Carla Hall is a co-host of ABC Daytime’s lifestyle series, “The Chew,” seated alongside restaurateurs and “Iron Chef America” stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly, and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz.

Carla is best known as a competitor and fan favorite on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” where  she won over audiences with her fun catch phrase “Hootie Hoo” and philosophy to always cook with love.

Carla is the owner of Alchemy by Carla Hall, an artisan cookie company that specializes in creating sweet and savory “petite bites of love.” Her approach to cooking blends together her classic French training and Southern upbringing for a twist on traditional favorites. Carla is committed to health and balance in everyday living.

A native of Nashville, TN, Carla received a degree in Accounting from Howard University, but traveling through Europe awakened her passion for food, and inspired a new career path. Carla attended L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland where she completed her culinary training, going on to work as a Sous Chef at the Henley Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. She also served as Executive Chef at both The State Plaza Hotel and The Washington Club and has taught classes at CulinAerie and her alma mater L’Academie de Cuisine.

Carla is a true believer that, “If you’re not in a good mood, the only thing you should make is a reservation.”

When not in New York recording  The Chew, Carla lives in Washington, DC with her husband Matthew Lyons and stepson Noah.

What is a spaghetti squash and how does one get spaghetti from it?  This and many other troublesome questions will be answered in this interesting workshop by Chris Bradshaw from Dream Out Loud in collaboration with District Commons.  Learn how to prepare new foods from the sometimes strange and interesting vegetables that can commonly be found at farmer’s markets across the region. Learn about where the vegetables come from and how they are grown.  We dare you to taste something new!

All Anacostia and neighboring Ward 8 residents are welcome to drop by during workshop hours to help craft locally-obtained produce into jams, pickles, sauces and ephemeral art.  Come ready to tell and audio-record your favorite food stories and check in with your fellow Anacostia neighbors.  Participants get to take home jars of these Anacostia-grown stories which they have collectively preserved.

Don’t live in Ward 8 but want to take part?  We need volunteers at the workshops and you are warmly welcome to lend a hand.