In the 1970s we got nouvelle cuisine, in which a lot of the old rules were kicked over. And then we had cuisine minceur, which people mixed up with nouvelle cuisine but was actually fancy diet cooking.

I was a Republican until I got to New York and had to live on $18 a week. It was then that I became a Democrat.

How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?

Just like becoming an expert in wine, you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford.

I'd like for people to be able to go to the universities and get a degree in fine arts-gastronomy.

Just speak very loudly and quickly, and state your position with utter conviction, as the French do, and you'll have a marvelous time!

I always try to buy just what I need. You get ideas as to what's in season and what's best. I think if you have a preconceived idea before shopping, that makes it difficult. You have to have an open mind.