Pretty much every time I try something different or do something in front of a live audience, I truly think they might throw peanuts at me.

If people are made to feel uncomfortable in the kitchen, they won't go in there. That's why I think children learning to cook can be such a wonderful thing.

I think children learning to cook can be such a wonderful thing. It can help build confidence, make them feel good about themselves. It helped me build my ego and even start to get acceptance at school. I'd bring things to class that I'd cooked at home.

I don't eat a lot of anything. A little bit of everything, but not a lot of everything. Small meals all day long.

I had a very tough childhood. I came here from Italy in the '70s and didn't speak a word of English, so the kids at school tormented me. Truly, it was horrifying the names they called me, and the teachers never really did a thing to stop it.

I'm most comfortable in T-shirts, but they have to have some style to them.

I want my daughter to see a strong woman who goes after what she wants.