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?

Spain has some of the richest culinary traditions and truly appreciates food that is simply prepared with top-notch ingredients.

I've been very fortunate, because I've cooked for a lot of actors and actresses and musicians. I've cooked for presidents and I've been to the White House.

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

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

What I go for in my cooking is sinful, bold and real.

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.