When Sex in the City went to Magnolia Bakery it wasn't long before cupcakes became all the rage not just in New York City but across the United States. But look out, a new pastry has been quietly but quickly stealing the scene: the French macaron. But is it here to stay or just another food fad? Linda Pelaccio sits down with pastry chefs Kathryn Gordon and Anne McBride who have just written a new book, Les Petits Macarons to discuss the delicious pastry's history, benefits (no fat and gluten free!), and staying power in the dessert food world. Tune in for a how-to guide making your own macarons or where you can take a macaron making class. This episode is sponsored by Cain Vineyard and Winery.

On this week's Hot Grease, Nicole Taylor is talking dessert and Finger Lakes riesling. But first, Nicole Taylor discusses the NYC soda ban with HRN's own Jack Inslee. Will the ban really slow the obesity epidemic in the city's youth? David Muniz and David Lesniak of London's Outsider Tart are on the program talking about their new book Piece of Cake: Home Baking Made Simple. Learn some British pastry language, and hear why the Davids have been so successful bringing American desserts across the pond. Hear how their American regional influences helped define their sweet tooth, and hear what Southern desserts are featured in the book. Later, Nicole chats with Brandon Seager of Red Newt Cellars about the wine terroir of New York's Finger Lakes region. Learn more about the New York Finger Lakes Riesling Launch, and why it's not only important to eat local, but drink local! This episode has been brought to you by The Heritage Meat Shop.

"Dessert should not be a polite activity. There should be a lot of crumbs and grunting." -- David Lesniak on Hot Grease

"We've always had local beer... but there has been a resistance to local wine. One of the beautiful things about New York City is that you have the whole wine world at your fingertips. People don't think that if they're eating local food that they need to drink local wine." -- Brandon Seager on Hot Grease

On today’s THE FOOD SEEN, we go Dutch with Yvette Van Boven, an artist/illustrator who owns the cafe and catering service, Aan De Amstel, in Amsterdam, and produces the playful Home Made cookbooks. Yvette’s here to dispel any idea that the Netherlands are nothing more than herring and Heineken. Get ready for some bitterballen and Beerenburg! Thanks to our sponsor, Fairway Market, and thanks to Cookies for THE FOOD SEEN theme music.

"We keep a small menu (at Aan De Amstel) because we don't want to have a lot of waste, and we also want to be able to change the menu whenever we want to." [19:45]

"I never imagined these cookbooks to be as big of an adventure as they have been- I just made them for me." [21:25]

-- Yvette Van Boven on THE FOOD SEEN