An instant-read thermometer is your best bet for making sure that meat and fish are cooked to the proper temperature.

Today, when I hire, I look for people who want to be trained and molded.

Brushes are crucial for applying glazes, sauces, and oils. The pastry brushes that you find in homestores can be pricey so pay a visit to your local hardware store and pick up a few paint brushes which are less expensive and work equally as well.

I spend 80% of my time in my restaurants. Taping my TV shows doesn't take much time, and then they get aired a lot. That's the thing people don't realize.

I prefer lump charcoal over briquettes but I do use both for different reasons and different recipes and sometimes I combine them both when I really want the woodsy aroma from the lump charcoal and long, even heat from the briquettes.

It's important to have balance in your life between work and play.

I dropped out of high school. I really had no interest in doing any school work whatsoever.