When I was writing 'Kitchen Confidential,' I was in my 40s, I had never paid rent on time, I was 10 years behind on my taxes, I had never owned my own furniture or a car.

Good food does lead to sex. As it should. And in a perfect world, good music does too.

At the end of a dinner at my house, my kitchen sink is filled with dishes and there's nothing pretty about the garbage.

We now have a generation of people who in many cases feel that if they become chefs, they'll get a TV show. They have a signature haircut, a year into the business, or a branding arrangement with a shoe company. I don't really relate to that. I guess this is the world we live in now.

People are generally proud of their food. A willingness to eat and drink with people without fear and prejudice... they open up to you in ways that somebody visiting who is driven by a story may not get.

I didn't want food that looked unapproachable or ridiculously beautiful.

If somebody crafts an interesting tweet that’ll lead me to their blog, I’m going to their blog.