An entire event built around the beauty of bacon and beer? Yes, and the 2nd annual Arizona Bacon Fest was the backdrop for this week’s savory broadcast! Our celebrity co-host was John Farlow, fellow foodie and our official partner in porkonomics policy, who shared why this event sits high atop his list of favorites.  We also chatted with event producer Lou Pimber about the festival and how it got started, and Chef Jim “Murph” Murphy of Kingfisher and Bluefin stopped by to share some information on a fundraising event he was helping to plan. We then chatted with a few chefs who were preparing to feed the masses with their respective versions of bacon goodness: Chef Albert Hall of Acacia Real Food & Cocktails, Chef Ken Foy of Dante’s Fire, Chef Tim Moore of Pastiche and Pitmaster Jaren Wren of Brushfire BBQ Co. More bacon, please!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:59 — 14.3MB)

With so much going on at the Hacienda del Sol these days, we had to scoot up there for this week’s broadcast to get all the latest news! Our celebrity co-host was the Tucson Foodie himself, Adam Lehrman, who caught us up on his latest adventures.  We also welcomed the Hacienda’s own Matthew Landon, for a conversation about an upcoming event on property designed to raise money for Integrative Touch for Kids, as well as Jamie Lakin Kelley of ITK, who talked about the work of this local non-profit. The Hacienda’s beverage director John Kulikowski sat down to discuss some seasonal cocktails (the mint julep was superb) and featured guest Chef Bruce Yim unveiled his new summer menu. We especially enjoyed the sesame-crusted ahi with a wasabi mousse and grilled lamb chops with sweet corn pudding! We’ll see you soon at the Hacienda del Sol!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:52 — 13.4MB)

When we’re thinking about prime beef, refreshing cocktails and a spectacular setting to enjoy life’s most delicious moments, all roads this week led to Bob’s Steak & Chop House at the Omni Tucson National Resort! Our celebrity co-host this week was Jerry Heintze, the man behind Tucson Night Out, who shared some of his picks for upcoming summer fun in Tucson. We then sat down with Bob’s manager Andrea Bravo, and Omni chef Jonathan Stutzman, who talked about a new summer menu at Bob’s, as well as their annual Dive into Summer program. Andrea then brought out some new happy hour cocktails to help us beat the summer heat, which we slurped up with enthusiasm. Our featured guest was Bob’s chef John Hohn who is one of the chefs vying for a spot in this year’s Iron Chef Tucson competition. Chef John discussed why he thinks he has what it takes to win, and brought out some tasty treats for us to sample while he asked for Tucson’s vote. The gorgeous filet mignon, steak fries, beef wellington bites and spinach salad didn’t last long!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:48 — 13.4MB)

We did it! We hit 100 degrees for the first time in 2014 this week, so what better place for the show than at our summertime destination for libation and hydration…Noble Hops!

Chef Angel Fabian, Johnny Smith, Sarah Ritchie, Aric Mussman & Matt Russell

Returning as celebrity co-host was Sarah Ritchie, known widely throughout the community as Craft Beer Betty. Sarah walked us through some of the suds that have found favor with her palate, and got us current with Tucson Girls Pint Out. We also caught up with Johnny Smith of Alliance Beverage who hosted us for a flight of beers that he recommends during Tucson’s warmer months. Our featured guests were Aric Mussman and Chef Angel Fabian of Noble Hops who introduced us to their new summer menu. This is fine fare that matches beautifully with craft beer, and we just loved the ahi tuna “cube,” the braised pork belly with a fig glaze and poblano butter, and the lamb and beef meatballs with house-made pita chips and  local honey. We’ll drink to that!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:35 — 13.9MB)

We returned to the KNST studio for this week’s show, and the culinary and cocktail conversation got the station rockin’!

Chef Brandon Cathey, Matt Russell, Valerie Vinyard & Cameron Fisher

Our celebrity co-host was Valerie Vinyard, public affairs coordinator for AAA Arizona and former food writer for the Arizona Daily Star. Val shared what was on her palate these days, and talked-up some of her favorite eateries. We were then joined by Hotel Congress mixologist Cameron Fisher, maker of the newly crowned Best Tequila Cocktail at last week’s Agave Fest, who shared samples of his award-winning libation. Our featured guest was Chef Brandon Cathey of the Flying V Bar & Grill at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Chef shared some stories about his culinary background, walked us through his spectacular menu and hit on some of the cool events planned at Loews for spring and summer. He also treated us to some of his iconic guacamole with pomegranate seeds and some fresh corvina sea bass ceviche. We love Chef Brandon, and WE LOVE LOEWS!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:53 — 13.7MB)

A neighborhood BBQ kept Matt Russell close to the pit this weekend, so we figured we’d do this week’s show live from his own back yard! Celebrity co-host Scot Litteer of Litteer Films got things going with a review of some seasonal suds that he’s been enjoying lately, and he joined Matt in a tasting of some spectacular brews. We were then joined by Tony Poe of Fairway Mortgage, who had everything you needed to know about this year’s Centurion’s Party at Rillito Racetrack Park. John Brauneis of Gourmet Aire stopped by as well to talk about the most romantic date in Southern Arizona, which includes chauffeured transportation to the airport, a private aerial tour of the Tucson mountains at sunset, and a delicious dinner at one of Tucson’s great restaurants.  We also caught up with Chef Tiki Tim of Fini’s Landing, who was busily preparing for a Cinco de Mayo bash!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:27 — 13.9MB)

In the countdown to Cinco de Mayo, we’d thought we’d party in the garage, and our favorite garage is none other than Sir Veza’s Taco Garage! Our celebrity co-host this week was C.J. Hamm, food business writer for the Tucson Weekly, who walked us through all the delicious things that he is currently writing about. We then welcomed Dave Torkko to the party, beverage director at Hotel Congress, who had some exciting things to share about this year’s Agave Fest.  Our featured guest was the man behind the machine at Sir Veza’s, Ray Flores, who talked about his vision of garage food, tricked-out tacos, the explosive growth of the Sir Veza’s concept, and some totally off-the-hook tequilas that he brought in from his private stash. He also treated us to some killer garage cuisine. #WeHeartSirVezas!

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

Two of the things that unquestionably make the world go ’round are burgers and beers, and this week’s broadcast had the world spinning…live from Zinburger!

Matt Russell, Doug Benz, Sarah “Craft Beer Betty” Ritchie & Dennis Arnold

Our celebrity co-host this week was Sarah Ritchie (known throughout the community as “Craft Beer Betty”) co-founder of the Tucson chapter of Girls’ Pint Out! Sarah told some sudsy stories on how she got involved in the local beer scene, and shared with us some of her favorites (she likes her stouts “big and boozy!”). Zinburger’s Doug Benz then got us current with the rotating series of craft beers, cocktails and burgers at Zinburger, while Barrio Brewing Co.’s Dennis Arnold talked up some of his seasonal beauties. We finished up the show with a burger and beer roundtable, discussing the menu of two upcoming Zinburger/Barrio Burger & Beer pairing dinners, while sinking our teeth into the Si Senor and El Diablo burgers and panko-crusted onion rings. Burgers + Beers = a match made in heaven.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:53 — 14.0MB)

They call it “food you want to eat.” We call it a delicious destination for this weekend’s broadcast, live from Poppy Kitchen at the Westin La Paloma Resort!

Brian Metzger, Matt Russell, Anne Davis & Chef Ginny Wooters

Our celebrity co-host was Arizona Daily Star features writer Kristen Cook, who shared all that was attracting her attention on the food and beverage scene. We also checked in with Chef Doug Levy of Feast, who talked about how he plans to celebrate Easter on his menu (and it involves a pink nose and fluffy tail!). Then the cocktails arrived, and Poppy Kitchen’s general manager Anne Davis walked us through her cocktails-on-tap program, showcasing two delightfully refreshing libations that are perfect for spring, the Gio Punch and the “One” Margarita! Our featured guests were Poppy Kitchen owner Brian Metzger and Chef Ginny Wooters, who introduced us to their fun, fresh and seasonal concept. And they’re right, this is food we want to eat, especially the oysters with a mignonette shaved ice, duck conserva and steak tartare. We’re in love.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:33 — 13.9MB)

Twice a year, we dedicate our show to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, promoting some fun events that are centered around great food and drinks!

Melanie Sutton, Chef Carlos Calderon, Linda Wajtowicz, Mark Irvin, Kym Adair & her daughter Gracie

Local celebrity Mark Irvin served as guest host for this delicious broadcast, in the countdown to one of our favorite events…The Event! Mark’s special guests included event chair Melanie Sutton of La Encantada, the stunning venue for the Event, Kym Adair, president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, Linda Wajtowicz, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs and Chef Carlos Calderon of North Italia!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:06 — 14.0MB)