The theme of this broadcast was Tucson’s most talked about tastemakers of the week, and we had a studio full of them!

Lilian Spieth, Laura Reese, Jeff Azersky & Matt Russell

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie and lifestyle/entertainment publicist from Storyteller Public Relations, Laura Reese! Laura kicked off the show by sharing some of the things that she thought were making food headlines this week. We were then joined by Tucson’s mollusk maven, Jeff Azersky of Kingfisher & Bluefin. Jeff prepared us for the annual Kingfisher Oyster Festival, and schooled us in the science of shucking and slurping! Our featured guest was Lilian Spieth, owner/chef at Roma Imports, who introduced us to the many tasty things happening at this Italian deli and grocery. We also had the opportunity to sample some of her goods, including our new favorite sandwich, which is called, we kid you not….”Matt’s Special!” All hail Tucson’s tastemakers!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:13 — 13.8MB)

Guest host Mark Irvin took over the mic this week for an entire hour dedicated to the fun and food at this year’s THE PARTY, benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson! Mark was joined in the studio by Bruce Suppes, vice president of BGCT, Linda Wojtowicz, CEO of BGCT and Amber Haddad, regional director of operations for Fox Restaurant Concepts. This show was more fun that people should be allowed to have. Nice job Mark and team!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:14 — 13.8MB)

Where do Tucson cigar enthusiasts celebrate Octoberfest? At Smoketober, of course, and Jerry’s Cigars was the destination for this year’s celebration!

A cast of true cigar celebs from our live broadcast

Our celebrity co-host this week was filmmaker, cigar stud and craft brew sophisticate Scot Litteer of Litteer Films, who lead us in a tasting of some of his favorite pumpkin beers of the fall season. We then caught up with Hank Bischoff of Boutique Blends Cigars, whose Aging Room cigars seemed to be generating some serious buzz at the event. Dan Yockey of Drew Estate Cigars stopped by as well to chat about some of his sticks, including the Kentucky Fire-Cured (KFC), which is like a campfire in a wrapper! We also sat down with Joel Schwartz of 7-20-4 Cigars,  and heard him describe with great pride the historical backdrop against which his cigars are made. Great cigars, craft brews, stimulating conversation and the ideal setting for it all, Smoketober at Jerry’s Cigars. It doesn’t get any better.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:20 — 13.5MB)

Our theme for this week’s show was the Great Outdoors, and we celebrated the al fresco spirit throughout each delicious segment!

Mike Berard, Matt Russell, David Torkko & Dan Dickman

Our celebrity co-host this week was David Torkko, regional sales manager for Vino 750. David talked about this exciting distributor of fine boutique wines, and showcased some that he thought were absolutely perfect for outdoor celebrations. Jerry Yang of Jerry’s Cigars joined the conversation as well, with information on his upcoming Smoketober Bash, and Mike Berard of the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation stopped by to tell us about his plans for this year’s Blues Festival. Our featured guest was family butcher Dan Dickman of Dickman’s Meat and Deli, our favorite purveyor of protein! Dan got us in the fall spirit with his picks for the perfect proteins for tailgating and grilling. What topped the list? Bratwursts, of course, and no one does brats like Dickman’s!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:08 — 13.5MB)

With the 7th anniversary of our favorite wine shop happening this weekend, of course we had to broadcast from their anniversary bash at CataVinos!

Michael Luria, Yvonne Foucher & Matt Russell

Our celebrity co-host was Michael Luria, fellow foodie and executive director of the Children’s Museum Tucson, who shared what’s been keeping his palate occupied these days. He also reported on all of the delicious things planned for the museum’s upcoming Evening of Play! We also sat down with Mike Mallozzi of Borderlands Brewing Company, whose Citrana Wild Ale was named “Best Specialty Beer” at the recent Born and Brewed: Tucson’s Beer Cup. Our featured guest was CataVinos’ own Yvonne Foucher, who took some time away from hosting this amazing birthday bash and got us current on all things CataVinos.  We even did a live tasting of some lovely wines, all priced under $15 bottle! Happy anniversary to the entire CataVinos team!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:31 — 13.3MB)

In preparation for another spectacular sunset against the backdrop of the Tucson Mountains, we came to you this weekend live from the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa.

Bella Joffroy, Carlos Ruiz, Matt Russell & Chef Danny Perez

Our celebrity co-host was Bella Joffroy, senior community manager for Yelp here in Southern Arizona, who shared some cool ideas for being a tourist in your own hometown. We then shifted to the official spirit of the hour, tequila, with a conversation with the resort’s resident tequilier Carlos Ruiz (one of only a small handful of certified tequiliers in the state of Arizona!). We had the opportunity to sample some of Carlos’ house-infused and other premium tequilas, while listening to the story of the Legend of Arriba Abajo! Our featured guest was Executive Chef Danny Perez who got us current with all of the resort’s dining concepts.  He also treated us to a flight of house-made salsas, one of which recently took home the top award for Best Traditional Salsa of the Year at a recent salsa throwdown! What a delicious show: salsa, tequila and complimentary sunsets…Starr Pass style!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:03 — 13.5MB)

Sitting in for Matt this week was Chef Albert Hall of Acacia Real Food & Cocktails, who reviewed the top food news of the day.

Chef Albert Hall

Acacia’s chef de cuisine Brian Smith also joined the conversation with news from the Acacia kitchen, including an upcoming German beer dinner! Ollie Shouse of Caffe Torino called in to discuss the restaurant’s unique expressions of traditional Italian cuisine, which includes a signature lasagna, veal marsala and veal piccata. Albert then conducted a blind tasting of some of the season’s suds, and tested our guests on their beer palates. Our featured guest was Beecher Howard, executive chef at The Abbey, who discussed his new menu, a new weekend brunch menu and his signature cedar plank salmon. He brought in some smoked peach salsa to sample, which accompanies his pork belly mcmuffin, and talked about molecular gastronomy being an exciting new direction in the culinary arts.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:57 — 14.6MB)

Want to experience the cuisine of Tuscany in a delightfully authentic atmosphere? No need to fly into Amerigo Vespucci Airport, just head up North Oracle Road to La Mia Toscana, our broadcast for this week’s show!

Chef Mike Bonk, Chef Giancarlo Stefanutto, Matt Russell, Tom Alfonso & Shawn Stutzman

Our celebrity co-host this week was Tom Alfonso, of Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics, who discussed the fabulous and fresh EVOOs and specially aged balsamic vinegars that are currently on tap at both of his Tucson locations. We also chatted with Mike Walsh of Hotel Congress, who had all the information on the upcoming Born and Brewed: Tucson Beer Cup event. Wine guy Shawn Stutzman stopped by as well, telling a fascinating story about some of the wines that will be featured on the menu at an upcoming La Mia Toscana wine dinner.  Our featured guest was La Mia Toscana chef Mike Bonk, who together with owner/executive chef Giancarlo Stefanutto has assembled a truly showstopping menu of Italian cuisine. After one taste of the mussels and clams, gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese sauce, shrimp and baby lobster, and the tagliere with Italian meats and cheeses, we were converts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:14 — 13.5MB)

Sitting in for Matt Russell this week was guest host Manish Shah of Maya Tea and Heirloom Farmers Markets.

Kris Vrolijk, Manish Shah, Renee Kreager & Mukhi Singh

Manish assembled a delicious roundtable of guests who spoke with great wisdom, passion and love about the local food community. Special guests included Renee Kreager of Renee’s Organic Oven – who Manish calls “the Diva of Pizza” – Kris Vrolijk of Proper, and Mukhi Singh of the Twisted Tandoor. A calendar of upcoming foodie events was also revealed, as was a sampling of dishes to enjoy, including Kris’ cauliflower prop-prop wings and Mukhi’s tikka masala. We hope they saved some for Matt!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:15 — 13.8MB)

What do you get when you combine authentic NY pizza, pigs, pinot, craft beer and a new dine-in cinema? That’s right, this week’s show!

Matt Russell, John Adkisson, Joe Spina, Vincent Mast, Joey Spina & Liz Biocca

Our celebrity co-host was Vincent Mast of Roadhouse Cinemas, who reported on his concept for a dine-in movie theater that will open soon in Tucson. We also heard from brewer John Adkisson of Iron John’s Brewing Company, who talked about his passion for what he calls “expressive” beers. We then had the opportunity to  sample two of his brews, the Code Talker and the Fire and Flavor. Seriously good. Matthew Landon of the Hacienda del Sol also joined in the conversation, getting us current on his plans for this year’s Pigs and Pinot event. Our featured guests were Joe and Joey Spina of Mama’s Famous Pizza and Heros, who told their delicious story of serving pizza in Tucson for more than 30 years! We also sampled two of their pies, the classic cheese pizza (this one measured a full 24-inches!), and the  pizza verde, with basil pesto, salad greens, tomatoes, mushrooms and other goodies. We just love the Spina family, and salute them for being pioneers in defining the pizza culture here in Tucson. Now repeat after me….Mama’s Pizzzzzaaaaa!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:19 — 13.5MB)