The best way to learn is live, in person, cooking, feeling, smelling and tasting, but TV is the second-best thing to that; it's a halfway facsimile.

I cook everything. I love Mediterranean cooking, I love Asian cooking. I do lots of Japanese noodles.

Two words to improve any dish. Ba, Con

It's very important to me that people who are actual chefs and other professionals in the culinary world, understand that I'm not, and have never held myself out as being, like a CIA trained chef.

You know the great irony is that people think you have to have money to enjoy fine food, which is a shame.

Cooking for people is an enormously significant expression of generosity and soulfulness.

People want honest, flavourful food, not some show-off meal that takes days to prepare.

However, I was a restaurant critic at Chicago magazine before I worked at Esquire, and I've been a really enthusiastic home cook for a long time. It's just something I'm passionate about.

My place in Chicago is a 105 year old house, but I really like contemporary spaces too, so it's refreshing and fun to be in a space where you can do contemporary things.

If I have committed any culinary atrocities, please forgive me.

In actuality, there was casting for the show and it was pretty difficult.

I cannot live my life striving only for my own security, I can only feel secure when I see myself useful in other people's life.

God gives us opportunity to serve him by serving humanity.

The sudden disappointment of a hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfillment of that hope never entirely removes.

They went into stores to get food to stay alive. Looting isn't the right word. I call it survival.

Pain is not love. Love flowers; love gives without taking; love is serene and calm.

I have an eclectic taste in stuff whether it be movies or music or books or food or anything. Variety is interesting.

We are only intelligent by our own measures

You were right,” she said. “You were always right, about everything. And I will always love you, Sam. Forever.

Bikinis, zucchinis, martinis No weenies.

Books are a triviality. Life alone is great.