Patricia Wells	The Week of April 17th, 2005

Celebrated Food Writer

1. What's in your wallet right now?

I don't carry a wallet, per se. I carry a money clip with three credit cards and bills. Right now I am in California so the bills are US dollars. I carry a small change purse for coins and Metro tickets.

2. What do you wish your parents taught you about money?

I guess at one time I thought it was investing. I am not an investor. I guess they put what they had into our home, so I've done the same and never regretted it.

3. What is your worst habit around finances?

I guess some might think it's a bad habit, but for me, it's liberating. I don't think about money per se but am just happy to know it is there when I need something. I have no idea what is in our accounts, what the bills are, etc., because my husband pays them. Some people think I'm nuts but I always know that I have a rough idea of what's coming in and what's going out. It liberates me.

4. What makes you happy?

Everything, almost. Just waking up in the day, the anticipation of things to come.

5. Personal philosophy around money?

I don't think about it much. I am just so happy to know that it is there if and when I need it. And if it wasn't, I sometimes think I could pretty much live on air.

6. Where does money come from?

Hard work. I was raised Catholic.

7. What would you do with a million dollars?

I'd buy two round-the-world first-class tickets for my husband and I and we'd travel until the money ran out!

8. What is your most prized possession?

I don't possess him, but it's my husband, Walter.

9. Who is your role model?

Julia Child. Always has been, always will be.

10. What is your greatest achievement?

I guess the fact that I have brought so much love of food to so many people.

11. What are you up to these days?

I am working on a new book on vegetables, and also running my cooking school and writing my restaurant columns for the International Herald Tribune. I love all three.

12. What contributions to society do you want to make?

I want to continue inspiring people about food and the love of food and wine.

13. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be?

An apartment in Paris with a terrace and a view.

14. Favorite activity that doesn't cost a dime?

Running outdoors which I do almost every day.

15. How do you indulge yourself?

I go to the Golden Door [spa resort] near San Diego twice a year. It's my selfish time. I'm here right now.

Celebrated food writer Patricia Wells is an American who has lived in France for 25 years. During that time, she's been educating Americans about the pleasures of fine French cuisine. She is the author of numerous cookbooks and a restaurant review column for the International Herald Tribune.

Patricia grew up in Milwaukee, where she started out as an art critic. Her love of food took her to New York in the 1970s, where she became a food writer for The New York Times. She moved to Paris in 1980 and never looked back.

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