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

In a lot of ways I think food is starting to take the place in culture that rock and roll took 30 years ago, in that eating has become incredibly political. And just as the street has always dictated fashions on music and other things, it’s starting to happen that way in food.

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

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!'

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

In a lot of ways I think food is starting to take the place in culture that rock and roll took 30 years ago.

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.