Irena Chalmers is the author of more than forty books and has regularly contributed to such publications as The New York Times, Food & Wine, Gastronomica, Food Arts, and Nation's Restaurant News. She is a founding member and past president of both theInternational Association of Culinary Professionals and Les Dames d'Escoffier International, as well as a James Beard Foundation Who's Who of Food And Beverage in America. Chalmerscurrently divides her time as a faculty member at The Culinary Institute of America, The Last Word columnist for Chef magazine and counselor to many about to embark on their own culinary adventure.