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

I try to teach my son about sanitation, especially when handling foods like chicken that could be dangerous. I remind him to wash his hands all the time. When my son cooks with me, he stands on a step stool so he can reach the stove. I teach him about safety and fire.

You go to a restaurant in the States and kids have these game boards at the table. You don't see that in Italy or Spain. It's not because they can't afford to buy them, it's because that's not what eating together as a family is about.

I'm not impressed with presidents. I have met a few, but I'm not impressed with them.

You know, in 1975 I couldn't get a job in New York City because I was American. The kitchens were predominantly run by French, Swiss, German, and basically I got laughed at. I had education, I had experience, but got laughed at because I was American.

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

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.