Could it be that Katie Lee is now more famous for her cooking than for her marriage to (soon-to-be-ex) Billy Joel? We talked with Lee, whose second cookbook, The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions, hits stores on October 20, on the anniversary of her upset victory at last year’s Burger Bash.

The Feed: We’re a year off your Burger Bash win. How are you feeling about tonight’s event?
Katie Lee: [Last year] was a total stroke of luck. I’m defending my title and have my fingers crossed. But I really think Minetta Tavern is going to win this year. Their burger is amazing.

Do you think being married to a major celebrity helped advance your career as a chef and cookbook author?
No matter what, I would’ve been here. There is no doubt that whatever little bit of “fame” I’ve experienced helped me get my foot in the door, but I’ve had to back it up.

You talk a lot in the book about the legacy of your grandma and mom—what was the food philosophy they passed on to you?
My grandmother always used to tell me that it’s not just about the food, but the way you make people feel when they come to your home. Making them feel comfortable is key.

So it’s more about the people and entertaining than the food? A real foodie might disagree.
Well, of course you also create that comfortable environment with food you serve. Don’t get me wrong, I like to make things that knock people’s socks off. But you can accomplish that without being too labor-intensive. When I make fried chicken it takes longer, because I have to marinate it, then fry it, then put it in the oven—but I get more time to hang out with my friends.

How often do you eat out, versus cooking at home for your friends?
I love to go out and eat in New York City. There’s this restaurant called Ballato’s on Houston—it’s this under-the-radar Italian place. The guy who owns it, Emilio, makes everything from scratch. His focaccia is otherworldly. It’s like a cross between bread and angel food cake.

Have you thought about opening your own restaurant?
I’ve thought about it, for sure. A burger place. I can definitely see doing it down the road, but I want to commit myself to it. If you open a restaurant you need to be there all the time. And I’m not quite ready to do that yet.—Leanne Shear

Earlier: NYCWFF: Spike Mendelsohn on taking tonight’s Burger Bash