Al and Executive Chef Casey Houghton (Lynyrd Skynrd BBQ & Beer), walks us through what it takes to make perfect baby back ribs, beef brisket, and sauces at home. (We only gained 3 pounds after this episode. We consider that a win.) Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Al’s New […]
We continue our run of world-class chefs who left a high-profile job at a Strip property to open their own shop. For this episode of Top of the Food Chain, we sweeten things up with author and co-owner of Chocolate & Spice Bakery Megan Romano. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las […]
Our good friend (and unbelievably nice guy) Vic Vegas returns to Top of the Food Chain with a peek at what he’s been up to after having appeared on Food Network Star and Chopped All Stars. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Foie Gras: Should it be illegal Guest: Vic […]
You think Japanese food in Las Vegas is only sushi? Think again, as the city is going through what can be described as a Japanese food explosion. Al is joined by Martin Koleff, the stylist/consultant behind some of the towns hottest “alternative” Japanese restaurants. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! […]
Al is joined by Stephen Hopcraft (Executive Chef STK, Food Network’s Chef vs City) on this week’s Top of the Food Chain. Together they discuss the variety of steak highlighting differences from American Select to Japanese Wagyu. They also note flavor contrasts between grass fed and corn fed beef and wrap up by giving us […]
Come listen to a story ’bout a man named Su, workin’ for Robuchon simply wouldn’t do, searched craigslist from dusk to dawn, finally opened Great Bao in a hair salon. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Sheridan Sun (Chef/Owner, Great Bao) ) Working for Robuchon Opening Comme Ca Going […]
Al is joined by Amy Byro (Executive Pastry Chef Harrah’s, Flamingo) and together they discuss the inner workings of being a pastry chef for Harrah’s Las Vegas, from creating four-tier wedding cakes in one day and sugar that looks like lace, to making a cake covered in 14k gold! Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The […]
Food critic Brock Radke (Las Vegas Weekly) and restaurateur Jolene Mannina join Al to talk about the Las Vegas food scene — where it is, where it’s been, and what to look forward to in the future. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Brock Radke (Las Vegas Weekly) Guest: […]
Remember when taking cooking in high school meant enrolling in home economics and getting harassed by your friends? In this episode of Top of the Food Chain, you’ll meet a 16-year-old who will likely be your favorite chef in a few years and is already being recruited by some of the finest restaurants in Las […]
On this carb-friendly episode of Top of the Food Chain, we get a master’s look at all things Pasta as we welcome back Geno Bernardo (Executive Chef, NOVE Italiano). Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! James Beard Award; are you kidding me?!?! Guest: Geno Bernardo (Executive Chef, NOVE Italiano) Pasta, […]
The French are well represented as Al walks us through what is arguably the five most extravagant fine dining options in Las Vegas. (This would be a good time to have your American Express Black card handy.) Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Scott Whitney Al’s top 5 restaurants […]
Max Jacobson returns to Top of the Food Chain with a first-hand comparison between Las Vegas restaurants and their European counterparts. Max follows with a blistering retort to John Curtas’ recent criticism of his fellow food critics. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Vegas Uncork’d Guest: Max Jacobson Europe vs. […]
As we learn from Three Square Food Bank‘s Erica Thompson, Restaurant Week combines great food and great prices. . .all for a great cause. That’s the happy, peppy, bursting with love portion of the show. Then John Curtas is back to spread a little love among some of his favorite Restaurant Week locations, followed by […]
On this episode of Top of the Food Chain Al is talking tapas with Nina Manchev, owner of Bar Forte. Together they discuss the history of tapas (it’s not just small plates), tapas for beginners, and wrap up by discussing Bulgarian cuisine and the lazy man’s sangria, Calimocho. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best […]
Al is joined by Chef Jet Tila (Iron Chef America) to discuss the regions, tastes, and history of Thai cuisine on this episode of Top of the Food Chain. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Chef Jet Tila History of Thai cuisine Regions of Thai cuisine and how they […]
Al is joined by Tony Abou-Ganim (Iron Chef America, Fine Living Network) to talk about the evolution of mixology from the Gothic age to the present on this episode of Top of the Food Chain. (It’s pretty cool to talk the guy who invented the Cable Car.) Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery […]
Comme Ca’s executive chef Brian Howard makes a return visit to Top of the Food Chain, together he and Al define offal and give us a look at it’s many different uses. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Comme Ca’s executive chef, Brian Howard Definition of offal Ways to […]
Al welcomes back Marche Bacchus’ Jeff and Rhonda Wyatt and together we discuss wines in the port family. We explore the types of port, what foods pair well with port wine, and more on this episode of Top of the Food Chain. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guests: Marche […]
Besides bringing up whose grandma makes the best meatballs (don’t ask), Al and his guests Due Forni Pizza’s Alex Taylor (managing partner) and Carlos Buscaglia (partner/executive chef) dole out a slice of pizza wisdom. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guests: Due Forni Pizza’s Alex Taylor and Carlos Buscaglia Everything […]
For our first episode of 2012 Al welcomes back author and food writer John Curtas. Together, with boxing gloves put aside, they review the foodie trends of 2011. Then the boys look ahead and make some predictions for the food landscape in 2012. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: […]
For our final holiday-themed show, and the last of 2011, Al begins by recommending four Christmas dinner options of varying price points on the Strip. Then, Ken Shey (Sommelier, The Range Steakhouse) joins us for a lesson in champagne and sparkling wines. Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Ken […]
For holiday-themed show number two, Matt Myers (assistant director of beverage, Bellagio) makes what we believe is the best eggnog ever! And now, you can make it as well! (Don’t let the liquid nitrogen scare you. . .we were perfectly safe.) Visit Bread and Butter, LV. The best bakery in Las Vegas! Guest: Matt Myers, […]
Top of the Food Chain is back and in the holiday spirit. In what will be a series of holiday-themed shows, we begin by talking with Bread and Butter, Las Vegas executive chef Chris Herrin about three often-maligned holiday food offerings; fruitcake, mincemeat, and gingerbread. (Chris and Al actually eat a fruitcake. Who knew you […]
We continue our global travels at Top of the Food Chain with Comme Ca’s Executive Chef Brian Howard as he tells us the difference between French bistro and brasserie food. Then we swing back to the USA and learn Brian’s secret for perfect Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. Guest: Comme Ca’s Executive Chef, Brian Howard Differences […]
Top of the Food Chain travels to Norway to talk about what is clearly one of the most maligned foods ever covered here on the show. You think Rodney Dangerfield gets no respect, try being Lutefisk. Guest: Dave Nelson, VP Desert Troll Lodge 6-165 of Sons of Norway Guest: Krishun Stanton, Social Director Desert Troll […]
We start the show with discovering the best deals in Las Vegas with Las Vegas Advisor’s Anthony Curtis. Then, after saving tons of money, we look into spending a few bucks on what it takes to get started as a wine collector with Marche Bacchus’ Jeff Wyatt. Guest: Anthony Curtis, Las Vegas Advisor Great deals […]
We’re heading East in this episode of Top of the Food Chain as we’re joined by food writer (and Al’s co-author) Max Jacobson, considered by many an expert in Asian cuisine. (We also had what amounted to the quickest trivia question in the history of the VVN.) Guest: Max Jacobson, food writer Asian cuisine Chinese […]
Break out the snifters as Top of the Food Chain explores the world of cognac and armagnac with Andre’s Restaurant beverage manager, Patrick Trundle. Guest: Patrick Trundle, beverage manager Andre’s Restaurant History of brandy Types of cognac Cost of cognacs Differences between cognac and armagnac Types of armagnacs Email and LIVE chat questions
Top of the Food Chain indulges in the finer things in life as we learn about truffles from Urbani Truffles’ Leigh Savoy. Then Al and RM Seafood’s sous chef John Courtney eases our guilt about “screaming” lobsters. Guest: Leigh Savoy, Urbani Truffles Types of truffles How are truffles served Cost of truffles Guest: John Courtney, […]
We branch out further into the world of spirits as Top of the Food Chain samples a little vodka with bartender Jennifer (no last name, please) and STK beverage manager, Clayton Gibson. Guest: Jennifer, Bartender Origins of vodka Types of vodka Guest: Clayton Gibson, Beverage Manager STK Clayton’s three favorite vodka recipes Email and LIVE […]
