There's no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery. You can't do any business from there.

A lot of learned men think people really are the food they've eaten.

Don't be against things so much as for things.

I am not too proud of having my name associated with some of my restaurants.

I've only had two rules: Do all you can and do it the best you can. It's the only way you ever get that feeling of accomplishing something.

I've read hundreds of cookbooks. For my money, they are the bird.

I've read hundreds of cookbooks. Most of those cookbooks don't even tell you how to get a steak ready, how to bake biscuits or an apple pie.

No hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me.

The food I've liked in my time is American country cookin'.

To me, my recipes are priceless.

You got to like your work. You have got to like what you are doing, you have got to be doing something worthwhile so you can like it - because it is worthwhile, that it makes a difference, don't you see?