by Gina Scarpa

This past weekend, chefs from Food Network, Bravo, FOX, and more gathered at the Sun Wine Fest at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut to show off their skills in cooking demonstrations, meet fans at book signings, and prepare unforgettable meals for hungry foodies. Among the crowd of esteemed chefs (which contained the likes of Bobby Flay, Todd English, and Marc Forgione) were Hell's Kitchen alums Andy Husbands and Jason Santos and we caught up with them to find out how things have been going since they competed in the cooking competition.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What has life been like since Hell's Kitchen? How are things at your restaurants?
A. Andy: Things are wonderful at 647, we just celebrated 15 years and of course my book, which I am very excited about. It's going to be a great year.
A. Jay: Well, I haven't stopped. That's for sure. I've always been pretty busy but Hell's Kitchen has certainly amplified it to a whole other level. It sped everything up for me. Blue Inc. has been open for 7 months and it's kind of a small, 50 seat restaurant. Find dining, modern food - liquid nitrogen and all kinds of crazy, modern stuff. I'm also 99.99% sure I'm opening a second restaurant.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What brings you to the Sun Wine Fest?
A. Andy: Being at the Mohegan Sun on a cold January weekend is perhaps on of the best places to be. And for me great food, great wine, unbelievable chefs, and the chance to throw some dice. I could ask for nothing more.
A. Jay: I just think it's cool to be involved. There are chefs that have been at that level more than me and it's humbling to be included in that group. When I was asked to do it, I was like, "Are you sure you got the right guy?"

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you planning on doing at the Sun Wine Fest? How far in advance do you plan out your dish?
A. Andy: I've know for a while, my next book comes out March 1st, Wicked Good BBQ, so I wanted to do my world famous ribs
A. Jay: I'm doing a chestnut truffle soup. I usually read over my menu and prepare the week before.

(Images courtesy of Mohegan Sun)

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