Al Roker's secret weapon in the kitchen? His daughter

Courtney Roker Laga: I've been developing recipes for about five years and this book is one of the best things I've ever done in my life.

What were family dinners like growing up in your home?

Courtney: I had two family dinners. I had one with (my dad) and Deb, and then I had my mom. They were all great. But (my father) always had a lot of guests come over.

Al: Especially on Sundays. I like Sunday dinner.

Did Courtney have a love for food as a child?

Al: Even as a small child, she was always an adventurous eater. I remember she was about three years old and when we lived in Westchester there was this cute little mom and pop sushi shop. And she went out for sushi and they even got their own set of Hello Kitty chopsticks.

I think her adventurous taste buds were genetically transferred to (her daughter) Sky because we were at a diner in New Jersey and I gave her a lemon and she just started sucking on the lemon. Seeing her daughter have the same adventurous palate as her was beautiful. It was also very gratifying to watch her navigate both being a mother and a professional chef and how she combines those two things.

What rule of dining etiquette do people need to follow more?

Al: People who don't put their napkin on their lap. It's a small thing, I know it's not a big deal. Or wait until everyone gets their meal to start eating.

Courtney: I think it depends on the location. When you're at a restaurant, like a grill restaurant, right? And you're wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt – whatever. But if you're at a nice restaurant and you're wearing a sweatshirt, flip flops. Yes, that.

As a father, what were you most strict about at the dinner table?

Al: I wasn't really strict about anything. The only rule was: you have to try something.

What about phones at the dinner table?

Al: To be honest, (my wife) Deborah is very adamant about it. I was screaming and kicking because I wanted to take pictures of the food and everything, but it makes a difference. Even if you have your phone in your pocket and it's buzzing, you'll want to try it out.

Courtney: It's a distraction. People text you or you receive notifications from news outlets. You just want to focus on the moment with the family and put everything else aside.

What is an important party etiquette rule?

Al: This is what drives me crazy: when we have a party and people literally don't leave. I had to go upstairs, put on my pajamas and come back down. And it’s like, “You know what? You can be wherever you want, you just can't stay here. Go away. The food is ready. Carry on.”

If the party starts at seven, what time do you arrive?

Courtney: 6:30. I'm always early.

Al: 6:30? Yes.

Courtney: Or I drive there and sit in the car. I just have to be there early. I don't like being late at all. But I know that a lot of people in our family are late. A lot.

What is your favorite fall food tradition?

Al: We love picking apples. It's a tradition in our house. We have a house in the Hudson Valley. How old were you when we started apple picking?

Courtney: Seven, eight.

Al: And ever since then, we go and pick apples on Columbus Day weekend. But more importantly, what do we get?

Courtney: Apple Cider Donuts.

Al: They're hot, they've got the sugar and you just start inhaling them.

Do you remember cooking disasters in your family?

Al: You know, I don't think we've had any disasters in the kitchen. I don't like trying anything really complicated. The most complicated thing I've ever made is Daniel Boulud's short ribs, of which there were many. This will take a while.

What's the most ridiculous amount you've ever spent on delivery and what was the order?

Courtney: It was $250 and was at Nobu. I was craving sushi so badly and was in town. We went for a drink and I was hungry afterwards. I'd rather spend money on a good meal than on a bag or shoes.

Al: That's my girl.

What is your favorite thing to bring to a host when they invite you over for dinner?

Al: It depends on the people. Some people bring a bottle of wine, others bring a cake. We have a niece whose recipe for chocolate chip cookies is here Al Roker's recipes to live by –Plug – and they are so damn fantastic. She brings these as a hostess gift.

Courtney: For me, probably wine, but it depends on who the person is. If it's someone I've known for years, one of my good friends, I might make something of it. But if it's someone I don't really know, or my husband's friends, a bottle of wine.

Megan Schaltegger is a New York-based author. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and loves her dog Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in the third person IRL.