by Michael J. Lamp

 

After fighting a losing battle with swordfish, Andrea is the latest Top Chef: DC contestant to receive the proverbial boot. After returning home to Miami, Andrea talked with RealityWanted and other reporters in a press conference call about snarky judges, pea purees and what she really thinks of Michelle Bernstein.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Art Smith mentioned being able to sense your aversion to swordfish when he tasted your dish. Did you feel like you were putting less of an effort into this challenge, as opposed to others where the main ingredients were something you prefer to cook with?
A. Andrea: Absolutely not. I thought that was a ridiculous statement that he made. Maybe that's his job as a judge. I know it's not all about the food that I love. On that day, the dish didn't work out the way I wanted it to. But I didn't agree with that statement. I thought it was bogus.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: I'd like to know what your take on The Great Pea Puree Debacle of 2010 is?
A. Andrea: I've said before [that] it's almost good that that happened. It takes the focus off the fact that the judges hated my dish. I will say that I didn't see him take it. However, I know Ed made pea puree, he couldn't find it, and it ended up on Alex's dish. I don't want to point fingers, but there's a lot of speculation going on. I guess Bravo could prove it if they went over Alex's receipt form Whole Foods to see if he bought peas. The viewers think he did it.

 

 

Q. Do you think the show rewards people who take bold chances?
A. Andrea: I don't know. That's a tricky question. The show is interestingly set up. It's as much mental as it is your God-given talent, if you will. There's a big mental game going on. And then you're at the mercy of the four judges on that particular day.

 

Q. If you had a chance to cook for the Obamas, what would you have made?
A. Andrea: Probably a ceviche or a tare tare. I love braising meat - short ribs, lamb shanks, something like that. It's hard to say. I'd have to do my work to see what they like to eat. Maybe I should know what the president's favorite foods are?

 

Q. What was it like cooking for politicians and members of the media?
A. Andrea: Cooking for them is like cooking for anyone. I don't think about it that way. I've been doing this a long time. I cook for regular people, too. It's the same. I try to make people happy with my food.

 

Q. What was the decision like to go on the show in the first place? Was there any trepidation?
A. Andrea: There was much trepidation. I've got a family. I've got three businesses. I've got a lot going on. The reason I did it was that I needed a little boost in my career, although I did have to get pushed and shoved into it. Off the top of my head, I was like, "No, I don't want to go on TV and jump through hoops." I don't have any regrets. The best thing I've taken away are some really awesome friends, and I'm grateful for that.

 

Q. About Michele Bernstein, was that played up for TV?
A. Andrea: I don't know if it was played up on my part. I was visibly uncomfortable, and I don't know how fair I thought that was. There is a rivalry. I was pretty shocked. I'm pretty sure all those faces you saw on TV were real. We're in the same town. I absolutely don't think she is more qualified than I am to be a judge over me, and there is a rivalry. It was an uncomfortable situation. I signed up for the show and whatever happens, happens. I'm not holding animosity. On that specific day, I wasn't really happy, but I let that go a long time ago.

 

Q. How has the show affected you since?
A. Andrea: It's changed the way people recognize me. I'm always a little reluctant to say, "Yeah, that is me." But then I realized how sweet people are and how excited they are to see me and meet me, so I make an effort to say hi. I try to embrace that. And [people] have been great.

 

Q. What's your take on Angelo?
A. Andrea: Angelo wasn't the most popular cat on the show, but he was very focused. He had a plan and an agenda. I don't think he was trying to make friends. I think he was playing the game. I kind of distanced myself from him, because I saw what he was about. I would like to know Angelo outside that situation.

 

Q. Did you have a favorite challenge?
A. Andrea: All the challenges were ridiculous and stressful. I would have to say the one that was the lightest feeling and the happiest was the one at the school with the kids. They made the day a happy day.

 

Q. I heard that you said you would never do Top Chef again. Is that true?
A. Andrea: I would never do it again, because I think it's a once in a lifetime experience. It was extremely difficult for me to be away from my family. I'm a control freak, and I didn't have control in a lot of situations. For that, I wouldn't do it again. I just don't feel the need to put myself in that situation again. Just check it off as a life experience. Been there, done that, moving on.

 

Q. Do you have any advice for future cheftestants?
A. Andrea: It would depend on the person and what they have going on in their life at that point. The biggest bit of advice I could give them would be to not let the mental side of it get to you. The strategies people play around you. Everyone can cook, that's why they got there. Most people go home because of mental mistakes or their mental state at that time. It's not a cop out or an excuse. I know where my head was at.

 

 

Top Chef: DC airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

 

Follow Michael at twitter.com/mjlamp

 

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