourque of Loews Ventana Canyon who shared with us some exciting news about the current property-wide renovation, while assistant F&B director John Hackett rolled out a commemorative cocktail for us to try, the Cougar-Rita! Our featured guest was Executive Chef Ken Harvey who shared his thoughts on the role of integrity in the culinary arts, a little about his own journey, and an introduction to the new seasonal menu at the resort’s Flying V Bar and Grill. Our tasting included a duck fat confit rabbit leg chile relleno, a cous cous salad with quail, a veal porterhouse with port mushroom sauce, and a mascarpone cheesecake with a roasted strawberry compote!  Aren’t reunions delicious? Go Cougars!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:23 — 54.4MB)

Whenever we think about southern cuisine, we head to The Parish, and this week’s show came to you live from this destination for Louisiana-inspired cuisine and cocktails.

Laura Reese, Chef Travis Peters, Bryce Zeagler, Matt Russell & Nate Anderson

Our celebrity co-host was publicist Laura Reese of Storyteller Public Relations, who told some delicious stories about local food news…including some breaking news! We then turned our attention to Susan Fulton of the Tucson Originals who shared all of the details on the upcoming Wings and Waffles event. How do they libate in Louisiana? The Parish’s barman Nate Anderson joined us to talk about the role played by the beverage down south. Our featured guests were The Parish’s own Bryce Zeagler and Chef Travis Peters who walked us through their story and menu, which included tastings of their world-renowned Drunken Angel, as well as a plate of BBQ pig tails!  Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulet at The Parish!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:22 — 27.2MB)

They boast Tucson’s largest selection of house-infused vodkas, so of course we had to do a live broadcast from Elliott’s on Congress!

Tavish Bennett, Matt Russell & Billy Elliott

Our celebrity co-host was Billy Elliott himself, who shared some news about the upcoming Tucson Michelada Challenge. Allan Conger of the 1912 Brewing Company also stopped by to talk about his big grand opening on July 4. Elliott’s bartender Tavish Bennett then walked us through his 25 infused vodkas, and shook up some cocktails that took the show to a whole new level! We also heard some delicious stories about Elliott’s cuisine, and had the opportunity to sample the duck tacos, bacon rangoons, a killer hickory and jalapeno bacon cheeseburger, saucy baby back ribs, and a Snickers cheesecake that will make you forget everything you know about cheesecake. See you at Elliott’s!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:08 — 27.5MB)

108…109…110? The heat is definitely on in Southern Arizona, but thankfully there are many options for keeping cool this summer, like at this live broadcast from the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort!

John Kulikowski, Andi Berlin, Matt Russell & Chef Bruce Yim

Our celebrity co-host this weekend was Andi Berlin, digital food reporter for the Arizona Daily Star, who caught us up to speed on her journey to take down 100 tacos in 100 days! We then sat down with the Hacienda’s managing partner, Tom Firth, who shared some fun stories behind the property’s exciting expansion. John Kulikowski, director of wine and spirits, inspired a delicious dialogue about some summer wine dinners and an extended happy hour, and Chef Bruce Yim rolled out his plans for July 4…Red, White, and BREW! Our tasting included some spectacular dishes, including an octopus salad with pickled sunchokes, Parisian gnocchi with pork belly and shaved mushrooms, and beef tenderloin skewers with chimichurri. So. Good.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:34 — 27.3MB)