10 Quick Questions for Carla Hall

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Chef Carla Hall, 58, has demonstrated her kitchen skills competing on Bravo’s Top Chef, cohosting ABC’s The Chew and as a culinary contributor on Good Morning America. Now, she wants to

outfit every kitchen with her new cookware line, Sweet Heritage by Carla Hall, available on QVC and QVC.com.

I did not cook when I was a kid. Both grandmothers were really big cooks. I love to eat. … The first time I made something — apple crumble and spaghetti — was for a Girl Scout badge. I was

more interested in the badge than the dish.

It wasn’t one path. I didn’t say I wanted to be a chef. I just remember being interested in cooking when I was in Paris. I was 24. I was away from home and I was at a Sunday brunch, and

everyone’s talking about … the foods that they had at home. … The Sunday brunch was very much like my grandmother’s Sunday suppers. I realized I had no idea how to make the food that I was

having every week. So I started going to the American bookstore and buying cookbooks and just started playing. And those recipes, those dishes, became acts of gratitude for the people who

were allowing me to couch surf.

The inspiration was both of my grandmothers. I wanted something that felt sort of vintage-y but also modern — something that was colorful and happy and brings joy in the kitchen. I also

wanted something that was sturdy. I got into it in the beginning to really focus on things that were missing, and also on how I would work things. I have big hands, so I have a sheet pan

with wide handles so that if I go in with a kitchen towel or a pot holder, it's not going to go into the pan. Also, the name “Sweet Heritage” — I really wanted something that said I'm not

only telling you something about myself in terms of my aesthetic, but I’m telling you a little bit about my culture. And so the okra flowers [emblem]. The emblem is very intentional.

When it comes to food, do you have any guilty pleasures?

Do I have guilty pleasures? Oh, girl, yes. Let me count the ways. I don't drink. I don't smoke. But sugar, when I'm on these baking shows, everyone takes one little bite. I’m like, OK, third

bite, last bite, this is it, really. I’m also known for saying, “Can you pack this up for me?” [And] ice cream. I just love Jeni’s ice cream, wildberry lavender.

The Sweet Heritage by Carla Hall line features a variety of cooking, baking and entertaining staples. QVC