Chef and restaurateur Brian Malarkey made his mark in Los Angeles long before opening seven restaurants throughout California, and he has more on the way in the coming year. He's a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Portland, Ore., and he has appeared on ABC's The Taste and Top Chef Season 3, Miami. His latest cookbook is Come Early, Stay Late. Now you can find this chef serving as a regular judge on Guy's Grocery Games. And in the current special All-Stars series, he even tries out the games.

Get to know this Triple G judge, and tune in to watch Brian on Guy's Grocery Games on Sundays at 8|7c.

Do you prefer shopping in a small market or a supermarket?

Brian Malarkey: I love boutique fish markets, butcher shops and farmers markets, but I buy my toilet paper at the supermarket.

Do you prefer self-checkout, online ordering or a real person?

BM: Old-school real person — my kids love to scan the self-checkout.

Is there one thing you can't leave a grocery store without?

What's the one thing you love/hate most about grocery shopping?

BM: Crowds — hate. Love the bright lights and vibrant colors.

Give me five ingredients or less in coming up with your best dish.

BM: Avocado, crab, lemon, herbs, tomato, olive oil. I’ve never been that good at math. I always want more. Saute all together and top with chopped avocado.

BM: Bottles — today the bottles have wine in them.

BM: Shellfish — clams, oysters, shrimp, lobster, uni, abalone, crab, crab, crab. All with butter, lemon and white wine.

What's the most-surprising or oddest thing we'd find in your fridge, food or otherwise? 

BM: Red mealworms for the kids' fish tank — they love it (the fish, not the kids).

Where do you see dining trends going? Do you have one you absolutely love or hate?

BM: Simple, green, organic and fast! I hate people who hate butter. Yeah, that's right: Butter is good for you and so is salt. Check the studies.

Quickfire (Name the first thing that comes to mind):

Tune in to Guy's Grocery Games on Sundays at 8|7c.