10 Thoughts from Charlie Ayers

One thing you don't know about me is that I love to go see live music.

I'm most proud of the achievements of the young men and women I hired to form the first culinary team at Google. I left the company three years ago and I glow when I see what they are doing now.

One of my most memorable meals was at Clio in Boston. Ken Oringer does such an amazing job with everything he puts his hands on.

If there was no tofu I'd have no reason to live. Just joking. My guilty pleasure is a really good, juicy cheeseburger, strawberry milkshake or a root beer float accompanied by perfect crispy, fresh-cut french fries. My name is Charlie Ayers and I use ketchup.

My go-to drink, most recently, has been Coke Zero. They must put crack in it. It's so addictive! My wife calls it man-Tab. Other than that I love Anchor Steam beer fresh from the tap.

If I were on death row my last meal would come from the Creamery in Palo Alto. Everything is made from scratch. They have a dish there called Hash Brown Pie with eggs any style. I like them poached medium.

The thing I hate most about this business is the sketchy people you encounter or end up working with. There are plenty of awesome, kind, loving people in this industry, but unfortunately, it does attract a certain breed. They are the last people who should be holding a knife.

If I could change one thing about me it would be to learn to turn the chef off when I'm not at work.

My idea of a perfect day is at an outdoor music festival. I'm surrounded by my family and friends, great food, wine and beer and a musical lineup tht includes the Steve Kimock Band, Animal Liberation Orchestra, Phish and the remaining members of the Grateful Dead with Steve Kimock on lead guitar.

If I wasn't a restaurant operator it's tough to say what I'd be. Maybe a landscaper. Not too much stress there and the earth is your medium.