Before marrying music legend Billy Joel—and taking on the celebrity world as a TV personality—Katie Lee Joel was a foodie and writer with roots in West Virginia. Nate talks with Katie about her upbringing and how it influenced her first cookbook, The Comfort Table.

Katie says the recipes in her cookbook come from a very special place—her grandma's kitchen. "I'm not from a family that was wealthy whatsoever—we were of very modest means, but we always ate like kings," she says. "These recipes are like my family heirlooms—that's what was passed down to me. To me, they're more precious than any ruby or diamond could ever be."

Katie says she designed the cookbook not only to share her family recipes, but also to encourage readers to cook for the people they love. "It's about bringing people together around your table and making them comfortable," she says. The book got a stamp of approval from celebrity chef Paula Deen—Paula wrote the book's foreword.

The book also offers a glimpse into Katie and Billy's life, with pictures of their home, friends and family throughout the book. The pictures also showcase Katie's love of fashion, which she says isn't too far behind her love of food. "I like my food like my fashion: casual, comfortable [and a] touch of couture," she says.