I was 16, and we went to La Coupole, a brasserie that s very popular and has got good food, very fresh. The seafood bar, the room and French atmosphere were very impressive. I hadn t seen anything like that in Sweden. Tore Wretman, the most successful restaurateur in Sweden. Once I came to the United States, people like Charlie Trotter and Thomas Keller became bigger influences.
Food is so competitive and tough.
You need to watch what people are doing around the world and develop new influences.