On Today's meny

If you know Savannah Guthrie, you know the Today show coanchor is all but lost in the kitchen. Or at least she was, until recently.

- COURTNEY KASSEL 

Now, after hosting eight episodes of Starting From Scratch-a digital series featuring professional chefs who teach Savannah how to cook-she's going back to the basics, gaining serious confidence in the kitchen, and cranking out new-to-her recipes for family and friends.

about me

I grew up in Tucson and live in New York City now with my husband, Michael; my daughter, Vale (9); and my son, Charley (6).

The beginnings of Starting From Scratch

The Today show has been trying to teach me to cook for years. When you cook on TV, everything is prepped, and you kind of just dump ingredients together and stir them on-air. Of course, that's not actually cooking-and the things that intimidate me are the basic techniques. So in Starting From Scratch, I focus on the basics. (It actually might be the most boring show for real cooks, but beginners will learn a lot.) Stick with me and together we'll learn how to try something new in the kitchen.

My cooking skill level

On a scale of zero to 10, I give myself a 1 to 1½. Possibly a 2. But I started at zero, so I'm counting my progress!

My favorite person to cook for

My husband-because he's so appreciative. It makes him unreasonably happy to see me try to cook. He's a very good cook, and he loves to cook, so he really marvels when I'm in there trying. (Meanwhile, my kids are my toughest critics.)

What's always in my fridge

The staples: eggs, bacon, milk, orange juice, cucumbers. (My kids do not like to eat vegetables, but they tolerate cucumbers.)

What inspired me to learn how to cook