If you want the meaning of families and life and religion and philosophy rolled into one package, all you need to read is The Brothers Karamazov. Charlie Trotter More Quotes by Charlie Trotter More Quotes From Charlie Trotter What I was reading was already part of my psyche, but finally someone else was saying it's okay to walk alone. Charlie Trotter okay reading book All four elements were happening in equal measure - the cuisine, the wine, the service, and the overall ambience. It taught me that dining could happen at a spiritual level. Charlie Trotter me service wine spiritual I timed my previous wife's pregnancy to the moment to have my son born on Bob Dylan's 50th birthday. There is no bigger Bob Dylan fan than me. You don't just time the day and impregnate your wife to get your kid to be born on Bob Dylan's 50th birthday. Charlie Trotter day me birthday son Cooking is exactly like making music. Charlie Trotter making like music cooking 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. Charlie Trotter ride you kitchen driving You know the old adage that the customer's always right? Well, I kind of think that the opposite is true. The customer is rarely right. Charlie Trotter customer true think you It's a lot harder to get people to 'ooh' and 'aah' over beets and carrots than it is to get them to 'ooh' and 'aah' over artichokes or asparagus, and I enjoy being able to take these humble, 'lowbrow' foodstuffs up a few notches and serve them with great exuberance. Charlie Trotter great enjoy humble people 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. Charlie Trotter high you vegetables easy The idea that you have to pursue greatness... it's up to you; it's your life. Charlie Trotter your you greatness life I'm really not that comfortable with people. I mean, I love individuals, but I'm not very social. Charlie Trotter comfortable love mean people When I graduated I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn't want a conventional career. Charlie Trotter knew sure career want I don't ever want to lose that mind-set where you've got to be able to realize different ideas-slash-fantasies-slash-possibilities in your life. Charlie Trotter realize lose you life A quarter century of running a restaurant - that's a long time to do one thing. Charlie Trotter restaurant long-time time long I've always been a little crazy. Charlie Trotter little been always crazy I worked in 40 restaurants over a five-year period. Charlie Trotter five-year period over restaurants If you ever want to get anywhere in life, you're going to have to push it, and somebody's going to push you to get there. End of story. Charlie Trotter end story you life The most successful food, I think, is food that both appeals to the super-sophisticated diner or foodie and to the lay diner at the same time. Charlie Trotter think successful time food