Don't try to be the next Rachael Ray or Bobby Flay, we already have those people. We want someone who is going to make their own mark on 'Food Network.'
I think a lot of times people design restaurants with flash in mind. I think you should design restaurants with function in mind. Make sure it's functional and works with what you're trying to accomplish. Design can come later.
I spend 80% of my time in my restaurants. Taping my TV shows doesn't take much time, and then they get aired a lot. That's the thing people don't realize.
I think people are intimidated by grilling .. maybe it's the flame, maybe it's the big grills, maybe they've had some bad childhood experiences .. but I think that grilling is actually the easiest technique in cooking.
Today, when I hire, I look for people who want to be trained and molded.
You have to have your face in the food. These days people think a tattoo and a bottle of Sriracha equals success.
My contribution I hope is to get people to eat full-flavored food. If I could come away with that alone, that would be a fantastic accomplishment. I'm also very proud of being a very American chef.
When people pile seven things onto one burger, it drives me nuts!
I think people are intimidated by grilling ... maybe it's the flame, maybe it's the big grills, maybe they've had some bad childhood experiences ... but I think that grilling is actually the easiest technique in cooking,