This Is TASTE 689: Tom Colicchio's First Cookbook Says It All
Nov 19, 2025
Join award-winning chef Tom Colicchio, renowned as the head judge on Top Chef and celebrated for his iconic restaurants, as he reflects on the 25th anniversary of his debut cookbook, Think Like a Chef. He shares essential cooking techniques and common mistakes home cooks make. Also featuring Johanna Hellrigl, chef-owner of Ama, who discusses her commitment to health-focused Northern Italian cuisine and sustainable practices. Get insights into her culinary inspirations and the importance of community in her restaurant.
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Family Recipe Became Menu Tribute
- Johanna Hellrigl described making Tirolean knudel with her sister as a tribute after their father's death.
- She now serves the bread dumplings with speck at Ama to honor that family memory.
Choose Stainless Steel Over Nonstick
- Use a high-quality stainless steel pan rather than defaulting to nonstick for better cooking control.
- Learn to use stainless steel by testing heat with water droplets until you develop timing and patience.
Father's Cookbook As A Personal Archive
- Johanna keeps her father's Trollian cookbook close as a way to feel connected and decode his recipe tweaks.
- She reads his inconsistent instructions as playful protection of his true methods.
