This week on Chef's Story, Dorothy Cann Hamilton is broadcasting from the International Culinary Center with guest and internationally recognized French chef Andre Soltner. Andre tells the story of how he went from wanting to follow in his fathers footsteps making cabinets to following his mother's advice and becoming a chef. From his early internships to the beginnings of Lutece Restaurant in 1961, learn how Andre became such a well accomplished and respected chef. Listen is as he explains why celebrity chef culture has gone too far and discusses the effectiveness of culinary education and apprenticeship. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons

"The restaurant scene in the United States was totally different in 1961 than it is now. We didn't have the ingredients we have now. The only mushrooms we had were white mushrooms in the supermarket. For me it was very difficult. After three months, I left the US because they didn't have the ingredients I needed."

"I think it's great that chefs are being recognized now, but sometimes it gets to be too much. I always remind my colleagues not to forget that we are cooks."

"If you have talent, that's good, but you need to learn technique! You're not a 'Top Chef' after just 6 months."

"In general, women have a better feeling for cooking than men."

--chef Andre Soltner on Chef's Story

Patricia Michelson, owner of the famous La Fromagerie in London, and author of Cheese: The World's Best Artisan Cheeses. Patricia compares her humble beginings "in a shed" in her garden to HRN's current shed-like status, and describes the defining moment when she fell in love with cheese during a skiing trip (she literally tripped while skiing) in the French Alps. Some delicious farmstead cheese was her pick-me-up after the tumble, and the rest is history. Tune in to find out why Patricia is bothered by Europe's ignorance of America's best cheeses, and how cheese lovers from both sides of the world would be better off investigating delicious cheeses at home AND abroad. This episode was sponsored by Tekserve.

Welcome to U Look Hungry's "Holidays on Ice" special! This week, Helen Hollyman is joined in the studio by Gastronomista's Emily Arden Wells and Jennifer Pelka. Jennifer also happens to be tumblr's Food & Beverage Evangelist, and is here to talk about tumblr's new "Reblog Gift Guide". Check out the site to find out some great gift ideas this holiday season! Listen in to hear about Emily and Jennifer's hometowns, and the local food happenings at home. Listen in to hear Helen, Emily, and Jennifer give their holiday hosting tips. What are some inexpensive ways to "deck the halls"? Hear the ladies talk about catering for parties, the juxtaposition of high and low brow foods, and why a good host keeps the booze flowing. This episode has been brought to you by Tekserve.

"I like giving bottles as presents because I live in a 300 square foot apartment, and I don't have space for much else!" [7:45] -- Emily Arden Wells on U Look Hungry