If you are not extreme, then people will take shortcuts because they don't fear you.

Eating is one of the most important aspects of living. I like indulging. I like to eat one food at a time, to savor each individual thing.

I came from the old world of gastronomy. Many years ago I walked into the kitchens of the Hotel St George and I feel very fortunate that I worked for chefs that were behind their stoves. I saw that world of gastronomy. I can sit here today and say that I saw the golden age of gastronomy. It's gone, it's gone. It's never going to have that anymore, once the accountants get involved the romance fades. That's the reality.

Once you grow up and discover yourself as a human being you look at things for what they are.

I think if you've been given something in life you have a moral duty to give things back.

Do I shout, belittle or swear? No. I have sufficient confidence within myself to control my environment just by my presence, just by working hard and leading from the front.

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