I come from a family of farmers on both sides of my family.

Obviously California is fantastic in terms of produce, vegetables.

Well, cooking starts with shopping. If the ingredients are not good, you don't do it. Just change your mind and do something else.

You don't become a chef to become famous.

It was my first day working at Tour d'Argent, a famous restaurant in Paris, in 1982, and they were celebrating their 400th anniversary. I am in the fish station and after many mistakes, including cutting myself after 30 seconds in that kitchen, the chef said, "Make a Hollandaise sauce with 32 yolks." It takes me forever to separate the yolks from the whites, and I put them in a bowl and try to go close to the stove, but the stove is way too hot for me.

My New Year's resolution is to cut my diet sodas down to two cans a day!

I'm very bad, but I like to dance.