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Quote by Jacques Pepin

“I have an immigrant story. Most people come here for economic reasons, or religious reasons, or racial reasons, or gender reasons, or one of those things. I had a good job in Paris, but America was, and still is, the golden fleece. And I've done very well!”

Author

Jacques Pepin

Jacques Pepin is an internationally renowned French chef known for his exquisite culinary skills and his contribution to the preservation and innovation of French cuisine. Born on December 18, 1935, he grew up in a culinary family in France and later developed his career in the United States. more

“I was chef to the French Presidents between '56 and '59, finished with de Gaulle, and during de Gaulle I remember serving Eisenhower, Nehru, Tito, Macmillan; those were the heads of state at the time. I never saw anyone. No one would ever, ever, ever come to the kitchen. You couldn't even see them.”

States Remember President Saws Finished Kitchen Serving Chef Head Of State Nehru Tito

Author:Jacques Pepin

“Most people who came here came for economic reasons or sometimes for religious or political reasons. I didn't have any of this. I came here, I liked it, I stayed. So I'm a pure American - even more than people who are born here - because I did it by choice as an adult.”

People Sometimes Reason Political Choices Born Religious Economic Pure Adults

Author:Jacques Pepin

“Probably a mistake, you know, that people make in America, to think that all great chefs are a male... I'm still the only male in the family who went into that business.”

People Thinking Knows Stills America Mistake Males Chef

Author:Jacques Pepin

“The idea of old was to conform yourself to a style of cooking, it was not to create a style of cooking. Now the chef is so much into 'I want to sign that dish and say I am the one who made that dish.”

Want Made Ideas Style Cooking Dishes Chef Conform

Author:Jacques Pepin