I launched The Emeril Lagasse Foundation to provide culinary training, and developmental and educational programs to children in the cities where my restaurants operate. I think everyone has a responsibility to give back to the community if they can, and to help future generations learn new skills.

Whether it's books or TV, or whatever the case may be, the backbone of what I do is my restaurants.

Cleanliness is very important. If you let kids make a total mess in the kitchen and then leave, you're not really teaching them anything.

I like to keep things simple. It's really about the wine, food and the beach view. Nothing can beat that.

My inspiration was my mom. She's a great cook, and she still cooks, and we still banter back and forth about cooking. Growing up in a mostly Portuguese community, food was important and the family table was extremely important. At a very young age I understood that.

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

I'm not a TV guy. I'm a restaurant chef and a businessman.