Evan Kleiman initially chose cooking over talking. “I was a very shy kid,” she said. “I learned you could still be in the room and serve people, but you didn’t have to actually talk if you made the food.” Before becoming known for doing both — as host of KCRW’s Good Food and owner and chef of Angeli Caffe — Kleiman baked cookies to sell at her high school and put herself through college catering. Read more about Kleiman below.

Q. What is the last habit you tried to kick?

A. Eating too much. As you see it has not worked.

Q. If you could live in any other time, past or future, when would it be and why?

A. I think I’m going to stick with the present.

Q. Who was your childhood hero?

A. Julia Child.

Q. What do you consider to be the greatest simple pleasure?

A. Being home in the rain with your dog reading.

Q. What do you do to clear your mind?

A. Read.

Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?

A. Take ballroom lessons.

Q. What is your favorite word?

A. Serendipitous.

Q. Who is your favorite fictional character?

A. The protagonist of the Stieg Larsson books.

Q. What is your favorite cocktail?

A. A gimlet.

Q. What is your greatest indulgence?

A. Pie.

Q. What profession would you like to practice in your next life?

A. I can’t imagine a better profession. Maybe a librarian.

Q. What is your fondest childhood memory?

A. Cooking with my mom on Sunday for the week.

Q. If you were about to be executed, what would you want for your final meal?

A. Pinto beans, tortillas and a whole jalapeno pepper.

Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most like to meet for dinner?

A. Pellegrino Artusi.

To read about Kleiman’s panel on Gourmet magazine, click here.

*Photo by Aaron Salcido.