Anne Hathaway, the Academy Award-winning actress and global icon, has become a source of inspiration not only for her stellar acting career but also for her passion for food, particularly desserts. In 2021, during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, she revealed that the lockdown had given her the chance to explore cooking at home more than ever. During this time, she found comfort in a specific brand of frozen pizza that became a family favorite. Fast forward to December 2024, when Hathaway was spotted dining at Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna’s Bungalow restaurant in New York City, an outing that stirred heartfelt emotions for the chef, who later shared his thoughts on Instagram.
However, it was during a guest spot on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that Hathaway’s dessert expertise came to light. When asked about her dessert ordering skills, she confidently proclaimed that she was more than just ‘good’ at it. While many dream of sharing a dessert with her, those who wish to indulge like Anne Hathaway can benefit from her savvy ordering tips and tricks. Here are four essential strategies to elevate your dessert game.
Ordering food at a restaurant can often feel like a gamble. It’s hard to predict how any given dish will turn out, especially when it comes to baked goods. Hathaway has a unique approach to determining whether a dessert will be worth the hype. In her appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show in September 2024, she discussed her dessert strategy, emphasizing the importance of quality bread when selecting a cake. She compared this to ordering Tex-Mex—the quality of the salsa, chips, and queso often reflects the standard of the meal. If the bread is subpar, chances are the cake will disappoint as well.
Another popular dessert, cupcakes, can be messy to eat. The traditional method of holding a cupcake up for a bite often ends in frosting all over one’s face. Hathaway has mastered a clever technique: she transforms her cupcake into a sandwich. During her time on the Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022, she shared this unique approach by tearing off a portion of the bottom and placing it over the frosting—much like a whoopie pie—making it easier to eat without sacrificing that delicious cake-to-frosting ratio.
When faced with the dilemma of choosing between chocolate cake, crème brûlée, or a plate of tiramisu, Hathaway offers a liberating solution: don’t choose at all. In September 2024, during another conversation with Kelly Clarkson, she advocated for ordering multiple desserts to avoid ‘dessert envy.’ Having a variety of treats on the table not only satisfies everyone’s cravings but also encourages exploration of new flavor combinations, adding an element of adventure to the dining experience.
The secret to becoming a dessert connoisseur, as many champions across various fields will attest, is practice. Hathaway shared with Colbert in March 2022 how she dedicated countless hours to perfecting her dessert knowledge, even acquiring the ability to identify sauces at a glance. She recounted a memorable party experience where a cake topped with gelato was served over a mystery sauce. As her friends speculated between caramel and apple, Hathaway confidently pinpointed the correct flavor, highlighting her expertise.
It’s clear that Anne Hathaway knows her desserts. Her philosophy is straightforward—indulge with no regrets and no hesitation. Whether it’s flipping a cupcake to savor every bite or ordering half the menu to ensure no one experiences FOMO (fear of missing out), Hathaway embraces dessert enjoyment with gusto. So, the next time you find yourself at a restaurant pondering what to order for dessert, remember these tips from Anne Hathaway and savor the experience like a star.
