Anna Altomari, a cast member of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America” recently answered a few questions for us about her passion to learn to cook and her favorite meals.
Anna, 45, from California, is a registered nurse and patient case manager. Anna is so focused on taking care of others that she still lives at home with her strict Italian mother. She hopes that learning to cook will help her find that special someone, so she can pass on her mother’s recipes for generations to come.
Photo Courtesy of Food Network
PhoenixBites Interview With Anna Altomari
PhoenixBites: Of all your favorite meals, what one dish would you like to learn to master?
Anna Altomari: I would like to master all my mom’s Italian dishes, but the one that stands out in my mind is her eggplant parmesan. It is out of this world.
PhoenixBites: Is there a person (chef, home cook, family member, etc.) that has inspired you to sharpen your culinary abilities?
Anna Altomari: There are a lot of people in my life that have inspired me – starting mom and sister. My nominator, Theresa Vinciguerra, has inspired a lot by helping out in the kitchen, assisting her making homemade pizzas, and setting up for large parties… I guess you can say I am an assistant chef to her (that can’t cook).
PhoenixBites: Any advice you can give to our readers who may be beginners in the kitchen?
Anna Altomari: Keep trying… experiment. You just never know what you can create – don’t be afraid.
Set your DVRs! “Worst Cooks in America” airs on Sunday evenings at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network.