10 Thoughts from Steven Jayson

One thing you don't know about me is that I enjoy playing bluegrass banjo.

If I could trade places with one chef it would be my mom. Moms have the toughest job out there. They cook for the same crowd three times a day, forever, and they're only as good as the last meal they've cooked.

One of my most memorable meals was at a New York City restaurant. I was sitting across from the woman that I knew I would eventually marry. I have no idea what I ate.

If there were no chocolate, I'd have no reason to live.

My go-to drink is anything with vodka, a nice cold beer or the perfect espresso.

If I was on death row my last meal would be a soupcon of lobster risotto, American Kobe porterhouse steak (nice and thick), classic Lyonnaise potatoes — two orders (skip the vegetables), warm flourless chocolate cake, an ice cold beer and a perfect espresso to finish it off.

The thing I hate most about this business? After 35 years, there really isn't anything I hate. It's really been a great adventure.

If I could change one thing about me, it would be to take life a little less seriously. But that's tough to do because chefs are so passionate about everything we do.

My favorite junk food is out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies or curly fries.

If I weren't a restaurant operator I'd love to be a doctor by day and a rock star by night.