I wanted to write about what we were doing at the French Laundry, the recipes and the stories.

Whether it's destiny or fate or whatever, I don't think I could do a French Laundry anywhere else.

Some of the recipes in the book have evolved for us. Many haven't.

A cookbook must have recipes, but it shouldn't be a blueprint. It should be more inspirational; it should be a guide.

Once you understand the foundations of cooking - whatever kind you like, whether it's French or Italian or Japanese - you really don't need a cookbook anymore.

The French revolution taught us the rights of man.