We're in a world that is run by accountants and I think that it's sad in many ways.

A lot of my reputation is a product of exaggeration and ignorance.

How many chefs when I was a young boy shouted at me during service? All I ever said was "Yes, chef." The customer is the most important. If the chef overreacts, fine. At the end of service, you apologize.

Mother Nature is the true artist and our job as cooks is to allow her to shine.

I'm not a worrier. I like sleeping.

Today there are very few chefs at that high level who are behind their stoves. You don't feel their presence within the room. Where's the romance? Where's the show? Where's the theater? The modern day restaurant - it's like dining in a chapel. It's boring.

The more I invested in myself, the kinder I was to myself and the more I understood myself.