The Hog Pit Smokehouse was the delicious destination for our annual BBQ broadcast, in our official countdown to the Nugget Rib Cook-off in Sparks, Nevada!

Alan Zeman, Trina Smucker, Les Baxter & Matt Russell

Our celebrity co-host was Chef Alan Zeman, the Fuego Daddy himself, who discussed how he’s been preparing for the big event. We also caught up with Randy Kennedy of the JA Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, sponsor of the annual rib cook-off, who offered his insights on what it takes to host 500,000 people all hungry for ribs! Our featured guest was Hog Pit owner Les Baxter, who shared all of the things that have made the joint so successful, namely live music, a kick-back atmosphere and some killer ‘cue that has earned high honors in competitions across the west! Roll up your sleeves and get sticky!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:19 — 13.3MB)

With only one week remaining for the annual Salsa & Tequila Challenge, we caught up with some event participants to see how they were preparing for this year’s competition, all in this live broadcast from Blanco Tacos + Tequila!

Liz Stern, George Ferranti, Maria Mazon, Matt Russell & Bryan Lapham

Our celebrity co-host was Liz Stern of the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, the organization which brings us so many of these delicious events every year. Liz shared everything we needed to know about the upcoming challenge, and discussed some of her own favorite destinations for great food and drink. Our line-up of guests included Bryan Lapham of Blanco, Maria Mazon of Boca, George Ferranti of El Cisne and Luke Anable of Wilko. We sampled each of their salsas and tequila cocktails, and know how difficult the judging is going to be next week. Salud!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:47 — 13.4MB)

This week’s delicious broadcast originated from the Cactus Rose Restaurant at the DoubleTree Tucson Reid Park Hotel, and both the food and the fun were at scrumptious levels.

Gerald Gay, Michelle Goldstein, Deborah Tenino, Matt Russell & Michael Juell

Our celebrity co-host was Gerald Gay, features writer for the Arizona Daily Star covering food and entertainment, who shared what he thought was making food news these days (hint: a culinary convoy of food trucks)! We also caught up with Deborah Tenino of Contigo Cocina Latina, who was busily preparing for her annual Paella Fest – an event you don’t want to miss. The DoubleTree’s beverage manager, Michael Juell, also stopped by to talk about some refreshing summer libations. Out featured guest was Cactus Rose manager Michelle Goldstein, who got us current on her spectacular line-up of standout dishes, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A tip of the hat to the Cactus Rose chefs as well, who made friends out of everyone who turned out for this yummy show. (due to the thunderstorms that day, we experienced some interruptions in our signal during the broadcast)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:56 — 8.6MB)

In celebration of National Day of the Cowboy, we scooted our boots over to Borderlands Brewing Company for a delicious and rip-snortin’ show.

Nigel Knoy, Alan Day, Richard Collins, Matt Russell & Jason Miko

Our celebrity co-host this week was PR executive, craft beer authority and western history enthusiast Jason Miko, who shared stories about his favorite suds these days, as well as his favorite moment in U.S. western history. We then welcomed a real-life cowboy to the broadcast corral, Alan Day, who discussed his latest book, “The Horse Lover.” Day also knows a thing or two about that quintessential cowboy snack, beef jerky, and even brought some of his home-made jerky for us to sample for ourselves. Delicious! Another cowboy, Richard Collins, rode up to the table to talk about his book, “Riding Behind the Padre.” He also talked about the history of mezcal and the role it plays in today’s western culture. Our featured guest was brewer-in-chief at Borderlands, Nigel Knoy. Nigel walked us through the story of Borderlands and his current brews, and took us on a tasting tour of three of his best-selling suds. We tip our hats to today’s real cowboys, and consider it a privilege to help preserve the heritage. Happy trails!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:47 — 14.0MB)

Another Saturday with Matt Russell on the road, which meant another exciting guest host for this weekend’s show! Sitting in for Matt was Jessica Nenadic of Alliance Beverage, who has always been one of our favorite guests. Jessica welcomed Andrea Bravo to the program, manager of Bob’s Steak & Chop House at the Omni Tucson National Resort, who is certainly no stranger to the show either. Jessica and Andrea dished on some local food fun, which included a conversation with Tucson’s new Iron Chef, John Hohn of Bob’s Steak & Chop House! They also turned to Ken Wilson of Lumberyard Brewing Company in Flagstaff for some Craft Beer 101. Delicious guests, delicious hosts, and one delicious broadcast!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:42 — 13.9MB)

Sitting in for a vacationing Matt Russell, three local food writers took over the mics this week to dish on the Southern Arizona culinary and cocktail scene.

Yvonne Tate, Edie Jarolim, Karyn Zoldan, Chef Jack Tate & Rita Connelly

Rita Connelly of the Tucson Weekly and Well-Fed Foodie, Edie Jarolim of Tucson Guide and Karyn Zoldan of Circle of Food shared their perspectives on what’s making food news these days. They also welcomed wine guy Sam Pillsbury of Pillsbury Wine Company, who gave us an update from the vine out in beautiful Willcox, AZ. Our featured guest was Chef Jack Tate of Union Public House, who teased a new seasonal menu which is about to roll out. There’s so much going on at Union, and Jack shared it all….he also shared a platter of pastrami sandwiches which disappeared faster than water in the Rillito. Check out Union, say hi to Jack, and enjoy one of our favorite dining experiences in town!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:43 — 13.9MB)

The tide rolled in this weekend at just the right time for our delicious broadcast from Fini’s Landing!

Val Romero, Ron Beaton, Scot Litteer, Matt Russell, Andrew Carlin & Chef Tiki Tim

Our celebrity co-host this week was Scot Litteer of Litteer Films, who talked up some beachy beers that he’s been enjoying lately, along with sharing some secrets behind his killer ribs. Next up was Ron Beaton of Tucson Grill Cleaning, who comes to the rescue of grill owners all across town who want to leave the cleaning to a professional. We also caught up with Andrew Carlin, curator of Fini’s new tropical drink menu, who served up some tastes of the tropics that will bring color, flavor and fun to any occasion. Our featured guest was Fini’s Chef Tiki Tim, who reported on two events that need to be on your culinary and cocktail rotation: Big Wednesdays and Steak Out Sundays! That, plus a beachy breakfast menu on the weekends, will have you catching a wave to Fini’s throughout the week!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:26 — 13.9MB)

On our annual Independence Day countdown broadcast, we caught up with two great Americans who brought what we call America’s official sandwich to Tucson, Frankie and Deb Santos of Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks! Frankie and Deb shared some memories of July 4 in their hometowns, and talked about what they thought were essential elements of the celebration from a food and beverage perspective. We also cracked open a bottle of Copper City Bourbon, from Arizona Distilling Company, and discussed what it is about bourbon that makes it America’s pioneering spirit. This particular bourbon was absolutely spectacular! We then feasted on some goodies made by the gifted hands of Frankie and Deb themselves, a standout Italian hoagie and possibly the best potato salad we have ever eaten. God bless the Santos family, and God bless the USA!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:00 — 14.0MB)

Oh. My. Goodness! We all need a little more goodness in our lives, so this week we thought we’d broadcast live from Tucson’s destination for goodness, Goodness Juice Bar & Fresh Food! Our celebrity co-host was Manish Shah of Maya Tea Company, who always has fun and fresh things to share…and this week was no exception. Matt and Manish also welcomed Tom Alfonso to the table, who shared some news on a delicious tasting he was planning at Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics. We were then joined by Goodness chef Pen Jones and managing partner Brandon Katz who spoke with great passion about their fresh-pressed juices, power shakes, energy bowls, salads and sandwiches. Matt libated with the Green Bully, with kale, parsley, dandelion greens, celery,  cucumber, green apple, cilantro, lemon and ginger. Goodness! We also enjoyed tastings of the Pitaya Acai Bowl, Quinoa Salad, and the Turkey, Pesto & Goat Cheese Sandwich. Get Fresh. Get Going. Get Goodness!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:32 — 13.9MB)

We hit on all cylinders during this Father’s Day broadcast, bringing you some serious beef, cocktails and cigar conversation!

Ryan Heidrick, Dan Multhup, Matt Russell & Gary Hickey

Our celebrity co-host was Dan Multhup, director of operations for McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse and Old Pueblo Grille. Dan shared some stories about his perspectives on Father’s Day, and what he thought some of its required elements are. We then welcomed cigar retailer Jerry Yang to the show, who discussed what was trending this Father’s Day weekend at Jerry’s Cigars. Old Pueblo Grille general manager Ryan Heidrick thought it was time for cocktails at this point, as the shaking of the Smoke Signal (with smoked ice!) and Ghost Pepper Tequini commenced. McMahon’s Chef Gary Hickey then got us current with his new summer menu, and we tasted our way through the season. Our favorites were the lobster tail, tenderloin skewers with wild mushroom demi glace and coffee-crusted pork loin. Happy Father’s Day!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:52 — 14.0MB)