I used to write cookbooks. It was passion to try to bring healthy and fun recipes to people's homes. It was a way to bring my home to theirs.

When you meet someone, ask about what hobby they have, not what they do. People always ask me about cooking, but I prefer to talk about tennis or boxing.

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.

I think the most important thing when you are in a competition and you have, let's say, ingredients you have to use make something you did already because none of the judges, you know, probably had it in our lifetime, so I think do something you feel confident with, not something completely new where you are not sure how many hours or how many minutes you have to cook it or if the seasoning is right or if the combinations of spices and herbs are right.

America has undergone a total food and wine revolution.

My passion for writing cookbooks really came from my love of collecting cookbooks.

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