May 31 – Pizza on a Plank

My first guest this week is Dina Guillen with her new book “Pizza on a Plank – Make Wood-Fired Pizza on your Grill.”

Learn how to make the perfect pizza with an underused method that will convince your tastebuds that you’re at a fancy pizzeria.

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. But homemade pizza rarely hits the crispy-chewy-charred trifecta—and that’s because many of us don’t own a wood-burning oven. By employing one brilliant, simple trick—cooking pizzas on a wooden plank—you can transform your gas or charcoal grill into an appliance that rivals any pizza oven.

Pizza on a Plank offers an easy-to-follow introduction to plank grilling, including where to buy food-safe planks, the best methods for soaking and seasoning them, gas vs. charcoal plank-grilling techniques, how to pair different woods (such as hickory, cedar, alder, and mesquite) with their ideal pizza toppings, and much more. More than 40 inventive savory and sweet pizza recipes—plus doughs and sauces—will have you eagerly firing up the grill. Includes mouthwatering full-color photography.

Dina Guillen is an expert in plank-grilling and the author of two cookbooks on the topic. She has appeared on Martha Stewart Living Radio, the local television affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX, and in The Washington PostCooking Light, The Good Life radio show and moreShe lives near Sacramento, CA, with her family.

  • Later in the show I’ll be chatting with Dustin Kuhn all about the Wichita Air Capitol COSMOPOLITAN annual Golf tournament at Crest View Country Club June 9th. Learn more at: www.facebook.com

 

  • I’ll be sharing the what, where, when about the 4th Annual AIWF DecantICT event at the Wichita Marriott June 8th. Wichita’s premier wine & spirits event!  www.aiwfwichita.org

 

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 Juggernaut Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 
The nose offers notes of cherries, raspberries, ripe strawberries, caramelized brown sugar with an element of earth and subtle black tea leaf.  Plush red fruits, red plum, rich viscosity and lingering vanilla bean and baking spices with a soft, round mouthfeel on the palate.  Aged 12 months in a variety of new and used French oak. ABV14.5%


Perfect with Pizza on a Plank or…
Grab a bottle or two from Jacob Liquor Exchange and join us!

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Gold & Best of Class  |  2024 Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Challenge
Gold, 92 points  |  2024 Sunset International Wine Competition
2021 Juggernaut Russian River Pinot Noir
DOUBLE GOLD, 99 points ~ Best of California

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May 24 – Easy Everyday

My guest this week is Jessica with her latest book “Easy Everyday.”

The beloved blogger and author of The Pretty Dish makes meal prep simple with 100 recipes that offer what we all want: more time to enjoy a delicious meal with our loved ones.

“I’m (selfishly) so glad Jessica Merchant has used her endless talent for creating unfussy, airtight recipes for accessible meals in a new cookbook for us because I immediately want to make everything.”—Deb Perelman, author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers

Jessica Merchant, creator of the popular recipe and lifestyle site How Sweet Eats, gets asked almost every day by fans: How do I put food on the table in a way that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t make me stressed and anxious? In Easy Everyday, Jessica unlocks the secret to efficiently getting meals on the table that are nutritious, delicious, creative, and low maintenance. She’s realized that although we’re asking for stress-free ways to cook meals, we’re ultimately asking for a happy table, a place to create memories with our loved ones over a delicious meal.

All 100 recipes keeps the reader out of the kitchen and spending more time with the people they love. Meal planning tips and tricks abound, with ingredients chosen for ease of preparation, versatility, and leftover quality. Jessica shares her ten-minute meal prep strategy to create easy, healthy, satisfying meals, lunches, and snacks to have throughout the day, such as Crispy Baked Breakfast Quesadillas, Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cups, Cherry Jalapeno Chicken Salad, Lemon Spaghetti with Roasted Chickpeas and Cilantro Lime Sheet Pan Fajitas.

Featuring gorgeous photos and helpful advice, Easy Everyday makes meal prep quick, fun, and delicious.  Get a copy Now!

Jessica Merchant is a full-time recipe developer and writer who happens to be crazy passionate about all things food. She is the author of Everyday Dinners, The Pretty Dish, and Seriously Delish, and details her adventures in and out of the kitchen on her popular blog How Sweet Eats, which is read by millions. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her family.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Something fun and easy for a Tuesday night

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May 17 – Charleston Taylor Winery

My guest this week is Texas winemaker/proprietor of Charleston Taylor Winery, Jared Broach.

Texas Hill Country is quickly becoming one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in the U.S.—and just an hour outside Austin, Charleston Taylor Estate Winery & Black Chapel Brewing Co. is leading the charge.

Located in Johnson City, along the famed 290 Wine Trail, this new family-owned destination blends bold Texas wines, Italian-inspired cuisine, immersive experiences, and even a bit of mystery.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, or scouting for the latest must-visit destination in Texas Wine Country, Charleston Taylor Estate offers a fresh, elevated take on what Hill Country hospitality can be.

Check out www.charlestontaylor.com   Follow on Facebook!

What Makes It Special:

  • Haunted Well Tours – Explore the estate’s mysterious 1800s well, shrouded in legend.
  • Immersive Italian Cooking Classes – Learn hands-on techniques paired with estate wines.
  • Blenducation: The Blending Party – Guests craft their own custom wine blend in a bottle they take home.
  • Well Aged Tastings – A rare chance to taste wines aged inside the property’s historic well.
  • Bubbles & Barrels Flights – Sparkling or barrel-aged tasting flights guided by the estate’s experts.

With over 6,000 square feet of space—including a 4,800 sq. ft. brewhouse, expansive patios, and scenic views—this Hill Country destination is ideal for families, weekenders, and wine-curious travelers. The on-site Black Chapel Brewing Co.serves fresh craft beer straight from the tanks, rounding out the estate’s wide appeal.

Founded by Whitney and Jared—a husband-and-wife duo who named the winery after their children—Charleston Taylor Estate is a reflection of heart, heritage, and Hill Country pride. They planted their first vines in 2022 and are already making waves with estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and plans for Sangiovese, channeling their passion for Italian wine culture into every pour.

Good Life Guys Wines of the Week:
A couple of wines from Charleston Taylor Estate

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May 10 – Micro Greens

Had the pleasure of spending time with Eric Johnson and learning about his “Micro Greens” green thumb recently.  This guy is amazing and is growing some of the finest micro greens and edible flowers.

If you eat at some of Wichita’s finest restaurants, you’ve probably seen and tasted some of his handy work.  Eric provides fresh beyond organic greens to most all of our local restaurants.  He has a great partner and helper, Airin Rhinehart.  It’s much more than just a micro greens growing operation.  These two are building a local destination farm in North Wichita just North of 37th Street.

Soon the handy work will be available to the public and visiting the farm will be a treat for the whole family.

Follow Eric and Airin on Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Wines of Substance Rb (Red Blend) Columbia Valley Washington
Substance ‘Rb’ Red Blend, the latest offering from the Substance brand, exemplifies the unwavering commitment to producing outstanding yet accessible wines. This new Washington State blend marries the distinctive attributes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Sangiovese, offering a profile rich in nuanced layers, remarkable depth, and aging potential. True to the philosophy of the Substance brand, it’s crafted without commercial yeasts or additives, guaranteeing a pure experience. This mindful approach ensures that consumers enjoy the wine with minimal adverse reactions while its integrity remains pristine on the shelf.
A full-bodied, plush red with aromas of plums, cherries, vanilla, rust and hazelnut. Polished and spiced with a full, creamy palate and fine-grained tannins.
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 2% Sangiovese, ABV14.5%

Grab a bottle or three at Jacob Liquor Exchange or your local wine store and join us!

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May 3 – Jam Vino

Up first is Peter Douglas from VinoVoss to talk about Celebrity Wines…are they worth the hype?

Wines and celebrities are an iconic match. Both evoke a sense of lifestyle, luxury, and aspiration. So, it’s no surprise that some celebrities have ventured into the wine business, adding another income stream and supporting their brand image. Celebrity wines, like their owners, come in various styles. Some hip-hop artists favor Champagne, while others opt for rosé or non-alcoholic options.

Even if a celebrity isn’t a wine connoisseur themselves, aligning with a quality product enhances their personal brand. It sends a message that they have discerning taste, appreciate the finer things, and are willing to put their name behind something they believe in (or at least want you to think they believe in!).

Regardless of their involvement, the perception of quality is crucial. No celebrity wants to be associated with a wine considered cheap or poorly made. It could damage their reputation and make the whole venture backfire.

Well talk about Several of the notable celebrity wine associations and the products they are involved with.

Later in the show I’ll be talking to Lori Rodgers aka “Chef Lorious” and her latest endeavor “JamVino.”  This talented lady is a busy Bee! She was most recently on The Good Life to talk about “CaliBama Cooking” bring her roots together in a very comfort food way. She somehow found time to start her own brand of premium wine infused jams.

Fresh off a “Good Morning America” appearance for Jam Vino, her gourmet wine-infused jam, Chef Lori Rogers, also known as Chef Lorious, and her husband Shane Rogers discuss beating out 10,000 others to land Walmart’s golden ticket.

I get to taste all three of these very special jams 🙂  It’s amazing I had any left over!

Lori “Chef Lorious” Rogers specializes in both classic and contemporary comfort food. Born in California and raised by a close-knit family anchored in southern tradition from Alabama, this “Calibama” girl learned very early that food cooked with love has the power to inspire and heal.

Chef Lorious has been cooking for her family and friends in her kitchen (more affectionately known as her “Love Lab”) for almost two decades. She regularly shares her recipes and meal preparation ideas by conducting cooking demonstrations and sharing her culinary expertise through television programming and various social media outlets. You can follow her on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram (@ChefLorious).

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Miraval Rose’ from Provence
Attractive bright and translucent color, a typical Provencal pale pink. The nose immediately reveals all the elegance of this Miraval Rosé with its superb aromatic bouquet delicately combining fresh fruit, freshly cut currants and roses, seasoned with a zest of lemon. The refinement continues on the palate with an ample, rich and gourmet texture, perfectly balanced by the natural acidity and minerality with saline and limestone notes specific to Miraval which continue in a long finish. A typical Miraval vintage with signature flavors.

Grapes Cinsault Grenache Rolle Syrah

Go checkout and taste all the great PINK wines at @jacobliquor Exchange this Saturday – It’s Pinko De Mayo 🙂

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