I have no formal culinary training, right.

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

I wonder if I love the communal act of eating so much because throughout my childhood, with four older brothers and a mom who worked in the restaurant business, I spent a lot of time fending for myself, eating alone - and recognizing how eating together made all the difference.

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

The book is there for inspiration and as a foundation, the fundamentals on which to build.

I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook, it's successful.

Anyone can make a good roast chicken.