by Gina Scarpa

This week on the Top Chef: Just Desserts season finale, the judges had mixed feelings about Matthew Petersen's final dishes and he quickly fell out of the running to win the competition.  It came down to Chris Hanmer and Sally Camacho for the $100,000 grand prize and Chris took it home.  Today, we talked to self proclaimed underdog in an exclusive interview about his experiences on Top Chef: Just Desserts and his thoughts on the finale.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the most eye opening thing to you as you watched the episodes back this season?
A. Matthew: How much more camaraderie there was between the chefs as opposed to the first season.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Why did you view yourself as the underdog, going into the finale?
A. Matthew: For the simple fact that both Sally and Chris have a lot of experience in that type of format (coupe du monde) whereas I have none.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you decide to take on something new that you've never done before for your final showpiece?
A. Matthew: You're damned if you do you're damned if you don't. I had to take a risk because if it paid off it would weigh heavily in my favor and I needed every bit of help I could muster.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You said you wanted the win to prove how good of a chef you were. What did you feel like having the title would do for your career?
A. Matthew: Well it could do a lot for sure. Specifically what I don't know. I'm not sure that statement is what I said though.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: At Judges' Table, you were hit or miss with the panel. Is there anything you would've done differently, in retrospect?
A. Matthew: Eh, you always have things you'd like to do again. I'm a chef, I'm rarely completely satisfied with things.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you think Chris deserved to take the win?
A. Matthew: On that day, yes.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Matthew: I'm going to keep pushing my craft and working in a city that has welcomed me. Although, I'm always looking for the next best thing.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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