Cook It Up

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Learn cooking basics and how to cook with confidence with Alex Guarnaschelli and her daughter, Ava!

From the time she was old enough to hold a fork, Ava has been at Alex’s side in the kitchen, whether eating lusciously cheesy gnocchi at Alex’s New York City restaurant, Butter, or making classic French omelets with her famous Iron Chef mom. While Alex turns to treasured cookbooks for inspiration, 15-year-old Ava scrolls through TikTok—and now as a teenager, Ava is teaching Alex a thing or two.

Through seventy-five witty and informative recipes, Alex and Ava share a repertoire of dishes that define their modern family meals: bold flavored, comforting, satisfying, and always supremely delicious. Side by side, they cook their way through family favorites like Alex’s renowned cookbook editor/mom’s famous Blueberry Pie and Nanny Ida’s Crisp Potato Latkes and offer sound cooking advice for achieving the fluffiest frittatas (add water, never milk) and how to properly season and mix a chicken meatball mixture so the meatballs stay juicy (spread the mixture up around the sides of the bowl and then season). There's even a bonus recipe for dog biscuits, inspired by Alex and Ava's family dog, Leon! 

Cooking with authority is learned and earned in this smart and joyous cookbook that celebrates a mother-daughter bond that’s stronger than even the most garlicky garlic bread (the secret is​--surprise--lots of shallots!).

About the Author

Alex Guarnaschelli is the host of Alex vs. America and is one of the stars of The Kitchen, both on Food Network. She is also a judge on Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, and is one of three women chefs who have earned the Iron Chef title on Iron Chef America. She has been the executive chef at Butter in New York City since 2003 and lives in the city with her teenage daughter, Ava Clark.

Author Residence: New York, New York

Author Hometown: New York, New York