Alex Guarnaschelli's Secrets to Being a Great Home Cook

Alex Guarnaschelli has worked in France with Guy Savoy and in New York City with Daniel Boulud. Now, she's a powerhouse on the culinary scene as executive chef of Butter Restaurant in midtown Manhattan and makes frequent Food Network appearances as a judge on Chopped. But while Alex is familiar with the fast-paced world of upscale restaurants, she's also well-acquainted with the life of a home cook. Alex tells us that as a mother, she finds herself cooking more at home now than she did when she was a line cook, and shared some great advice for those looking to do the same.

Alex reveals the foods she always has on hand in her pantry and refrigerator, the spices she recommends all home cooks keep around and her go-to dish for a busy weeknight—but that's not all! Check out the slideshow above to learn all of Alex's secrets to being a great home cook.

Then, just in time for Thanksgiving, learn Alex's 10 tips for a foolproof holiday dinner, discover the chef's own Thanksgiving traditions and find out 10 other fun facts you don't know about her!