Authors' Answers Series from Leite's Culinaria

Best-selling cookbook author Diane Morgan sits down for a chat with David Leite after her successful cross-country book tour for her latest and greatest cooking tome, "Roots." They discuss, recipes and uses--from tip to top--for just about every root vegetable. (Who knew parsnips could make a fantastic cake?)

Kathleen Flinn, author of the intriguing "The Kitchen Counter Cooking School," discusses her journey from student and graduate of the exalted Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to a teacher in the kitchen of Seattle home cooks.

New York Times' columnist and author of "In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite" Melissa Clark chats about her book, writing for the Gray Lady, and why burning garlic isn't such a bad thing.

Joanne Chang, author of "Flour" and owner of Boston's Flour Bakery, discusses her love of childhood treats and what it was like to beat Bobby Flay in his "Thrown Down" TV series.

In this podcast, Dorie Greenspan discusses her new book, Around My French Table, and learns she is the recipient of a long-held crush.

Shauna James Ahern, Gluten-Free Girl, and the chef, her husband Daniel Ahern, share their thoughts about loving and cooking in a gluten-free home.

David Leite chats with food writer and cookbook author Amanda Hesser about her monumental tome, "The Essential New York Times Cookbook."

Lucinda Scala Quinn, executive food editor at Martha Stewart Living, talk about her latest accomplishment--her IACP-nominated cookbook, "Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys."

David Guas, author of "DamGoodSweet"—a love letter to the Big Easy—talks about New Orleans' rich traditions, its unique culinary language, and the role the women in Guas's life played in shaping his love of food.

Lisa Schroeder, the juggernaut behind Mother's Bistro & Bar and Mama Mia Trattoria, both in Portland, discusses her new book, "Mother's Best."

John Torode, chef/owner of Smiths of Smithfield in London's meat-packing district, discusses his favorite subject: beef. During the chat, he dissects the mysteries of meat. To wit: the different types of animals; wet versus dry aging; prime, choice, and select grades; and the two biggest problems cooks face — understanding beef cuts and how to buy beef.

Grant Achatz, chef/owner of the acclaimed restaurant Alinea, in Chicago, talks about his new cookbook, the creative process--both on the page and in the kitchen--and how the home cook can get the most from the book.

Steven Shaw, founder of the powerhouse Web site eGullet.org, chats about his fascinating book, "Asian Dining Rules," which covers the cultural, social, gastronomic, and interpersonal aspects of supping in Japanese, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Korean, and Indian restaurants in North America.

Southern food writer and author Virginia Willis takes us along on the journey she embarked upon years ago, from the rural South to France and back again. Willis discusses how she blended classic French, traditional southern, and contemporary American cuisines to create her lavishly illustrated cookbook, "Bon Appétit, Y'All."

Radio host and author Lynne Rossetto Kasper and her long-time producer, Sally Swift, chat about their new book, "The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper." They also reveal what went into its creation, the contributions of a host of stellar food personalities, and their one and only fight.