I have. I enjoy his writing. It's interesting, to say the least. I guess I'm a "fan", but I say that with a pinch of salt. I'd not go out of my way to get an autograph. I just happen to enjoy his personality.

If I ate the way he does on his shows, I'd be 250 lbs. I'm surprised he remained so thin. Must be his incessant smoking combined with the fact that he probably does not eat as much as it appears on his shows.... OR.... his metabolism is setting world records.

One of my favorite pieces from his book "Kitchen Confidential" (Pardon the mis-quote, I'm generalizing)...

"As I peered out the kitchen window I saw our Chef with the bride bent over a barrel as he was giving her a proper "Send-Off". It was THEN, dear reader, that I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A CHEF!"