Al Roker Worked on His Upcoming Cookbook with His Chef-Daughter Courtney While She Was Pregnant

Al Roker's co-author on his upcoming cookbook is "somebody very special" — his daughter Courtney Roker Laga!

On the June 20 episode of Today, the anchor announced that he will release Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By on Oct. 15. Al, 69, revealed that Courtney, a chef and recipe developer, worked on the project while she was pregnant with her first child, Sky, now 11 months.

Al shares Courtney with ex-wife Alice Bell. He is also father to daughter Leila, 25, and son Nick, 21, whom he shares with wife Deborah Roberts.

The father-daughter duo’s new book will share 100 recipes, including dishes like sunrise burritos, coffee-and-spice-rubbed pork chops, Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, bourbon apple pie milkshakes, Tuscan polenta and lemon meringue crumb crust pie.

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During Al's announcement, he told his co-anchors that Courtney proposed the idea, "tested all the recipes and wrote them — did a great job — found the stylist to do it and photographer."

“I wrote some stuff," he added. "I wrote some of what they call the head notes. She did a lot which was amazing."

"One of the greatest moments of your life is when you realize your kid is actually good and professional. And Courtney is a great chef. So, -

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I'm just thrilled and proud to be doing this book.”

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The pair also shared the announcement in a sweet Instagram post that included different clips of them in the kitchen. Throughout the video, Al is seen searing a steak as his daughter explains in detail what they’re cooking together. In another clip, a passionate yet serious Al declares with tongs in his hand, “Cooking is science!"

Al's wife even comes into the kitchen at one point to sneak a plate of salad from the hardworking duo.

Before the video concludes, Courtney is seen cooking up a crispy frittata, as Al shouts, “Science!” The hungry pair then introduce the chef’s young daughter, as the “most important taste tester” who gleefully takes a bite of the breakfast dish.

“For the last two years, @alroker and I have been combing through our favorite family dishes, tasting (DAD), and developing (ME) 100 amazing, delicious recipes that will bring the entire family to the table,” Courtney wrote in the caption.

Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By will be released by Legacy Lit on Oct. 15. It is available for preorder now.

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