Watch Jacques Pépin's 'Essential' Charlie Rose Interview

Jacques Pépin swung by Charlie Rose last week to discuss his new cookbook, Essential Pépin and talked about how America has changed since he came to the States in 1959. When he first arrived, one couldn't buy shallots or leeks at the store, and now he says "supermarkets have never been as beautiful as they are today in America." He does think some people take it too far, though. Said Pépin, channeling Portlandia: "This carrot was born on the 7th of May, her name is Hilda... we can get exaggerated."

He also talked about turning down the job cooking at the White House under John F. Kennedy, what it was like to be the first male chef in a family that owned seven restaurants, and why he quit running restaurants to focus on cookbooks and television. Here's the video:

Video: Jacques Pepin on Charlie Rose

· Jacques Pepin on Charlie Rose [Charlie Rose]
· All Jacques Pepin Coverage on Eater [-E-]