In a delightful showcase of culinary talent, Jackson Daly demonstrated his impressive pizza-making skills on TODAY, all while receiving playful guidance from his famous parents.
On November 15, the 15-year-old son of TODAY’s Carson Daly and his wife, Siri, whipped up a delicious vodka sauce pizza topped with prosciutto. This fun cooking segment was part of a special feature focused on tailgate foods, perfectly timed for the upcoming Sunday Night Football showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers.
Before Jackson dove into the intricacies of the recipe, Carson set a lighthearted tone, making it clear what was at stake.
“Let’s do this,” Carson instructed with a grin. “Don’t screw it up, Jackson.”
Sporting a No. 21 Bengals jersey that honored the team, Jackson was all set to start as Carson enthusiastically recounted their morning together.
“Good to see you guys, we made it,” Carson exclaimed. “We woke up early, drove into work together, and now we’re live on television! Let’s get started; this is crazy!”
Siri, who has made a name for herself as a food blogger and cookbook author, couldn’t help but chuckle at the whirlwind nature of their morning.
“It’s not normal,” Carson added humorously. “We were in the kitchen two hours ago yelling at each other, and now we’re on TV.”
“And you’ll be in school in an hour,” Siri reminded Jackson, emphasizing the offbeat nature of their day.
Jackson cleverly pointed out how the vibrant orange of the pizza matched perfectly with the Bengals’ colors before he eagerly began the process of creating his homemade vodka sauce, with Carson providing assistance.
“Going to put the tomato paste in there,” Jackson stated confidently, only to be promptly corrected.
“No, not yet,” Siri interjected, shaking her head.
“We’ve got to go, guys,” Carson urged, glancing at the clock with a sense of urgency.
“That was totally the wrong order,” Siri chimed in, watching Jackson navigate the kitchen.
“Should I just leave?” Carson quipped jokingly. “I’m just going to leave.”
Despite a few hiccups along the way, Jackson managed to describe how a homemade vodka sauce is “richer” and has “more flavor” compared to standard tomato sauce on pizza.
He candidly admitted to not knowing all the precise details for cooking the pizza.
“If you just have a normal oven, you want to cook it really hot,” he said. “I honestly don’t really know how hot. Very hot.”
Siri then shared her own delectable recipe for smashed potato nachos, another fantastic tailgate treat.
It is clear that the culinary passion of Carson and Siri has certainly influenced their eldest of four children.
“He trusts his gut,” Siri said proudly. “He’s got a great palate. He just kind of creates whatever.”
Jackson received a glowing five-star review from the TODAY family after showcasing his pizza.
“It’s incredible, Jack,” Savannah Guthrie praised, as the enthusiastic reactions continued.
His tasty creation received accolades from renowned hosts including Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Dylan Dreyer.
Despite a rocky start with the sauce, Jackson ultimately brought it home in style.
“Excellent job,” Carson commended him. “You’re no longer grounded anymore — for doing such a good job.”
Jackson raised his fist in triumph, soaking in the praise.
“The Dalys crushed it,” Hoda Kotb declared enthusiastically, celebrating the familial victory together.
This moment marked Jackson’s first attempt at a cooking segment on TODAY, although he has previously charmed audiences by assisting Carson as the “graphics department” during PopStart segments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He has also made a name for himself as a reporter and interviewer on “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition” for four years.
“That will be really, really cool because he’s never cooked on the show with me before, and he’s a huge foodie and very talented in the kitchen,” Siri shared excitedly in a video on her Instagram story on November 14.
Siri also delighted fans with a glimpse of Jackson in action prepping his culinary creations on TODAY while sharing a heartwarming video of their adorable toddler goddaughter captivated by his cooking on television at home.
What were some of the challenges you faced while making pizza live on TODAY?
**Interview with Jackson Daly on His Pizza-Making Debut on TODAY**
**Interviewer:** Jackson, you recently showcased your pizza-making skills on TODAY and had a lot of fun with your parents, Carson and Siri, guiding you. How did it feel to be in the spotlight?
**Jackson:** It was a blast! Cooking with my parents is always fun, especially when they’re both being so goofy. I loved being on live TV, but it was a bit nerve-wracking too!
**Interviewer:** You made a vodka sauce pizza topped with prosciutto. What inspired that choice?
**Jackson:** Well, I wanted something that matches the Cincinnati Bengals’ colors, and the orange in the sauce really pops! Plus, vodka sauce is richer and has so much more flavor than regular tomato sauce.
**Interviewer:** There were some humorous moments, like your dad jokingly urging you not to mess up. How did you handle the banter while trying to focus on your pizza?
**Jackson:** It was hilarious! I think the pressure actually helped me stay focused. I just tried to keep my cool and remember the steps, even if they were getting in my head a little!
**Interviewer:** Your mom compared the crazy kitchen atmosphere to a whirlwind. What was that like for you, transitioning from cooking at home to being on live TV?
**Jackson:** It was definitely a big transition! One moment we were just cooking in the kitchen, and the next, we were live. It’s wild to think that just an hour before, I was in normal clothes and now I’m in a Bengals jersey on national TV!
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you didn’t know all the precise details for cooking the pizza. How did that mimic your usual cooking experiences?
**Jackson:** A lot of times, I just go with my gut when cooking. I’m still learning the specifics, like temperatures and exact measurements. I just like to have fun with it and try new things!
**Interviewer:** How did it feel to receive praise from the TODAY family after your cooking segment?
**Jackson:** It was such an amazing feeling! Hearing Savannah Guthrie say that my pizza was incredible was surreal. It really made all the chaos worth it!
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s next for you in the kitchen? Any other recipes or cooking aspirations you want to pursue?
**Jackson:** I definitely want to try more creative pizzas and maybe tackle some other dishes. Cooking is one of my passions, and I can’t wait to keep experimenting in the kitchen!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your experience, Jackson. We look forward to seeing more of your culinary adventures!
**Jackson:** Thanks for having me! I’m excited too!