Paul Prudhomme

I opened my own restaurant when I was 17. I went broke, then traveled around the country, learning about different kinds of foods, had three other restaurants that went broke. It didn't all start just a few years ago!

I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.

When I travel I normally eat club sandwiches or I bring my own food. When you go into a new town, it's very had to find a good place to eat.

Creole is New Orleans city food. Communities were created by the people who wanted to stay and not go back to Spain or France.

After failing four times and after working for other people and realizing that nobody paid attention to the food like they should have, we wanted to just pay attention to the food and service.

Some people absorb in different ways. I didn't realize until I was 15 years old how much I retained.

What I think and what the world thinks is totally different.

The bad part about being recognized is that when I walk into a restaurant and sit down, I've got to eat everything on the plate, whether it's good or bad. People would take it as an insult if I did otherwise.

I love people, and I'm excited that I can turn them on.

I don't think life is to be taken too seriously. Take it too seriously, and it'll getcha.

When I am done with this meal you can have my life. It is heaven.

When you've got a great business going, you go open another and take the risk of losing the whole thing. It's fun!