My goal is to make Italian food clean and accessible and beautiful and tasty, with simple ingredients that people can find at a local grocery store, because people don't want to go to a gourmet shop in search of items that will sit in their pantry for years after they use just a teaspoon or pinch of them.

Everything in moderation.

It's more intimate. Food can connect people in a forever sort of way.

I lost my brother when he was 30, and that was devastating for me. I don't know if I will ever get over it.

I was so nervous to turn 40, but the last year and a half has been the most fun I have ever had.

Don't expect too much from yourself. What I like to do when I have a day off is make various cookie doughs and freeze them. Then I always have that on hand if I need it.

All men want to be treated like kings in a relationship, and I think if women don't indulge that sometimes, their men are likely to stray and look for someone who can give that to them.