What were your favorite foods growing up?
Believe it or not, my job was to make the salad and it was the hardest thing to do. My mom always had me prepare the carrots, green peppers, scallions, shredded lettuce. I ended up loving salad, everything has to be tiny though. I don't like big chunks of food in my salad.

What are some of your tips for the at-home foodie?
Well I like to cook tasty but simple. I love grilling, if I don't want to grill it, I cook it in olive oil. If I season it, my secret ingredient is teriyaki. Gets into the flavor of the meat quickly instead of having to marinate forever. I also love to grate a little bit of ginger over my meat

When and where did your love of food begin?
My real love of food began when my mother had an operation when I was 12 years old. I didn't have any help, so my grandmother came to watch over me. But she really only knew how to cook this stuffed cabbage dish. I said I can't live on stuffed cabbage all week, I'm going to die! So I decided to cook that week and it was a challenge, but a real learning experience.

What are your favorite culinary weapons in the kitchen?
For orange or lemon zest, I love to use a zester—I used to use a grater and it's so much quicker now!

You already have a skincare line and jewelry collection; do you see a restaurant or cookbook in the future?
You know what, who knows, you never know! I entertain a lot and people come to my home and ask me lots of questions regarding my food. I believe in food that isn't fattening and tasty, and if I had a restaurant I'd definitely incorporate that into the menu.

What food tip, trick or technique would you give to a busy mom or dad?
When you don't have time to make a green salad or fresh veggies, frozen vegetables are just as fresh and healthy. Rice is also very easy. I like Uncle Ben's Wild Rice, seasoning already mixed in. Rice-a-roni is also great. Only takes about 20 minutes and it's easy. Baking is easy because you don't have to sit there and watch it. Throw the chicken in, the pork and you don't have to watch. Just time it! All in all, you can get a meal done in about half an hour!

What is your least favorite food?
Split pea soup

What is your beverage of choice?
Pellegrino

Do you have any favorite food and wine pairings?
I really love red meat, which I don't eat often—maybe once or twice a week. But with red meat I want a really good bottle of wine. I love a good Cabernet from California when I eat red meat.

Where do you eat when you go out?
My current favorite place is the Standard Grill—it's really great. As a family my daughter loves Italian, so we go to a restaurant called Tiramisu.

Do you have a signature dish?
My signature dish when I'm entertaining a lot of people is a chicken dish with white wine, lemon, artichokes, mushrooms, chicken stock. It's great because if you're entertaining you can prepare it first, then heat it up right as your guests start arriving.