Ludovic “Ludo” Lefebvre doesn’t mind fame. In fact, he said at a Zócalo panel on famous chefs, “I’m happy to be a celebrity. Before, it was not very possible for me to cook for everybody.” The veteran chef of L’Orangerie and Bastide now serves his food at more affordable prices at his pop-up restaurant, LudoBites. And while he’s devoted to his art, he admitted, “I’m an actor. Every night I act. People see me at the restaurant, and sometimes I scream, or I’ll take a picture with ladies.” Below, Ludo reveal more about himself.

Q. What is the last habit you tried to kick?

A. Trying to eat less. I eat a lot. Tomorrow I leave for Paris, and I’m going to eat at 25 restaurants, in just two weeks. I love it, but I’m going to gain a lot of weight.

Q. Who was your childhood hero?

A. Napoleon.

Q. What do you consider to be the greatest simple pleasure?

A. Just to be alone and to be myself, maybe in the desert, and to just listen.

Q. Where would we find you at 10 a.m. on a typical Saturday?

A. In my bed. The restaurant is closed Saturday.

Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?

A. Open a restaurant.

Q. When do you feel most creative?

A. When I go to the market, when I have some ingredients, when I shop for spices. I feel creative all the time. My mind is always working.

Q. What is the first dish you mastered?

A. I was very proud, when I was a young chef, to master a terrine of foie gras. That is not easy.

Q. What is your favorite cocktail?

A. I don’t like cocktails. But I did just come back from Hawaii and I drank a lot of Mai Tais.

Q. If you were about to be executed, what would you want for your final meal?

A. Roasted chicken with potatoes, from my grandma.

Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most like to meet for dinner?

A. Napoleon. I would love to cook for him.

To read more about Lefebvre’s panel, click here.

*Photo by Aaron Salcido.