Diane Stemple's guest on today's Cutting the Curd is Max McCalman, the Dean of Curriculum at Artisanal. Listen in to hear Max recount some of his first childhood cheese memories, and his goal to dispel nutrition misconceptions about cheese. Hear about Max's initial cheese education at Picholine, and how it influenced the idea to begin Artisanal. Diane and Max speak to their cheese tastes, and the differences between raw milk production and pasteurization. Learn more about the American Cheese Society Certification Exam! This program has been sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"I think Picholine is partially responsible for this 'cheese wave' in the United States- that cheese can be a stand-alone food." [4:20]

"People used to look at cheese like it was poisonous, indulgent- and that it was fattening!" [10:00]

"During my short career, I've seen some cheeses become extinct. They're not ever coming back." [18:40]

-- Max McCalman on Cutting the Curd

It's Valentine's Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than by indulging with some luxurious chocolate! This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda Pelaccio is joined in the studio by Clay Gordon. Clay authored the book Discover Chocolate, is the moderator of The Chocolate Life, and host of HRN's Straight From the Source. Learn about the origins of chocolate south of the equator, and learn some chocolate terminology. How does one define a 'single origin' chocolate bar? How did the Industrial Revolution and mechanized production shape the chocolate tastes of the world? Hear Clay talk about his recent trip to Peru, and explains how different types of cacao beans ferment. What distinguishes 'good' chocolate from 'bad' chocolate? Tune into this special Valentine's Day edition of A Taste of the Past! This program has been brought to you by The International Culinary Center.

"The closer you get to more genetic diversity, the closer you get to the place of origin." [6:10]

"Every part of the human condition you can connect to chocolate in a meaningful way." [20:40]

-- Clay Gordon on A Taste of the Past

Find out what's "trending now" on this week's episode of Let's Get Real! Erica Wides opens up the show by talking about the immersive advertising at New York City's Columbus Circle subway station. The ads are literally consuming New Yorkers in the streets! Listen in to hear about Colombian supermodels who claim that chicken with added hormones is turning little boys and girls into homosexuals! Find out how this statement is making Tea Partiers across the country feel about their monetary contributions to Chick-Fil-A. Later, Erica goes off on "artisanal cocktails" with eighteen dollar price tags in Cleveland, Ohio. You don't want to miss this one; tune in to hear Erica diss some recent foodiness trends on Let's Get Real! This program has been brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery. Thanks to SNOWMINE for today's music.

"If you want to taste the rainbow, and the forest, and the dirt- that's okay! But don't charge me the same amount as an entree for a cocktail!" [29:40] -- Erica Wides on Let's Get Real