Ted Allen

I think what I do differently from a lot of TV chefs is that I break down barriers and make fine food more accessible to the regular person, who might be intimidated. I try hard, particularly with wine, to make it not intimidating. It’s sort of a teaching job.

When I come home from a shoot, I’d rather reheat food I’ve made than eat takeout.

I’ve always hoped ‘Chopped’ would telegraph our enormous affection and love and admiration for chefs and food, but at the same time, we are inflicting extraordinary cruelty on them.

In recent years, I’ve been writing because I’m fortunate enough to work in the world of food television, to travel and taste and learn about cooking from the best chefs in the business.

You know the great irony is that people think you have to have money to enjoy fine food, which is a shame.

Jay Leno is not a guy who likes change. He eats the same food every day.

I went in saying I wanted to be the food guy.

I’m a home cook and love to read about food, but I’m not trained as a chef. I’m just really into cooking and passionate about it.