Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.

A house without a cat is like a day without sunshine, a pie without fromage, a dinner without wine.

The measure of achievement is not winning awards. It's doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile.

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.

The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken.

This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!

The egg can be your best friend if you just give it the right break