I learned very early that our health is always impaired by some excess either of food or abstinence and I never had any physician except myself.

I always made my food congenial to my constitution and my health was always excellent.

Food was always a big part of my life. My grandfather was one of 14 kids and his parents had a pasta factory so as a kid he and his siblings would sell pasta door to door. After he became a movie producer he opened up De Laurentiis Food Stores - one in Los Angeles and one in New York.

Being a food show and being me I always kicked it up a notch which means I would always elevate the spice level or the complexity of a particular dish. So it was always like we're going to kick this up a little bit.

I've always done food that can work in a set time frame. The message I'm trying to get across is it doesn't have to take three days to do this. With planning you can do a lot and really have quality food every day.

Music is one of those things that is constantly going in my head all the time. It's sort of like the evolution and creation of doing food or my philosophy about wine. It's always beating in my head so it keeps the spirit moving.

I am thankful I was born in America although if I gain any more weight the burqa thing may start to seem like a good idea to me. See? Another plus about America you can always find some food.

I've often said that the most important thing you can give your children is wings. Because you're not gonna always be able to bring food to the nest. You're... sometimes... they're gonna have to be able to fly by themselves.

I'm working harder than ever now and I'm putting on my pants the same as I always have. I just get up every day and try to do a little better than the day before and that is to run a great restaurant with great food great wine and great service. That's my philosophy.

I've always liked Atlanta. And not just for the strip clubs but the shopping and the food.