Katherine Alford

Visit our blog for a behind-the-scenes look into Food Network Kitchens.

Title: Test Kitchen Director

Year you started at FN: 2000

Path at FN: Senior Writer, cooking school, Test Kitchen Manager, Test Kitchen Director

Culinary education/background: New York Restaurant School, La Varenne, Paris Hubert's restaurant, Quilted Giraffe — Sous Chef, Greenmarket Manager, Director Peter Kump's, Author, Teacher

Cuisine you're known for: Seasonal American, a melting pot

Favorite food: Fish, vegetables and fruits, bread and cheese

Food you won't go near: Split pea soup, raspberry vinegar

Culinary inspiration: Whatever is freshest and authentic — like a walk through Chinatown or my favorite taco stand in east Harlem

Favorite show: Jamie at Home

Do you prefer sweet foods or savory: Love both but savory if I had to pick, more room for improvisation

If you were a condiment, what would you be: Beach plum jelly

Funniest behind-the-scenes story: It's hard to say. I try to find the humor in everything we do.

Charities or organizations you work for/with: My daughter's school