Held at Sushi Samba's second floor space (in the West Village) was a small soiree honoring Al Roker's first novel, The Morning Show Murders.  Based on a mystery that unfolds at TV personality Billy Blessing's mega-successful Manhattan bistro, the plot thickens when a guest dramatically dies from a tainted plate of coq au vin.

After he autographed my copy of The Morning Show Murders, I briefly caught up with Mr. Roker between sips of champagne and bites of some fabulous passed hors d'oeuvre.  We talked turkey, BBQ, and my personal favorite, Al Roker's Hassle Free Holiday Cookbook.

The Lunch Belle: Congratulations on the publication of your novel and happy holidays!  What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

Al Roker: Thank you so much and happy holidays to you, as well. We're going over to my brother's house for Thanksgiving this year.

The Lunch Belle: Ah, so you don't have to entertain; lucky you!  Are you planning to bring a favorite holiday staple, or does he have the meal covered?

Al Roker: (chuckles) No. This year he is taking care of everything.

The Lunch Belle: Speaking of the holidays, I'm a big fan of Al Roker's Hassle Free Holiday Cookbook.

Al Roker: Thanks! You know it's funny, sometimes I think that I actually like that cookbook better than my BBQ ones! What I also love is the fact that the recipe tester prepared everything on a single burner hot plate!

The Lunch Belle: Wow, that is truly incredible, especially for us small-space dwellers in NYC.  I think that many times we shy away from cooking because our living quarters are so intimidatingly pint-sized.  We automatically assume that nothing delicious can be conceived in such a tiny kitchen.  What I love about the holiday cookbook is that it encompasses 365-day's worth of celebrations; not just Thanksgiving/Christmas.  

So far, I've been on a roll when it comes to meeting genuinely nice celebrities, and Al Roker was no exception.  Proving this, his entire family (both on and off of TV) was in attendance to support his latest endeavor.  To me, that speaks volumes. 

…

Until we eat again,

Lindsay, The Lunch Belle