BWWTVWorld Interview: THE CHEW's Carla Hall Talks 'Cooking With Love'

Related: Carla Hall, THE CHEW, ABC, Interview

Sure. And also taking them out of their comfort zones in a sense.

Yes. It's not about being pretty, it's just about getting in there, you know, stirring a pot, tasting something with their finger, whatever. It's just seems so normal and so regular, you know?

Absolutely. Well thanks so much for speaking with us today.

No thank you for speaking with me. I hope that you'll find a few recipes and some 'go to' recipes in 'Cooking With Love' and let me know how they turn out!

About COOKING WITH LOVE - Comfort Food That Hugs You

Not long ago, America fell in love with a popular D.C. caterer, Chef Carla Hall, as she cooked her way into the season five finals of Bravo's Top Chef. With her trademark warmth and pizazz, she proved to be an unforgettable presence on TV, and soon after, was voted Fan Favorite of the 2011 Top Chef All-Stars season. Hall now co-hosts ABC's daily lifestyle series The Chew. We're thrilled to share with you here Hall's debut cookbook; the title of which perfectly captures her signature food philosophy: COOKING WITH LOVE: Comfort Food That Hugs You (Free Press Hardcover / November 6, 2012 / $30.00). Hall believes that the only way you can make memorable and nourishing food is to cook it from the heart.

Hall grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and credits her grandmother's love of cooking and the rich Southern food traditions she passed down as her main inspirations in the kitchen. As she says, "Every week of my childhood, I was smothered with a giant food hug at my Granny's Sunday supper." Hall's unique take on soul food has expanded since those days, and her travels around the world since childhood have taught her that comfort can in fact be drawn from all types of cuisines. COOKING WITH LOVE is a collection of Hall's all-time favorites; or as she calls it, "an 'all you'll ever need' repertoire of global comfort food."

From country classics with a fresh spin like Country Greens and Chicken Pot Pie to simple, savory dishes like Rustic Mushroom Tart and Curried Beef Dumplings, to very special dessert offerings such as Butterscotch Mousse with Vanilla Salt served inAlmond Tuiles (all of which are available for excerpting), COOKING WITH LOVE has something for everyone with Hall's beautiful, delicious, easy, and affordable recipes that revolutionize comfort food in healthful and surprising ways. And her enthusiasm for her work is evident from the first page and the fun "Catering Like Carla" tips that are peppered throughout. Comfort food has never tasted so good!

About the Authors

Chef Carla Hall is co-host of ABC's "The Chew" and owner of Alchemy by Carla Hall, an artisan cookie company that specializes in creating sweet and savory "petite bites of love." Hall's approach to cooking blends her classic French training and Southern upbringing for twists on traditional favorites. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Hall received a degree in Accounting from Howard University, but traveling through Europe awakened her passion for food, and inspired a new career patH. Hall attended L'Academie de Cuisine in Maryland, where she completed her culinary training, and went on to work as a Sous Chef at the Henley Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. She also served as Executive Chef at both The State Plaza Hotel and The Washington Club and has taught classes at CulinAerie and her alma mater L'Academie de Cuisine. Hall lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Matthew Lyons and stepson Noah.

Genevieve Ko is a food writer whose cookbooks include, most recently, Home Cooking with Jean-Georges. She also has been a food editor at Good Housekeeping, Gourmet, and Martha Stewart Living.

About ABC's THE CHEW

Celebrating and exploring life through food, ABC Daytime's lifestyle series, "The Chew" is an innovative and groundbreaking daytime program co-hosted by a dynamic group of engaging, fun, relatable experts in food, lifestyle and entertaining. "The Chew" serves up everything food -- from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more -- all aimed at making life better, fuller and more fun. "The Chew" features celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz.

Photo credit: ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua

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