I wouldn't ask any of my employees to do anything I wouldn't do. And I work as hard, if not harder than the rest of the staff, to set an example. I also believe in giving my employees a lot of room to be creative and to express themselves.

I started cooking when I was about 10. I have memories like when I was 6 or 7 with my mom, and when I was 12 I started getting real serious about cooking.

Get up every day and try a little harder than the day before.

Mom ran the house, so we grew up Portuguese.

If somebody has a chance to put my food in their mouth, that tells the story.

Books make great gifts because they expand your horizons and keep you cooking.

When it ceases to be fun, I'll stop and just stay in my restaurants.