Always remember: If you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know?

Because I've done a lot of television, I'm sort of a generalist. I'm not a pastry cook, but I've had to learn a certain amount about it. I'm not a baker, though I've had to learn how to do it. I'm sort of a general cook.

I don't use the word gourmet. The word doesn't mean anything anymore. 'Gourmet' makes it sound like someone is putting sherry wine in the corn-flake casserole.

...no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.

I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make.... Usually one's cooking is better than one thinks it is. And if the food is truly vile...then the cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile.

Sooner or later the public will forget you; the memory of you will fade. What's important are the individuals you've influenced along the way.

Noodles are not only amusing but delicious.