"2012 American Chef of the Year:" Jose Andres

"Eating has to be fun."

That's what Spanish chef Jose Andres told Anderson Cooper in 2010 as he took 60 Minutes on a savory tour of his culinary laboratory.

After rising to fame with the avant-garde cooking technique known as "molecular gastronomy," Andres continues to wow diners in restaurants across the nation. He's even taken to the streets, launching a successful food truck last year.

Andres has received a long list of culinary awards, including GQ magazine's chef of the year. His latest accolade is the title of "2012 American Chef of the Year" by The Daily Meal.

In the above video, watch the techniques that make Andres a stand-out chef and travel alongside Cooper as he tastes dishes that creatively embrace science and technology -- including cotton candy wrapped seafood and a deconstructed New England clam chowder.