by Michael J. Lamp

One of Top Chef: Masters' most lovable cheftestants was sent packing this week after failing to please his meat-loving diner in the Biggest Loser challenge. I talked to Suvir about his kind of cooking, chef-on-chef arguments and not watching television.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: You were a great source of humor during your time on the show, but you also maintained a very strong sense of self and faith. Were you conscious of this duality and did you think that your humor and fun personality would prevent the type of run-in you had with Hugh?
A. Suvir: I don't think I was offending him. I wasn't meaning to be impolite. Hugh became my example, but if he hadn't been there, I would've still spoken about it. I would've made other allegorical associations rather than referring to Hugh. My apologies for having upset Hugh, but it didn't come from a place of meanness or to sabotage him.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Did you and Hugh talk any more after the spat? We didn't really see much of a resolution on air.
A. Suvir: You know, I've apologized online in a Bravo interview. I don't think it's a major deal. The camera captures a moment, and that moment passed. We are both adults. I am going to be in Atlanta in the next couple weeks, and Hugh offered his kitchen to me. I'm sure he doesn't think of me as this horrible person. We both respect each other tremendously.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: I want to give you a chance to talk about the nonprofit you were competing for while on the show.
A. Suvir: It's called the Agricultural Stewardships Association. It's a farmland trust in the upper Hudson valley [whose mission is] to preserve New York farmland for future generations.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Did you watch Top Chef before being cast? Did the experience change your view of the show at all?

A. Suvir: Even the last few weeks I've been on it, I haven't been watching. I'm not a TV person. I watch at 3:00am when I'm trying to go to bed. For me, it's [The] Golden Girls and Law & Order: SVU.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Is there a dish you wish America had gotten to see you cook?
A. Suvir: There are too many. I never got to cook the food I'm known for, which is every day, beautiful food. People have told me my food is life changing. It's so humble, but it comes with such power of flavor that people are amazed that something that accessible can be so powerfully delicious. I wish I had more time to show people [that] you don't need foie gras, steaks and oysters to make a statement about chic dining. You can do it with beans and lentils.

Top Chef Masters airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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