You have become jack of all culinary trades. What do you consider yourself: an author, a cook or a TV personality?

Ultimately, I've ended up in the entertainment business. My mother was teacher–she taught English. I always thought that the last thing I would be is a teacher. It didn't interest me. This show [Glutton for Punishment] is not so much about teaching. But certainly, the Surreal Gourmet [Bob's other show] and all the books are really about trying to empower people to embrace the notion that you can elevate your quality of life by being comfortable in the kitchen. So, I guess [I am] somewhere between an entertainer and a teacher.

What is your favorite junk food?

Good French fries. I subscribe to philosophy: eat it only if it's worth the calories, but if it's worth the calories, I'll eat anything.

Are there any travel experiences that have changed or heightened your perspective on food and the world?

Definitely my trip to India. When I travel, I usually do the down and dirty. It wasn't so much about seeing beggars and stuff like that, but about seeing the hardship of people's day-to-day lives. So you go home and people wince about this and that–and all of a sudden, [you realize] these are such a first-world problems. That [realization] has not faded away since I came back.

Traveling through Italy. Seeing how simple everything is but how delicious it is. You really realize that it only takes two or three ingredients [to make] your food incredible. It doesn't take that much work to make it good.