The First Thursday Art Walk was the perfect backdrop for this action-packed outdoor broadcast, live from Geronimo Plaza at Main Gate Square. Matt Russell was joined by celebrity co-host Mark Irvin, of Mark Irvin Commercial Real Estate. He gave our listeners his credentialed perspective on the current real estate market, and talked about some of the places around Tucson where he has been spotted eating and drinking. Matt and Mark also discussed THE EVENT to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, focusing on the unique food and wine program that always makes this event so special. The featured guest was Vila Jarrell, who announced her plans to open a second restaurant, to be called V Fine Thai Dining! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:05 — 31.0MB)

Sitting behind the mic for a vacationing Matt Russell this week was guest host Jim Seder of www.WineInquirer.com. Jim was joined by Pavle Milic of FnB Restaurant in Scottsdale, who spoke about his passion for Arizona agriculture. Jim and Pavle also caught up with Tom Firth of the Hacienda del Sol, who had all the details on the upcoming annual Zin, Blues, and BBQ event. Their featured guest was Sheri Thornton of Java Edge, who is helping to redefine the artistry of coffee in Southern Arizona. All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:56 — 30.9MB)

Our first show this spring was full of tasty treats, and there was much to report on in the Tucson culinary arena. Matt Russell kicked off the show with a conversation with Wendi Plenge of the Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce. Wendi brought us up to speed on the chamber’s latest activities, and profiled some local restaurants that embrace green business practices. He then invited Meredith Hayes back to the microphone, to wrap up a 4-week series of  interviews about the annual CRUSH event. Another food and wine event (simply called THE EVENT) is also around the corner, and Matt caught up with three local restaurateurs who talked about the tasting menus they were putting together for this great event. Among them: Rock Saul of the Flying V, Andrew Record of Pasco Kitchen & Lounge, and Regan Jasper of Fox Restaurant Concepts. All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:02 — 49.5MB)

One of our favorite restaurants, Jax Kitchen, served as the perfect venue for our special St. Patrick’s Day broadcast. Matt Russell was joined by celebrity co-host Kelle Maslyn, corporate affairs manager for Comcast. Kelle talked about some of her most memorable culinary adventures in Tucson, and explained the story behind her designation as Tucson’s ultimate Bacon Authority. Meredith Hayes of the Tucson Museum of Art joined us again with more information about the upcoming CRUSH food and wine weekend celebration, and brought in some delicious wine for us to taste (compliments of Truchard Vinyards). The featured guest was Brian Metzger of Jax Kitchen, who rolled out some of the items from his expanded menu. The pretzel-crusted calamari and crab toasts with lemon aioli were fabulous. And for a special St. Paddy’s Day treat, we enjoyed Kobe beef cocktail dogs, wrapped in pretzel, with house-made Murphy’s Irish Stout mustard! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:59 — 21.6MB)

The new Baggin’s Gourmet was the venue for this action-packed show, which takes the Baggin’s concept we love and kicks it up a notch! Matt Russell kicked off the show with Stella Schaefer of the Tucson Ladies Council, and Melanie Sutton of La Encantada, who showcased the upcoming Rock the Runway Fashion Show. Tequila tasting anyone? Matt then caught up with Meredith Hayes of the Tucson Museum of Art, who returned this week with more information on the annual CRUSH food and wine event. The featured guest was John Murphy of Baggin’s Gourmet, who introduced some of the items from his expanded menu. We’re still thinking about those delicious paninis and oven-baked toasters! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:00 — 21.6MB)

The opening of a new restaurant in Tucson always provides some great things for us to talk about, and this week’s show was a delicious example…live from Pasco Kitchen & Lounge in Main Gate Square. Matt Russell’s celebrity co-host was Kevin Hall, the Tucson Food Dude himself, who talked about some of the places he’s been frequenting these days. Kevin and Matt then kicked off a 4-week series of segments with Meredith Hayes of the Tucson Museum of Art, who had all the information on the annual CRUSH food and wine event. The featured guest was Chef Ramiro Scavo of Pasco Kitchen & Lounge, who wowed us with his culinary artistry (and gave away free smoked lamb to everyone who turned out for the show!). Our favorite item in our tasting?  The Big Boy Burger, with grass-fed beef, braised pork belly, panko-crusted egg, and hollandaise! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:04 — 49.5MB)

With less than two weeks remaining for Fat Tuesday, the countdown celebration commenced in style at Tucson’s official Mardis Gras headquarters, Kingfisher! Celebrity co-host Scot Litteer (Litteer Films) joined the conversation with a review of some of his favorite craft beers, followed by a segment with Dennis Arnold (Barrio Brewing Company & Gentle Ben’s) who had all the information on the upcoming Barrio Beer Festival.  Chef Jim Murphy of Kingfisher electrified the standing-room-only crowd, who turned out for the show, with his culinary artistry including the Nut Crusted Hawaiian Fish, Late Night Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Kingfisher Burger, and the award-winning El Rey del Reyes Margarita. All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:01 — 49.5MB)

With the Rodeo coming to town, what better venue for this week’s remote broadcast than Chad’s Steakhouse & Saloon!  Our celebrity co-host for this show was Kirk Jensen, the Tailgate Titan himself, who talked about some of the food he has enjoyed while on recent business travel. Matt and Kirk stirred things up with Chad’s famous bartender, Rodney, the man behind the Rodney ‘Rita.  In fact, Rodney even disclosed some of his secret ingredients while Matt and Kirk sipped their way through a fun interview. The featured guest was Shaun Herrington, Chad’s owner, who talked about the great steaks, ribs, and salads in this authentically ‘Old West’ setting. All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:58 — 49.4MB)

The Melting Pot served as the perfect venue for our Valentine’s Day themed show, and love was definitely in the air. Our celebrity co-host this week was Jessica Nenadic of Alliance Beverage, who talked about her picks for the perfect romantic libations. The featured guests were Rich Abrahamson and Melissa Croft of the Melting Pot, who helped to fulfill our fondue fantasies! We heard about this special setting for romance (including the drapery-wrapped booths that maximize intimacy for their guests), and feasted on some delicious fondue. Matt’s favorite was the Cupid’s Dream Cheese Fondue, a creamy blend of Buttercase and Fontina cheeses, roasted bell peppers, shallots and blue cheese! All of that, plus the Catavinos Wine of the Week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:00 — 49.4MB)

Matt Russell hosted this live remote broadcast from La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill in Main Gate Square. He spoke with Aaron Helfand, executive chef at 47 Scott, who will soon depart for New York for the advanced training program at the Culinary Institute of America. His featured guests were Ron Yaeli and Percival Palma of La Salsa, who wowed him with the range of flavors found in ‘Fresh-Mex” food. Matt also learned his Salsa Personality Profile, after tasting all eight of the restaurant’s salsas. The winner? Habanero!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:01 — 49.4MB)