Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors - it's how you combine them that sets you apart.
A chef is a mixture maybe of artistry and craft. You have to learn the craft really to get there.
Italian food is all about ingredients and it's not fussy and it's not fancy.
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.
For me, cooking is an expression of the land where you are and the culture of that place.
A good chef has to be a manager, a businessman and a great cook. To marry all three together is sometimes difficult.
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.
I left school when I was 14 to work in kitchens.
It's a myth that generally Asians are mostly vegetarians. The Japanese are the kings of red meat, but it's expensive. The Chinese and Vietnamese love their pork. Many Indians, especially the Muslims, can't live without their lamb.
The most important thing for me is to really buy the best ingredient.
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.
I like the Japanese knives, I like French knives. Whatever's sharp.
I tell everybody the same thing: You have to make every dish so when you taste it, you should remember it when you go home.
A lot of restaurants serve good food, but they don't have very good service.
The good news about showcasing chefs and the TV shows is they've attracted a lot more smart kids to the profession than 30 years ago. On the downside, though, these young chefs all say they want their own restaurant and their own TV show.
You know, I never really thought of myself as a 'celebrity.' One of the titles that I like least is 'celebrity chef.'
New Yorkers think they have everything, all the best art and music. But really L.A. is a better place.
Now everybody thinks that once you do Top Chef, then 13 weeks later you're a chef. Nobody wants to learn to cook anymore.
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.
A lot of chefs are traditional and do it very well. But the ones who are the most successful are the ones who change things. That is why someone like Heston Blumenthal is a genius.
