I was honored to sit in today for the vacationing Bill Buckmaster as guest host of the Buckmaster Show!

Joining me as celebrity co-host was Chris Squires of Ten55 Brewing Company who got us current on his newest selection to commemorate the return of the Tour de Tucson…The El Tour Blood Orange IPA!

Chris and I also welcomed Susan Fulton and Mary Steiger, of Gourmet Girls Bakery/Bistro, who rolled out their Pumpkin Palooza portfolio; Stephen Paul, of Whiskey Del Bac, who shared all the deets on the distillery’s upcoming 10th anniversary party while pouring samples of his special anniversary release; and Chef Travis Peters, of The Parish, who teased us with a few dishes that he expects to be on the menu when his newest restaurant, The Delta, opens soon!

As we sipped Chris’ beer and Stephen’s whiskey, we went head-first into Travis’ dishes, including a giant fried pork rind with a spicy mint chimichurri, a bone-in short rib sandwich with an andouille mayo and puffed beef tendons, and duck fat-fried brioche donuts filled with foie gras cream.

This was absolutely the most delicious hour on radio, and you can listen to it in its entirety right here!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:05 — 49.5MB)

Chris DeSimone, Matt Russell, Grant Krueger, and Chef Frank

This week’s edition of Mother Road Monday on KVOI’s Wake Up Tucson featured the Conserve & Protect Golden Ale from Mother Road Brewing Company!

The outdoor season is in full swing, and Mother Road’s own Michael Marquess called in from Flagstaff to share some stories about this beautiful and food-friendly brew that helps to support the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s wildlife conservation efforts.

Joining in the conversation was Grant Krueger from Union Hospitality and his culinary companion Chef Frank who plated up a dish that was intentionally designed to pair with this beer.

Beer-battered seafood and a line-up of golden ales

Conserve & Protect-battered salmon and shrimp with a Conserve & Protect coleslaw!

How was it? Take a listen here to find out!

Tune in every Monday morning in October and November, at 7:00 am, for Mother Road Monday!

KVOI, AM-1030; KVOI.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:11 — 15.7MB)

Chris DeSimone, Matt Russell, Andrea Wagner, and Stephanie Henderson

Today I launched a nine-week series on Wake Up Tucson, together with host Chris DeSimone, called Mother Road Monday!

Each episode in the series will feature a distinct brew from Mother Road Brewing Company and pair it with a dish from a local restaurant designed to complement its flavor profiles. Mother Road’s crew will be on hand to tell some stories behind their suds along with the local chefs whose dishes will take center stage.

This week it was all about the Tower Station IPA, and Mother Road’s craft consultant Stephanie Henderson showcased the beauty of this wildly popular beer.

Pizza and beer – a natural pairing

We were also joined by Andrea Wagner of Casa Marana who brought in a chicken, Sriracha, and blue cheese pizza that she thought would be a heavenly match for this hoppy brew.

How did they do? Take a listen here to find out!

Tune in every Monday morning in October and November, at 7:00 am, for Mother Road Monday!

KVOI, AM-1030; KVOI.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:34 — 15.0MB)

In the two-month countdown to the 38th annual El Tour de Tucson, the official beer of the iconic bicycling event has just been revealed!

I had the opportunity to crack open a can of the “El Tour Blood Orange IPA” last night with Chris Squires of Ten55 Brewing Company who told the story behind these commemorative suds. He also shared information on some special launch events all over town this week leading up to next week’s formal release of what will surely be a new fall beer tradition in Tucson.

You can listen to our conversation here!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:26 — 10.4MB)

It’s always a blast being a guest on Wake Up Tucson talking about the latest local food and beverage news!

Joining host Chris DeSimone and me in the conversation this morning was Chef Kyle Nottingham of Ares Collective which owns and operates August Rhodes, Commoner & Co., and Prep & Pastry. We chatted about Sonoran Restaurant Week and what Kyle and his crew have up their sleeves for this annual event.

We also tasted some Tannat from our friends at High Lonesome Vineyard in McNeal, AZ. You can get this gorgeous wine at the winery as well as at Arizona Wine Collective.

Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy this segment!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:48 — 13.9MB)

Restaurateur Lauren Bailey is one busy woman, and her business brought her to Tucson last week when she hosted the local media at a preview of the newest installation of her popular Postino Wine Cafe!

I caught up with Lauren in between glasses of Pomares Douro white blend to get her perspectives on Tucson, the restaurant’s new location at Grant Road and Tucson Boulevard, and what it means to have a space that she says flexes for people, whether they’re wearing flip-flops or dressed to the nines.

Enjoy my interview with a star on Arizona’s restaurant scene.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:13 — 8.2MB)

Whenever the ribbon is cut at a new restaurant, you can count on me to grab the first interview with the owner.

Like today.

I was in the presence of royalty when I caught up with Wendy Gauthier, Tucson’s Iron Chef, just seconds after she cut the ribbon in front of a crowd of fans who gathered outside her new eatery, Chef Chic!

Enjoy my conversation with Wendy as she talked about the concept behind her new restaurant, her plans to host an Iron Chef Dinner there in March, and her thoughts about a winning strategy to defend her Iron Chef title this summer!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:11 — 2.9MB)

Bienvenue en France!

Chef Kyle Nottingham and his crew at Commoner & Co. are hosting a Bordeaux Wine Dinner on Sunday, January 26.

Four courses. Four wines. And only $60 per person.

What?!

I sat down with him on a recent visit to his Foothills eatery as he walked me through each course on a menu so magnificent that you’d swear they inadvertently left a digit off the price.

Enjoy my interview with Kyle Nottingham, and reserve your seat at the table while you still can by calling 520-257-1177.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:18 — 22.1MB)

Fans of craft cuisine, cocktails, and brews have reason to rejoice this week when the new Copper Rock Craft Eatery opens its doors on December 5 at the Hilton DoubleTree Reid Park Hotel!

I recently caught up with Alan Lambert, the property’s executive chef, at a media preview of the new space and menu. He was kind enough to share his thoughts with me about craft cuisine, his culinary point of view, and his favorite spirituous beverage!

Enjoy my interview with this local chef who’ll surely be making some new friends this week!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:19 — 6.7MB)

It only happens once a year, and this year’s seasonally inspired Holly Jolly Ale from Green Feet Brewing Company will be released on Friday, November 29th, at 4:00 pm!

I can see Tucson’s thirsty celebrants lining up at the tap room on this blessed day to be among the first to get pints, crowlers, growlers, and kegs of Holly Jolly. But be warned…once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Enjoy my recent interview with brewer Petey Peterson as he tells the story behind his annual holiday brew.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:49 — 5.3MB)