The full team is together again, with Gemini Zooming in to Al and Rich from Oklahoma City. Also on the show: From the Arts District, we have Chef Bruce Kalman at Soulbelly and Gen 3 Hospitality’s Stacia Stephens at Holsteins. Chef Steven Piamchunter tells us about the food at the new Thai spot Blue Orchid. Football legend Emmitt Smith talks butter cake. Boulder Station’s Lakeita Ahern talks about the return of the Broiler salad bar. And we have a nice long conversation with Chef Martin Heierling of Wynn’s Pisces.

If that’s not enough, Happy Hour Vegas’s Andrew Morgan talks Arts District, Gemini has a hospital “room service” report, and Al discusses visits to Union Biscuit, Emmitt’s Vegas, Nudo and Bardot Brasserie.

Diane Mina, the founder of Diane’s Bloody Mary, is hosting a Bloody Mary brunch this weekend at her husband Michael Mina’s Aria restaurant, Bardot Brasserie. She talks to Al about convincing Michael to invest in her mix. Also: Chris Clifford talks about his efforts to bring a new, restaurant-heavy development to Henderson, and the challenges he’s facing from both the city and a few of his neighbors. Our restaurant visits include the Oyster Bar at Sunset Station, Suzuya Japanese Pastry, All’Antico Vinaio in Uncommons, Nomikai sushi and PastaRamen.

Rang's Concina Moderne is a small place in a strip mall on West Charleston near Jones. And it serves up Italian and Spanish dishes, but with an Asian flare courtesy of its namesake, Chef Rang Tan. Al, Rich and Rob Kachelriess sit down with Rang in the restaurant, enjoy some of her signature dishes, and get the story on the place she and her husband opened last year. Also: Restaurant reports on Pisces at Wynn, Le Spritz, Ai Pono Cafe, Bourbon Steak and The George Sportsman's Lounge.

This week’s episode was recorded at The Legends Oyster Bar, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. Rich and Al have a nice long chat with founder/chef Jack Jarukasem, and devour several items from the menu. The guys share their recent experiences at William B’s Steakhouse, Coco Donuts, Sorellina, Doberman Drawing Room, La Mona Rosa, Tony Luke’s and The Empire Strips Back, as they try to hold down the fort without Gemini. Also: interviews with Robert Biale of Robert Biale Vinyards, Marche Bacchus’ Lupe Avila, CarverSteak’s Daniel Ontiveros and Rudy Aguas of Basilico, as well as a Happy Hour Report from HappyHourVegas.com’s Andrew Morgan.

Al and Rich throw out the format for this episode, which they recorded at Vegas Unstripped at The Palms. Basically, they just walk around the big event and talk to the best chefs in Las Vegas. We begin with a bit of news and the latest Happy Hour Report. And then it's walking and talking!

This episode focuses on two programs that give back to the community, and check in with a couple of celebrity chefs.

The entire episode was recorded at the brand-new Blooming Bistro, where young people in recovery are training for careers in and around the hospitality industry. Later, we speak to Monica Garcia about the Love Yourself Foundation’s upcoming event at the Beverly Theater, focusing on mental health issues faced by hospitality and entertainment workers.

We also catch up with Chef Tal Ronnen, just prior to a celebrity chef collaboration at Crossroads Kitchen, and speak to Masaharu Morimoto at a party to celebrate Season Two of his Roku show "Sushi Masters." Al and Gemini tell us about recent meals at Bramare, The Cracked Egg, The Palace Station Oyster Bar, Panino Sandwich Shop and Borracha. And Rich brings gifts from France (Translation: blowing out those last few Euros at duty-free before getting on the plane).

It's the premier of a new feature on the podcast: the Food and Loathing Happy Hour report, thanks to our new collaboration with the site Happy Hour Vegas run by Andrew Morgan. Each week, Andrew and Al take a few minutes to run down a few of the valley's best happy hours. Like Neon Feast, they're organized by category. To kick off the new feature: Steakhouse happy hours. Also, Al talks to Metro Pizza's John Arena about his new foundation, appropriately named The John Arena Foundation. Plus, music is back at Evel Pie, Gemini recounts her girls' road trip to Oklahoma City and Al shares the mission of Blooming Bistro, the new Medical District place with a mission to help at-risk kids discover the restaurant business.

Al and Gemini take the podcast sky-high this week, recording at the Chef’s Table in Rivea by Alain Ducasse, which is located at the top of the W hotel. They’re there to speak to MGM resorts International’s Chef Justin Fredericksen about the entire MGM culinary team being honored at the upcoming Chefs For Kids gala. But while they were in the restaurant, they chatted with Rivea GM Mark Thomas, and enjoyed an incredible feast prepared by Rivera’s executive chef, Winnie Wong.

Also: an interview with Sean Griffin of Bellagio’s Prime Steakhouse discussing the recent renovations at the restaurant. And Brezza’s Chef Nicole Brisson explains her upcoming pop-up collaboration with Pasta Ramen. There are restaurant reports on Sparrow + Wolf, Stubborn Seed, Bar Boheme, Bourbon Steak and Chica, among others. And just to keep it real, we have news on Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse and Arizona Charlie’s, as well as Giada.