You are going to be what you put in your body, so I try to teach that to my kids, and the kids around me.

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.

Wrap fish fillets, sliced veggies, and other quick-cooking items inside foil packets with bundles of fresh herbs and throw them directly on the grill; the steam will release the herb's perfume and flavor anything contained inside the pouch.

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

Anything made with love, bam! -it's a beautiful meal.

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

You can easily put together your own favorite spice blend, whether that's a salt and pepper mixture or you're adding herbs to it or Creole spice. Just watch out for the sodium content. That why I encourage you to make your own.