I Cook And I Chat. That's What

I Did 30 Minute Meals For Five Years On Local Television, And I Earned Nothing The First Two Years. Then I Earned $50 A Segment. I Spent More Than That On Gas And Groceries, But I Really Enjoyed Making The Show And I Loved Going To A Viewer's House Each Week. I Knew I Enjoyed It, So I Stuck With It Even Though It Cost Me.

My Mom, Who's Been In The Restaurant Business For 40 Years, Is The Number-one Influence In My Life. But I Look Up To A Lot Of People In The Industry. Tops On My List Is Mario Batali. My Mom And Mario Taught Me The Same Lesson: Food Is Love.

I Wish I Could Be As Thin As Jessica Simpson. I Think She Looks Gorgeous! I Have Had Jessica On My Show Several Times, And I Can Tell You That Girl Is Genuine And Funny With A Great Self-deprecating Sense Of Humor.

I Used To Say I Would Never Run Unless I Was Being Chased By Someone With A Gun. Now I'm A Little Obsessed With It!

My First Memory In Life Is Grilling My Thumb To The Griddle In Our Restaurant On Cape Cod.