Jul 4 – This Week’s Show

My guest this week is Lauren Caris Short with her latest book “The Complete Guide to Food Photography – Hot to light, Compose, Style, and Edit Mouth-Watering Food Photographs.

The must-have guidebook for creating great food photographs!

The Complete Guide to Food Photography is a visually stunning, eminently useful, and comprehensive resource for creating fantastic food photographs. In this book, professional food photographer Lauren Short teaches you her entire image-making process, as she covers lighting, composition, styling, storytelling, editing, and processing great food photographs.

In the first part of the book, Lauren covers the core concepts, where you’ll learn:

How to work with both natural and artificial light (as well as modifiers)• The tools, guides, and rules of composition for food photography• Techniques, tips, and tricks for styling your food so it looks its best• How to build a story with the use of backgrounds, props, and other supporting elements• Processing, retouching, and compositing techniques to finish your image

Additionally, Lauren explains the why behind her creative decisions. By understanding her decision-making process and walking through her problem-solving techniques, you’ll become better equipped to make informed creative decisions so you can excel at food photography, no matter what scenarios you encounter.

In the second part of the book, Lauren walks you through multiple case studies of complete, start-to-finish shoots so that you can see every aspect of her image-making process and understand how it all comes together. Each case study also includes a link to a full video for each shoot so that you can easily follow along.

Filled with beautiful imagery as well as behind-the-scenes photos and helpful diagrams, The Complete Guide to Food Photography is a must-have for any food photographer looking to create images that stand out from the crowd. Get a copy NOW!

Lauren Short is a British photographer living in Zurich, Switzerland, where she lives with her husband. Back in 2015, she made a U-turn from her career in tax to pursue her passion and become a full-time photographer. Lauren specialises in food photography, and she works with clients in a range of styles, from product to restaurants to editorial. In addition, Lauren runs the food photography education membership “Food Photography Academy,” as well as a blog and YouTube channel. She is passionate about sharing everything she knows with other photographers to help them develop their skills and gain a deeper understanding of photography. Follow Lauren on Facebook.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 Peirano Estate “Six Clones” Merlot, Lodi California
(This wine was the wine of the week a few weeks ago, re-tasted after a week of being vaccum preserved…OMG, it got even better and deserves a 2nd look!)
Aromas of maraschino cherries, black raspberries, cran-raspberry, plum medley and a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove join together in a single sensation of olfactory bliss. The mouth is filled with an array of flavors, including spiced raspberries, plum compote and cran-raspberry juice with a lingering hint of cinnamon sprinkled over raspberry and plum sauce. Bright red fruit tannins and good acidity leave a pleasing, long lasting, soft
finish. ABV14.8%
Wine Enthusiast 92 POINTS & BEST BUY
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR WINE  90 POINTS & GOLD

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Jun 27 – The London Plane Flower & Cookbook

My guest this week is Katherine Anderson with her new book “The London Plane Flower & Cookbook.

A literary and culinary tribute to a beloved Seattle restaurant.

The London Plane restaurant and flower shop was a special place. For ten years (2013-2022), it anchored a corner in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, welcoming both locals and visitors from afar. This book remembers its heart and soul, celebrating the community of cooks, bakers, florists, servers, and beloved customers.

Katherine Anderson, in collaboration with chefs and creatives who were a part of The London Plane, organizes The London Plane Flower & Cook Book around the calendar year. Each chapter contains a reflection about life at The LP during that month, an essay about the season’s flowers, and a number of recipes from our kitchen and bakery, including some of the most popular recipes such as the Buttermilk Biscuit, Michael’s Plane Bread, Chicken Pot Pie, and our Granola. Over 150 remarkable photographs and illustrations of the place, its recipes, and flowers accompany the text.

Proudly produced and designed in collaboration with Seattle-based Marquand Books. This limited edition book is perfect for anyone who loves flowers, cooking, photography, memoirs, or cherishes the beauty that was The London Plane. Get a copy NOW!

Contributors include Danny Conkling, Dorothée Brand, Emily Dann, Honnah Weber, Isvald Klingels, Kyle Johnson, Mehdi Boujrada, Melissa Smithers, Michael Sanders, Sako Gordon, Sophie Handler, way thị sum, Yasuaki Saito, Zach Lucido, and Zarah Kahn.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2020 Maison Tardieu Laurent – Saint Joseph – Vieilles Vignes
Only 200 cases imported, this highly rated wine is available at Jacob Liquor on North Rock Road!

Wine Spectator: 93
A sleek, meaty red, this layers fresh and steeped cherry with singed apple wood, charred bacon fat and cracked peppercorn. Green herbs offset sweet oak spice and the tannins are well-tamed, providing a cashmere frame for the silky, refreshingly savory finish. Drink now through 2030. 750 cases made, 200 cases imported.
Wine Enthusiast: 94
Irresistible juicy aromas of black cassis, bramble jam, fresh rose, violets and a touch of fresh earth fill the glass. The wine exudes freshness and purity throughout. The palate is particularly lovely, showcasing pure cherry and blackberry fruit accented by just the right amount of baking spice. Enjoy immediately or stash a few bottles in the cellar.
Jeb Dunnuck: 93
The 2020 Saint Joseph Vieilles Vignes has a terrific, granite-like minerality as well as pure blue fruits, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and complex notes of violets, sappy green herbs, and cracked peppercorns. It shows the riper style of the vintage in its texture and density, yet it has an almost cool climate-like vibe in its aromatics. It’s another beautiful wine from this terrific estate.

 

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Jun 20 – Thursday Night Tiki Lounge

This Saturday I’ll be chatting with Jennifer Newens about her new book “Thursday Night Tiki Lounge; 52 Drinks that Bring the Tropics Home

Thursday Night Tiki Lounge is the latest in the highly popular Cheers to the Week series of cocktail books, which includes Monday Night Mocktails, Wednesday Night Wine-Down, and Friday Night Cocktails, appealing to home mixologists who want to have an array of cocktails to choose from. Whether hosting a party, celebrating the weekend, or simply craving a midweek getaway, Thursday Night Tiki Lounge is the ultimate guide to enjoying a tropical escape.

Each recipe highlights fresh juices, spiced syrups, and a variety of rums and spirits, resulting in full-flavored drinks that feel both indulgent and achievable. Along the way, readers will also learn how to make essential tiki staples—including cream of coconut, orgeat, and grenadine—ensuring their home bar is always ready for a Thursday night, or any night delight. Get a copy NOW!

Thursday Night Tiki Lounge invites readers to expand their cocktail repertoire with inspired yet approachable recipes. The collection also features original tropical creations developed in the author’s California kitchen, offering a contemporary take on the tiki tradition.  Check out this Tiki interview and demo.

Jennifer Newens is a cookbook editor, cooking teacher, and literary agent from Oakland, California. She received her culinary training from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She is the author of Monday Night Mocktails and Wednesday Night Wine-Down. Jennifer believes that everyone deserves to have a special drink in a fancy glass with a pretty garnish at the end of a long day!
Learn more about Jennifer. Follow Jen on FB, X and Insta

 

 

The fine and unique Rum’s from Eldorado’s Speedtrap Distillery, some fine Rum to make primo Tiki drinks this weekend… IF you tasted some of these fine spirits at DecantICT you know what I’m talking about.  Good news, many of the fine liquor stores in Wichita have Speedtrap products on the shelf. Or, take a drive up to the distillery in El Dorado and check it out.

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Jun 13 – Healthy Living High-Protein Cookbook

My guest this week is Toby Amidor with her latest endevor “Healthy Living – High-Protein Cookbook.

Support Your Strength. Balance Your Metabolism.

Feel stronger and support your health—one delicious meal at a time. The Healthy Living High-Protein Cookbook helps you meet your health goals with easy, satisfying meals powered by protein. Whether you’re strength training, navigating metabolic shifts, or preserving muscle as you age, this book delivers practical, science-backed solutions tailored to your needs.

These delicious, balanced recipes diversify your protein sources to naturally strengthen muscles and improve body composition—creating a foundation for long-term vitality without sacrificing flavor or time in the kitchen. Get a copy NOW!

Invest in Your Strength—At Every Age

  • 4 Ready-to-Use Meal Plans: Take the guesswork out of your week with plans tailored to different life stages and activity levels.
  • Total Body Support: Higher-protein recipes designed to support lasting energy, lean muscle, and healthy weight management.
  • 85+ Recipes from Breakfast to Dessert: Enjoy protein-packed bowls, easy dinners, snacks, and even guilt-free desserts.
  • Hassle-Free Cooking: One-pot and sheet-pan meals that deliver maximum nutrition with minimal cleanup.
  • Expert Meal Planning Tips: Learn professional strategies for grocery shopping and prep so you never have to wonder what’s for dinner.

From Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND—award-winning dietitian with over 20 years of experience. Toby proves that food for strength and metabolic health can also be food you truly enjoy. https://tobyamidornutrition.com

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 Peirano Estate “Six Clones” Merlot, Lodi California
Aromas of maraschino cherries, black raspberries, cran-raspberry, plum medley and a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove join together in a single sensation of olfactory bliss. The mouth is filled with an array of flavors, including spiced raspberries, plum compote and cran-raspberry juice with a lingering hint of cinnamon sprinkled over raspberry and plum sauce. Bright red fruit tannins and good acidity leave a pleasing, long lasting, soft
finish. ABV14.8%
Wine Enthusiast 92 POINTS & BEST BUY
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR WINE  90 POINTS & GOLD

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May 30 & June 6 Two great shows while I’m on a cruise ship

May 30 –  My guest is Hannah Dasher with her new book “Stand by Your Pan” – 100 Easy & Affordable Comfort Food Recipes.

Put real food on the table—real quick—with easy recipes that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Are you ready to cook like it’s 1972? Country artist and TikTok star Hannah Dasher brings you Stand By Your Pan—your budget-friendly go-to for easy, vintage comfort food recipes with a modern twist. Packed with bold flavors and Hannah’s signature sass, this cookbook is your secret weapon for becoming the hostess with the mostest. Who knows, it might even help you getchyo self a man while you’re at it!

Inside you’ll find:

  • Cold salads (the colorful kind that might spike your blood sugar)
  • Hearty homestyle mains so good that you’ll come back for seconds
  • Flavorful, soul food side dishes to whip up in a dash
  • Pretty vintage desserts you’ll be proud to serve

She might shred at her shows, but she ain’t playin’ in the kitchen. Hannah’s recipes pack more flavor than a Prince album. This will be your go-to comfort food guide for dishes like:

  • Collard Green Dip
  • Cathead Biscuits
  • Orange Mountain Salad
  • Mama’s Tomato Pie
  • Potato Chip Pork Chops
  • 1977 Banana Puddin’

Stand By Your Pan is a lifeline for busy folks who still want to put real food on the table. These quick tips are built for tight schedules and tighter budgets, offering time-saving swaps, prep shortcuts, and smart hosting tips you’ll actually use.

So grab your grandma’s Pyrex and devil those deviled eggs until there’s no devil left in ’em. Travel back in time—eat good, spend less, and make it look effortless. Flip the page and flex like you cooked it on purpose.
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Jun 6 – It’s all about The 5th Anual AIWF DecantICT 2026. My guest is Beth Bower, my wife, long time AIWF chairman and now the AIWF Special porjects manager.

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