Carley Shimkus, known for her role as the host of "FOX & Friends First" and a newsreader on "FOX & Friends," has carved a unique niche for herself within the Fox News family. While many recognize her for her insightful commentary and engaging on-screen presence, there's another side to Shimkus that's equally captivating: her passion for food and cooking. This passion culminated in her involvement with "Cooking with Friends," a cookbook that brings together recipes from Fox News personalities, offering a glimpse into their personal lives and culinary preferences.
A Full-Circle Moment: From Fan to Curator
Shimkus' journey with "Cooking with Friends" is a heartwarming tale of dreams coming full circle. As a high school student, she fondly remembers watching "FOX & Friends" every morning, particularly drawn to the cooking segments. The idea that she would one day be involved in creating a cookbook based on those very segments seemed like a distant fantasy. However, when FOX Books approached her with the idea of curating recipes and adding her own, she embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm.
"When FOX Books came to me and said, ‘Hey, we have an idea for a book, would you be interested in helping with it, helping collect the recipes, adding some of your own?’ I was like, ‘I can't believe that you're coming to me and asking me this because when I was in high school, I would watch ‘FOX & Friends’ in the morning when I was eating breakfast myself, and my favorite segments were always the food segments and 'Cooking with Friends,’" she said.
"Cooking with Friends": A Culinary Compilation
"Cooking with Friends" is more than just a collection of recipes; it's a celebration of community, family, and the joy of sharing a meal. The book features contributions from a diverse range of Fox News personalities, including Steve Doocy, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Pete Hegseth, Brian Kilmeade, Ainsley Earhardt, and Janice Dean, among others. Each recipe offers a personal touch, reflecting the individual's culinary background and preferences.
Abby Hornacek, Jason Chaffetz, Griff Jenkins, Steve Hilton, Gerri Willis, Sara Carter, Brian Brenberg, Jeanine Pirro, Martha MacCallum, Dr. Nicole Saphier, Guy Benson, Bret Baier, Shannon Bream, Dr. Marc Siegel, Johnny Joey Jones and Jessica Tarlov are among the other familiar faces to provide recipes.
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Griff Jenkins, a Washington, D.C.-based Fox News correspondent and co-anchor of "Fox News Live" - and someone who contributed recipes for dry rub ribs and black bean surfer burritos - led the Q&A portion of the LiveSigning.
The book also includes recipes from Shimkus' own family, highlighting the importance of home-cooked meals in her upbringing. Her mother's Puerto Rican heritage is represented through a traditional dish of rice and beans with a side of corned beef, while her father's Lithuanian background shines through in his linguine and clam sauce recipe.
"Growing up there was a major emphasis placed on home cooked meals," she said. "My mom's parents were born in Puerto Rico and her first language is Spanish. So, my mom's recipe is… something that I grew up eating a lot is in the book, and it's rice and beans with a side of corned beef, which is my favorite thing to eat growing up, a very traditional Puerto Rican dish," Shimkus explained. "My dad loves to cook, too. He's Lithuanian, but the recipe that he decided to share is linguine and clam sauce. It’s one of my favorite recipes of all time."
From Amateur to Enthusiast: Shimkus' Culinary Journey
While Shimkus admits to being an amateur in the kitchen, her passion for food is undeniable. Her culinary journey took a more serious turn during the COVID-19 pandemic when restaurants in New York City were shut down. Like many others, she found herself spending more time in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes and discovering a newfound love for cooking.
"I got in the kitchen, like a lot of people out there, and I really, really enjoyed it. And then there were also other influences at the time, like Steve Doocy’s cookbook, I loved and it's, you know, stained and I used it so much in the kitchen. So he's been a big cooking influence on me as well," she said.
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Becoming a new mom further fueled her passion for cooking, as she found herself spending more time at home. Cooking became a relaxing and enjoyable activity, often shared with her husband on weekends.
"I'm a new mom. So when you have a baby, you're not going to restaurants as much anymore," she said. "When I put him to bed, the most fun thing that I do on the weekends now is cook. Sometimes my husband joins in. We put on some music and it's a really nice evening. So, eating has always been the highlight of my life and cooking is now definitely becoming something that I'm very, very passionate about."
A Cookbook for Everyone
Shimkus believes that "Cooking with Friends" has something to offer everyone, regardless of their cooking skill level. The book features a range of recipes, from easy and affordable meals to more challenging dishes for experienced cooks. She hopes that the book will inspire others to get in the kitchen and discover the joy of cooking.
Shimkus, who admits she’s an amateur in the kitchen, believes the book features easy and affordable meals that anyone can make, but also has recipes to challenge more experienced cooks.
"Not only does it have great recipes in it from some of your favorite people that you see on Fox News, there's also a lot of great pictures in it. We had so much fun during the photo shoot," she said. "A cute behind-the-scenes look at a lot of families that of people that you see on Fox News."
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Beyond the Recipes: A Glimpse into the Fox News Family
"Cooking with Friends" offers more than just recipes; it provides a glimpse into the lives of the Fox News personalities we see on television every day. Through their personal stories and favorite dishes, we gain a deeper understanding of who they are and what they value. The book also includes behind-the-scenes photos from the photo shoot, offering a fun and intimate look at the Fox News family.
Her favorite part of writing the cookbook, she said, was being able to take a deeper look at what her colleagues were like outside the television studio.
Carley Shimkus: A Multifaceted Personality
Carley Shimkus is a multifaceted personality who seamlessly blends her roles as a news anchor, host, and culinary enthusiast. Her involvement with "Cooking with Friends" showcases her passion for food, her appreciation for family traditions, and her ability to connect with people on a personal level. Whether she's delivering the news or sharing her favorite recipes, Shimkus brings a warmth and authenticity that resonates with audiences.