A cookbook must have recipes, but it shouldn't be a blueprint. It should be more inspirational; it should be a guide.

I think that's the important thing - being aware of that inspiration and being able to interpret it into something that's meaningful for you.

And don't forget music - music in the kitchen is an essential ingredient!

Whether it's destiny or fate or whatever, I don't think I could do a French Laundry anywhere else.

I wanted to write about what we were doing at the French Laundry, the recipes and the stories.

My childhood wasn't full of wonderful culinary memories.

For me, thats one of the important things about cooking. What was good enough yesterday may not be good enough today.