With about a week left until Father’s Day we dedicated this broadcast to dads everywhere, focusing on all of the things that dad just loves, live from Acacia Real Food & Cocktails!

Show groupie Allen Kath, Chef Brian Smith, Kendra Johnson, Chef Albert Hall, Matt Russell, Toby Hall & Donald Northrup

Our celebrity co-host was Donald Northrup, CEO of The Independent distillery, who talked about craft spirits along with an announcement about when the distillery will officially open in downtown Tucson. We then heard from Jerry Yang of Jerry’s Cigars, who revealed his personal picks for Father’s Day sticks. Acacia manager and bar maven Kendra Johnson stopped by as well to talk about dads’ favorite cocktails, while lovingly libating us with a Big Boy Margarita! Our featured guests were Acacia chefs Albert Hall and Brian Smith, who revealed their Father’s Day menu along with some other cool ideas for beating the heat this summer!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:35 — 27.3MB)

If you’re a fan of BBQ, this was the show for you, and we dedicated the entire hour to the inaugural Southern Arizona Smokin’ Showdown scheduled for June 27 at Hotel Congress!

Jeff Ronstadt, David Slutes, Matt Russell, Miranda Morrison, Chef Danny Perez, Kyle Jefferson & Linette Antillon

Our celebrity co-host was Chef Danny Perez of the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and lead judge for the Smokin’ Showdown. Danny is a certified BBQ judge, and walked us through what he’ll be looking for when he samples the competitors’ briskets. We were also joined by event creator Jeff Ronstadt, who discussed his personal story with the Steele Children’s Research Center and why that was the charity selected to received funds raised at the event. Miranda Morrison of event sponsor Merit Foods then discussed brisket in all of its beauty, and why 1855 Black Angus beef is the right choice for a brisket competition. Kyle Jefferson of event sponsor Pueblo Vida Brewing Company was next up, reminding us all why beer and BBQ is a natural pairing. He also shared  some samples of the suds he’ll be serving at Smokin’ Showdown. David Slutes of event venue Hotel Congress closed out the show with a complete rundown for this ‘cue for a cause.  You may want to get your tickets today. They won’t be around for long!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:09 — 27.5MB)

The 18th annual Patio Pig at Jonathan’s Cork kicks off June 4, so we decided to give our listeners a sneak peek on this live broadcast from the Cork!

Matt Russell, C.J. Hamm, Chef Jonathan Landeen, Leslie Miller, Peter Miller & Jason Miller

Our celebrity co-host was food writer C.J. Hamm who got us current with local food and beverage news. With Tucson hitting 100 degrees today for the first time this year, we turned our attention to gelato with special guest Peter Miller of Tazzina di Gelato, who conducted a gelato 101 session for us. Jonathan’s Cork barman James Hernandez joined us as well to talk Patio Pig libations, and featured guest Chef Jonathan Landeen gave us a rundown of the regionally inspired Patio Pig dinners scheduled for every Thursday in June. Let the parade of pigs begin!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:13 — 27.1MB)

We took our palates to paradise this week, coming to you live from the Maui Brewing Company’s brewpub on Hawaii’s Valley Isle!

Garrett Marrero, Matt Russell & Darren Moser

We got things started with Maui Brewing Company owner/founder Garrett Marrero who talked about his personal beer journey and what makes his brews (which reportedly are all “brewed with aloha”) so distinct. We were also joined by his director of brewery operations, Darren Moser, who took us on a flight of some showstopping beers. Foodies celebrated our next guest, Chef Sheldon Simeon, Bravo TV’s Top Chef season 10 finalist and the man behind the hot Maui restaurant Migrant. Chef Sheldon discussed his culinary journey, what flavors inspire him the most, and the central role that pork fat plays on the Migrant plate! Alo-HA!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:25 — 26.7MB)

Bacon brings out the best in all of us, so why not broadcast live from the Arizona Bacon Fest!

John Farlow & Matt Russell

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie and PR maven John Farlow who shared his latest eating and drinking adventures, bacon and otherwise! We also caught up with event producer Rob Betancourt who talked about what it takes to put on a festival of this magnitude. We then welcomed some of our local food and drink heroes who were busy feeding and libating the 2,000+ who turned out for the event, including Rob Wilson of Flame Connection, Sarah Ritchie of Mother Road Brewing Company, Richard Knott of PJ’s Cafe and Sports Grill, Patrick Malarchik of Union Public House, and Adam Lehrman of Tucson Foodie.  Oink!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:46 — 27.4MB)

We channeled our inner child this week and took our broadcast downtown to Playground Bar and Lounge!

Chef Ben Caballero, Dale Riggins, Sandy Ford, Chef Jack Tate, Matt Russell & Andi Berlin

Our celebrity co-host was Andi Berlin, digital food reporter for the Arizona Daily Star, who talked about some of the fun projects she’s managing along her culinary and cocktail journey. The closer we get to the warmer weather, the more we think about ice cream, real ice cream, and we got the latest scoop on the Hub Ice Cream Factory, which opens later this month, from director of operations Sandy Ford. Drinks anyone? Yes, said Playground general manager Dale Riggins, who sat down to talk beverages, showcasing a spectacular seasonal refresher called El Guapo! Our featured guests were corporate chef Jack Tate and executive chef Ben Caballero, who wowed us with their philosophy on food and fun and how they naturally go together at Playground. See you at recess!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:45 — 27.4MB)

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, we decided to jump start our Cinco celebration at our favorite beachfront bar and grill in Tucson, Fini’s Landing! Our celebrity co-host was the Tucson Foodie himself, Adam Lehrman, who revealed his latest eating and drinking discoveries. We also talked summer cocktails and premium liquors with Fini’s mixology maven Andrew Carlin, all while sipping on house-casked mint juleps! Our featured guest was Fini’s executive chef Tim ” Tiki Tim” Stevens, who talked about his special Cinco de Mayo menu, what’s trending on the Chubasco Sauce scene, and what his plans are for a new summer menu. What a fun time during this high-tide broadcast from Fini’s Landing!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:46 — 27.4MB)

The corner of River and Campbell is often called one of the most delicious intersections in Southern Arizona.

Tom Alfonso, Katie Jo Willis, Alexandra Selby & Matt Russell

Why? St. Philip’s Plaza of course, and we came to you live this weekend from the heart of the plaza at Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics! Tom Alfonso himself joined us for the full hour, reminding us all about the health benefits of fresh extra virgin olive oil and specially aged balsamics. We then sat down with Alexandra Selby of the Junior League of Tucson, who was about to host more than 700 people at the plaza for NOLA Nights! We also learned about the plaza’s new Amalour Revival Lounge from general manager Katie Jo Willis, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about that Brandy Crusta and the dry-aged bone-in New York strip!  Our ode to St. Philip was a delicious one indeed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:22 — 27.2MB)

In celebration of all things local, this weekend’s show came to you live from the third Viva La Local at Rillito Park!

Magic Kenny Bang Bang, Manish Shah & Matt Russell

Our celebrity co-host was Magic Kenny Bang Bang, Arizona’s only certified sommelier and working magician. Kenny talked about his wine journey and experience as a winemaker himself, all while performing live magic for us on the air. We also heard from Kristine Welter Hall about this year’s Dine Out For Safety, Chef Eric Sutter of the Flying V Bar & Grill at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort about an upcoming seasonal menu change, C.J. Hamm of Jackson Tavern about the Tucson Foodie Taco de Mayo event, and Manish Shah of Maya Tea, Heirloom Farmers Market, and Viva La Local!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:12:22 — 33.1MB)

Wild things. They make our hearts sing. And in celebration of all things wild, we came to you live this weekend from Wildflower American Cuisine!

Tony Poe, Brittany Kagele, Ricky Anderson, Matt Russell & Chef Matt Paschal

Our celebrity co-host was supermodel extraordinaire Brittany Kagele of Nova Financial and Insurance Services. Brittany is this year’s chair of THE EVENT, and she shared all of the delicious details on this event benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson. We also brought back Tony Poe and Ben Korn for a re-cap of the upcoming Centurions event that benefits Tu Nidito. Wildflower general manager Ricky Anderson also stopped by to talk about some refreshing seasonal cocktails, including a house-infused strawberry margarita that was a hit on the patio. We were also treated to some fun and fresh insights from Wildflower executive chef Matt Paschal, who talked about his culinary journey and how he approaches his craft in the kitchen. Chef also shared some tasty items from his happy hour menu, including bacon-wrapped dates with fennel sausage, parmesan, arugula, and red chili, as well as BBQ chicken tacos with smashed avocado, cabbage, salsa fresca, and white cheddar!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:16 — 27.1MB)