We love it when local restaurateurs gather together to help individuals and families in need, and with the inaugural Delicious Wishes event just days away, this broadcast came to you live from one of the participants – The Dutch Eatery and Refuge in Main Gate Square!

Rob LaMaster, Matt Russell & Chef Marcus Van winden

Our celebrity co-host was Make-A-Wish Southern Arizona director Rob LaMaster, who gave us the latest news from his organization that changes lives while presenting all of the details on Delicious Wishes. We were also joined by some of the folks who’ll be feeding their friends at the event, including Ramiro Scavo of Red’s Smokehouse & Tap Room, Ellie Lippel of Woops Bakeshop, and Chef Marcus Van winden of The Dutch.

A ginormous buffalo ball. Enough said.

Marcus also made sure that we all had a ball at his eatery, dropping a house-made buffalo ball on the table which we promptly devoured. See you at Delicious Wishes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:35 — 12.5MB)

This season is prime time when it comes to Arizona food and wine festivals, and we hit one of the coolest and most creative of the year for this weekend’s show, live from the Professional Chili Cook-off and Winemaker Faux “Chopped” Cooking Challenge at the beautiful Kief-Joshua Vineyards in Elgin!

Lori Reynolds, Ann Roncone, Matt Russell, Gary Elam, Ted Fichtl & Kief Manning

Our celebrity co-host was Ted Fichtl, former national executive director of the Chili Appreciation Society International! Ted shared a little about his passion for the “bowl of red” and walked us through the Winemaker “Chopped” Challenge that happened earlier in the day. We then sat down with four area vintners who showed off their culinary creds in the Chopped-esque contest; Ann Roncone from Lighting Ridge Cellars, Gary Elam of Village of Elgin Winery, Lori Reynolds of Sonoita Vineyards, and Kief Manning of Kief-Joshua Vineyards.

The panel of judges sharing their observations on the entries for the Winemaker Faux “Chopped” Cooking Challenge (Chef John Hohn, Matt Russell & Chef Patrick Malarchik)

They chatted about their perspectives on food and got us current on the latest news from their wineries.

So who won the cooking challenge? You’ll have to listen to learn!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:44 — 12.5MB)

How can you get to the beach without leaving Tucson? Easy! Just catch a wave over to the northwest corner of Sunrise and Swan and look for the flip-flops on the door and the portholes on the wall. And we did just that on this week’s live broadcast from Fini’s Landing!

Tyler Moody, Kenny King Kahuna, Ashley James, Matt Russell & Chris Cohen

Our celebrity co-host was Chris Cohen of Young’s Market Company who talked about beach drinks as well as some splishy-splashy events coming up from our good friends with the Centurions. We then turned to Ashley James of CODAC who revealed the latest news on the upcoming Dine Our For Safety event. Fini’s Landing bar manager Tyler Moody then paddled over to the table to transport our taste buds to the tropics with his line-up of tropical cocktails! And then the King showed up. Kenny King Kahuna, general manager/chef at Fini’s Landing!

New dish coming soon to Fini’s: Chubasco Chicken Pasta, with fresh egg fettuccini, monterey jack and parmesan alfredo sauce, fresh lime, chile lime pepitas, and blackened Chubasco chicken!

He got us current (get it?) with his weekend beachfront breakfast menu, while teasing us a bit on some of the new dishes that are about to land on his menu. Chubasco Chicken Pasta, anyone? See you at the beach!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:48 — 12.5MB)

The public house played a central role in our nation’s birth, for it was those colonial taverns and pubs in which our founding fathers met to discuss and debate the ideas that ultimately gave rise to our republic. And this week’s show came to you live from Tucson’s own public house, Union Public House!

Jamie Rice, Grant Krueger, Matt Russell, Steve Stratigouleas & Chef Casey Yeaton

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie Jamie Rice of Sysco Foods who got us up to date on his latest local food news. We also heard from Todd Hannley of Hotel Congress & Maynard’s Market & Kitchen about this year’s Agave Heritage Festival. Union owners Grant Krueger and Steve Stratigouleas sat down with us as well to talk about American whiskey and a special reserve bottle of Angel’s Envy Bourbon that was crafted just for Union! Then executive chef Casey Yeaton joined us to talk about the flavors and traditions of scratch American fare,

Braised pork osso buco with goat cheese and fresh herb polenta, sautéed green beans with caramelized onions, grilled peaches, heirloom cherry tomatoes, brandy and peach demi glace! Whoa!

serving up some braised pork osso buco with fried goat cheese polenta cakes by way of example. Finally there was some breaking news when Grant and Steve returned to make a big announcement! See you at Union!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:49 — 12.6MB)

There we were. Our last show in March. Which meant that we were oh-so-close to that one annual event that’s so eventful there’s no other name that would do it justice than THE EVENT.

Mark Irvin, Bahati Jackson, Melissa Royer, Laura Feemster & Chef Gary Hickey

Listen as guest host Mark Irvin chaired a roundtable of guests that revealed the delicious details. Guests included Laura Feemster, Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson board member and co-chair of THE EVENT, Bahati Jackson, 2018 Mark Irvin City of Tucson Youth of the Year, Melissa Royer, BGCT director of marketing, and Chef Gary Hickey of Charro Steak!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:42 — 12.5MB)

We were in the presence of royalty on this weekend’s show at the very place where the reigning Iron Chef of Tucson Travis Peters holds court, the Parish!

John Farlow, Stephanie Kingman, Matt Russell, Fatima Campos, Steve Dunn, Chef Travis Peters & Luis Campos

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie, PR maven, concert crusader, and rum rooter John Farlow, who talked about all of his latest adventures. We also checked in with Fatima and Luis Campos of Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine, as they shared information on their upcoming viewing party that will showcase their restaurant’s appearance on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The Parish’s head bartender Stephanie Kingman then brought a little shake and stir when she revealed her new spring cocktail menu. Try the King’s Cooler! Our featured guest was The Parish’s own Travis Peters, who talked about life since his Iron Chef victory, how he’s preparing to defend his belt this summer, and what flavors he’s been playing with these days.

Off-the-hook salmon dish!

Today’s example was an organic salmon, cilantro chimichurri, smoked mussels, house-made green chorizo, mudbug heirloom potato hash, and lobster foam! Yep, that’s Travis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:46 — 12.5MB)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This weekend’s show served up the best Irish-inspired culinary and cocktail talk from a grand patio party at Noble Hops!

Sherwood Alger, Julie Vlahakis, Matt Russell, Stacy Gopp & Chef Daniel Martinez

Our celebrity co-host was craft specialist Sherwood Alger of Hensley Beverage Company, who introduced us to some spectacular Irish whiskies that should take center stage at any St. Patrick’s Day party. We then heard from Stacy Gopp of JDRF with all the delicious details on her “Sip, Savor & Celebrate” event and its Mix Madness Cocktail Competition. We can’t wait! Noble Hops’ general manager Julie Vlahakis joined the party as well to get us briefed on her bar program and her series of off-the-hook events, while executive chef Daniel Martinez shared some moments from his personal culinary journey and a few stories behind the Noble Hops menu.

Bangers and Mash at Noble Hops. Let the banging begin!

He then treated us to some Noble nosh…Bangers and Mash with a rosemary brown gravy and a plate of Noble Nachos with a beef/lamb mix! Erin go Bragh!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:31 — 12.9MB)

This weekend’s Tucson Festival of Books drew large literary crowds to the University of Arizona, and we came to you live from the center of the swarm from Gentle Ben’s, just steps away from the university’s main gate in Main Gate Square!

Richard Fifer, Jane McCollum, Matt Russell & Ben Buehler-Garcia

Our celebrity co-host was Ben Buehler-Garcia, host of American Warrior Radio on KQTH, who talked about his inspirational program as well as what he’s been eating and drinking lately. We also got the details on this year’s Zin, Blues & BBQ from John Kulikowski of the Hacienda Del Sol. Our featured guest was Gentle Ben’s new owner Richard Fifer, who talked about his personal Gentle Ben’s journey, his plans for the space now that he has the keys, his craft beer program anchored by Barrio Brewing Company’s suds, and his brewpub-inspired menu.

Grilled shrimp tacos – a new menu item at Ben’s!

He even treated us to some new menu items that were about to go live, including a bountiful bowl of ceviche and some scrumptious grilled shrimp tacos. See you at Ben’s!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:49 — 12.6MB)

The sun was shining, the fairways were emerald green, and the golf was world-class! We brought all of those together on this live broadcast from the Omni Tucson National Resort’s Legends Bar & Grill, against the backdrop of the Tucson Conquistadores Cologuard Classic!

Mike Rapp, Jeff White, Matt Russell & Chef Jonathan Stutzman (Regan Jasper had to refill his wine glass and missed the picture!)

Our celebrity co-host was Mike Rapp, host of Tucson Morning News with Mike Rapp, who shared his thoughts on Omni Tucson’s beauty as well as some of the things making culinary and cocktail headlines these days. We also caught up with Conquistador Regan Jasper of Fox Restaurant Concepts, who is celebrating his company’s 20th anniversary this year. Listen for what he had to say about hospitality!

Golf Gastronomy, as imagined by the Omni Tucson National Resort!

We then welcomed Omni Tucson’s general manager Jeff White, who had some suggestions for libating near the links, and executive chef Jonathan Stutzman, who talked about the kind of cuisine that pairs well with golf! Fore!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 12.6MB)

The 93rd annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, known to locals  as the Tucson Rodeo, was in spur-clinking swing this week, which meant that we stepped into our boots, saddled up, and went straight to the Horseshoe Grill for this weekend’s show!

Kevin Bedient, Matt Russell, Chef Andy Romero & Dan Gibson

Our celebrity co-host was Dan Gibson of Visit Tucson, who shared some of the stories that people were telling about the Tucson food scene these days. We also spoke about the new Arizona Wine Collective which just opened at St. Philip’s Plaza. Kevin Bedient of the Horseshoe Grill sat with us as well to talk about what was making news behind his bar, and the Shoe’s executive chef Andy Romero revealed some of the delicious items on his new menu.

Pork belly burnt ends? Yes!

The smoked pork belly burnt ends and the monstrous pit master sandwich were off the hook. Giddy up!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:51 — 12.3MB)