Alexandra "Alex" Guarnaschelli is an Iron Chef, Food Network celebrity chef and the world-renowned executive chef at both New York City's Butter restaurant and award-winning The Darby restaurant. She is also a television personality on the Food Network shows Chopped, Iron Chef America, All Star Family Cook-off and The Best Thing I Ever Made. She hosts Alex's Day Off and The Cooking Loft on Food Network and Cooking Channel In 2012, she was crowned America's Next Iron Chef on Iron Chef America, currently the only woman with that distinction and only the second female ever to obtain that honor. On this week's episode of Chef's Story, hear Alex's story - from growing up as the daughter of esteemed cookbook editor Maria Guarnaschelli to culinary education across the world, to eventually finding her own style in the kitchen. This program was sponsored by Fairway Market.

"Everybody has a culinary identity that they base on their childhood and the repertoire of dishes they were exposed to." [04:00]

"I do think a big part of defining your cooking is what you buy and where you buy it from" [39:00]

"I like competition shows because they show the human side of people - that they are fallible, make mistakes and they crave being a hero" [41:00]

--Alex Guarnaschelli on Chef's Story

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to release the second draft detailing the environmental effects of a copper mine planned to be constructed in Bristol Bay, Alaska. In this HRN Community Session, Nathaniel Coburn sits down with Christopher Nicolson, vitner at Red Hook Winery, and Sockeye Salmon fisherman up in Bristol Bay. Find out how byproducts of mining, such as roadways, settling ponds, and heavy metals will endanger not only the Sockeye population, but the native bird populations and other fish species. How do indigenous Alaskan people feel about the potential of a mine coming to their homeland? Learn how consumers can vote with their fork concerning this environmental threat. This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery, and music has been provided by Cookies.

"Salmon is just one species of fish that would affected by the introduction of heavy metals to the water, as well as an amazing bird population." [19:00] -- Christopher Nicolson, Sockeye Salmon Fisherman

Meet your metal-maker! On this week's episode, Rachel Wharton in joined in the studio by Erin Daily and Brian Weissman of Brooklyn Metal Works. Tune into this episode to hear Rachel, Erin, Brian talk about getting started in working metal. Find out how Erin and Brian toy with the delicate balance of form and function to create truly unique pieces of tableware. How do Erin and Brian use metal to make statements about disposable culture and functionality? Hear how Brooklyn Metal Works collaborated with Brooklyn Glass for an event called Brooklyn Creates! Find out what materials Erin and Brian use, and how using certain metals in food applications affect the look of the object. This episode has been sponsored by Fairway Market.

"I like to riff on the concepts and ideas behind disposable culture and methods of eating. I've done a series on disposable utensils used Japanese lacquer to build up the layers." [12:40] -- Erin Daily on Meet Your Maker