The newly remodeled Zona 78 on River Road was the venue for this week’s delicious broadcast, and what a blast we had! Joining us as celebrity co-host was Brittany Gomes of NOVA Financial Services, but many of us know her through her exciting modeling career. Matt and Brittany discussed the new Jazz and Wine Wednesdays at Fini’s Landing, and invited Fini himself to give us all the details. Kevin Fink sat down with us as well to discuss the Zona 78 story, which included general manager Tavel Bristol-Joseph and manager/bartender Jenna Tashiro contributing to the conversation. How good is good? How about a huge antipasti/charcuterie board with delightful cheeses and salumi, Taglietelle with house-made sausage, and a Burrata pizza with pomodoro sauce? Mangia!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:47 — 14.8MB)

We took some time away from our Road Show this week, and brought this delicious program back to the KNST studio! Joining us was celebrity co-host Michelle Goldstein, fellow foodie and woman about town! Michelle got us current with her latest eating and drinking pursuits, and we learned something very encouraging for the eligible bachelors in our audience…she’s single! Matt and Michelle shared information on some things making culinary and cocktail news, which included the upcoming Dillinger Speakeasy. Our featured guest was Doug Benz of Zinburger who discussed the elements of the perfect burger. We were delighted to experience perfection right there in the studio, with bites of the Zinburger, the Ringer, the Veggie Burger, Double-truffle Fries and a Salted Caramel Milkshake!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:43 — 14.8MB)

For our first show of the new year, we sat down with a chef who was one of the first culinary artists whose work has defined the foodie community that Tucson has become, Janos Wilder…and we did it all live from his Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails. But first, celebrity co-host Jim Seder of the Wine Inquirer got us current with his multi-media destination for wine and food enthusiasts. We were then joined by Chef Janos Wilder himself, who spoke passionately, and intentionally, about the cocktail and food program at Downtown Kitchen. We feasted upon his wisdom, with sips and samples of the South 6th, the J-Bar margarita, the Cuban sunset, a lovely beet carpaccio salad (which actually made a beet fan out of Matt Russell, if you can believe it), a catfish curry, and some crazy good catfish and lamb tongue tacos! Get yourself to Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails…now!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:53 — 14.8MB)

For our final show of 2012, we thought we’d focus on passion, and what better place to host this delicious and passionate broadcast than Renee’s Organic Oven! Our celebrity co-host, Jessica Nenadic of Alliance Beverage, got things started by looking back at some of the leading beverage trends in 2012, and she shared some new libation ideas for the new year (we were captivated by her discussion of molecular gastronomy!). Renee Kreager herself was on hand to share some news about her new cocktail program (we sampled a delightful “Reynita” with reposado tequila) and we broke some foodie news with her when she unveiled plans to launch a Growing Food project which will be anchored be a new greenhouse currently under construction! Then, there was the food. What more can be said about the love, intention and passion that Renee’s team puts into each and every dish? It’s seriously good, including her new pasta-free lasagna and goat cheese cheesecake with a vanilla bean and pineapple compote! Happy New Year to our tastebuds!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:51 — 14.8MB)

This week’s show was full of the pop and sizzle that you’d expect when broadcasting live from a Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurant, and Wildflower was our delicious destination this week. Bella Joffroy, Tucson Community Manager for Yelp, was our celebrity co-host. She got us current with the latest Yelpings in Tucson, and discussed with great enthusiasm all that Yelp has going on. Matt and Bella were joined by Chef Maria Mazon of Boca Tacos y Tequila, who just added Scotch and cigars to her menu, and Regan Jasper was on hand as well to give us an update on the very busy Fox Restaurant Concepts. Our featured guest was Chef Omar Huerta of Wildflower, who makes the culinary arts so much fun to talk about. With Chef Huerta, it’s all about the finesse that he brings to the food, and that finesse has attracted a large fan base. We had the privilege to sample some of chef’s treasures, including the cold smoked salmon with a chive creme fraiche, lemongrass skewered scallops with a soy butter, and pork osso bucco with white polenta. We’re simply wild about Wildflower!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:53 — 14.8MB)

Ah, the joys of Mac-n-Cheese. Simple, yet profound in its comfort food factors. This week’s show was all about comfort food to the MAX (or shall we say to the MAC) as we were live from The Fix, Arizona’s Mac-n-Cheese headquarters. Celebrity co-host Tom Alfonso, from Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil and Balsamics, got things started with his suggestions for the perfect olive oil and balsamic for your holiday gift baskets this year. With gourmet olive oil, it’s all about fresh…and Tom’s as fresh as they get! Our featured guest was Amanda Rickel of The Fix, who spoke lovingly about the role that Mac-n-Cheese played in her life growing up, and how we all share that same love today. With more than 15 varieties of Mac-n-Cheese on her menu, there’s a lot to love! We then tasted some of her top-sellers, including the Buffalo Chicken Mac (with a beautiful western New York-inspired spicy sauce), the Garden Mac (with uber-fresh veggies and house-made alfredo sauce) and the HUGE Turkey Bacon Sandwich!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:34 — 14.8MB)

The former Reilly Funeral Home in downtown Tucson has officially been transformed to Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink, which served as the venue for this week’s delicious broadcast. Celebrity co-host John Farlow got things started by reviewing his current picks for good eats and beverages across town, and reported on his recent trip to New Orleans. Matt and John then sat down with Tana Fryer, of the new Tucson business called Blu, for a delicious conversation about the beauty of cheese. Reilly’s beverage director Jay Zimmerman then stepped up to the mic to showcase his cocktail, beer and wine program. Our featured guest was Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink owner/chef Tyler Fenton, who discussed his vision for a craft pizza place, and why he chose a former funeral home as the setting! This is a cool story, and a lovely menu, and we had the opportunity to sample some of the showstoppers: the creamy polenta board, fennel sausage and roasted pepper pizza, and papardelle pasta with short rib and mushroom. This is food to die for at Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:51 — 14.8MB)

We challenged every assumption you’ve ever had about Asian Fusion cuisine on this live broadcast from Umi Star! But first, celebrity co-host Adam Lehrman, the Tucson Foodie himself, got things started by going down his list of the latest things making food news lately. We were then joined by David Torkko, beverage director at the Hotel Congress, who whipped us all into whisky shape with details on Whisky Weekend, followed by Umi Star owner Jason Anderson rolling out his vision for this cool Asian Food Bar concept. Our featured guest was Umi Star Chef Todd Hammerslag, who brings his own unique story and special twists to Asian favorites. Unique is what this place is all about, from the setting, to the menu, to the creative cocktails. How about an Asian-style Hot Dog, Sushi bruschetta, and an order of Tater Todds, washed down with a Dublin Donkey Punch? Can’t wait to go back!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:55 — 14.9MB)

This week’s show brought Jerry Heintze back as celebrity co-host for the full hour. Jerry reported on all of the fun things happening at TucsonNightOut.com, and announced for the first time his delicious plans for 12-12-12! This will be a big day for Tucson foodies, and you must listen to get all the deets. International cigar industry icon Michael Giannini joined us as well, to discuss what we think is the hottest cigar that has hit the market in years…Foundry Cigars! Inspired by the ‘Steampunk’ movement, these beautiful sticks have so much offer to the cigar novice and sophisticate alike. Matt and Jerry then sat down with the Gourmet Girls themselves, Mary Gibson and Susan Fulton, who challenged every assumption you may have about how delicious gluten-free food can be. We sampled some sensational sweets and sandwiches, and are here to say that we LOVE the Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery & Bistro!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:04 — 14.9MB)

How delicious can a radio show be when you broadcast live from Paradise? That’s right, this week’s show came to you live from Paradise Bakery & Cafe, and how sweet it was! Our celebrity co-host was Scot Litteer of Litteer Films, who is one of Tucson’s experts in the craft beer scene. What suds has he been sipping lately? Listen to his full report. Richelle Litteer joined the conversation as well, and discussed why she loves Paradise…and it has something to do with her work as Senior Development Officer for the UMC Foundation. Looking for an affordable and efficient way to get home safely after your holiday parties and celebrations? Amanda Neri described how things work at Entourage Transportation. Our featured guests were Paradise’s Kristen Newbold and Michelle Goldstein, who brought their own deliciousness to the conversation. We love these ladies! And we love the goodies upon which we feasted: Big Kid Grilled Cheese, Creamy Tomato Soup, Roasted Turkey Harvest Salad, Sonoma Chicken Stew, and the Cuban Chicken Panini!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:09 — 14.9MB)