Maybe you've admired her for her laser-like focus as she cooks against the clock along with gifted competitors on "Alex vs. America," or for her incisive assessments of dishes prepared on "Ciao House." Maybe you've glimpsed her lighter side as she cheers on contestants cooking in parking lots on "Supermarket Stakeout," or on "Beat Bobby Flay" as she mocks her dear friend.

If not, it's time you met Alex Guarnaschelli, she of the extraordinary culinary skills, discerning palate and sweet nature, all accompanied occasionally with a feisty side of snark. Food Network star Guarnaschelli, 55, also exhibits each of those admirable qualities in "Italian American Forever: Classic Recipes for Everything You Want to Eat," her fifth cookbook.