Libbie Summers returns to Straight, No Chaser! Libbie is an accomplished writer, culinary producer and stylist for television and print media. She is the author of The Whole Hog Cookbook and a forthcoming baking book called Sweet and Vicious. Tune in to hear Libbie talk with Katy Keiffer about the decline of good food in France, and why Southern cuisine has become so fashionable. Learn more about Libbie's work as a food stylist, and how her styling work informs her everyday life. Libbie and Katy also talk about the upcoming Sweet and Vicious, and how it deviates from the traditional format of baking cookbooks. Hear how food styling has changed since Libbie started working in the industry, and learn what makes a great stylist and designer. This episode has been sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"I always reference something with food- if it's the color of my dress, or a wallpaper I want to use...I realize that food informs everything creatively in my life." [24:20]

"Forget the look- the look needs to be the client's look." [31:37]

-- Libbie Summers on Straight, No Chaser

This week on A Taste of the Past get ready to dive in to the re-emerging world of "table-scaping" --ie. how to set and visually design a dinner table setting-- with host Linda Pelaccio. Joined by esteemed guest, food stylist, and historian Rick Ellis, the two delve into rich the history of table setting and food service originating in Europe as well as the research it requires to bring food alive on the silver screen for period pieces. Tune into learn about the difference between "service a la Francaise" and "service a la Russe" as well as some of Rick's favorite historical source material for food styling. This episode is sponsored by Cain Vineyard.

"Service à la française [is where] elaborate tables were set in 2-3 courses all the plates down at once, very symmetrical arrangements, often the food was cold at that point."

"Keeping food looking beautiful and fresh is our biggest challenge."

--Rick Ellis on A Taste of the Past

This week on A Taste of The Past goes south to Mississippi with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Martha Hall Foose who was also the food stylist for the critically acclaimed move 'The Help', set in Mississippi in the '60s. Martha discusses the process she went through to recreate historically-accurate meals and foodstuff for the film and how sometimes she had to learn to let go of her modernist aesthetics in order to remain faithful to the time. From classic bridge party food and to her take on peanut chicken this is an episode not to miss. This episode is sponsored by Fairway Market.