What role does cooking play in your daily life?  

I love cooking for many reasons. Firstly, I like to know what I am eating, and I feel much healthier when I prepare my own meals versus going out or ordering in. Second, after a long day at work, cooking is my time to unwind and relax. I used to do this with a nice glass of red wine, but I cut out drinking from home, so it’s not AS fun, but still relaxing… I usually FaceTime my mom while I am cooking, so it’s our usual thing we do together. We also cook for our dogs as well, so while I’m cooking our meals, I am also preparing Lola and Gigi’s, and they always eat first.  

Do you have a signature dish that everyone loves?  

I learned to make this delicious chickpea salad when I was studying and staying with an Italian family in Florence. I loved learning recipes from both the mom and dad of the house. Every day was a different meal and was completely made from the freshest ingredients.  

It’s my summer go-to dish. It consists of chickpeas, parsley (sometimes I use dill), garlic, fresh grated parmesan cheese, lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It’s super easy to make and SO refreshing. It’s a great lunch dish, especially with something grilled. If I am really feeling inspired, I might try preparing a few of Audrey’s favorite Alsatian dishes. She loves this thinly grated carrot and celery root salad with sliced cucumbers. It’s delicious with chicken or fish. It’s not complicated to make, just a lot of prep, but it’s well worth it!  

Describe the dish that you’re known for among family and friends, including why it’s special to you and what makes it a favorite.  

I usually make grilled salmon as my go-to dish. It’s super simple: just salt, black pepper, a drizzle of EVOO, and a squeeze of lemon. Funny enough, it’s my mom's go-to dish as well. I guess “like mother, like daughter.”  

What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever prepared? 

I remember cooking Rosh Hashanah dinner with my mom at my apartment. I loved making the brisket together and the matzo ball soup. It was a big undertaking but felt easy with my mom next to me!  

How do you involve others in your cooking process?  

During weeknights, I usually am on the phone with my mom while I cook. It’s the best time to catch up, and we always talk about what I am making, and she is always giving me pointers (whether asked for or not, lol). During the weekends, I love to cook with friends at our house in East Hampton. We usually cook together, and we all take on a dish. I love it most when we’re collaborating on a dish and improvising with whatever we have on hand. Sometimes, when we don’t have exactly what we need, it turns out to be the best dish of the night!

A lot of my favorite memories with friends are in the kitchen. One of my friends from Norway taught me how to make this amazing Norwegian salmon dish baked in parchment paper with a ton of herbs and lemon slices. We would just have the best time together preparing it. I love learning about dishes that are near and dear to my friends and sharing that with them. I am also realizing that I really like salmon!  

What’s your favorite type of cuisine to cook and why?  

I love cooking Italian or Mediterranean food. I personally love pasta but don’t make it that often. I will make a yummy, fresh tomato sauce and serve it on rice as a healthier option. Sometimes I will make it with ground turkey, and it will become a healthy Bolognese!  

From cherished childhood memories to her vibrant kitchen practices, Roni Hirshberg's passion for cooking is evident in every dish she creates. Her love for blending flavors, exploring new recipes, and sharing meals with loved ones makes her culinary journey truly inspiring. Cooking is more than just a passion—it's a way to connect, create, and celebrate life.  

Here are Roni’s favorite dishes for a late summer dinner party. Whether you're hosting a dinner party with friends or simply looking for fun and healthy recipes to try, we’re sure these are for you. Enjoy these last days of summer with Roni’s favorite recipes!