Are women more accepted in restaurant kitchens now?
I think so. I mean I definitely think it helps. That’s one of the great things about my doing Iron Chef America is that it does break down a barrier. . . . Julia Child broke down many barriers (as did the) other female chefs that came before us. So, I think any time that can happen, it’s a great thing for women in the industry, or in any industry. So, have you seen the movie Julie & Julia? I have not. I hosted the James Beard Awards with Stanley Tucci and Emeril (Lagasse) right before the movie came out. And so I saw . . . clips of it. I’ve been on the road, so I haven’t had a chance to see it. Do more people know you for Iron Chef America than for anything else? I think so. That show is the highest-rated show on Food Network. It’s a huge hit. It’s now international as well. It’s playing in Spain and Portugal and all Central America and Latin America. It’s playing all over. It’s a huge cult following. When they talk about pop culture down the road, I think Iron Chef will be part of tha
