Changing Places: The Interviewer Gives an Interview

Jonathan Aubrey, Al Roker and Jill Serling on stage at Scarsdale Middle School.Once you see Al Roker in person, it’s easy to understand why he has had a 29-year run on the Today Show. He’s charming, entertaining and laugh out loud funny.

We had the chance to watch TV host Al Roker in action when he was interviewed by Scarsdale restaurant owner Jonathan Aubrey from Micheline, on Thursday April 3, 2025 at Scarsdale Middle School. The event coincided with the publication of Roker’s first cookbook, “Al Roker's Recipes to Live By,” written in collaboration with his daughter Courtney Roker Laga, and was hosted by the Scarsdale Adult School.

Discussing his relationship with food, Roker explained, “If you are a certain age, food equals love… It used to be a compliment to say, “You gained some weight. It meant you looked healthy.” He described his mother as a “good solid home cook,” and his daughter Courtney as a professional chef who suggested he collaborate with her on a cookbook with recipes from family members. Together they gathered 160 recipes and had to pare them down to a hundred for inclusion in the book. He said, “we’re two thirds of the way to the publication of our second book.”

Some of the recipes you’ll find in the book include his mother’s oxtail stew and dumplings, “sweet potato poo,” which is a sweet potato pie topped with marshmallows, a holiday favorite, plus ham and cornbread which are staples for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Roker, who is married to ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts says he does all the cooking. He finds it relaxing and since he cooks, he doesn’t have to do the dishes. Speaking of dishes, as a child he remembers asking his mother why they couldn’t buy a dishwasher and she said, “Why should I?” Turning to her children she said, “I have six right here.”

Explaining how he got his start in media, Roker said he went to SUNY Oswego where he studied radio and television. After his first on air television performance, the department chair turned to him and said, “Roker, you have the perfect face for radio!” Little did he know that he was speaking to a future broadcast giant.

Roker shared the names of a few of his favorite restaurants including Antonuccis and Elios in Manhattan, Sylvias in the Bronx and Shawnaes House on Staten Island.

And what are some of his favorite recipes in the book?

Here’s a sneak peak of a few:

Sunrise Burritos
Blood Orange Aperol Spritz
Cold Brew Coffee
Bacon Waffles
Salmon Burgers with Herb-Mayo Sauce
Shortbread Banana Pudding
Shrimp and Grits with Bell Peppers and Bacon
Smothered Chicken
Coffee- and Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops
Tuscan Polenta
Silky Cauliflower Puree
Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Bourbon Apple Pie Milkshakes
Lemon Meringue Crumb Crust Pie

On the subject of family, Roker revealed that his brother Chris Roker lives in Scarsdale – and that he had forgotten to tell him about the event! But Al will be remembered for years to come in Scarsdale by the SAS students who lined up to have their copies of the cookbook signed by the beloved morning host.

Get your copy of Al's cookbook here:

And visit Micheline, Scarsdale's French bistro on Scarsdale Avenue.