I absolutely adore Thanksgiving. It's the only holiday I insist on making myself.

I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that's what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.

Never let 'em see you sweat. Guests feel guilty if they think you've worked too hard to make dinner for them - which of course you have!

I love Alton Brown's show 'Good Eats,' about the chemistry of food. It's really thoughtful.

Food is not about impressing people. It's about making them feel comfortable.

You don't have to do everything from scratch. Nobody wants to make puff pastry!

My mother would never let me in the kitchen. I always wanted to cook, but I was never allowed to. Her view of the world was, "Cooking is my job, and studying is your job." I think, in retrospect, she didn't like the chaos. She was very orderly. It had to be her way.