Ah, Cristina Ferrare. The woman, the myth, the kitchen goddess whose career has had more plot twists than a telenovela. From gracing magazine covers in the '70s to whipping up Bolognese sauce for the Fonz—yes, that Fonz—Cristina has done it all. And if you're wondering how she managed to pivot from supermodel to TV host to culinary maven without breaking a sweat, well, sit tight, buttercup. This is a journey you didn’t know you needed.
Home and Family: The Show That Refused to Die (Until It Did)
Let’s rewind to 1996, a simpler time when "Home and Family" first hit the airwaves on The Family Channel. Cristina Ferrare, alongside Chuck Woolery (yes, the Love Connection guy) and later Michael Berger (who we’re pretty sure was just happy to be there), co-hosted this bastion of wholesome daytime television. It was like Pinterest came to life, minus the pressure to be perfect and the inevitable hot glue burns.
The show ran for four glorious years, dishing out tips on everything from DIY crafts to cooking recipes that probably required at least three types of cheese. But then, tragedy struck. The Family Channel was sold, and poof—Home and Family vanished faster than your willpower during Girl Scout cookie season.
Fast forward to 2012. Hallmark, in a bold move to resuscitate the show (because apparently, nostalgia sells better than new ideas), decided to give Home and Family a facelift. They brought in Mark Steines (pronounced “Stine-us,” because why make it easy?) and Paige Davis. Fun fact: Paige left after just six weeks. Maybe it was the crafts. Maybe it was the early call times. Maybe she realized she could be on Trading Spaces again. Who’s to say?
Enter Cristina Ferrare, dragged out of semi-retirement like your mom’s fondue set at a dinner party. She thought, “Why not? Could be fun.” And fun it was—for about ten months. The show even snagged an Emmy nomination, which is impressive considering daytime TV awards are usually hoarded by soap operas and The Price Is Right. The revamped Home and Family aired live for two hours every weekday, which is basically the TV equivalent of running a marathon while juggling flaming swords.
Cristina’s Passion for Cooking: Or How She Convinced Us All to Buy Another Cookbook
Before the rise of Instagram food bloggers who think drizzling olive oil is a personality trait, Cristina Ferrare was already making cooking look fabulous. Her fifth book, A Big Bowl of Love (2011), is basically the culinary equivalent of a warm hug. In it, she shares recipes that are both comforting and impressive enough to make your in-laws think you’re a domestic deity.
One of her signature dishes? Pappardelle with Bolognese sauce. According to Cristina, it’s Henry Winkler’s favorite. That’s right, The Fonz himself has given it his stamp of approval. And if it’s good enough for a man who made leather jackets look timeless, it’s good enough for your Tuesday night dinner.
Cristina often showcased her culinary prowess on Home and Family, proving that cooking shows don’t need dramatic timer countdowns or Gordon Ramsay-level screaming to be entertaining. Sometimes, all you need is good food, a charming host, and the occasional celebrity guest pretending they know how to chop an onion.
Career: From Supermodel to Superhost (and Everything In Between)
Before she was telling us how to make the perfect risotto, Cristina was a bona fide supermodel. In the 1970s, she was signed with the Ford Modeling Agency, landing magazine covers like it was her part-time job. Her face was everywhere, and not just because Photoshop wasn’t a thing yet.
But Cristina wasn’t content with just being a pretty face. In the 1980s, she co-hosted AM Los Angeles, the top-rated morning show of its time. Imagine Good Morning America with more shoulder pads and less existential dread. She also hosted Cristina and Friends, because nothing says "I’m popular" like naming a show after yourself and your entourage.
Her resume doesn’t stop there. Cristina has guest-hosted countless shows, spoken at conventions across the country, and even dabbled in entrepreneurship. In 2006, she co-founded a home accessories line, which she later sold to a global lifestyle brand in 2011. Because why not add “business mogul” to the list?
The Personal Life: Blended Families and Hollywood Glam
When she’s not on TV or in the kitchen, Cristina lives in Los Angeles with her husband, entertainment executive Tony Thomopoulos. They have a blended family of seven children and four grandchildren. That’s enough people for their own reality show, but something tells me Cristina prefers her drama scripted and her kitchens spotless.
Wait, The 700 Club?
Oh, did we forget to mention that Cristina also had a stint on The 700 Club? Yes, that 700 Club—the one with more televangelism than your grandma’s cable package. It’s like finding out your favorite indie band once did a jingle for a cereal commercial. Unexpected? Yes. Interesting? Absolutely.
Cristina Ferrare: A Legacy Wrapped in Pappardelle
Cristina Ferrare’s career is the stuff of legends. She’s proof that you can reinvent yourself more times than Madonna and still make it look effortless. Whether she’s modeling, hosting, cooking, or surprising us with her guest spots, Cristina does it all with grace, charm, and just a sprinkle of sass.
So, here’s to Cristina Ferrare—the woman who made us believe that home, family, and a big bowl of pasta can solve almost anything. And honestly? She might be right.