I think it's really important to keep on staying motivated.

Collecting cookbooks is still my biggest passion! Believe it or not, I actually got the biggest form of inspiration from my kids. My kids do everything online. They would have their tablets in front of them watching hours upon hours of online videos. I came to understand that these videos were actually teaching my kids lots of different forms of information.

It's easier being a judge than a competitor. As a judge, you don't have any risks. That makes it much more enjoyable.

Thirty-five years ago, being a cook was the same as being a used-car salesman.

Now everybody thinks that once you do Top Chef, then 13 weeks later you're a chef. Nobody wants to learn to cook anymore.

The only way to teach people how to truly do it and do it the right way, is to get those ingredients and kitchen tools in front of them and in their hands to use.

I have two young boys, and my wife is at home. Most of the time, I will cook the food, and we'll eat together.