Trying to micromanage the perfect vacation is always a disaster. That leads to terrible times. If you get lost and you just end up eating just anywhere, you know, you see a bunch of Venetians sitting around smoking cigarettes, eating something unrecognizable in a dark alley somewhere, chances are it's interesting.

If you're training in a combat sport, deliciousness takes a backseat.

The roots of creativity of cooking are hungry people trying to figure out how to take something that's not particularly fresh or tender and transform it into it something delicious that everyone will love.

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.

I think fine dining is dying out everywhere... but I think there will be - and there has to always be - room for at least a small number of really fine, old-school fine-dining restaurants.

You have to love a town where you can both smoke and gamble in a pharmacy.

The Italians seem to have a better attitude with kids and the food is great!