by Gina Scarpa and Kylene Hamulak

After a dramatic elimination last week, Nick Lacasse was the next chef to leave Around the World In 80 Plates. Though not every episode has ended with the unanimously "right" chef leaving the competition, Nick's departure is particularly interesting because of two factors: immunity and alliances. We talked to him about that and more in an exclusive interview this week.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your expectation coming into 80 Plates and was that different from what actually happened?
A. Nick: You know, I didn't have all that many expectations. It pretty much lived up to what I expected.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Which task or Takeover was your favorite and why?
A. Nick: I think my favorite task would have to be the butchering fish. Of all the things that we had to try to do, that was something I love to do and do every day. I think that was my favorite for sure.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Where you aware of the alliance between Nookie and Avery? If yes, what was your reaction to it?
A. Nick: You know, I did not know nearly the extent of the alliance that was going on. If I had known... after watching the show, I wouldn't have been barking up the Nicole tree and I would've tried to downplay that. I would've tried to exploit Avery and it might have gone a little differently for me.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Are you learning a lot of things as you watch the episodes back?
A. Nick: It's really fascinating to watch the other team in the kitchen because I had no idea how stuff went down from them. We heard little stories but seeing it is cool.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Obviously Nicole's immunity had a significant impact on this elimination and brought up the interesting idea of a chef "sabotaging" their own team. Though it didn't seem as though that was Nicole's intent, do you think measures should be put in place to prevent that or do you just chalk it up as part of the game?
A. Nick: If measures were going to be put into place about that stuff, it was the rest of the team's responsibility to say something. I don't have any hard feelings. Nicole acted like it was any other day. She's strong headed... what's the word I'm looking for? She's kind of a loner, very independent where as me, every time I would season something I would run it by Gary and Chaz in Morrocco. I'm kind of more of a collaborator I think and yeah. I think she just acted like she didn't have immunity. It turned out in her favor, I suppose.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: In what ways has being on the show had an impact on your cooking?
A. Nick: That's a tough one! I don't know if it's changed my cooking style but I guess it's really opened my eyes to appreciate... I thought I was pretty well versed in a number of cuisines but I realize that my education on that stuff is extremely limited.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Nick: Next for me... I worked my last day at The Drawing Room and I'm between jobs. I'm taking a road trip this month and just being real cautious about what next job I get into and make sure it's the perfect fit. I'm just looking to enjoy my summer a little bit.

Around The World In 80 Plates airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)