I realized very early the power of food to evoke memory, to bring people together, to transport you to other places, and I wanted to be a part of that.

I was very impressed with the street food of Singapore. I was very impressed with the dishes that they did.

I prefer natural hardwood lump charcoal - the other stuff makes your food taste like Goodyear tires.

Chefs are at the end of a long chain of individuals who work hard to feed people. Farmers, beekeepers, bakers, scientists, fishermen, grocers, we are all part of that chain, all food people, all dedicated to feeding the world.

Music is very spiritual, it has the power to bring people together.

I started culinary school at a very young age, and really I wanted to be out working, cooking, more than I wanted to be in a classroom. You could say I wasn't a very good student - I wanted to be a student of life and experience.