For me, the kitchen is the most special room in the house. It's a place for adventure - not drudgery, but discovery, sharing and showing off with friends, trying new ideas.

Oh, did I tell you I have a cookbook? I have a cookbook deal.

I had a little epiphany when I was a writer at 'Chicago' magazine. I sat down to dinner at the Ritz-Carlton. Somebody poured a white dessert wine with chocolate cake. It was a wine I would never have expected to make sense. The idea of any wine tasting fabulous with chocolate cake was fascinating to me.

I like to have friends in the kitchen and make a big mess and use every pot in the kitchen.

For each episode the five of us are all wearing clothes by the same designer. It's a different designer for each episode, but for each one we're all wearing their clothes.

People want honest, flavourful food, not some show-off meal that takes days to prepare.

If I have committed any culinary atrocities, please forgive me.