How great a chef would you be if you would have taken the time to study your grandmother as she prepared all those wonderful creations? That’s exactly how Chef Eric Ripert got his start, right at his grandmother’s side.

Food became his fascination. There was little question that it was his life’s calling. At the age of 15, he left home to attend one of the top culinary schools in the world. After living in France and Spain, he moved to the U.S. in 1989 and set out to make his mark on the restaurant industry. He was hired as chef of Le Bernardin in New York and helped it earn the title of America’s Best Restaurant.

Then, thanks to his personality and passion, he found he was very comfortable in front of a camera. Thanks to many television appearances on shows like “Top Chef” he has become one of the most well-known and respected chefs in the world.

Look for the debut his very own TV show, “Avec Eric,” this fall on PBS stations around the nation.

Eric has also written a book about the ins and outs of restaurant life at Le Bernardin called “On The Line.”