by Gina Scarpa

It's been quite a rollercoaster for Beverly on Top Chef: Texas this season. She didn't hit it off with some of the other women in the house and many doubted her abilities. Yet, she proved herself when she won Restaurant Wars and defeated Nyesha and Grayson in Last Chance Kitchen. She returned to the competition, but lost in the Culinary Games in Whistler, British Columbia this week. Today, we talked to Beverly in an exclusive interview about her experiences on Top Chef, her opinions on the treatment of her fellow competitors, and her favorite moment in the competition.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for and compete on Top Chef?
A. Beverly: There were several reasons. I definitely wanted to get more exposure knowing that with good exposure, I could eventually get the investment I need to open the restaurant of my dreams. Also, I wanted to push myself as a chef and see what I could handle and how far I can take it. And, it was a little bit of validation on my part that I could compete on such a high level. Yeah, it was a lot of things! It was mostly for the exposure. Of course, winning would be awesome but I think really, it's what you do after Top Chef that really counts.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You didn't click with some of the women in the competition this season. Why do you think that was?
A. Beverly: I think the major issue was simply misunderstandings and misperceptions. I think misperceptions create a lot of conflict in the world. You know what I mean? It had to do with even the way the house was set up, having separate rooms. The people you room with become good friends and you back each other up. I was with Grayson, Whitney, and Nyesha. Once they got eliminated, it was interesting. It has a lot to do with logistics and getting to know people. I don't know... it's definitely... when you watch back, I think people can definitely look back and say, "We really didn't have to get so upset about that." I think we just went in it with so much intensity and I think that's what happened.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When we interviewed Grayson, I mentioned that she seemed to stand up for you and she said that you didn't need anyone to do that for you because you were a tough cookie!
A. Beverly: [Laughs] I definitely stood up for myself. I think that's why a lot of the other people didn't have to pop in and say, "Hey, this isn't right." The first time that I was accused of taking too much time on the shrimp, I said, "No, it takes a long time to devein, butterfly, and cook the shrimp." Maybe the way I say it is not so brash but I always do stand up for myself. In the situation with Heather, I said, "It might seem like I'm a sous chef to you but this is how I run my kitchen. I ask a lot of questions." With the short ribs during Restaurant Wars, they said Lindsay spent all night helping me with the dish and I said, "No... did she help me with the kimchi or the puree for those? No!" It's just so hard to grasp me and I get it. What's really interesting is that people who come to my restaurant now say that they totally get me! In the Asian culture, you put your head down, let you work speak for you, and try to avoid conflict. If someone was questioning my ethic or principles, I always spoke up. Ultimately, the best way I stood up for myself was working hard.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You had so many great moments and victories this season - is there one that stands out to you as your favorite?
A. Beverly: Oh, there's so many really awesome moments! The one that really stood out to me was I think may be the Last Chance Kitchen when I beat Nyesha. She was really, really awesome that whole time. Being that person to only believe in yourself and really root myself on shows that that's all that matters. That's all that you need. I know who I am and I think I showed a lot. I think that was a turning moment for me. I also really didn't care what anybody thought and I think that was really freeing!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What good things have come out of being on Top Chef?
A. Beverly: I'm doing an event in April that involves the Top Chef alumni from Chicago. Things like that. We also have been getting people who have been Facebooking or emailing me asking if I want to talk about having them invest in a high end Korean restaurant or they say that they believe in my style or flare. I've been getting a lot of those kinds of calls. It's been great! I think like, beyond that, I've been getting letters from girls who think that it's awesome that I write goals down and now, they're writing down goals too. I've been inspiring people who need to realize that they have everything it takes to make it and they need to believe in themselves.

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

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and "Like" her on Facebook!