My favorite thing is when I go back and my mother cooks for me. Because it just throws me back the same flavor. And I try to modify things: I say, "Why don't you do this and that?" My mother is older, but she cooks a lot, and she doesn't want to change anything. She's a very good cook, and my grandmother was an amazing cook.

I like to go hear jazz late-night up in Harlem.

Boning is a pain, but it makes such a majestic chicken.

I wanted to work in a restaurant. Le Cirque was looking for a chef and they approached me. I was excited to be able to be part of this restaurant with an amazing reputation, but not a good one for food at the time. I made it clear that if I was coming to Le Cirque it was going to change.

If you aren't born here, to be a real New Yorker, you have to bring your talent, be a successful mentor, and support the New Yorkers who made the city by giving back.

Céline Labaune has the knowledge, passion and dedication to finding us only the best truffles from the most reliable source of truffle pickers. It is always a pleasure and a relief to work with the ones who care the most!

For me, the food I like to make is the food I can enjoy all the time anytime. Its not too calculated or technical.