Even Food Network stars make mistakes in the kitchen, and in Valerie Bertinelli’s case, her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, won’t let her forget about it.
The former Valerie’s Home Cooking host, 65, exclusively told Us Weekly that her worst kitchen disaster is “anytime I burn something and my son’s over, because then he never lets it go.”
The actress and “homegrown wiz in the kitchen” is partnering with Williams Sonoma and No Kid Hungry to end childhood hunger in America. Bertinelli opened up to Us about her support for No Kid Hungry, an organization she’s worked with for a long time.
“We are one of the richest countries in the world, and 1 in 5 children go hungry. It just doesn’t seem OK. It seems just all kinds of wrong,” Bertinelli said. “I think we need to make America care again about feeding our children and care about people that need help. If I can be just a tiny, tiny, tiny part of that by making a spatula of one of my favorite cats then that’s terrific.”
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The spatulas in question are inspired by two of her cats, Batman and Sir Henry. As part of the Williams Sonoma collaboration, Bertinelli and nine other celebs — including Ayesha Curry, Bebe Rexha and Timbaland — created different designs for spatulas, oven mitts and potholders, with proceeds from sales being donated to No Kid Hungry.
“I just want to let people know that yes, 30 percent goes to No Kid Hungry and helps feed children in America. You can also add a little extra if you’re feeling so inclined,” Bertinelli said. “I know, it’s really, really challenging these days. And I know how hard it is for a lot of people. Any little thing that we can do is always helpful.”
The Daytime Emmy winner also gave Us insight into how she preps for entertaining guests at her home. When the One Day at a Time star is expecting company, her go-to dish to make is a “good casserole” or a “one-pan chicken dish,” but she’ll make adjustments depending on who the guest is or the occasion.
“If it’s a 4th of July get-together with all of Wolf’s band, I’m gonna make a big thing of chili or gumbo,” Bertinelli explained. “And if it’s like my book group, I’m probably gonna make chicken marbella or some sort of chicken and rice that’s all baked in one pan, because I wanna spend time with my friends talking about the book and not in the kitchen all the time.”
Bertinelli told Us that when she isn’t hosting herself, she’ll be placed in charge of bringing hor d’oeuvres or dessert to her friends’ houses. With the latter, she gets to try a recipe that she typically wouldn’t make just for herself.
“When I’m in charge of dessert, sometimes it’s chocolate cake. I never have an opportunity to make a chocolate cake for myself and they’re so good,” Bertinelli said. “So if I can make a chocolate cake, [it’s] because I’m going to see a lot of people. I know I’m at least gonna get a slice.”
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The former Kids Baking Championship host told Us that she thinks presentation holds a certain weight when preparing a dish, but it’s not as important as taste.
“Because you eat with your eyes first, I do try to make all the dishes I make look pretty. You want to add color to them. I want them to be colorful,” Bertinelli said. “Some dishes you can’t do it with, but you know, then that’s [when] you put it in a colorful pot or something that looks pretty around it. I don’t think it’s as important as how it tastes, but it definitely adds to the experience.”
When it comes to her current snack obsessions, Bertinelli told Us that a few sweet and salty items at Trader Joe’s are at the top of her list.
“Oh God, Trader Joe’s licorice. It’s the three flavored licorice. It’s mango, green apple and raspberry. I am obsessed with those. And their peanut butter stuffed pretzels,” Bertinelli said. “I also am obsessed with crunchy peanut butter and a Gala apple. Like, a nice big crisp apple. Those are three of my favorite snacks. And apple and crunchy peanut butter. Their peanut butter filled pretzels and those Trader Joe’s licorice have got me in a stranglehold.”
While she’s prepared her fair share of special meals, Bertinelli told Us that her most memorable one is yet to come.
“I don’t think I’ve had it yet. Every meal has been so wonderful, but just like the way I view my life, I have so much, I am so blessed and so grateful for everything that has happened up until today. I know that even better things are going to be happening tomorrow. So I’m just looking forward to having the best meal I’ve ever had, and then I’ll die,” she said.