by Gina Scarpa and Kylene Hamulak

Just a few weeks shy of the finale, Around the World in 80 Plates said goodbye to Chef Nicole Lou in Hong Kong. On last week's episode, John and Nookie were hoping to get her on their team, only so that they could throw her under the bus and get her out of the competition. Along with Liz, they ended up being the deciding votes to send her home and we talked to Nicole today in an exclusive interview about her time competing on Around The World In 80 Plates.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Have you ever thought about doing a reality competition before 80 Plates?
A. Nicole: Actually, I never thought about doing reality tv or any kind of media with my career. This one just landed in my lap. I was given the opportunity to try out for the show and it was very interesting. I don't really know how to sell myself and I was like, "Hopefully, this will fly with them!"

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your response when John challenged your passion for cooking? Do you think his was an emotional reaction based on the pressure of the moment?
A. Nicole: I don't think he had a good idea about what he was actually saying when he said that about me. I was non-reactive about a lot of things that were occurring and he took that for not being passionate. I was just irritated by his comment but I didn't feel the need to justify myself or my profession.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your immunity in a previous challenge played a role in sending Nick home, possibly earlier than he would have been eliminated. Nookie held that against you for the rest of the competition, but did you realize the impact it had?
A. Nicole: I was like, "This is gonna come and bite me in the ass at some point," but I still made it to Hong Kong.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your bio talks about extensive experience with Chinese cuisine - have you thought about what you would have done differently with your final dish if you were able to do it again?
A. Nicole: I don't know where or why it said that I had a lot of experience with Chinese cuisine because I've never worked in a Chinese restaurant. I've eaten a lot of Chinese food! My dish was good, the one in Hong Kong. I made the broth a little too bitter and that was the only qualm with my dish. It was nicely presented. It probably wasn't modern like they wanted.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your best cultural experience while filming 80 Plates?
A. Nicole: I really am partial to the Southeast Asian countries. I think the flavors that they have to offer are a lot more intense. There's just a lot of it happening when you're sitting down, eating a plate of food.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Since your journey ended prematurely, do you have any plans to continue your culinary travels in the immediate future?
A. Nicole: Yeah, traveling is definitely in my future. Food and travel, that's what my focus is on. There's nothing else I want to do. I've been talking about going through Southeast Asia for two months. That's something I plan on doing.

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

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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