James Beard Simple Quotations

Be simple. Be honest. Don't overcook and don't undercook, but it's better to undercook than overcook.

Too many simple green salads suffer from a lack of imagination.

I am still convinced that a good, simple, homemade cookie is preferable to all the store-bought cookies one can find.

I have had, in my time, memorable meals of scrambled eggs with fresh truffles, scrambled eggs with caviar and other glamorous things, but to me, there are few things as magnificent as scrambled eggs, pure and simple, perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned.

The roe of the Russian sturgeon has probably been present at more important international affairs than have all the Russian dignitaries of history combined. This seemingly simple article of diet has taken its place in the world along with pearls, sables, old silver, and Cellini cups.

Like the theater, offering food and hospitality to people is a matter of showmanship, and no matter how simple the performance, unless you do it well, with love and originality, you have a flop on your hands.