The holidays are the icing on the cake for Atlanta & Company host, Christine Pullara. The sweetheart of Atlanta daytime television, Christine adores time with her family, celebrating traditions and nibbling on her mother’s red velvet cake, made with love and a story.
"In our house, it's not Christmas without my mother's red velvet cake. She has been making it for decades, and so many friends and family members love it that she makes seven additional cakes for people to serve on Christmas Day. Believe me, that is no small task!” says Christine who lives in Buckhead with her husband Jim and their daughters, Caroline and Catherine. “She is a warm, thoughtful, generous person and she puts all that love and care into making the most delicious and festive cake.”
Violet Pullara started baking for her family and when she found her cake brought joy to friends, she decided to double, then more than triple her recipe so she could make deliveries to special people in her life who meant so much to her. "I've had other tasty red velvet cakes before, but there is just that intangible, special something that makes my mother's stand out from the rest,” says Christine. “It is always delicious and creamy and no matter how full you are after your holiday meal… there is no way you could pass up a slice! I dare you!”
This year, Christine and her family will celebrate Christmas with her brother-in-law here in Atlanta, then head to her hometown of Tampa to be with her extended family.
Interior designer Diane Johnson helped Christine decorate her newly renovated kitchen this year, adding bright touches of shimmery red and greenery, glittery gold and a traditional wreath. “I love the accents Diane chose, just right for our modern white kitchen,” says Christine. Diane owned a retail location in Johns Creek for more than 25 years. She now works from her new space in the design district of Norcross and consults for interior design projects throughout Atlanta. “Christine’s beautiful neutral kitchen was a perfect palate for Christmas decor and it was a pleasure to work with such a vibrant and positive person,” says Diane.
She brought her personal collection of English Cuthbertson Christmas tree plates for Christine’s own red velvet cake and sourced an urn-inspired vase and matching round platter, festive shiny gold deer and filled a curvy oversized glass apothecary jar with red ornaments.
“I just love the vibe and now we’re all in the holiday spirit!” says Christine. “I hope you enjoy your holidays as much as I enjoy my mom's cake!”
During her career of more than 30 years in television, Christine has worn many hats. From award-winning news anchor to freelance journalist to commercial/voice over actor and model, Christine has covered news, sports, fashion, education and entertainment. In 1999, Christine began hosting the popular HGTV show Treasure Makers. She then spent several years as a television host and producer in Los Angeles working on shows for E! Entertainment, FOX and The Fine Living Network. In 2005, she moved to Atlanta to host the home improvement show Bushwhacked on Turner South, which earned two Southeast Emmy Awards. For the past 13 years, Christine has hosted Atlanta & Company weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on 11 Alive, the NBC affiliate.
