Harry Hamlin Shares the Surprising Cooking Rule
Harry Hamlin, a name synonymous with Hollywood charisma and culinary passion, has carved a unique niche in the world of food with his cooking show In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin and his celebrated pasta sauce line, Harry’s Famous. Known for his roles in L.A. Law, Clash of the Titans, and Mayfair Witches, Hamlin has transitioned from the silver screen to the stovetop, captivating audiences with his authentic approach to cooking.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Hamlin, alongside his niece and co-host Renee Guilbault, shared insights into his culinary journey, the launch of two new pasta sauce flavours—Marinara No. 7 and Lemon Pepper Dill—and his cardinal kitchen rule: “Keep your fingers away from knives!” This 73-year-old Emmy-nominated actor, whose bolognese sauce became a viral sensation on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has built a culinary empire grounded in simplicity, health, and family values.
Via Next TV
The Genesis of a Culinary Star
Harry Hamlin’s culinary journey began not in a professional kitchen but in the vibrant streets of Rome during the 1980s. Living in Italy, Hamlin immersed himself in the country’s rich food culture, where fresh herbs, simple ingredients, time-honoured techniques reigned supreme. “You can’t beat the traditional way of Italian cooking,” Hamlin told PEOPLE, reflecting on how those years shaped his approach to food.
His love for cooking deepened overthe decades, becoming a cornerstone of his family life with wife Lisa Rinna and their children, Delilah Belle, Amelia Gray, and Dimitri from a previous relationship. Sunday pasta nights became a cherished tradition, with Hamlin’s bolognese sauce earning a reputation among neighbors and friends.
Via Purepeople
This homemade recipe, perfected in the kitchen of his $4 million Beverly Hills home, caught the attention of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills viewers when Hamlin prepared it for the cast, sparking a viral moment that would change his career trajectory.
The bolognese’s fame led to an unexpected opportunity. An AMC executive, prompted by his wife’s enthusiasm for Hamlin’s sauce, approached the actor about hosting a cooking show. Initially hesitant, Hamlin agreed on one condition: his niece, Renee Guilbault, a classically trained French chef with 30 years of culinary experience, would co-host.
Via Fox News
Thus, In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin was born, a show that blends authentic cooking, heartfelt conversations, and celebrity guests in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. The series, now in its second season on AMC+ and IFC, showcases Hamlin’s home kitchen and his dynamic with Guilbault, who brings professional expertise to balance his self-proclaimed amateur status. The show’s success, coupled with the launch of Harry’s Famous pasta sauce, has solidified Hamlin’s place in the culinary world.
The Cardinal Kitchen Rule – Safety First
At the heart of Hamlin’s kitchen philosophy is his one unbreakable rule: “Keep your fingers away from knives!” This mantra, delivered with a mix of humour and sincerity, stems from his commitment to maintaining a mishap-free culinary record. “No Hamlin DNA has been mixed into any of the food I’ve made in my life,” he quipped to PEOPLE, emphasising his vigilance with sharp tools.
Via TV Insider
This rule is more than a practical guideline; it reflects Hamlin’s broader approach to cooking as an act of care and precision. For Hamlin, the kitchen is a space of joy and connection, and ensuring safety allows him to focus on creating memorable meals without the stress of accidents. His emphasis on knife safety resonates with home cooks, reminding them that even simple precautions can elevate the cooking experience.
This rule also underscores Hamlin’s relatability. Unlike polished celebrity chefs, Hamlin positions himself as a home cook learning alongside his audience. His knife-handling skills, often critiqued with affection by Guilbault, add a layer of authenticity to In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin.
Via Rotten Tomatoes
The show avoids the high-stakes drama of competitive cooking programs, focusing instead on practical tips, family-friendly recipes, and genuine interactions. Hamlin’s rule serves as a reminder that cooking need not be intimidating; with basic precautions, anyone can create delicious, restaurant-quality meals at home.
The Rise of Harry’s Famous Pasta Sauce
The viral success of Hamlin’s bolognese on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills laid the foundation for Harry’s Famous, a pasta sauce line launched in 2024. Initially, a homemade recipe shared with family and neighbours, the sauce gained a cult following after being featured on the Bravo series.
Via Food & Beverage
Fans flooded social media with requests to purchase it, prompting Hamlin and Guilbault to found The Open Food Company, an open-sourced packaged goods venture committed to clean, additive-free products. The original offerings—Rosemary Red Wine and Spicy Tarragon Vodka—were joined in July 2025 by two new flavours: Marinara No. 7 and Lemon Pepper Dill, designed to bring bold, fresh tastes to summer meals.
Guilbault, the CEO of The Open Food Company, brings her extensive culinary background to the brand. A high school dropout who rose through the ranks to become an executive chef and leader at chains like Pret A Manger, Guilbault’s expertise ensures that Harry’s Famous delivers on both flavour and health. “People want big flavours, and they don’t want to compromise their health when they’re looking for convenience,” she told PEOPLE.
Via E! News
The sauces are crafted with simple, pronounceable ingredients, free of synthetic preservatives, aligning with the company’s mission to provide accessible, nutritious food. Customer reviews on harrysfamous.com praise the sauces’ homemade taste, with one user noting, “It doesn’t taste like any other jarred sauce; it’s like it was freshly made.”
The launch of Marinara No. 7 and Lemon Pepper Dill reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation. Marinara No. 7 offers a classic Italian profile with a modern twist, while Lemon Pepper Dill introduces a unique, summery flavour inspired by Guilbault’s French culinary training.
Via Daily Mail
These additions cater to consumers seeking quick, restaurant-quality meals at home. As Guilbault explained, “We learned that a lot of our customers just want to open up a sauce and pour it over plain pasta and let that be a meal.” This insight drives The Open Food Company’s vision to redefine convenience foodprioritisingng quality and transparency.
A Family Affair – Cooking with Heart
For Hamlin, cooking is more than a craft; it’s a love letter to his family. His Beverly Hills kitchen, featured prominently in both The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin, is a space of connection and tradition. “In our house, it just became a thing that we always eat together every night,” Hamlin shared. “I cook the food, and the kids always come down and eat—it’s the one time of the day when we all get together.” This ritual, rooted in his Italian-inspired recipes, has fostered a sense of unity and created lasting memories for his children.
Via TV Insider
Guilbault echoes this sentiment, viewing food as a vehicle for emotional connection. “Being able to share a meal and talk about your day is a real privilege,” she said. “It’s about the love and the effort—the flavour and smells are all edible memories.”
Their partnership on In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin brings this philosophy to life, with episodes featuring celebrity guests like Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, and Joel McHale sharing stories over home-cooked meals. The show’s unscripted, intimate format allows Hamlin and Guilbault to showcase their chemistry, often punctuated by playful banter and knife-related jests.
Via Gloucester Times
Redefining Food Media
In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin stands out in a crowded field of food media for its sincerity and lack of pretence. Unlike the polished, competition-driven shows that dominate the genre, Hamlin and Guilbault’s series prioritises accessibility and relatability. “We want to give people the tools to make great meals without getting trapped in the kitchen for hours,” Guilbault told Food & Beverage Magazine.
Each episode features practical recipes, like Harry’s Famous Fish with White Wine Mustard Sauce or Amazing Chicken Thighs, designed for home cooks of all skill levels. The show’s second season, which premiered on April 30, 2025, continues to emphasise these values, with guests like Annabeth Gish and Kiowa Gordon joining for lively, laughter-filled dinners.
Via People
Hamlin’s lack of formal culinary training is a strength, not a limitation. “I’m not a chef,” he told TV Week, acknowledging his reliance on Guilbault’s expertise. This humility resonates with viewers, who see Hamlin as a fellow home cook navigating the kitchen with enthusiasm and occasional missteps.
His willingness to learn from Guilbault, whether mastering a citrus-infused berry cake or perfecting a sauce, mirrors the audience’s journey. The show’s unscripted nature, as noted by New York Lifestyles Magazine, creates a sense of intimacy, inviting viewers to participate rather than merely watch.
Via Prime Video
Harry Hamlin’s Must-Follow Kitchen Rule Every Cook Should Know
Harry Hamlin’s culinary journey is a testament to the power of passion and authenticity. From a viral bolognese to a burgeoning food empire, he has transformed a personal love for cooking into a movement that prioritises health, family, and accessibility.
His partnership with Renee Guilbault, rooted in mutual respect and shared values, has elevated Harry’s Famous and In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin beyond mere entertainment or commerce. The brand’s commitment to clean ingredients and hunger alleviation reflects a broader mission to make a positive impact. As Hamlin and Guilbault plan future endeavours, including a potential cookbook, their focus remains on empowering home cooks.
“This sauce is a love letter to my kids,” Hamlin wrote on Instagram, encapsulating the emotional core of his work. By inviting audiences into his kitchen—both literally and figuratively—Hamlin has redefined what it means to be a celebrity chef. His one kitchen rule, “Keep your fingers away from knives,” is a playful yet profound reminder that cooking is about care, connection, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
