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

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

I think that you’ve got to make something that pleases you and hope that other people feel the same way.

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

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.

It wasn't about mechanics; it was about a feeling, wanting to give someone something, which in turn was really gratifying. That really resonated for me.

Success is measured by the memories you create.