Tara Lipinsky won a gold medal in the 1998 Olympics. She was the first figure skater to win a U.S. championship at the age of 14, and remained one of the world’s best for many years after. According to her, the secret to her success has always been pasta. Sort of.
In an interview with Bustle, Lipinsky discussed her love for pasta, how it reminded her of her family, and why she associates the dish with competitions and comfort. “I can eat that meal every day. I think since I grew up training in ice skating, and it was carb-loading that gave me energy all the time, it became a comfort food. Before competitions too, it was my competition meal, so I think that’s another reason why I like it so much,” she said.
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Lipinski clarifies that she’s not very particular with her pasta; she loves all styles equally, no matter the sauce. “Penne, spaghetti, linguine, or even a sort of ravioli, with arrabbiata sauce, tomato sauce, vodka sauce, pesto… I can eat that meal every day.”
She says that even though she’s not a great cook and doesn’t get to prepare meals that often, it’s one of the dishes she enjoys preparing the most. “I don’t cook that much, so I don’t make pasta at home that often; I wish I actually cooked more, but I’m traveling so much.”
Lipinski is currently co-hosting the Food Network’s “Wedding Cake Championship” along with Olympian and fellow figure skater Johnny Wier. The pair has worked together over the years on the Olympics’ programming, commentating for the figure skating segments. During the 2017 Olympics, the audience enjoyed Weir and Lipinski’s commentary and relationship so much that the pair quickly became everyone’s favorite part of the competition.
If you don’t have cable, you can watch “Wedding Cake Championship” online.
