The Tucson temps flirted with 110 degrees this week, so we buckled-up for a road trip that took us to a delightfully cool and delicious destination, Mother Road Brewing Company in Flagstaff!

Michael and Alissa Marquess, Matt Russell, and Paul and Laura Moir (Rob Glover and Caleb Schiff had to get back to their respective kitchens to serve their hungry guests!)

Our celebrity co-hosts were Mother Road’s dynamic duo, Michael and Alissa Marquess, who told the story behind their craft brewery and how their community has had an impact on their success. We also heard from Paul Moir of SLO Restaurant Concepts who partnered with the Marquess family on the grand re-opening of the Grand Canyon Cafe! The discussion then turned to cajun and ‘cue with Satchmo’s BBQ manager Rob Glover. Their spicy and smoky story has been a hit among Flagstaffers for years. No visit to the City in the Pines would be complete without a pizza from Pizzicletta, and chef-owner Caleb Schiff sat down with us to talk poetically about the perfect pie. Listen as he makes us melt with a discussion about natural leavening and fermentation! Paul Moir then returned with his wife Laura to get us current with their other local concepts, Brix, Criollo, and Proper Meats. Planning a retreat to Flagstaff? Your palate now has a passport.

Beer, glorious beer!

Cheers!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:52 — 23.9MB)

Boat drinks. Flip flops. Lost shakers of salt. These images were brought to you by the Summer of ’17, and we watched the tide roll away on this live broadcast from our favorite shoreline in town. Fini’s Landing!

Kenny King Kahuna, Matt Russell, Kade Mislinski & Mike Rapp

Our celebrity co-host was local media icon Mike Rapp, host of Tucson Morning News, who got us current with his latest eating and imbibing adventures. We then broke news with restaurateur Kade Mislisnki’s announcement that he’ll be opening a new restaurant next month. The concept is a nod to the old Spaghetti Western, and it’ll be called Classic! Fini’s Landing general manager and chef Kenny King Kahuna then inspired us with his personal picks on the spirits and suds scene, as well as some of his dishes that are trending on the coastal cuisine circuit.

Fini’s calamari with roasted jalapenos, fresh lime, and Chubasco sauce.

We particularly loved the way that the Spicy Senorita cocktail paired with Kenny’s spicy calamari with fresh lime, roasted jalapenos, and Chubasco sauce. See you at the beach!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:44 — 37.6MB)

This weekend’s show was all about the fine art of funk; where to find it, how to channel it, and what exactly funk feels like when you’re eating, drinking, and dancing in the groove, live from the Funky Monk!

Rick Cano, Matt Russell & Dale Riggins

Our celebrity co-host was Tucson’s Single Malt Soulstress, Dale Riggins of Hamilton Distillers, who shared the latest from the Whiskey Del Bac news desk. We continued with our funkification when Ramiro Scavo of Red’s Smokehouse & Tap Room shared the details on his fun and funky National Wing Tour. We then welcomed Funky Monk GM Rick Cano who taught how to get funky with the Monk’s line-up of electric libations (Pixie Stick Martinis, anyone?) and crafty cuisine.

The Disco-tec-a flatbread with roasted street corn, chorizo, mozzarella, cotija, garlic butter, chipotle aioli, cilantro, fresh lime, and Tajin

He then served up some examples of what funky looks like at the center of the plate, including the Disco-tec-a and Super Monk flatbreads, roasted mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese, chorizo, and jalapenos, and the 24 Karat Mac and Cheese with a gold cheese sauce, prosciutto, parmesan, white truffle oil, and bread crumbs. Get your funk on at the Funky Monk!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:42 — 37.6MB)

Summer in Tucson! It’s three digits of deliciousness that we celebrate at the center of the plate throughout the hottest months on the calendar. And this week’s show originated from a Sunrise Drive eatery that greets the heat with enthusiasm – Commoner & Co.!

Brian Morris, Kim Keyser, Matt Russell, Nathan Ares & Chris Cohen

Our celebrity co-host was Chris Cohen of Young’s Market Company who stirred up some excitement with his current take on cocktails and summer sipping. We also caught up with Tom Alfonso of Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics with news about his series of summer cooking classes. Commoner & Co.’s general manager Kim Keyser joined us as well with the big reveal of her new summer libation line-up. We loved the contrasts of colors and flavors! Executive Chef Victor Padilla then walked us through his new summer menu with stories about the flavors that he loves this time of year.

Scallops with roasted cauliflower, root vegetable chips, cauliflower puree, and a citrus calabrian gremolata

The scallop dish with two-way cauliflower and the airline chicken in a butter and bacon fat sous-vide were the stars of the show. We wrapped up with Commoner & Co. partners Nathan Ares and Brian Morris who shared their perspectives on their success at this Foothills restaurant. Get over to Commoner & Co. Now.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:39 — 37.5MB)

While Matt was on assignment covering the culinary and cocktail scene in San Diego this weekend, guest hosts Jonathan Landeen of Jonathan’s Cork and Jim Murphy of Kingfisher presided over the most delicious hour on radio!

Jim Murphy, Jonathan Landeen & Rob Wilson

They discussed a range of summertime fun for your palates, including Father’s Day dining, ideas for drinks by the grill, the Cork’s series of Patio Pig dinners, Kingfisher’s Summer Road Trip, and the Tucson Originals Pizza Throwdown. They also caught up with pork-man Ed Konrath who talked about the fine art of pig-raising, and Rob Wilson of the Flame Connection who got us all prepared with the right tools and tips for our summer BBQ festivities. Always a blast when Jonathan and Murph are in the house!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:30 — 38.1MB)

As the big battle was about to get underway, we came to you live from the scene in the countdown to the biggest culinary competition in town…Iron Chef Tucson!

Zach Clark, of ESPN’s Zach Clark Show, joined us as celebrity co-host with his perspectives on Iron Chef as a legitimate athletic event. We also checked in with Matt Montgomery of Three Wells Distilling Company who spent the day treating Iron Chef guests to his line-up of libation-worthy spirits. Beer maven Ben Schwirk sat down with us as well to talk about Stella Artois, the sponsor of Iron Chef Tucson, and why it’s a natural for food pairings. We then caught up with Chef Gary Hickey of Charro Steak for some news about his cool summer burger menu, and closed out the show with Chef Jonathan Landeen of Jonathan’s Cork about his upcoming series of Patio Pig dinners!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 37.7MB)

As we approached the gateway to summer, we came to you live this weekend from a place where it’s all about fun in the sun…Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at the iconic Flying V Bar & Grill!

Rock Saul, Adam Lehrman, Matt Russell & Chef Ken Harvey

Our celebrity co-host was the Tucson Foodie himself, Adam Lehrman, who talked about his digital destination for deliciousness and future expansion plans. Chef Janos Wilder of Downtown Kitchen & Cocktails and the Carriage House also swung by to share the details of an event in Paris next month that will showcase Tucson’s culinary and cocktail culture! Flying V general manager Rock Saul sat down with us as well to present a colorful line-up of his summertime libations that demonstrate the beauty of agave. And then we ate, which means that Ken Harvey, executive chef at Loews Ventana Canyon, was in the house! He talked about the culinary spirit at Loews, how that translates to the center of the plate, and other things going on property-wide with a delicious note.

Fresh ahi tuna served atop a horseradish pommes puree

We also enjoyed some of the Flying V’s seasonal selections, including pork tacos, pasilla-rubbed calamari, and an off-the-hook ahi tuna dish that rendered us all speechless. See you at Loews this summer!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:46 — 37.6MB)

Svaadisht! That’s the Hindi exclamation after taking a bite of something truly delicious. And we surely heard svaadisht in surround-sound on this live broadcast from New Delhi Palace!

Yatin Parekh, Rita Connelly, Matt Russell & Naval Parekh

Our celebrity co-host was food writer Rita Connelly, the Well-Fed Foodie herself, who got us up to speed on her latest food and beverage headlines as well as news on a new book deal. We then turned to Luke Anable of the Good Oak Bar to learn how he’s been celebrating Arizona Rose Week. New Delhi Palace’s owner Yatin Parekh sat down with us as well to talk about how they imbibe in India, and Exhibit A was a round of Snake Charmers and Bollywood Buzzes! He then told us a tasty story about the regional interpretations of Indian cuisine while walking us through his menu of authentic Indian dishes. We thoroughly enjoyed the tandoori lobster tails and the peshawari lamb chops which were delivered to the table in a pressed copper bucket known as a balti.

Peshawari lamb chops with Indian spices, submerged in a rich and delicious sauce

Get over to New Delhi Palace and shout svaadisht for yourself!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:46 — 50.1MB)

We headed downtown this weekend to find out what’s behind the buzz at one of the most vibrant destinations on the culinary and cocktail circuit – Elvira’s!

Zulema Echevirel-Felix, Jared McKinley, Matt Russell, Oscar Saenz, Patricia Taylor, Ruben Monroy, Eric Harding & Thomas Spooner

Our celebrity co-host was Jared McKinley, publisher of the new Meow Magazine, who got us current on his multi-media adventures and the latest news from his garden at Rancho Gatito. We were then honored to welcome Zulema Echerivel-Felix and Patricia Taylor, co-authors of the hot new book Buen Provecho: Treasured Secret Flavors. The stories in this book are just as fascinating and fun as the recipes! Since today was World Cocktail Day, we sat down with Elvira’s bar manager Eric Harding who gave us a sneak peek of what he had planned for a new cocktail menu. One of these beauties was a cocktail made with mezcal and a roasted street corn syrup! Elvira’s owner/chef Ruben Monroy and general manager Thomas Spooner then walked us through their menu and its regional influences. Tasting the baja mussels and a burger inspired by the streets of Barcelona took this show to a whole new level.

Baja mussels, with chorizo, jalapenos, chile caribe, white wine, saffron, cream, and grilled baguette.

We wrapped up with Elvira’s chef de cuisine Michael Byrer and sommelier Oscar Saenz as they discussed an upcoming Night with Truchard wine dinner. Viva Elvira!   

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:47 — 37.6MB)

The 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby served as the perfect backdrop for this Derby Day show from Southern Arizona’s expression of Churchill Downs, Three Canyon Beer & Wine Garden!

David Arnce, Jonathan Hebert, Matt Russell, Kyle Blessinger & Cory Jochems

Our celebrity co-host was David Arnce, principal of The Shop Beer Co., who got us current on his line-up of suds and what’s making brews news in his Tempe taproom. We also sat down with Cory Jochems, certified sommelier with Quench Fine Wines, who revealed his personal picks for wines that go well with the great outdoors (like Derby parties!). Jonathan Hebert of Mr. Cookman’s New Orleans BBQ truck also rolled in to the conversation with his take on southern cuisine. And his ribs? Righteous! We also got caught up with Kyle Blessinger, GM of Three Canyon, who talked about his desert oasis for beer and wine lovers and how his “third of an acre of outdoor drinking space” has become so popular.

A flight of beers from The Shop Beer Co.!

We closed out the show with a flight tasting of beers from The Shop Beer Co. What a photo finish!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:44 — 37.6MB)