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!

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.

I opened a restaurant that had nothing but California wines.

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.

We didn't do wrong things because we didn't want to embarrass our parents.

You don't need a silver fork to eat good food.