Sandra Lee has made a name for herself with her signature cocktail and tablescapes, but originally the Food Network said no when she told them that alcohol was going to play a big part in her show.
"They told me I needed to be different and I wanted to make a cocktail -- I'm from Wisconsin -- and the Food Network told me I couldn't do that and we can't put alcohol on TV -- 'you can't wake up at 10 AM saying here's a cocktail,'" Sandra told me when we sat down together for a drink.
Fifteen seasons later the network must be happy they listened to Sandra, who believes in creating her own path.
"I don't think there are any footsteps to be walked in. No one else has taken things that you can buy at the grocery store and put them together. I hope that I have a career as long as Julia Child," Sandra said before making me a margarita.
"Did you know that margaritas are the #1 cocktail in America?" Sandra asked. When I responded by asking if that was because of the success of former Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel's cocktail line, Sandra looked blank. "Who? I don't know who that is."
My entire interview with Sandra can be seen Thursday nights at 8pm on HDNet's talk show Naughty But Nice with Rob.