Barry Glassner

The author of seven books on contemporary social issues, Barry Glassner is Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern California. His book, The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things, is a national bestseller that was named a “Best Book of the Year” by the Los Angeles Times Book Review. He is also author of The Gospel of Food.

Glassner’s articles and commentaries have appeared in newspapers including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, and he has published research studies in The American Sociological Review, American Journal of Psychiatry and othe rleading journals in the social sciences. He is the recipient of several honors, including an "outstanding book of the year" award from Choice magazine and a visiting fellowship at Oxford University.

Evan Kleiman, renowned owner and executive chef of one of LA's favorite restaurants, Angeli Caffe, and best-selling author of numerous cookbooks, including Cucina Fresca and Pasta Fresca, has been the host of Good Food on KCRW since 1998. Kleiman brings to Good Food a rich and varied background -- as scholar of Italian cooking and culture, entrepreneur and trend-setter for the popular trattoria concept, avid gardener, and admired teacher and chef -- which has won her the esteem of her culinary colleagues both here and abroad.

In addition to her restaurant and writing pursuits, Kleiman also serves onthe Board of Directors of the Hollywood Farmers' Market and on the Board of Overseers of The Chef's Collaborative 2000 -- organizations which are devoted to educating the public on issues of sustainability.

Laurie Winer began her career writing for magazines and newspapers in New York, including stints as a theate rcritic for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and as an editor at Harper’s Bazaar. In 1994 she was named chief drama critic at the Los Angeles Times and served twice on the Pulitzer jury for drama.  In 1998 she left the paper to write screenplays and freelance. She was West Coast editor for AARP Magazine and for More magazine and produced public panel discussion for AARP.  Her pieces have appeared in Food & Wine, Los Angeles Magazine, Organic Style, People, Connoisseur, Mirabella, New York Woman, Vogue, Redbook, Vanity Fair, Harpers, Town and Country Travel and other publications. She contributes regularly to the L.A. Times food section and Los Angeles magazine.