A kitchen without a knife is not a kitchen.

On behalf of my native Japan, I am grateful to the culinary community and hospitality industry for working together to raise much-needed funds to aid the tsunami and earthquake victims.

A lot of people think Japanese food is difficult, a lot of work. But you don't have to buy the knife I have. You don't have to train as long as I have. You can do my cooking in your kitchen.

Just ask the local people for the best food. Don't rely on a guidebook.

Because I'm a chef, I eat out frequently, so it's hard for me to control what I consume in terms of calories. But when I'm at home, I eat what my wife cooks for me. She works hard to avoid making foods that are high in calories and cholesterol, so most of the time, she makes vegetarian dishes.

No rules. Don't be afraid to do whatever you want. Cooking doesn't have to have rules. I don't like it that way.

You wouldn't put your soul in a dishwasher!