by Lachelle Brown Nov/Dec 2008 Issue
Entering the well-known Anaheim destination restaurant, Mr. Stox, Great Taste Magazine was engulfed with the feeling of fall in the air as layers of pumpkins and corn decorated the lobby area. Trickling down in to the main dinning room, the mood was set as laughter and conversation were heard in every direction. Guests enjoyed their lunch entrees, sipping on afternoon chardonnays and ice teas, not minding our inquisitive eyes admiring the scene. After receiving a personal tour around the restaurant and its lovely wine cellar, we had the pleasure in sitting down, face to face, with Chef Scott Raczek himself. Read more »
Filed under: Chef De Cuisine, Articles
by Tom Hope Nov/Dec 2008 Issue
Recession, depression, foreclosure, debt… these are words that have become regular topics in our daily conversations. A challenge we face in the restaurant industry is that people are staying in more and spending less when dining out. The fact that people are trading down dollars at restaurants has forced chefs to rethink menus, increasing creativity to create a value driven experience for our guests. How can we combat this trend in challenging times? Through creativity in menu writing, promotions, purchasing and execution, chefs can create value driven menus that will essentially deliver and encourage repeating business and word of mouth buzz. Read more »
Filed under: L'entrée
by Lachelle Brown Nov/Dec 2008 Issue
For the past 16 years, Shannon K. Jones has been and continues to be, the ringing heartbeat of the well-known Scott’s Seafood Restaurant. From restaurant server to now awarded, General Manager, Shannon is nothing less than spectacular! “I really feel like I’ve grown up here, that it is my home.” With her naturally warm and welcoming demeanor, Shannon expresses her love for Scott’s and for the industry. Strongly supported by the owners, past management and fellow staff members, Shannon explored her interests and developed her natural place within the Scott’s family; “It was fun and it was new. I got to build it and take different avenues,” describing her once role in Guest Relations, promoting and expanding Scott’s with neighboring restaurants, hotels, convention centers, and most importantly, the restaurant’s clientele.
Hearing of her life philosophy, it is not hard to see why and how Shannon came to create the success Read more »
Filed under: Food for Thought, Articles
Doris Kwon of Newport Coast tasted victory when she won the Z’Tejas Charity Dessert Contest with her Bittersweet Chocolate Chile Créme de Pot, which reigned supreme over more than 20 other entries! The contest was a part of the Z’Tejas 3-week annual Chile Fest, Read more »
Filed under: Food for Thought, Articles
Thursday, October 23rd, STRIKE celebrated its’ Nationwide 70th Birthday Fiesta! Guests enjoyed hours of delightful cocktails, cuisine, and of course, bowling. Located in famous NY, Bowlmor Lanes has been making it’s mark since 1938; hosting countless professional bowling competitions, world leaders, celebrities, and rock stars. In 1997, Tom Shannon, took Bowlmor Lanes in to a new direction–creating a new style, new look, new feel, and new form of entertainment to the sport of bowling, crossing together fun with flare. Read more »
Filed under: Food for Thought, Articles
(Newport Beach, CA October 21, 2008) In a surprise upset, the winner of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s Culinary Competition was the youngest and least experienced of the six culinary student finalists. Kevin Bui, 19, of Cypress and a freshman in Cypress College’s Hotel Restaurant Culinary Arts program, walked off the with the $5,000 first prize.In second place winning $3,000 was Corona del Mar resident Patrick DiGiacomo, 53, a student at Laguna Culinary Arts. Caitlin Knoop, 20, of San Clemente and enrolled in Orange Coast College’s Culinary Arts program, came in third, winning $2,000. Read more »
Filed under: Food for Thought, Articles
-Chef Jason Pena has departed Specialty Restaurant Group and has taken the reigns at Waterfalls at the Atrium Hotel.
-Chef Thomas Ryan has relocated. He resigned his position with Pelican Grill and has taken over the helm Read more »
Filed under: Food for Thought, Chef Shuffle, Chef De Cuisine, Articles
All in the FAMILY
By Lauren Monahan September/October 2008
Despite being one of Orange County’s largest produce distributors, it is interesting and quite ironic how Family Tree Produce initially, had no intention of being a company at all!
FAMILY TREE SALES TEAM
Top Row L to R - Steve Siegel, Daniel Cruz, Tim Voll, Tony Nigro
Bottom Row L to R - Ramon Bonilla, Betsy Singley, Ralph Salinas, Raul Reynoso
Read more »
Filed under: L'entrée
Huntington Beach awaits the exciting opening of RA Sushi on December 15 at The Strand. The 5,300 sq ft venue focuses around a 2,000 gallon saltwater aquarium, topped with a vibrant party ambiance. … - 
Mohammed "Mo" Iqbal former (1994-1995) president of Family Restaurants Inc.'s Mexican dinnerhouse division – El Torito/ChiChi’s is soon (Dec. 2008) to open his dream restaurant, Prime Cut Café & Wine Bar. Affordable luxury dining at … - 
In celebration of their 50th anniversary Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes underwent a ground up $2 million renovation designed by Style Interior Design, which has been named one of the nation's top … - 
Congratulations go out to Casa Laguna Inn and Spa in