At the end of the day it's just food, isn't it? Just food.

When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.

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

I cannot teach anybody how to cook. All I can do is show them, share methods with them.

I have no regrets in my life. If not for the mistakes that I made I would not be the man I am today.

Gastronomy is the French Foreign Legion. You don't need any qualifications. Just walk through the door and keep your head down. Be respectful - "Yes chef!" - and you'll be given a trade. One day you'll be in a position where you can put a roof over your children's heads, you can put food on their table, create security for them.

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.