Without Montreal, Canada would be hopeless.

My tastes in what I eat at home would be very familiar to most people who cook for families. I just organize those things a little bit differently.

Assume the worst. About everybody. But don't let this poisoned outlook affect your job performance. Let it all roll off your back. Ignore it. Be amused by what you see and suspect. Just because someone you work with is a miserable, treacherous, self-serving, capricious and corrupt asshole shouldn't prevent you from enjoying their company, working with them or finding them entertaining.

If people are working only rice and beans for much of their diet, it says something.

If you get an opportunity to work with David Simon, anybody with good taste would.

I'm not impressed by any cooks who can brag about a filet mignon. A guy who can take the neck of a shank or can use tripe to make into something delicious is really interesting to me; that's impressive.

I'm not going to get off the pony as long as they let me ride it.