Andrew Zimmern meets Tommy Gomes plus Gabardine’s Exec Chef Chad White at Catalina Offshore Products, San Diego’s Top Seafood Provider

Tommy gives Andrew a taste of a rare treat: fresh swordfish marrow!

This past February, Tommy Gomes gave Andrew Zimmern the opportunity to sample some really fresh seafood at Catalina Offshore Products in San Diego.

Tommy shows how the Uni (sea urchin) is processed.

Eating the Uni straight from the supplier is even better than going to a sushi bar!  SO FRESH!!!

Andrew is wowed by Gabardine’s Exec Chef Chad White

Andrew was also treated to some of the seafood skillfully prepared by Gabardine’s Exec Chef Chad White.

Look for the segment to aire on Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods America Mondays 9pm PST.

Full-Time Frugal Foodie & Part-Time Chef Stalker

Fabio Viviani at VIP Post-Party for the Gourmet Experience in Del Mar 10.8.2011

Adam looks down at me during talk at his book-signing at Barnes & Noble The Grove 4.27.2011.

James Beard Rising Star nominee Exec Chef Nathan Coulon (formerly of Ivy Hotel & currently of True Food Newport Beach) as Head Judge a Whole Foods Mkt Huntington Beach Cook-Off Competition Nov. 2011

Bob Kramer gives course on knife care & signs his books at Carlsbad Sur La Table May 2011

Chefs de Cuisine Asso. of San Diego Chefs, Students, & Culinarians

1st Place Team at Wagyu Beef Cook-Off Competition: Hard Rock Hotel Exec Chef Jon Eyers, Commise (me), Mixologist Brian Holland Fish

Chefs Andrew Spurgin, Brian Malarkey plus Chad White of Sea Rocket Bistro (soon to be Exec Chef for Malarkey's Gabardine) Photo by Cass Greene http://on.fb.me/wNunQk

I’ve been a foodie since childhood watching Graham Kerr “The Galloping Gourmet” instead of Sesame Street.  Through the years I’ve enjoyed following Julie Child, Jacque Pepin, and Wolfgang Puck.  More recently, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some culinary luminaries & some of the southland’s top chefs.  When possible, I’ve also collected autographs on their books which include: Diana Kennedy the “Julia Child of Mexico;” Travel Channel “No Reservations” host Anthony Bourdain, “Man v. Food” host Adam Richman, & “Taste of America” host Mark DeCarlo; American Master Bladesmith specializing in kitchen knives Bob Kramer; and Extraordinary Desserts Owner Chef Karen Krasne (featured on Food Channel “Best Thing I Ever Ate” Cake Walk episode).  I got word from the venerable Exec. Chef Thomas Keller that he’ll sign my copy of “ad hoc at home.”

In those cases where I didn’t have a book, a picture had to suffice as in the case with Travel Channel “Bizarre Foods” host Andrew Zimmern, Bravo Top Chefs Brian Malarkey (Season 3) & Fabio Viviani (Season 5).  I’ve had the opportunity to meet such incredible talented California chefs:  Exec. Chef Jon Eyer Hard Rock Hotel, Exec. Chef Nick Brune of Local Habit, Exec. Chef Olivier Bioteau of Farm House Cafe, Exec. Chef Chad White of Sea Rocket Bistro (soon to be at Gabardine), Exec. Chef Andrew Spurgin formerly of Waters Fine Catering & currently Chef/Partner at Campine (with Chefs Brian Malarkey & Antonio Friscia), Exec. Chef Antonio Friscia formerly of Stingaree & currently Chef/Partner at Campine, Executive Chef Victor Jimenez of Cowboy Star, Owner Chef Su-Mei of Saffron, Owner/Baker Charles Kaufman of Bread & Cie Bakery & Cafe, Owner Gina Freize of Venissimo Cheese, Exec. Chef Nathan Coulon (son of Michele Coulon Dessertier of La Jolla) formerly of Ivy Hotel & currently of True Food Kitchen, Newport Beach; drinking centric travel “Three Sheets” host Zane Lamprey; and California foodie celebrity Chicken Charlie Boghosian best known for his fried food stand at the major county fairs from San Diego to the California State Fair in Sacramento.

Campine 3 Owner Chefs Antonio Friscia, Andrew Spurgin, & Brian Malarkey Collaboration Kitchen 1.29.2012

Bravo Top Chef Brian Malarkey meets The Frugal Foodie at Fruit of the Soul 2010

Exec Chef Scotty Wagner, chefs & staff Wine Rave Nov. 2010

Zane Lamprey, host of Three Sheets partying it up (as usual) The Lodge at Torrey Pines Chefs Celebration - San Diego Beer Week 2011

Owner Chef Su-Mei of Saffron, chef & staff volunteers Collaboration Kitchen 9.25.2011

Chicken Charlie Boghosian San Diego Fair July 2010. He actually won a 2nd Place Medal in a chefs' cook-off competition!

Like FREE stuff? Saveur’s Foodie Giveaway is awarding prizes DAILY!

Saveur Magazine will be giving away prizes every day this month! PLUS: Each time you enter one of their daily giveaways, you will also be entered to win a Grand Prize, an all-expenses-paid trip for two to New Orleans, courtesy of Chef Paul’s Seasonings!        http://www.saveur.com/foodiegiveaway/entry.jsp

The secret to “flakey” vs. “crumbly” pie crust!

Whenever I make pie crust it’s not tough, but it always turns out more crumbly than the more desirable “flakey” texture. NOW I know that the secret is in a technique called “frissage.” See how this Harvard grad turned baker does it!

San Diego Beer Week Nov. 4th-13th: over 520 World Class Craft Beer Showcase Events!

Many of these events offer discounted opportunities to have several different tastes of some stupid good beer at a price way below what you would normally pay to taste these on your own.  San Diego Beer Week also provides you with occasions to taste beers rarely offered to the public.  The greatest thing about SDBW, is the incredible amount collaborations between top breweries and top San Diego chef and restaurants over 10 days.  I’ll be there at several events along with the official closing event – - the Beer Garden at The Lodge at Torrey Pines Sunday Nov. 13th.  Hope to see you at one of the events!  http://sdbw.org/events/

San Diego Beer Week 2011: Nov. 4th – 13th! 2010 was over 400 events, and this year…?

San Diego has been recognized as craft beer Mecca with the best beers from the best microbreweries in the country.  Throughout the year there are various beer festivals here, but THIS week is the top event of the year.  What makes it special, is the pairing of the breweries with the top San Diego chefs & restaurants.  Gourmet dishes inspired by the flavors of the beers paired with them, results in some incredibly delicious events!

Last year had over 400 events going on all over the county during this 10-day event.  Currently, the count for this year is over 197 events and growing!  Come be amazed by the range of flavors these micro-breweries can coax out of barley and hops.  For a small taste of what you can expect, check out the following link to see the current list of events and short video recap of last year’s 400 events.  http://sdbw.org/

Low on cash in San Diego? You can feed a family of four for dirt cheap at Ikea!

Check out the daily dirt cheap food specials:

MONDAY
FREE breakfast until 11am 99¢
Organic Pasta with Tomato Sauce 99¢ $1.99 (11am to close)
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TUESDAY
Kids Eat Free! Kids choose one combo meal valued at $2.49
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WEDNESDAY
BBQ Ribs, French Fries and Cornbread $6.99 $7.99
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THURSDAY
Roasted Chicken and Mashed Potatoes $1.99
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FRIDAY
Hot Dog & Soda in the Bistro $1 $1.50

Better than Restaurant.com, Groupon, and Social Living!

This site doesn’t require the min. meal purchase deals like Restaurant.com, PLUS 10% of your purchase goes to your fave charity, school or non-profit! http://www.screamindailydeals.com/

Restaurant.com has saved me and my friends LOTS of money!

I always try to avoid paying the regular discount price at restaurant.com; and, I wait until they offer a “code word” so the price drops to $2 or $3 for a $25 certificate. Always check for the lowest minimum purchase of $35 and other fine print. The closer you are to $35 without going under, the better the return on your dollar.  The current promo code is “Hot.”   http://www.restaurant.com/

Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night!

Wednesday April 27th, 2011 5pm – 10pm
Join everyone for 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins® and help us honor America’s firefighters. Baskin-Robbins is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation™ (NFFF)!