First up is Chef Jeff Starr, Executive Chef at Trinchero Family Estates.  Jeff is not only a judge at the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger contest, but he worked with author James McNair on the recently released Burger Parties – featuring winning recipes from this annual contest.

Each year, thousands of cooks from coast to coast compete in Sutter Home Winery’s Build a Better Burger® Recipe Contest. Ten of these creative home chefs are flown to Napa Valley each September to participate in the BBB Cook-Off, frequently shown on Food Network Challenge. Burger Parties marks the event’s 20th anniversary with contest-winning burgers loaded with flavor-enhancing extras and party-ready menus bound to be a hit at any backyard bash.

Don’t have time to “build a better burger”…Then let’s talk about Wichita’s own Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers with the namesake and spokesperson for Freddy’s, the one and only Freddy Simon.  www.freddysfrozencustard.com

Wichita, Kansas was already a historical landmark in the hamburger’s march to prominence, and home to WWII veteran Freddy Simon. From his home kitchen, Freddy used to treat family and friends to his personal recipe of an American classic he called “the steakburger.” This savory creation became far more than a Simon household sandwich. Nearly 50 years passed before fond childhood memories of this dinnertime delicacy inspired Freddy’s sons to make the steakburger the foundation of their restaurant named after dear ol’ dad. It was the most appropriate meal they deemed worthy enough to precede their other big attraction-frozen custard.  

The Original Freddy's on West 21st in Wichita

 …and what goes best with a great burger?

The Good Life Guy Wine Beer of the Week: Stella Artois
Stella Artois is a brand of supreme worth and quality. It is the number 1 Belgian beer in the world and is distributed in over 80 countries world-wide, and in Wichita by House of Schwan.

Video of Guy & Master Beer Sommellier Marc Stroobandt

Check out this recipe from Saveur for Lamb Burgers

Then it’s all about BURGERS…grilled, pad seared, broiled, America’s favorite outdoor food is getting a lot of press these days!  Books like “Burger Bar” by Hubert keller and leading food magazines like Saveur; i’ll give you my take on the perfect burger.

In the second half I’ll be talking to Tom Silberkleit about the latest edition in the series of California Directories of Fine Wineries – Central Coast edition.  Tom is a great guest and puts lots of work in to these books to showcase some of the finest wineries to add to your agenda when visiting.  Combined with the photography of Robert Holmes, this is another winner in the series.

With THE CALIFORNIA DIRECTORY OF FINE WINERIES as a guide, readers can explore world-famous Santa Barbara county, home to the landmark cellars of Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, and Santa Rita Hills; meander the scenic back roads of San Luis Obispo on the way to the premier wineries of Edna Valley; and travel to rustic Paso Robles. Featuring boutique tasting rooms, working ranches, warehouse wineries, and family-owned vineyards, this is an essential guide to destinations of charm and character. 

* A comprehensive, full-color guide to California’s Central Coast wine country.
* Features more than 180 color photographs by renowned travel photographer Robert Holmes.

Wine of the Week; something fun from the Central Coast….

2006 Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay

This classy 2006 Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay is bright with citrus, apple, peach, and vanilla aromas.  Rich mouth filling flavors of grapefruit, citrus blossom, white peach and sweet oak lead to a crisp finish with a lsting impression of spicy oak.  -  Dennis Shurtleff, Winemaker