Latest news with #AndrewGruel
Fox News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Biden's Health, P. Diddy's Trial & California's Fire Mismanagement — with Kennedy, Bridget Phetasy & Chef Andrew Gruel
On this episode of The Will Cain Show , guest host Kennedy — host of Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast Network — takes the mic… She's joined by comedian and cultural commentator Bridget Phetasy, host of Walk-ins Welcome and Dumpster Fire , to unpack the news of President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis, and the ongoing fallout from the explosive P. Diddy trial. Later, Kennedy speaks with Chef Andrew Gruel, founder and operator of the Calico Fish House, about the devastating impact of California's wildfires — not just on the environment, but on small businesses, families, and the restaurant industry. Gruel doesn't hold back as he details how state mismanagement has compounded the crisis. Tell Will what you thought about this podcast by emailing WillCainShow@ Subscribe to The Will Cain Show on YouTube here: Watch The Will Cain Show! Follow Will on Twitter: @WillCain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Los Angeles Times
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Celebrity chef appointed to Huntington Beach City Council after police clear council chambers
A chef was appointed to the Huntington Beach City Council Tuesday night, after things reached a boiling point in the pot the council chambers has become. Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel was unanimously appointed to a seat on the council, taking the seat vacated by Tony Strickland after he won the special election to represent state Senate District 36. Gruel was sworn in by council member Gracey Van Der Mark. In his comments after taking his seat, he called Huntington Beach the greatest city in the nation. 'Everything that we do here is obviously emblematic of a movement to be able to focus on local politics, but also represent true American values, family freedom, etc.,' said Gruel, 44. 'A lot of people probably look at my position and say, what the heck does a chef know about all that stuff?' He explained that cutting waste is inherent to chefs. 'That's what I do.' The two-hour meeting did not lack for drama, with police taking the rare step of completely clearing council chambers after escorting out residents on both sides of the political divide for disrupting the meeting. No one was arrested. Mayor Pat Burns called two five-minute recesses before the third recess, in which police cleared the council chambers. Only Gruel's family and media members were allowed to stay. Some members of the audience chanted 'No more MAGA!' as they left the chambers. They held up black-and-white signs, reading 'Tell the Truth' on one side and 'Listen to Us' on the other. The council brought back out the bust of President Donald Trump for the meeting, seating it on the edge of the dais in front of the seat of Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon, who was absent. Resident Emily Sharp mentioned the Trump bust during her comments and accused the council of wanting to be part of the 'media circuit.' 'It's clear that you guys don't really give a [expletive] about us,' Sharp said, not the only one to use profanity during her comments. Burns responded. 'Please don't do that again, OK?' he said. 'That's disturbing, that's not in proper decorum. I'll mute you again if you start saying that again.' Some public speakers asked the council to hold a special election to fill Strickland's seat rather than appoint someone, although the city charter gives the council the power to appoint. The last time there was a vacancy, the council appointed Rhonda Bolton in 2021 to replace Tito Ortiz. At the time, conservatives sought either a special election or the appointing of Van Der Mark, who was the first runner-up in the 2020 election. Gruel's new seat is up for reelection in 2026. According to the meeting agenda, Gruel was one of three candidates who council members had suggested to City Manager Travis Hopkins for the open seat, along with Valentina Bankhead and Planning Commissioner Ken Babineau. Bankhead and Babineau both made public comments Tuesday night during which they asked that they be removed from consideration. Gruel was mentioned publicly as a strong choice by former city attorney Michael Gates at his going-away party at the Huntington Club on March 1, with Gates inviting Gruel to join him and the council members. Gruel, who opened his first restaurant in Huntington Beach in 2011, has four children with his wife Lauren. He has been known for his philanthropy. He offered up his restaurant in Sunset Beach as a hub during the Southern California fires earlier this year and delivered supplies. During the pandemic, the then-Slapfish owner started a fund to aid restaurant workers. Gruel also has a large following on social media and sometimes appears on Fox News. He has been largely critical of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He said he appreciated the passion and charisma from the residents, calling it inspiring and saying he talks to hundreds of restaurant guests every day to hear what they're passionate about. 'We hear about the high level, really media-friendly topics that get everybody worked up,' he said. 'But at the end of the day, a really great city like Huntington Beach is, it comes down to, is the drinking water clean? Did your car get broken into when you went out to your car this morning? Are there potholes in the street? Are the parks safe? Do the kids have a place to play? Are the schools fun?' In an interview after the meeting, he reiterated that working on fundamental topics like those was what excited him about his new role. 'If anyone wants to go through all of my stuff, you'll probably never hear me utter the four letters,' Gruel said, a reference to 'MAGA.' 'Chris Kluwe said something tonight [during public comments] about transparency. I'm really looking at this as I'm representative of the entire city. If anybody wants to know how I distill people's opinions into actionable policy, or whatever you want to call it, I have nothing to hide. I'm a registered Libertarian. I'm very unique.'
Fox News
28-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
New study reveals blue state's fast-food minimum wage hike jeopardized thousands of jobs
Fast-food job losses in California spiked after passage of the $20 minimum wage for some workers, according to a new study. A Berkeley Research Group study discovered not only were there 10,700 jobs lost between June 2023 and June 2024 in the sector, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. But prices at the establishments soared by 14.5% after the new minimum wage became law. "California fast food restaurants also increased automation and technology adoption to offset rising labor costs," the study released Feb. 18 stated. "Therefore, it should not be surprising that the number of employees per restaurant is declining. "Californians are bearing the cost of the minimum wage increase through fewer available jobs and higher food cost," it added. The study also debunked notions that the minimum-wage legislation created jobs, according to the California Globe. The study noted that the authors were "retained" by Save Local Restaurants but said the research was conducted independently. Chef Andrew Gruel, a California-based restaurateur, told Fox News Digital he saw early on that there could be negative consequences for the service industry. "I railed about this months ago," he said, adding that while the early economic effects were being touted, he suggested there would be losses. Gruel also offered advice to businesses struggling to keep up with the minimum wage requirement. "Cut your menu size, outsource a lot of kitchen labor and utilize AI for back office management," Gruel said. The minimum wage for workers was $16 before the $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers became law in April 2024. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in September 2023 the increase would help workers earn more as the cost-of-living rises. "Fast food workers in CA will now be paid the highest minimum wage of any state in the country. I just signed a bill that will ensure these workers receive the fair pay they deserve," he tweeted at the time. However, the report also cautioned that it may also result in people getting paid less overall and "accelerate automation." "If large enough, the combination of job eliminations and reductions could leave workers earning less income as a result of (the) $20 minimum wage," the report stated. "For example, even if no jobs are eliminated (a dubious assumption given the BLS data discussed above), a 20% reduction in hours worked with no overtime increases would erase the financial gains from the 25% hourly wage increase, leaving workers with the same or even less total income," it continued. The California Fast Food Council may consider increasing the minimum wage to $20.70, according to Restaurant Business Magazine.
Fox News
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Chef Andrew Gruel's Seasoned Career
American Gravy Founder, Television Personality, and author of Andrew Gruel's Family Cookbook , Chef Andrew Gruel, opened his restaurant to those seeking shelter and food while fleeing the deadly wildfires in Southern California. Alongside aid from the Dream Center and other donors, Chef Gruel and his family demonstrated that even in crisis, the best in humanity shines. Later, Chef Gruel and Janice discuss the national egg shortage, and ask the question, what would healthier practices in the food industry look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
