We had no electricity, no gas. Food was probably our greatest entertainment - the most fun thing that we could do was food.

I love people, and I'm excited that I can turn them on.

I believe in America. I'm one of those silly flag wavers.

In '71 or '72 I returned to New Orleans and stayed there. I started cooking Louisiana food. Of all the things I had cooked, it was the best-and it was my heritage.

When the taste changes with every bite and the last bite tastes as good as the first, that's Cajun.

I opened my own restaurant when I was 17. I went broke, then traveled around the country, learning about different kinds of foods, had three other restaurants that went broke. It didn't all start just a few years ago!

I don't think life is to be taken too seriously. Take it too seriously, and it'll getcha.