I like feeling like an ox at the end of the day. I like working hard.

It only looks like I get to eat a lot of food on TV. I really just get the one bite and the crew and guests eat everything else.

I used to say I would never run unless I was being chased by someone with a gun. Now I'm a little obsessed with it!

Food was always a conduit in our family for storytelling, and it was a way for us to keep in touch and remember things. We're people that use food to keep each other together and to always cheer us up and make all of our days better.

My mom, who's been in the restaurant business for 40 years, is the number-one influence in my life. But I look up to a lot of people in the industry. Tops on my list is Mario Batali. My mom and Mario taught me the same lesson: Food is love.

The most essential part of my day is a proper dinner.

If you're humble and hardworking, opportunities will arise for you.