Tara Bernstein Gushes About New Father-in-Law Guy Fieri (Exclusive)

Guy Fieri is helping his new daughter-in-law break out of her comfort zone.

The Food Network star’s son Hunter Fieri, 29, married professional pickleball player Tara Bernstein, 28, on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Fieri family ranch, HuntRyde Ranch, in Sonoma, Calif. 

While chatting with PEOPLE, Bernstein revealed what the celebrity chef is like as a father-in-law, revealing that he’s encouraged her to expand her palate.

“There’s just so many different fun versions of him, and we always have a blast all together as a family,” she said, describing the Guy’s Grocery Games host as “super big on being family-oriented.”

Bernstein added that Guy’s focus on spending holidays together and “bringing everyone back to the roots” is similar to that of her own parents.

“Everyone has crazy busy lives, but it’s so important to just spend that quality time,” she observed. “So it’s been really fun.”

The newest member of the Fieri family admits that she was never “a big food person or cooking girl” — but she’s already learned a lot from the Flavortown mayor.

“He’s taught me a lot about knife skills,” she says, adding, “[Guy] encourages me to learn different things and try new foods because I have been a picky eater.”

Bernstein recalls that when she began sharing meals with the Fieris, she felt like the only one eating pasta and fries. But now she’s trying ingredients she previously avoided, such as tuna.

“It’s been nice to have a father-in-law that is open to teaching me new things that I haven’t ever tried before,” she said.

Hunter, who is also a chef, tells PEOPLE he noticed the change when they recently went to a restaurant and Bernstein ordered tuna with her crispy rice rather than avocado.

“The look on my face, I mean, you should have seen it,” he says. “I was just like, ‘You were ordering what? Tuna?’ See, I couldn’t get her to eat tuna for the longest time.”

Bernstein admits she sometimes felt “embarrassed” by her picky appetite when friends would say, “You probably eat the best food in the world.” 

“It’s so interesting now because I’ve never really stepped outside of my comfort zone and it’s been able to help me take those steps,” she says. “So it’s been nice.”

For her part, Bernstein is reciprocating by teaching Hunter and his dad how to play her sport of choice.

“I learned some nice skills,” she says. “I can do all of that, and then after take them down on the pickleball court.”

The couple’s wedding celebration, with 350 guests, featured a “Denim & Diamonds” themed welcome party, a petting zoo, and a six-tiered custom wedding cake by Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro.

“It’s controlled chaos over here,” Hunter said, to which Bernstein added, “Like a mini Stagecoach.”

“We just want to hang out with our friends, have some good food, and just enjoy ourselves,” he continued. “It’s just all of the people who mean the most to us.”