Ellie Krieger ’88, TV host and national expert on healthy eating, earned a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award this year for her new cookbook “You Have It Made: Delicious, Healthy, Do-Ahead Meals.” The book features healthy meals you can prepare ahead of time such as creamy tomato soup, chicken enchilada pie and smoky smothered pork chops.

“It was a tremendous honor just to be in the room with all of these food journalists whom I admire and whom inspire me, and then it was a shock to hear my name called,” she said about her experience at the award ceremony. “I think the message that healthy eating should be delicious and sumptuous is really important, and I am so appreciative for another opportunity to communicate that.”

The James Beard Foundation Awards – known as the Oscars of the food world – honor the nation’s top food and beverage professionals including chefs and restaurateurs, cookbook authors and food journalists, restaurant designers and architects and more. Krieger won another James Beard Award in 2009 for her first cookbook “The Food You Crave.”

Krieger is known for her work as a TV personality on The Food Network and Cooking Channel as the host of “Healthy Appetite.” She has published six cookbooks on healthy eating. This fall, she is launching the second season of her new TV show on PBS called “Ellie’s Real Good Food.” In each episode, she meets with people with real-life food dilemmas and helps them come up with a solution.

“I’ve talked to people who need ideas for quick, healthy breakfasts,” she said. “I met with one couple where the husband liked meat and potatoes and the wife was a vegetarian. The show is all about showcasing real food and recipes. I may help guests in their kitchen, take them to a market or invite them to cook in my kitchen.”

You can find out more about “Ellie’s Real Good Food” at http://www.elliekrieger.com/ellies-real-good-food/.