What you're experiencing now [on "MasterChef," on "Junior"] is what life's going to be like for the next four, five decades. You're going to go through those bumps. Bringing you back in contention and giving you that kind of confidence, they're huge. But they let it go, there's no fear, they're naughty, they're rude, and they know there's no parents and there's no school teacher so they can have fun, and it shows.

Initially let your food do the talking. You'll be surprised how far you go in a short period of time.

I am what I am. A fighter.

Something you need to do three times a day, seven days a week, and something you need to stop worrying about. If [kids] don't know how to cook, they go to junk, and then the junk becomes addictive, and then all of a sudden they're left with no choice.

Being a chef never seems like a job, it becomes a true passion.

I think reality TV now needs a big kick up the a - to get creative and be meaningful, I think. Otherwise, people are becoming famous for having no talent, based on pure exposure. That's the grating part.

Having four kids of my own, fifth one on the way... I think with "Junior," what's happened over the last three years is this program's been implemented across schools.