Growing up in New England, being schooled and classically trained, it needed to shake, it needed to evolve.

Spice is life. It depends upon what you like... have fun with it. Yes, food is serious, but you should have fun with it.

I ended up turning down a full scholarship of music at the conservatory to pay to go to cooking school.

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.

I think all kids need snacks. Mine are fruit machines. I give them things like apple slices, berries and melon. Do I let them eat ice cream? Absolutely. But not every day.

Books make great gifts because they expand your horizons and keep you cooking.

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.