To me, the kitchen is a place of adventure and entirely fun, not drudgery. I can't think of anything better to do with family and friends than to be together to create something.

You know the great irony is that people think you have to have money to enjoy fine food, which is a shame.

Sesame oil is probably my favorite condiment, period.

Cooking for people is an enormously significant expression of generosity and soulfulness.

Believe me, I understand the need for easy and speedy. After a 12-hour day of shooting 'Chopped,' say, I'm talking stir-fry, spaghetti, heck, peanut-butter sandwiches. But that's not about the joy of food. That's survival.

The great mystery to me is how restaurant critics think they can get away with doing their job without anybody noticing who they are.

Oh, did I tell you I have a cookbook? I have a cookbook deal.