Alison Roman on home movies, stews and kitchen gadgets

In Chill Chat, Bustle sits down with stars to talk all things wellness, from everyday activities to tricks for a good sleep. Chef here and best selling author alison roman shares her thoughts on schedule, social media, and the one thing she always does before bed.

Alison Roman wants to teach you how to cook. “It sounds a little dramatic, but I really feel like this is my life’s purpose,” she tells Bustle. The 39-year-old chef has been honing her skills since her career began at age 19, when she worked as a baker’s assistant at Sona in Los Angeles, not far from where she grew up.

Since then, Roman has worked in various restaurants, including Milk Bar in New York. She wrote about food for, among others, Enjoy your mealand has also written several best-selling cookbooks, such as: Nothing extraordinary AND Food in.

What really catapulted her to fame was her infamous goulash recipe, affectionately called “Goulash.” In 2020, it went viral on the Internet with her chocolate chip cookies, now simply called “Cookies.” These recipes are as easy to prepare as they are delicious – hence their appeal.

Roman fell in love with food while watching cooking shows on TV as a child. “I didn’t go to formal cooking school, so I learned from the chefs (on the Food Network), using the techniques I liked and leaving the rest,” she says.

In a full circle moment, he officially has his own show called Alison Roman Home Videoswhich began on YouTube and premiered on October 2 on the Tastemade streaming channel. It’s a sassy, ​​laid-back look inside her kitchen, where she prepares perfectly imperfect dishes that pack a punch.

When Roman isn’t cooking or hosting parties, he’s probably wandering the farmers market in Brooklyn, where he lives with his husband, director/producer Max Cantor, or stopping by his tiny grocery store called First Bloom, near the couple’s second home in upstate New York. York.

Below, Roman shares her thoughts on the bed rot trend, her must-have kitchen tool, and how to find the best lettuce at the farmer’s market.

Take me through a typical morning.

I wake up around 8 a.m. and make a smoothie with spinach, oat milk, protein powder, bananas, and ice. I also like going for coffee with my husband in our neighborhood. Even if I don’t get a drink, it’s nice to get dressed and get out of the house.

What is your favorite workout?

I do prenatal pilates and prenatal yoga, which is definitely more boring than regular pilates and yoga, but it’s good to do something while I’m pregnant. That’s a lot of breathing and slow stretching. I also talk to other women and we share what we feel.

What does the rest of your day look like?

I usually answer calls in the first half of the day and then get to work. But every day is different. Sometimes I have to go to the farmer’s market. Sometimes I go upstate. Routine is beneficial to many people and I’m sure if I were forced to do it, I would do it happily. But I’m not inclined to do so myself.

I have to ask… what is your zodiac sign?

I’m a Virgo, which goes completely against not liking a schedule. I like living in chaos.

So you hate lazy days and the bed rot trend?

No, that would worry me too much. I don’t like doing nothing. Maybe this is the Virgo show.

What is your favorite salad addition?

Honestly, the best ingredient is the lettuce itself. When I’m at the farmers market, this is what I prioritize when shopping. Lettuce will tell you when it wants to be eaten. If it looks wilted, tired or sad, it may not be the best choice. If it looks fresh and crisp, it’s probably delicious.

Is there a kitchen gadget you can’t live without?

My kitchen tools haven’t changed since I started. I believe in the wooden spoon, spatula, microplane and tongs. That’s all I need.

Have you ever got bored of making the most viral recipes like Goulash or Cookies?

I don’t actually make them very often! Once my recipes are born, I send them out into the world and then they can take on a life of their own in your kitchen.

How do you relax after a hard day?

I do The New York Times crosswords, wordle and other stupid games. I have to solve all the puzzles. For example, I can’t do one and not the other three. I have to finish them all.

How do you balance work, life and social media?

I don’t really pay attention to social media anymore. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to be everywhere at once, to be available and to remind people that you exist. But my heart isn’t in it and I think that’s okay. People who like to cook and love good recipes know where to find me.

What is your top tip for learning to cook?

The easiest way to improve is to invite people over because then you have a reason to do it. It’s very hard to motivate yourself, but when guests come, you say, “OK, I have to do this.” And you may find that you will enjoy it.

Do you have any advice for people who would like to enjoy cooking but find it a chore?

I believe that everyone can cook, but I don’t believe everyone has Down. We don’t all have to love everything. It’s really okay if you don’t like it. Power.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.