Think you know all there is to know about Chopped host and cookbook author Ted Allen? Read on to learn his favorite mystery basket ingredient, his favorite snack and his newest hobby. 

“We have three Maine coon cats. We were the first Food Network people to have Maine coon cats, and now since that time Bobby Flay has copied us, and Anne Burrell has copied us.”

"I've had Marc Murphy and Amanda Freitag shove me out of my own kitchen, because I was moving too slowly and it frustrated them. I cook with the stereo on and a glass of wine in one hand, and I have a great time doing it, but I like to cook things — I don't even want to cook food that's fast. I like to watch flavor develop. I like making stews and pulled pork and slow-and-low meat."

“You know, when I was growing up, I wanted to be the lead singer of Aerosmith, and I still do actually.”