David Burtka

“Room service is a hard thing to pay for. That's, like, oatmeal for $12? That makes me mad.”

“I'm pro Instagramming... but sometimes it's annoying if I'm really hungry.”

“People under-salt their food, and they think it's bland, but salt brings out flavor.”

“I've always wanted to do a cabaret.”

“My face couldn't play Jewish.”

“I'm emotional, so if I see something I like, that's it, and I want it.”

“It's been a long road. A humble Dearborn beginning. Secretary mom, dad teaching handicapped children. Working for what they had. Eventually, I moved to L.A. but, not good for me, I felt rejected. So I stopped acting and, needing to feel good inside, became a chef.”

“As a chef, I like to be totally prepared. I'm so big on lists. I love lists.”

“Working with Sam Mendes was a dream come true. He's unbelievable as a director.”

“In every relationship, you have to be a team.”

“Life for me in Los Angeles required medication. I spent nine years being sad and down in the dumps. L.A. doesn't work with my chemistry.”

“I always have poached shrimp and blanched vegetables on hand.”

“I don't love being thought of as Neil's barnacle. It's a strange shadow to follow.”

“A relationship is work, and it changes. And you go with the changes. It's more good times than bad times, but it's not always good. You have to overcome those issues and move on.”

“It's really great to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Not only will they have an appreciation for food, but their palates will expand.”

“I love getting anything homemade - anything that's from the heart. If you can make or craft your own something, that always goes above and beyond, like, a candle - which is great, but if it's homemade, that's so much better for me.”

“My kids are crazy eaters. They have incredible palates.”

“I hate getting flowers. I can't stand when I get a bouquet of flowers, because I have to stop what I do, cut the flowers, put them in a vase - if you're going to bring flowers, bring them in a vase already!”

“I always thought that family was the most important thing in life, and no matter what I do, whether being a chef or an actor or a dancer, being a dad is what I do best.”

“I ended up breaking with my boyfriend, and a week later, Neil and I had a date. We started hanging out every single night, and after three months, it was just non-stop. We talk on the phone at least eight times a day and text at least 25 times a day. He's my lifeline in an amazing way. Without him, I can't breathe.”