I write mostly positive reviews. I don't write about places that don't interest me.

Everybody talks about the internet being the ultimate repository of cooking knowledge. But it's not. It sucks.

Cooking is what makes us human. For example, Chimpanzees spend eight to ten hours trying to feed themselves, they are occupied by it, eating basically indigestible things. Once our human ancestors learn to cook things, suddenly we didn't have to spend that much time on digestion, our brains expanded, and we think about other things.

I'm lucky to be in food at the moment, because we're living in a time where so many people are obsessed with it. People will go to food festivals now, and argue over the merits of a taco for hours. It's about the people who deeply care, and want that exchange of ideas.

I think every culture is passionate about food; some are just passionate about food and the food is shitty.

I don't go to McDonalds, but when I was working for Gourmet magazine in New York City, my daughter liked to go there. I was completely paranoid that someone would recognize me there and say, 'Gourmet critic spotted at McDonalds! Buying a Happy Meal!'

It's funny how everyone has a bizarre relationship with Google. The knowledge is there, but no one knows how to use it right.