Youve referred to yourself as “The Daughter.” Does the Pépin name come with preconceptions?
A. I love food. I’m extremely grateful that my father is who he is and has done all he has. The only detriment is that I’ll never live up to that. That’s OK with me. People think that because my father’s at the top, I must know everything there is to know in the kitchen. We both laugh. Q. What has growing up in the world of food taught you? A. Don’t let anyone intimidate you. . . . If you like whatever wine you like, drink that. If you don’t like wine, drink beer. I don’t think that food and wine should be over-intellectualized. It is meant to be enjoyed. Q. What are some basics people should know? A. There’s no such thing as culinary prison. If the way you chop an onion is different than the way I chop an onion, that’s fine. Eat fresh, any way you can. Do not be afraid to use a canned tomato when the fresh look really terrible. They’re terrific in soups and stews. Q. How important is the family dinner? A. Family meals are indispensable. . . . It’s like starting to exercise again. You
