California-born Alison Roman isn't your average chef. Forget fancy plating and fussy techniques – she's the kitchen confidante whipping up "damn, that's good" meals for Tuesday nights. Roman honed her skills in NYC kitchens like Sona, then took the internet by storm with viral recipes (#TheStew, anyone?). These became the stars of her best-selling cookbooks, "Nothing Fancy" and "Dining In." Craving more? Roman's YouTube channel is a masterclass in casual cooking, while her newsletter "A Newsletter" is equal parts recipe inspiration and hilarious life update. Roman's magic lies in de-mystifying flavor-packed weeknight meals. She's the cool older sister in the kitchen, showing you how to roast a chicken and make it look (and taste) incredible. No wonder she's a modern food icon.