Melinda 2, Jackie 0

I enjoyed the article on Melinda Lee and Jackie Olden (“Food Talk Radio,” Sept. 1). George Nicholaw is correct. Olden should be replaced on weekends. There is no comparison in the food knowledge of the two ladies. Lee is far better in knowledge, voice and presentation.

--VIRGINIA ANGSTADT

Whittier

Melinda Lee charms me, but what I want to say about Jackie Olden would be considered an argument ad hominem. However, I can criticize her make-ahead potato recipe. How can you beat hot simmered potatoes into a sour cream and cream cheese mixture without doing something to the potatoes? Were they diced before simmering? Are they mashed, riced or pureed? Typical of Jackie’s casual recipe style.

--ELAINE BENDER

Torrance

Editor’s Note: Actually, when we made the recipe in The Times Test Kitchen, the potatoes were cooked well enough that, when they were beaten into the other ingredients, they mashed pretty smoothly.