Television in the '80s was very limited. There was no Food Network.

I grew up in Austria, and for me real comfort food is Wiener Schnitzel. Wiener Schnitzel and mashed potatoes because it reminds me of my youth... It reminds me when I grow up and it feels very comforting.

There's a lot of processed food in America and I know that can make some tourists who're used to fresh food feel sick.

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

Stay away from iodized table salt. It's just bad and doesn't help food taste good.

I learn more from the one restaurant that didn't work than from all the ones that were successes.

Television in the '80s was very limited. There was no Food Network. When I opened Spago, I had the kitchen in the dining hall. It was probably the first restaurant to do so. The dining scene became more casual. All these cooking shows have transformed our profession one-hundred percent.