When I cook with my son, I might chop vegetables and have fun with different shapes. Cooking is a way to teach kids about other things, like reading or math with all of the weights and measures. There are so many things that are part of cooking that are also very educational.

I love fresh citrus and always keep lemons, limes, and oranges on hand; they come in handy for spritzing up quickly grilled meats, seafoods, and vegetables, especially when followed up by a quick drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

If you think big, then it's going to be big.

We'll be going to the fish market and a farmer's market this afternoon to get what we need to make and eat dinner as a family. I'm trying to expose my kids to going to a farmers market or the fish market and learning what that's all about.

Food that's beautiful to look at seems to taste better than food that isn't.

I think many cooks are afraid of undercooked meats. A good thermometer is a cook's best friend.

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