This post will be one of a special breed. Periodically, when I have a fortunate encounter, I will take a break from my stories of life- as-a-food-competitor and focus on women of note in the food world.  I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Nigella Lawson, of Food Network and ABC’s, “The Taste”, about her life and her new book “Nigellissima”.

The first question I get from friends about my brief meeting with Nigella Lawson typically go something like this: How was she? …. friendly? ….. As beautiful in person?…. funny?  charming? Yes, to all of those questions and so much more.  Nigella is exactly the person you see on Food Network, but better. She was gracious and lovely with witty words, sharing bits and pieces of her busy life and giving me many, many delicious details on how her new book “Nigellissima”, came together.

My friend Brooke invited me to enjoy a night out in Chicago at the Union League Club for a book-signing by a favorite cookbook author, Nigella Lawson. If that were not wonderful enough, my bud arranged for me to be able to interview Nigella for our little blog here.  This was an impromptu arrangement and I didn’t know about the interview until we were half-way into the dinner.   I was super excited to be able to share with you all … but, I must admit this was a first for me.  I realized, as I was sitting there waiting to talk with Nigella, that I was just about to enter a new realm, something fresh and uncharted for me.  I was about to interview someone for the express intent of writing about it.

It’s funny, I have no idea when or why I thought I could just do this, but honestly, this is not the first time I have jumped head first into things with no idea what I was in for- I am actually thinking that my fearless (or naïve) nature might be my accidental talent (can being naive be a talent?) but, I digress. So, as I sat there, pretty calm, confident and relaxed, I realized that I was going to be winging this thing. I had no real questions prepared. So, as I sat waiting for Nigella to finish up pictures and autographs, I thought, hmmm, maybe I should get my thoughts a little organized.  Just as I did that, Nigella walked around the corner to be interviewed by me.  I thought, “Well, no time for interview questions so, I better get charming” and I chuckled as I thought about how silly it was that I was just about to fake being some sort-of food journalist…And, then, I went full into it. Oh yeah, step aside Barbara Walters… It was on.

The thing is, it was easy, because I immediately liked her. She is a warm person who brought me in with her completely down-to-earth self.  By the end of our talk, I was hoping she would ask me to hang with her and her chick posse for the night. She was traveling with a crew of friends and family and her group of women seemed like they were on a vacation, rather than book tour. They were fun!

The “interview” went well. I asked questions about her book and a little about her role on the show “The Taste”.  I was most interested in finding out about her being the only women and the only home cook amidst the big chef personalities on the show. We talked about how important we both felt her role was.  Nigella talked about how lending her untrained perspective to that “one taste” was an important aspect of vetting out the best of the contestants.  We talked about how truly honest her sense of the food was, because it was based solely on her uncluttered impression of the flavors; it was more instinct rather than training.

As far as our discussion about her book, well, the thing is, you don’t need much information from that conversation because it is all laid out so beautifully in her book.  Here is what I will tell you, Nigella’s book, “Nigellissima”, is as engaging as Nigella is.  This gorgeous book is “her” in the form of a cook book. Warm, beautiful, sexy and deliciously engaging, yet, incredibly accessible.  It was immediately added to my favorites stack.  I keep a stack of my favorite cookbooks on my desk within reach. Me, like Nigella, like a little clutter of our favorite things.  I love the premise of Nigella’s cooking and her books. She talked to me about deciding to become Italian when she was a child and so she focused herself on all things Italian. Food is obviously an important part of being an Italian, so she went for it.  And did she ever.  The influence of her food is fully Italian. As a real life Italian, I am a bit of critic of Italian food makers; I can be down-right snobbish when it comes to my roots of “real” Italian cooking.  Nigella has nailed it with a bit of fun flair. The authenticity is there, the comfort is there, it’s all there in a delicious way, but she has elevated some Italian classics with a little fun. I am a fan and maker of a killer Panna Cotta…so, I am also a critic of all things Panna Cotta.  We are a tough crew in my house when it comes to our Italian puddings.  It should be impressive that we have a new family favorite from “Nigellissima”, her Nutella Panna Cotta!  A go-to recipe, for sure!

Safe to say, I have a little bit of a home-cook crush on Nigella!  She was a great first “interview”, and, I got a great cookbook outta the deal, with some favorite new recipes.  I would do yourself a favor, check out “Nigellissima”; you will not be sorry!