Blah Blah Bio and Head Shot 

Joel Riddell
Host/ Executive Producer,

Growing up in the Niagara Wine Country Joel Riddell was introduced at an early age to agriculture, viticulture and their role in providing the finer things in life. Harvesting for the farmer's market, visits to the High Arctic and participating in the Royal Winter Fair all further expanded Joel’s interest in and appreciation for the good life.

College called and Joel was off to the University of Western Ontario in London. Coming as he did from a family of five children in which a strong work ethic was not only necessary but expected, Joel began work at a local historic restaurant the Latin Quarter. Valuable contacts and experience in event planning provided by this job evolved intoHouse Management at the Grand Theater; a position as Café Manager at the London Art and Historical Museum; and, a role as principal in Thames Artist Management.

A love of the Arts led Joel to his next entrepreneurial adventure as co-proprietor of Crackers Bed and Breakfast in nearby Stratford home to the largest English speaking repertory theater company in the world, the Stratford Festival. In the winter months, while the theater was dark, Joel studied Visual Arts and Art History at near by Western University in London, Ontario. Graduating with a BA in English and Visual Arts Joel broadened both his administrative and arts skills as Front of House Manager of the London Symphony Orchestra and Event Manager of Chameleon Models and Production while earning an additional professional degree in Education. Serendipity played a large role in deciding post-university life. With the Ivory Tower of academia at his back, Joel entered the Dot Com world, all the while dreaming of the places read about in the hallowed halls of University College. This experience in internet publishing and the hospitality industry led Joel to San Francisco and KGO Radio. As Producer of the Gene Burns Programs such destinations as Israel, Cyprus, Tuscany, Vatican City, and French Polynesia became a reality.

In the more recent past, Joel has taken the lead as host of the Dining Around program, with personal appearances along side Lidia Bastianich and Giada de Laurentiis as well as engagements with The Pacific Union Club, TheUniversity of California Davis, Art Institutes International, The Culinary Institute of America and more.

Firmly planted in the Bay Area, Joel has participated in Web opportunities with Jaded Palate Productions, Comcast Local and produced programs aired on WMEX Boston, the Talk America Radio Network (national), Command Audio, ABC, the CBC, “Oh La La” Fashion Television and now Talk 910AM. With a continued interest in the creative arts, Joel makes wine under the Genjoro label, is on the advisory committee of the AII and has been known to jet off for Fashion week.

However: It is his work on the number one rated "Dining Around" program that has reinforced the importance of food and wine in the enjoyment of the good life whether in his native Niagara or the distant Golan Heights.

Dining Around, focusing on food, wine and travel has been a main stay of KGO Radio, Talk910 and iHeartRadio. 

Joel Riddell is the one in the middle ... Headshots are boring 

Joel Riddell, walking a tight line