Al Roker and daughter coming to Port Washington for book event

Al Roker has shared his love of food with viewers and his fellow "Today" co-hosts during segments on the show. Now he'll do the same with Long Islanders when he and his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, talk about their new cookbook "Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion" at Landmark on Main Street's Jeanne Rimsky Theater in Port Washington on Oct. 27 at 3 p.m.

The book is filled with dozens of Roker family photos as well as Roker's thoughts on food and cooking. But, of course, the centerpiece is the plethora of recipes being featured including shrimp and grits with bell peppers and bacon, Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, Tuscan polenta, coffee- and spice-rubbed pork chops and lemon meringue crumb crust pie.

Roker, 70, made headlines in 2002 when he underwent gastric bypass surgery to lose weight. At the time, he was 340 pounds and lost 100 pounds as a result.

While Roker is well-known as a food aficionado, his daughter is equally skilled in the kitchen having worked as a recipe developer and a trained chef at two Michelin-starred restaurants. 

The duo will be interviewed by Newsday food reporter Erica Marcus at the event, which is being presented by Long Island Litfest. Tickets are $53.63 and also include a signed copy of the book and a photo op with Roker and his daughter. To reserve, call 516-767-6444 or go to landmarkonmainstreet.org.