Chef/proprietor Colin MacLaggan joins The Gourmet Club this Friday to talk about what's cooking at Avenue Five in Bankers Hill. His simple seasonal American cuisine has been getting some nice attention and now that the restaurant has been up and running for awhile, we thought we'd check in and find out what he's doing and what new menu items we can expect this spring.

We'll also get an update from Mike Mitchell of Oceanaire and president of the California Restaurant Association's San Diego chapter on new foodie hot spots in town.

This week it's on The Gourmet Club. We'll have longtime television journalist and now rancher Bill Kurtis on the show to talk about his new book, The Prairie Table Cookbook, and his grass-fed cattle operation, Tallgrass Beef Company. According to Kurtis, free-range cattle feeding on grass in the pasture from birth to harvest, free of hormones and antibiotics, result in a health food -- beef with more concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids and ALA (alpha linolenic acid). And, it reduces environmental stress.

Also with us will be Jim Barrasso, owner of Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas. On April 3, the restaurant will hold a wine pairing dinner they're calling "Celebration of Artichokes 2008."

Finally, our good friend Mike Mitchell of Oceanaire will be in studio to give us an update on dining hotspots around town.

It's not just any old Friday on this week's Gourmet Club (not that it ever is...). It's Leap Day of a Leap Year and we're packing in a lot of content to make the most of the extra day this month.

Joining us in studio is Chuck Samuelson, the leader of VinVillage-San Diego. He'll fill us in on his new wine-oriented social networking site as well as his new catering company, Chuck Samuelson Catering.

Later in the hour, Kim Barnouin, co-author with Rory Freedman of the books Skinny Bitch and Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, will offer some straight talk about making intelligent and educated decisions about food.

And, as if that weren't enough, our good friend Mike Mitchell of Oceanaire is going to give us an update on dining hotspots around town. We'll also talk about the upcoming "Passport to Sonoma Valley" weekend coming up May 17th and 18th with one of the event's representatives.

It's a full plate for one hour.

Ron James, Caron Golden and guest host Chuck Samuelson interview Kim Barnouin best-selling author of "Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!)" Mike Mitchel give his weekly San Diego restaurant report.

It's all about wine on Friday's show. We're going to have two very interesting guests to talk about the art and science of pairing food and wine.

Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over, has a really helpful wine-and-food matcher on her website that not only offers suggestions for the type of wine, but even specific wines that work with a particular dish. MacLean has won four James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards for her writing on drinks, including the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, in memory of one of America's greatest food writers.

John Alonge, co-owner of the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, will be with us in studio for the entire show. Located downtown, across from the Convention Center at 200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120, the Center holds tastings for the public five days a week (including Wednesday night K-9's-N-Wine for dog owners and their pups), offers cooking classes and special events. We'll learn all about the Center and local wines from Alonge.

Hosts Ron James and Robert Whitley interview local favorite Chef Brian Malarky about his adventures on the Top Chef competition.

Hosts Ron James and Robert Whitley discuss Robert's Wine Website produced by America's great wine writers and the Fancy Food Show in San Diego with guest hosts Caron Golden and Lindsay Pomeroy, founder and CEO of the Wine Smarties.

Ron and Robert discuss the joy of wine with guest hosts Caron Golden and Lindsay Pomeroy, founder and CEO of the Wine Smarties.

Hosts Ron James and Robert Whitley talk to Sally's Seafood on the Water, up-and-coming chef Sarah Linkenheil.

Hosts Ron James and Robert Whitley talk to Sally's Seafood on the Water, chef Sarah Linkenheil and the Marine Room's Bernard Guillas.

Sign On Promo Samples