" ... tales of traditions passed down from parents to children, the captivating Christmas of sleigh bells and snow fringed pines. Here are stories of Christmas in exotic lands, where the spirit is celebrated in less orthodox ways. And here, too, are bittersweet memories of Christmas during the difficult Depression years and World War II, which evoke poignant moments even as the kitchens lay silent. Meet a much younger "Food & Wine" columnist Lee Bailey and his father as they discuss life and loss while preparing a Christmas turkey; the inimitable Craig Claiborne describing Christmas overseas, eating couscous on cushions in exotic Morocco; Julia Child and an hilarious televised broadcast of her preparing a most unusual buche de Noël; the renowned Italian chef, Marcella Hazan, seeing, for the first time, her barren family farm after the war; the Silver Palate's co-founder and author Julee Rosso and her fond memories of a traditional Christmas in Michigan; the famous dessert grande dame, Maida Heatter, baking dozens and dozens of cookies for the soldiers in the USO ... Enter the homes of these outstanding chefs and celebrate with them ..."