10 Thoughts from Cesare Casella

One thing you don't know about me is that I cry at movies. I even cried at Legally Blond when the character succeeded at the end - I was touched! I love when the underdog wins and the bad guy loses.

If I could trade places with one chef it would be Chef Paul Bocuse because he's my hero. I love him, even though he's French.

One of my most memorable meals was at my Mamma's home in Lucca, Italy. She always makes food from my childhood, like hearty beef Milanese stew finished in a special tomato sauce.

If there were no salumi I'd have no reason to live. Why else would they call me the Swami of Salami?

My go-to drink is Dom Perignon on the rocks. If someone else is paying, it's Dom Perignon Rosé on the rocks.

If I were on death row my last meal would be pan e mortadella. For me, it's the ultimate comfort food and I could eat it for breakfast or dinner. The fatty mortadella and bread pairs perfectly with coffee in the morning and champagne in the evening.

My worst culinary creation has to be every time I try to make a fancy dessert. I'm just not a sweets person, and when I try to do pastry it's a catastrophe.

If I could change one thing about me it would be … nothing. I'm perfect!

My favorite junk food is Gummi Bears. I always grab a handful when my daughter Chen snacks on them.

If I wasn't a restaurant operator, I'd be a food critic or something that has to do with food. I would make sure that my job requires me to eat!