If you don't follow your dream, who will?

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.

You know, for 300 years it's been kind of the same. There are restaurants in New Orleans that the menu hasn't changed in 125 years, so how is one going to change or evolve the food?

The world has changed, and it's almost been 11 years. I have 975 employees. I have six restaurants. We haven't opened any new ones in almost three years.

I grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts. My background was modest, and I worked at a Portuguese bakery in town.

I spent a lot of time on farms when I was young. My uncle and my dad owned a big farm.

I don't limit myself.