Pasta doesn't make you fat. How much pasta you eat makes you fat.

Opportunities present themselves and you have to enjoy the ride. All of us get so worried about the next step that we don't enjoy the moment we're in right now.

You just need a little perspective. Warmed chocolate can give you that.

I always say to people that working full time and being a mom is probably the hardest job, because as a mom you think about your child 24/7.

I grew up in the kitchen, mostly with my grandfather, my mother and my aunt Raffy.

Many chefs of a certain caliber do not see me as a chef. I don't have a restaurant. They see me as a TV food personality, not a chef. I've gotten respect, trust me, they respect me, but I think that I can't hit that particular level of respect from them until I have a successful Vegas restaurant that not only makes money but creates unbelievable food and a fabulous experience. I don't think people think I can cook, and they don't think I know what the hell I'm doing.

The holidays stress people out so much. I suggest you keep it simple and try to have as much fun as you can.