Quotes from Charlie Trotter

The art of cooking is among the most intimate things that we can do for another.

I've always liked root vegetables because most of them have a natural sweetness. They have a high fructose content, especially when you cook them and caramelize them in a saute pan. Or you can take a turnip and cook it slowly in the oven until it's browned, and it takes on a kind of sweetness. These vegetables are pretty easy to like.

Students need to learn how to think critically, how to argue opposing ideas. It is important for them to learn how to think. You can always cook.

If you know what you're doing, you can make a meal happen with any kitchen knife. But using a top-quality knife versus a low-quality one is the difference between driving a Jaguar and a VW Jetta across the country. They'll both get you there. But the Jaguar will give you a much smoother ride.

My father was a successful entrepreneur.

I would always be embarrassed to read out loud in class because I would transpose words and letters and things.

I wasnt using college as a stepping stone to law school or some other career. I just wanted a liberal-arts education.

I never considered Miles Davis a perfectionist; I always considered him as an excellence-ist, where deviation is actually kind of cool.

My fantasy is to have a restaurant where there are no written menus, but where you just ask people, What are you in the mood for? Fish? Meat? White wine?

Cuisine is only about making foods taste the way they are supposed to taste.

It's a challenge to demonstrate that you can prepare some really interesting food with humble ingredients.

One must know combinations, one must have a true knowledge of food to be in the moment.