GL: What is the best meal you have ever had, and what did you eat?
JG: It’s hard to say, as there have been so many. I’ve had amazing meals at the French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil in the Napa area. In Miami, I like Casa Tua and Mr. Chow, and I also love Wolfgang Puck’s Los Angeles restaurant Cut. I look forward to a nice lunch or dinner, and as I start thinking about it, I’ll plan my whole day around it. There’s nothing better than being able to look forward to going to a favorite restaurant, or enjoying a meal that my wife, Ingrid, cooks, and pairing each dish with a nice wine.
GL: Do you cook? If so, what’s your go-to meal?
JG: The only time I really cook is when I’m at the racetrack, where I’ll grill things like chicken, steak, and vegetables outside my motor coach. Other than that, Ingrid does all of the cooking. She has a cookbook from her mother, who is Belgian, and everything she cooks from it is amazing. I do enjoy returning the favor when she’s with me at the racetrack.
GL: What one gift are you hoping to receive this Father’s Day?
JG: The only thing I could ever ask for as a dad would be for my children to continue to be happy and healthy. I’ve seen so much heartache from parents of sick kids through my work with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, so I’m grateful that Ella and Leo are thriving.
GL: How do you and your family usually spend Father’s Day?
JG: Our family would usually be out in the Napa/Sonoma area because of the annual NASCAR race at Infineon Raceway. My daughter’s birthday also falls around that time of the year, so we usually have a big gathering of family and friends to celebrate. I’m from nearby Vallejo, so it’s always a nice homecoming event, and it’s great to combine Ella’s special day and Father’s Day. This year, the Pure Michigan 400, which is the first of the two races held at the Michigan International Speedway, falls on Father’s Day, so hopefully I’ll be celebrating it in Victory Lane!
Kelly Senyei is an associate editor at Gourmet Live and author of Food Blogging for Dummies (Wiley, 2012).
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