For me, cooking is an expression of the land where you are and the culture of that place.

When I was 27, if I didn't put 15 things in one dish I wasn't happy.

A good chef has to be a manager, a businessman and a great cook. To marry all three together is sometimes difficult.

For me, I don't expect to have a really amazing meal each time I dine out. Having a good meal with your loved ones - that's what makes the experience.

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

I grew up so poor in Austria that we never took a vacation with my family.

I want to teach [people] the secret of great visual presentation. Your stomach sees the food first, and I want to help them match food flavor profiles with the aesthetics of everything.