Food & Cooking

Marcella Hazan joins Terry Gross for a discussion of Italian cuisine and gastronomic culture.

Writer William Dufty joins the show to discuss his book about sugar, "Sugar Blues." He also discusses Billie Holliday, whose autobiography he co-authored.

Philadelphia-based food critic Elaine Tait talks about her trade and recent service and food trends in area restaurants. Fresh Air listeners call in with their questions.

Mark Kramer is the author of the book "Three Farms: Making Milk, Meat And Money from the American Soil." Kramer joins the show to discuss the American agricultural and livestock industries and their effects on the environment and small farms.

Jane and Michael Steern are the authors of "Roadfood," a guidebook which reviews inexpensive restaurants within ten miles of highways. They join the show to discuss car travel and road trips.

Nutritionist Nathan Pritikin outlines his ideal diet to curtail heart disease and keep weight low. He recommends eschewing dairy and sticking to low-fat, low-protein, unprocessed foods.

The head of the Rodale Press strongly supports natural foods both for their health benefits and the environmentally-responsible way they're produced. He seeks to strike a balance between his company's profit-making concerns and its advocacy for healthier lifestyles.

"Populist gourmet" Calvin Trillin is a journalist, humorist, and food writer. His latest work is "Third Helpings." He joins the show to discuss his work and contemporary food culture, including potato skins and the "bacon-bit barrier."

Husband and wife Jane Stern and Michael Stern spend much of their time on the road in search of good food and Americana. They have written several books about their travels including "Road Food" and "Horror Holiday." Their latest work "Goodfood" is about regional cuisine around the United States. Jane and Michael Stern will discuss Philadelphia and Middle-Atlantic cuisine and respond to listener calls.

Philadelphia restaurant critic Jim Quinn's new book advises readers how to choose the best places to eat based on atmosphere, price, service, and menu options. Fresh Air listeners call in with their questions.

Poet and novelist Marge Piercy's work often discusses feminism and leftist organizing. Her newest novel "Fly Away Home," is about a famous chef who discovers that her marriage has fallen apart and that her husband has a secret life.

Chef and Chez Panisse restauranteur Alice Waters says that most ingredients -- from produce to shellfish -- are best served the day they're harvested. She aims to incorporate this freshness into all her dishes.

Humorist and reporter Calvin Trillin is known for his food columns for The New Yorker, which have been collected in three books. Trillin also writes a humor column, "Uncivil Liberties," for The Nation. His second collection of these columns, "With All Disrespect," has recently been published.

Husband-and-wife writing team John and Marina Bear have a new book called How to Repair Food, which instructs home cooks on how to salvage failed recipes.

Stephen Schiff says that the recent Japanese movie Tampopo pays homage to the Seventh Samurai and countless other films. The food-obsessed plot is both absurd and telling: the movie satisfies and leaves you hungry for more.

Food writer Mimi Sheraton. She is the food critic for Time Magazine. She has written for the New York Times Magazine and New York Magazine, and she's written several books on food and dining out and now publishes a newsletter.

Wine critic Robert Parker. Widely regarded as the world's most influential wine critic, Parker takes a strongly consumerist view of his craft, warning consumers about overrated, overpriced wines. His opinions are recorded in his monthly newsletter The Wine Advocate. A Parker rating of 90 for a wine (on a 50-100 scale) virtually guarantees a sellout for the shipment.

Marian Burros, food columnist for "The New York Times." Her weekly column "De Gustibus" is an eccentric and informative look at what we eat, from trendy purple vegetables to Mother's medicinal chicken soup.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Babette's Feast," a Danish film based on a story by Isaak Dennison. The film won the Oscar this year for Best Foreign Film.

Novelist Laurie Colwin has published a collection of essays about food called Home Cooking. While many of her friends enjoy traveling, her idea of a good time is staying home and making a good meal. She also cooks for the needy at homeless shelters.