It all began in November of 2002. Carl Piermarini, executive director of Leominster Access Television in Leominster Massachusetts was looking for local residents interested in producing programming for the new LATV channel 8. In an effort to hopefully encourge interested future producers, Carl asked his wife Christine, (or "Tina" as she is known to one and all ) who is a retired chef, if she would let him videotape her performing a cooking demonstration for later broadcast on LATV. Tina, who has always been very shy in front of any camera, initially declined the invitation, but then relented and agreed to "try it."With a huge pumpkin left over from Halloween, Tina decided to give a demonstration of making pumpkin puree which is used as an ingredient in pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie. To Carl's surprise, Tina was very comfortable on camera as long as there were no spectators or other people in the room when she was being videotaped (by Carl only). Tina's pumpkin sequence turned out pretty well and Carl was pleased, however, due to Carl being tied up helping to get the new LATV studio running smoothly, the cooking show idea was put on the shelf.

Now, fast forward one whole year to November 2003. Tina and Carl decided to incorporate the pumpkin sequence into a full half hour program on pumpkin desserts. When completed, the show needed a quick title, and Tina suggested that we just call it "Tina Cooks" since it will probably not get much attention anyway. The "Tina Cooks - Pumpkin Desserts" show aired on LATV just around Thanksgiving of 2003.

Local cable access directors do not have the luxury of receiving ratings reports about the programming that airs on small local cable systems. Carl had no clue as to how many...if any...viewers tuned into Tina's first show. The first hint that viewers were indeed watching was when Carl and Tina, while grocery shopping, were approached by several strangers wondering if Tina was that wonderful cook on TV! To say that Tina and Carl were flabbergasted by the attention was an understatement. Then the calls started coming into the station asking for more "Tina Cooks' programs. Tina and Carl decided to bite the bullet and complete 12 more half hour "Tina Cooks" programs for LATV. Tina pulled out all the stops and demonstrated some of her "famous" Italian specialty dishes that she was known for from her days on the local restaurant circuit. Well, the rest, as they say is history. It seems that now...three years...and thirty shows later, (and being seen in Leominster, Lunenburg, Fitchburg, Clinton, Lancaster and Sterling) people still can't get enough of "Tina Cooks."

Many viewers ask Tina why she doesn't send shows to "The Food Network" channel to see if she can get on national TV. Tina simply answers that she has no intention of doing that because then the show wouldn't be the same. She would have to answer to network producers and sponsors and the show would cease to be fun to do. And don't forget, she's only comfortable videotaping her shows with just her husband behind the camera in her own kitchen. A whole studio full of technicians is just not Tina. And don't forget, she still wants to stick around and cook for her family...and her local extended cable TV family!

Here is a complete up to date list of the "Tina Cooks" series.

Show #........Title...................................................................... Subject................................................................. Record Date

101............ Pumpkin Desserts....................................... Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Roll............................................ 11/9/2002

102........... The Ravioli Show .........................................Cheese Ravioli.................................................................. 11/23/2003

103............ Pasta Toss..................................................... Pasta w/ Artichokes, Tomatoes...................................... 12/13/2003

104............ Gnocchi........................................................... Cheese and Potato Gnocchi......................................... 12/13/2003

105............ Tomato Sauce............................................... Tomato Sauce with Meatballs (2 in a bowl)..................... 1/4/2004

106............ Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo........................ Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo.............................................. 1/4/2004

107............ Baked Stuffed Haddock.............................. Baked Stuffed Haddock.................................................... 1/28/2004

108............ Stuffed Chicken Breast.............................. Stuffed Chicken Breast........................................................ 1/28/2004

109............ Pork Pretare & Ricotta Pie........................ Pork Pretare & Ricotta Pie.................................................. 2/21/2004

110............ Biscotti............................................................ Biscotti (Italian Cookies)............................................... 3/10/2004

111............ Filet Mignon.................................................... Filet Mignon & Mushroom Gravy.................................. 3/17/2004

112............ Polenta ............................................................Polenta (Italian Corn Meal Dish).....................................4/24/2004

113............ Dessert Time................................................. Pumpkin Pie, Italian N.Y. Cheesecake............................. 4/24/2004

201............ Swordfish & Chicken Kabobs................... Grilled Swordfish & Chicken Kabobs.................................. 8/8/2004

202............ Zucchini.......................................................... Baked Stuffed Zucchini.................................................. 8/8/2004

203............ Excellent Eggplant....................................... Baked Stuffed Eggplant..................................................... 9/4/2004

204............ Apple Crisp.................................................... Apple Crisp (Sholan Farms).......................................... 9/4/2004

205............ The Soup Show............................................ Cream of Broccoli, Minestrone, Lentil Soups................... 10/2/2004

206............ Roast Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy................ Roast Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy........................................... 10/23/2004

207............ Spaghett Squash & Stuffed Peppers...... Spaghett Squash & Stuffed Peppers........................................ 10/23/2004

208............ Clam & Calamari Sauces........................... Clam Sauce & Stuffed Calamari..........................................11/21/2004

209............ Eggplant Ravioli & Sutffed Tomatoes...... Eggplant Ravioli & Sutffed Tomatoes..................................... 11/21/2004

210............ Roast Pork Dinner........................................ Roast Pork with Pasta w/Spinach Alfredo, Wild Rice....... 1/15/2005

211............ Soups Too...................................................... Pasta Fagioli & Italian Wedding Soup........................... 1/15/2005

212............ Lasagna.......................................................... Lasagna with Red & White Sauce................................. 2/26/2005

213............ Rice Balls....................................................... Rice Balls / Stuffed Rice Balls........................................ 4/2/2005

214............ Roast Chicken............................................... With Artichokes and Potatoes........................................ 4/2/2005

215............ Hot Dog and Bean Stew.............................. Carl Cooks Hot Dog & Bean Stew.................................. 4/28/2005

301............ Seafood Alfredo............................................ Seafood Alfredo............................................................ 7/31/2005

302............ Carrot Cake................................................... Carrot Cake................................................................. 7/31/2005

303............ The Pizza Show............................................ Pepperoni Pizza, Tina's Special Pizza...............................8/30/2005

304............ Quickie Desserts......................................... Ice Cream Cake, Puffed Pastry........................................ 9/16/2005

305........... The Veal Show............................................... Veal Parmigiana, Veal Saltimbocca, Veal Cacciatore......10/9/2005

306............Frittata & Bruschetta.....................................Frittata & Bruschetta........................................................10/15/2005

307........... Beef Saute........................................................Beef Saute ...................................................................11/24/2005

308........... Chicken Thomaso...........................................Chicken and Sausage......................................................1/7/2006

309........... Side Dishes...................................................... Grean Beans, Cabbage, Spaghetti Squash.....................1/17/2006

310........... Brownies and Cookie Pie............................. Turtle Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie.....................1/25/2006

311........... Meatloaf/ Macaroni & Cheese..................... Meatloaf/ Macaroni & Cheese...........................................2/6/2006

312........... Stuffed Cabbage Rolls................................... Stuffed Cabbage Rolls.....................................................3/1/2006

313........... The Making of Tina Cooks........................... The Making of Tina Cooks...............................................3/21/2006

401...........Sage Chicken................................................... Sage Chicken................................................................9/4/2006

402...........Pot Roast and Both Sides............................. Pot Roast, Asparagus, Roasted Sweet Potatoes.................9/18/2006

403...........Sweetie Cakes and Quickie Pies................Cheese Cake Tarts, Short Cake Pies....................................10/2/2006

404...........A Tale of Three Fishes....................................Salmon, Tuna and Swordfish Steaks................................10/9/2006

405...........Back to the Turkey..........................................Pasadella Soup, Roast Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy (Review).10/29/2006

406..........The Leftover show..........................................Turkey Pot Pie, Turkey Puff Pastry Sandwiches................11/11/2006

407...........Antipasto & Pasta Carbonara.....................Antipasto & Pasta Carbonara...............................................11/20/2006

408...........The Marsala Show..........................................Veal and Chicken Marsala...............................................1/7/2007

409...........Pork Chops with Chestnut Stuffing.............Pork Chops with Chestnut Stuffing.........................................1/14/2007

410...........Homemades .....................................................Spinach Pasta with shrimp, Pasta with Marinara Sauce....1/21/2007

411...........Light Snacks .....................................................Snack Bars and Almond Biscotti cookies.......................2/18/2007

412...........Turkey Tetrazzini............................................... Turkey with Mushrooms in a light tomato cream sauce...2/25/2007

413...........Corned Beef and Cabbage...............................Corned Beef and Cabbage..............................................3/1/2007

TINA COOKS - MORE ITALIAN

501..........Pizelles..............................................................Pizelles (Italian Waffle Cookie)........................................9/2/2007

502..........The Picatta Show...............................................Chicken and Veal Picatta................................................9/28/2007

503..........The Jelly Show...................................................Grape Jelly....................................................................10/12/2007

504..........Carne Trio.............................................Sausage, Chicken & Veal with Mushrooms and Artichokes........11/18/2007

505..........The Bread Show...................................... Italian Stick, Calamata Olive and wheat breads.......................11/24/2007

506..........Panini and Things.......................................Grilled Chicken Panini, Cheeseburg Grinder and Club............ 12/24/2007

507..........Risotto Riot...................................................... Seafood Risotto, Artichoke Pesto Risotto.......................1/10/2008

508..........Braciole..........................................................Beef Braciole with Spinach and Mozzarella........................1/19/2008

509..........Cannoli..........................................................Cannoli with Ricotta Stuffing...............................................2/18/2008

510..........Pork Chops........................................................Pork Chops with Polenta...............................................3/1/2008

511..........Sausage Saute & Biscotti Too.....Turkey Sausage with Onions and Peppers, Cranberry Orange Biscotti....3/17/2008

512..........Eggplant Cakes..................................Eggplant Frittelles & Cauliflower & Broccoi Aglio e Olio.................4/9/2008

513..........Salad Days...............................................Orzo Salad, Potato Salad, and Orange Salad...........................4/23/2008