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

I'm actually a very shy person, which is why I always chose to be in the kitchen. You can make people happy and entertain them, without really being there. You can make a very short appearance and then say, 'I've got something on the stove, gotta go!

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.

My mother and I, our favorite part of any baked pasta is the top, where the cheese gets crusty.

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

I think you can tell the food is close to my heart, too, because I'm doing what I do best.

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.