My Asparagus Gruyere Tart made its debut on the TODAY Show, and I wanted to share the experience. The past few days have been a whirlwind, and with Mother’s Day approaching, I’m excited to highlight this tart again. I hope you’ll try it soon—it’s a perfect spring recipe.
Arriving at the NBC Studios and stepping onto the kitchen set made everything feel real—receiving a mug and apron was a special moment. The kitchen team at the TODAY Show is incredible. Allison, the senior food stylist, had already prepared several tarts and was perfecting the beauty shot for the segment.
I arrived about an hour before my segment and used the time to rehearse. The atmosphere was calm at first—just Allison and me preparing the tarts. Soon the studio filled with crew, hosts, and producers, and everything moved quickly into place.
I’m a little obsessed with the Boomerang app—if you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably noticed. The filming team was wonderful, and the set felt professional and supportive. I even ran into Kathie Lee and Hoda, who were warm and welcoming; meeting them was less intimidating than I expected.
When it was time to go live, I was thrilled to be on with Natalie, and it was a joy to see Willie and Dylan enjoying the tart right there on the counter. Everything happened quickly—what felt like a brief moment was filled with excitement and flashes of activity from the crew.
Natalie is stunning in person—she’s even more beautiful off-camera. The hosts—Kathie Lee, Hoda, Dylan, Natalie, and Willie—were all gracious and kind. Their warmth made the experience even more memorable.
The segment went by in a heartbeat. It was my first time on national TV, and overall I felt it went well. I didn’t realize how quickly the time would fly—if I’d known we only had 30 seconds left, I would have wrapped up sooner. Still, I was thrilled that everyone enjoyed the tart. Allison and her team made sure it looked and tasted fantastic, which was everything I could hope for.
After the segment, there was a surprise bonus moment: the hosts gathered around the counter for one last clip. It was a delightful ending to an already amazing day.
This opportunity felt like a dream, and I’m deeply grateful for the support and kind messages from friends, family, and followers who reached out on social media and elsewhere. Your encouragement meant the world to me.
Thank you to everyone who cheered me on. If you want to make the tart at home, the recipe and the segment are available on the TODAY Show website.
TODAY Show: TODAY Food Club member Alice Choi whips up a simple asparagus gruyere tart that is perfect for spring. — April 25, 2016. Photo above taken by Samantha Okazaki from NBC.