People USA — August 21, 2017

food

CAROLINE RHEA

ATableFull

of Laughs

CAROLINE RHEA ISN’T AFRAIDto ask for help in the kitchen. “I have a cook,” says the actress and mother of 8-year-old
daughter Ava. “I know it sounds pretentious, but it’s really just for my child’s safety.” The self-proclaimed “horrible cook”—
who played quirky Aunt Hilda on the teen cult showSabrina the Teenage Witch—says she was once asked to appear on Food
Network’sWorst Cooks in America. “I watched an episode, and I started to have an anxiety attack because there were pots
and pans,” she says. “My mother could cook anything, and I literally burn spaghetti!” So when it comes to preparing dinner in
her New York City apartment, Rhea, 53, leaves that to the professionals—and her daughter. “Ava is quite a good little cook,
and she’s extremely healthy,” she says. “She decided last week she’s going to be a pescatarian, so we celebrated that with a
hamburger!” For the single mom, dinner serves as a chance to catch up with her busy daughter. “Our kitchen table is our happy
place,” says theMatch Game panelist, who enforces classic rules like no phones or elbows on the table. “It’s my favorite one-
on-one time with Ava—she’s the best company.” But while Rhea often delegates the cooking responsibilities, she can whip up
a meal in case of emergency. “I make a really good pork tenderloin,” she says. “It’s my only go-to dish.” —JODI GUGLIELMI

THE STAR DOESN’T LET HER

LACK OF COOKING SKILLS GET

IN THE WAY OF FAMILY TIME

“Ava is adventurous and

will try anything—even

octopus. For me, the blander

the better,” jokes Rhea.

HAIR: MARK ANTHONY/PHYTO PARIS/EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS; MAKEUP: DAVID TIBOLLA/KOH GEN DO/EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS; STYLIST: STEPHANIE TRICOL

A/HONEY ARTISTS

Photograph by SPENCER HEYFRON