I make some of my best recipes with a simple homemade stock. Keep shrimp shells stored in a plastic bag in the freezer. When you have almost a gallon-bag full, you can make a stock in 30 minutes that you can use in soups and sauces. You can then freeze the stock in ice-cube trays.

Mom ran the house, so we grew up Portuguese.

Anything made with love, bam! -it's a beautiful meal.

I've never really had a problem with people.

Many of my staff have been with me for over 20 years. I have a great team, and I make sure they feel respected and appreciated.

Spice is life. It depends upon what you like... have fun with it. Yes, food is serious, but you should have fun with it.

I respected it. I submerged myself into it. So on a lot of days off I would go and fish with the fishermen and the families that ran the boats. I would go work the fields with farmers. I would go and talk with farmers about growing particular products for me.