Without peanuts, it isn't a cocktail party.

Because of media hype and woefully inadequate information, too many people nowadays are deathly afraid of their food, and what does fear of food do to the digestive system? ... I, for one, would much rather swoon over a few thin slices of prime beefsteak, or one small serving of chocolate mousse, or a sliver of foie gras than indulge to the full on such nonentities as fat-free gelatin puddings.

The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude.

Freshness is essential. That makes all the difference.

I never feel lonely in the kitchen. Food is very friendly.

I was thirty-seven years old and still discovering who I was.

I found that the recipes in most - in all - the books I had were really not adequate. They didn't tell you enough... I won't do anything unless I'm told why I'm doing it. So I felt that we needed fuller explanations so that if you followed one of those recipes, it should turn out exactly right.