b'This recipe is my mothers signature dish. She and my Grandmother Adele were my first teachers. My mother was the first one who suspected I might have a talent for cooking. I was born into a family of farmers and laborers, however, and being a chef was not considered a rewarding profession at that time. So my mother always made sure I pursued my studies and encouraged me to take a job that promised financial security. If she had not taken the time to teach me how to cook, this book and 20 years of my TV shows would never have existed. She still cooks better than me!'