by Gina Scarpa

Perhaps the only thing worse than being eliminated first in a reality competition is being eliminated right before the very end. The latter is unfortunately what happened to Lindsay on last night's episode of Top Chef: Texas. However, she went out with a strong dish that the judges enjoyed. They just happened to enjoy Sarah's and Paul's a little bit more. We talked to Lindsay today in an exclusive interview to learn more about her feelings on her Top Chef experience.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for Top Chef? Did you watch previous seasons?
A. Lindsay: I had watched Top Chef in the past. I work Wednesday nights so I was never able to watch live and I could never watch an entire season all the way through. You know, I felt that in the past few years, the show has really picked up their game. They've put on some really incredible chefs. I felt like it was a good time for me.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Which chefs impressed you and stood out to you?
A. Lindsay: I think that, at the beginning, when there were 29, it was so confusing. I don't think any of us knew what we were getting ourselves into. There are so many people in the kitchen that you're just focused on what you're doing. Ed is a very reputable chefs, Sarah comes from one of the best restaurants in the countries, Paul's been nominated for a James Beard. Starting to see these people was like, "Wow!"

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Last Chance Kitchen has been a hot button topic this season. Some of the contestants felt very strongly about it and others were more diplomatic when talking about their feelings. Where did you stand on it?
A. Lindsay: None of us knew that this was going on. When we were doing the Pee Wee Herman challenge and I was riding the bicycle, I was thinking, "This cannot be the deciding factor as to who is going on to the finale." You kind of figure out that they've always got something up their sleeve but you never know what that is. After we had finished that last one and Grayson was eliminated, for the first time, we were able to take a breath. I think all of us were definitely caught off guard and it was irritating. I think it was a good idea to do it because a lot of chefs did go home maybe not at the right time. But it was like, "We've been riding bicycles and cooking for 300 people and you didn't have to do that." They had to do competitions on their own but they were told they had to pack their knives which I think makes you stronger. I understand, it was a little frustrating, but in the end, everything worked out the way it should have.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your halibut went over well in this week's episode. Was it some sort of redemption for you, after what happened during Restaurant Wars?
A. Lindsay: In hindsight, I was like, "Why did I do halibut?" It had nothing to do with Restaurant Wars. At Whole Foods, that's all they had enough of for 150 people. You know, for me, it was cooking a dish and conceptually, trying to achieve what that challenge was about.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The judges seemed to have nothing but positive things to say about that halibut too, so did it surprise you that you didn't make it to the end? I thought Sarah's frozen mousse was going to come back to bite her!
A. Lindsay: I wasn't surprised. I knew that it was going to come down to me or Sarah against Paul in the finale. Even though Sarah and I cook very differently, we are also very similar in that we cook from an emotional standpoint. Everything is very nostalgic; it's based off of our experiences and who we are. Paul just kind of pulls food out of God knows where. Sarah and I kind of have the same approach so I knew it would come down to her or I. I'm my worst critic but I felt really good about what I did. If I had to go out, that's how I want to go out, with the judges enjoying my food.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Have good things come your way since Top Chef: Texas started airing?
A. Lindsay: Definitely, I've gotten a lot of exposure. People have recognized me and people have reached out to me to do different events, which is what this was all about for me. I hope that there's more to come and I'm pursuing some different things to kind of take things to a new level.

Don't miss the finale of Top Chef: Texas, next Wednesday at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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