Food is such an important part of our lives, and sometimes we tend to diminish the importance of that, because we rely on conveniences or because our lives are so complicated. We forget about those moments that we can actually share around the table with our family, with our friends, with our loved ones.

We go through our careers and things happen to us. Those experiences made me what I am.

Some of the recipes in the book have evolved for us. Many haven't.

A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.

Once you understand the foundations of cooking - whatever kind you like, whether it's French or Italian or Japanese - you really don't need a cookbook anymore.

When I go out to eat, it's usually something moderate in style.

A kaiseki meal is like that, very small courses over a long period of time.