Dashi, kombu, tamari- these are Sean Heller's secret ingredients at Momofuku Noodle Bar! This week on The Main Course, Patrick Martins sits down with Sean, the Chef De Cuisine at Momofuku Noodle Bar, to talk soup. Hear Sean dish on his humble beginnings in Rhode Island kitchens at the age of thirteen. Hear how a few simple ingredients can create such a powerful flavor in ramen soups. Listen in to hear Sean talk about the importance of concepts in the kitchen, and how borrowing from different cuisines can lead to unique meals and tastes. How did traveling in Italy alter Sean's outlook on cooking? Later, Patrick checks in with Larry Bokal of Cannonball Express. Tune in to hear Larry and Patrick discuss winter weather and how it affects the trucking industry. This episode has been brought to you by Whole Foods.

"Ramen is not just soup that comes out a package- there's work that goes into it." [6:25]

"I never thought I would be learning to make ramen. Now, four years later, I'm still learning." [14:00]

"One of the most important ingredients that goes into food is love." [17:40]

"America is a melting pot, and it was only a matter of time before that aspect made its way to the food." [25:45]

-- Sean Heller on The Main Course

This week is Cutting the Curd's 100th episode! Congratulations to Anne Saxelby, Sophie Slesinger, and everyone else who has either been a guest or supported Cutting the Curd thus far! For this very special episode, Brian Keyser, Dimitri Saad, and Leigh Friend of Casellula Cheese & Wine Café are in the studio for a seven-course cheese tasting! More specifically, Anne and Sophie are taking a lesson in cheese pairing from everyone at Casellula. Hear about some of the cheese condiments at Casellula, as well as how to do your own cheese pairing with food from your pantry. Learn some general basics in terms of complimentary and contrasting tastes and textures. Sit down with a plate of cheese and some of your favorite snacks to pair, and listen to the 100th episode of Cutting the Curd! This episode was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"There are no rules to pairing- that's something I like to make clear. Whatever you like to eat together is what goes well together... But two rules of thumb are that you either want to compliment or contrast." -- Brian Keyser on Cutting the Curd

"I believe that it's easier for us sometimes to go for something that's going to compliment, but the fun part about what we do at Casellula is that we taste everything. So sometimes you're going to get that experience from something that is completely unexpected." -- Leigh Friend on Cutting the Curd

Executive Chef Sebastian Zijp and Nick Solares sit down with Josh Ozersky to discuss the new positions each of them have recently acquired in the world of good food in New York.