Just because we are not Italian, does not mean we cannot appreciate Michelangelo, it is the same with cuisine.

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.

I'm a decent cook; I'm a decent chef. None of my friends would ever have hired me at any point in my career. Period.

I like the fact that Melbourne always seems to support their chefs and promote them in ways I find really admirable.

I think there's a tendency to over-jack and over-umami food these days.

For me, the cooking life has been a long love affair, with moments both sublime and ridiculous.

You'd have a hard time finding anything better than Barcelona for food, as far as being a hub. Given a choice between Barcelona and San Sebastian to die in, I'd probably want to die in San Sebastian.