If you want to learn more about the winningest player in PPA Tour history, look no further than Anna Leigh Waters’ newly unveiled YouTube channel. 

Her inaugural video marks the start of a new series called In the Kitchen where she and a guest cook together and talk all things pickleball.

Waters' first guest is her mom, coach, and former doubles partner, Leigh Waters.

So what's on the menu? You guessed it. Mac and cheese.

“It’s very decadent and very cheesy. There’s like seven cups of cheese in this,” said Anna Leigh.

“If you’re dieting, this meal is not for you,” added Leigh. 

This definitely isn't a tournament meal, according to Anna Leigh, who obviously stays true to the principles of proper nutrition when she's in competition mode.

In between events is acceptable. Holidays and special occasions fit the bill, too.

While this recipe is a treat, it’s the extra tips Anna Leigh provides that show just how comfortable she really is in the kitchen.

She made a roux, insisted on using large elbow noodles, and shared a cool trick with the butter.

“This is a 6.0 pickleball move. Instead of using the whole stick, we use eight table spoons and save two,” said Anna Leigh. “Then, we chop up the remaining two and put it on top after we make the mac and cheese.” 

It’s no secret that Anna Leigh is an avid baker and cook. In fact, she even prepares her family’s Thanksgiving meal every year.

While cooking, Anna Leigh asked Leigh some fun pickleball questions.

First and foremost, what was her favorite match to watch over the years?

“One of my favorites was your singles match against Brooke Buckner in Mesa this past year because you were getting absolutely destroyed. I don’t know what happened, but all of a sudden it clicked and you started coming back, and then you started having fun and you started using the crowd,” explained Leigh. “The next thing I knew, you were winning the match in three.”

Leigh asked Anna Leigh a similar question.

What was her favorite match to play in?

“I think my favorite is our first National Championship win in 2019. It was just so much fun, and it was our first ever major title. I was 12, it was at night, and it was one of the biggest crowds,” recalled Anna Leigh. “I remember a song came on after the first game called “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and then we won, and my mom started running circles around the court. I think that’s my favorite match.”

What was the turning point in Anna Leigh’s career from Leigh’s perspective?

“I think when we partnered together, we'd be playing in tournaments and everybody was hitting you all the balls. We’re winning these tournaments and you’re getting 70% of the balls and beating people almost on your own. I was like 'Dang! Maybe they should be hitting me the balls,'” shared Leigh. “And when I tore my ACL, that was a turning point because you proved at that time that you didn’t need me anymore. You were going to thrive on your own.”

While mac and cheese can be prepared solo, Anna Leigh and Leigh made this an enjoyable group project.

It's a nice activity from start to finish.

“This is a good team building exercise,” said Leigh. “Pick your favorite doubles partner and go make mac and cheese together.”

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