Moore answered a few of our questions for our first "In the Kitchen" conversation.
Q: What are your favorite summer ingredients?
A: My most favorite summer ingredients are anything and everything "home grown." I grew up that way -- eating everything from the garden. I still grow my own tomatoes and peppers. There is something about it ... you can almost taste the love that is put into the garden.
Q: Which chefs inspire you?
A: Thomas Keller, Frank Stitt and Ana Sortun.
Q: What's your prediction for the next big food or restaurant trend?
A: I don't know. Maybe chefs will return their focus to cooking and stay out of the chemistry labs for a little while ... please?
Q: Which three cooking gadgets or tools are your favorites?
A: My knife, my microplane grater/zester and my Japanese mandoline.
Q: What was your first job in food? What did you learn?
A: Don't laugh, Burger King. And I loved it! I learned that hard work never hurt anyone. I was 15 years old, making burgers and fries. It was the hardest (and only) work I had ever done. I loved it.
Q: What would your dream meal be?
A: This is a tough one. How about "Where would my dream meal be?" Answer: Italy.
Q: Even chefs don't eat gourmet every night. What is your ultimate comfort food or quick meal?
A: My ultimate comfort food is homemade baked macaroni and cheese, like my Nanny used to make.