My philosophy from day one is that I can sleep better at night if I can improve an individual's knowledge about food and wine, and do it on a daily basis.

Mom ran the house, so we grew up Portuguese.

I started cooking when I was about 10. I have memories like when I was 6 or 7 with my mom, and when I was 12 I started getting real serious about cooking.

If you don't follow your dream, who will?

If you think big, then it's going to be big.

Life just doesn't hand you things. You have to get out there and make things happen. that's the exciting part.