When I want to kick it up, I like to add hardwood chips or chunks to the grill; it adds bold smoky flavors. The most common woods are hickory and mesquite, but you can find alder, apple, cherry and, my personal favorite, pecan.

The most interesting thing I've ever heard about myrself that isn't true is that I'm not a nice guy.

My favorite Aspen memory is saving an upside-down cake that had exploded from the high altitude.

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

Music is one of those things that is constantly going in my head all the time. It's sort of like the evolution and creation of doing food, or my philosophy about wine. It's always beating in my head, so it keeps the spirit moving.

The world has changed, and it's almost been 11 years. I have 975 employees. I have six restaurants. We haven't opened any new ones in almost three years.

If you don't follow your dream, who will?