I would like to see people more aware of where their food comes from. I would like to see small farmers empowered. I feed my daughter almost exclusively organic food.

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.

When do you stop to de-douche?

I think it's a universal truth that most chefs I know are happiest eating simple, unadorned good things.

What you're going to be eating in the next year is decided by chefs. If the consensus is that pot-bellies are in next season, that's what's on your plate. And I think that's a good thing, because we know, obviously, about food.

I do my very best to avoid shark fin.

Very few restaurant workers could even dream of eating in the restaurants they work in. Many do not make a living wage.