To me, every kitchen appliance is useful and nothing's overrated. When I look at my little espresso machine, I don't see coffee. I see a steaming valve as an opportunity to make amazing creme brulee.
Grant AchatzMost smoked salts are made with liquid smoke, which is a condensate, but really, really good smoked salt is literally smoked.
Grant AchatzMy father would always tell me that creativity didn't matter at the diner. When I was probably 14 or 15, I would put - I mean, it was a no-nonsense place - but I would try to put a sprig of parsley or orange curl on the omelets, or something like that. He'd be like "Don't do that!"
Grant AchatzWhat makes the food that we do at Alinea so interesting on the outside is that we really don't let ourselves say no to an idea.
Grant Achatz