On this episode of Hot Grease, Nicole Taylor is interviewing two cookbook authors! First up is Terry Hope Romero who recently wrote the ethnic vegan companion, Vegan Eats World. Tune in to hear Terry talk about the diversity of the Queens population, and how it influenced her vegan cooking. Hear about the importance of accurate spice blends when cooking in a specific ethnic style. Creator of the Meatless Monday phenomenon Kim O'Donnel calls in to talk with Nicole about her new book, The Meat Lover's Meatless Celebration. Listen in to hear why factors like the economy and conscious consumption are altering the way that Americans view and eat meat. You don't want to miss the first Hot Grease of 2013; tune in! This program has been sponsored by Heritage Foods USA.

"Living in Queens has really changed my approach to food, especially vegan food." [1:25] -- Terry Hope Romero on Hot Grease

"People are coming to this conversation from many different angles, but we cannot ignore our budgets and the increasing prices of food... industrial meat is becoming more and more expensive." [15:15] -- Kim O'Donnel on Hot Grease

Michael Lomonaco has NYC and Brooklyn in his blood, and he's here to share his culinary journey on Chef's Story with Dorothy Cann Hamilton. Tune in and hear what it was like growing up in Bensonhurst in an Italian American family and cooking things like zeppoli and cranberry beans at home. Hear how Michael quit acting to pursue cooking by attending culinary school, and eventually going on to cook at Le Cirque and the 21 Club. Listen in as he recounts his experience as the Executive Chef at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center during 9/11, and describes his current position as Executive Chef/Partner at Porter House NY. This program was sponsored by Brooklyn Slate.

"On the job training is great - but it's not the full immersion that you can get in an academic setting." [19:28]

"Food has become entertainment. Today people don't buy tickets to a show - they go to a bar or a restaurant and that's the show." [27:00]

"In order to be free as a creative person - you need to really know your instrument. The French are famous for calling the stove the piano." [29:30]

--Chef Michael Lomonaco on Chef's Story

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy Carbone welcomes back co-host Jen Schwertman and sits down to chat with Kelly Taylor of Heartland Brewery. They talk about the current state of brew pubs and what's going on right now with Heartland Brewery. Later in the show, Chad Roberts from Snipes Mountain Brewery in Sunnyside, Washington calls in to join the conversation and tell listeners about brewing in the Yakima Valley. Finally, Anderson DeLima of 508 GastroBrewery talks about his establishment and what it takes to run a small brew pub in New York. Beer Sessions Radio is brought to you by GreatBrewers.com.

"I'm having a lot of fun with the barrel aging stuff right now. That's where the new Heartland Imperial Stout came from."

--Kelly Taylor of Heartland Brewery on Beer Sessions Radio