by Gina Scarpa

 

It wasn't necessarily a surprise when Justin Warner was named the next Food Network Star on Sunday night's finale. From the get go, he captivated both the viewers and the execs at Food Network. His point of view, Rebel with a Culinary Cause, kept everyone guessing what he would do each week and it ultimately paid off in the end. Today, Justin talked to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about his victory and when we can tune in to see him on Food Network!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was there a moment in the competition when you realized, "I could really win this thing!"?
A. Justin: Yeah, I would say that the Fashion Week challenge. I just knew that the processes my brain was going through was dynamically, drastically different from all the other contenders. I figured it would be my ticket to victory or my quick ticket home. I was able to go as crazy as I wanted and they dug it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You and Martie grew so close during your time on the show. What was it about her that you were drawn to as a friend?
A. Justin: Well, I mean everyone knows she's a nice lady but she's also the most intelligent person in the cast. I'm the kind of person that doesn't let that go unnoticed. I don't know. We just have a similar sense of humor.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Will your show still be called Rebel With A Culinary Cause and how are things going with it?
A. Justin: That's kind of a mouthful. It's all kind of to be determined at this point. I'm excited to be welcomed into the Food Network family which has experts in what they do.

 

Q. So you're not 100% sure about the concept for the show?
A. Justin: We haven't even laid any official groundwork for the show. We're all shaking hands and acknowledging that I'm no longer on a reality show where I can be eliminated. I saw Susie Fogelson the other day and was like, "Oh no!... Wait, I can't be eliminated. She's my boss."

 

Q. What was your relationship with Alton Brown like?
A. Justin: It's kind of strange because I had a relationship with Alton Brown before he had one with me. I was a big fan! It was difficult to kind of put that fanboy-ness aside. Alton has an interesting way of making me disarmingly comfortable. I was wearing a skeleton shirt the first day I met him and he's like, "Rest your bones!" He's a regular guy and I can vibe with him.

 

Q. How did that relationship change as the competition went on?
A. Justin: I don't know. We had a pretty quick connection right away and the way the mentorship would work, I would tell him what I was doing and he would say, "Okay make sure you do this," and then step back. He could micromanage but he knew it was important for me to make him proud. I think he knew he would get the best results from me.

 

Q. What was your reaction with Giada or Bobby like?
A. Justin: Giada is a very intoxicating personality. She'd come up to me ask me what I'm cooking and it's like jaw-dropping. Bobby seems intimidating but he's actually a very, very normal, nice chef. He brings a lot of chefliness to the table. He's kind of stoic. All in all, we're a big happy family. It was a blast!

 

Q. Whose elimination were you most shocked by?
A. Justin: Most definitely Emily's. I just think she's the complete package - good look, good idea. I guess she had a couple camera issues. I think with a few more weeks, she would be able to rock it.

 

Q. How different was your experience from the way it played out on tv? Was it really an easy sweep?
A. Justin: I wouldn't ever say the word easy. I studied my competitors and you'd see them crack a little and that's when it would go down. I never wanted to show that. I didn't want to show frazzle or stress. Really, what you see is what you got. For me, it was a conscious effort not to look bothered.

 

Q. When it came down to public vote, did you have any idea how it was going to go?
A. Justin: I was pretty terrified. I don't know what the viewers in Iowa think. I checked a lot of stuff on the internet and I really rocked a Twitter campaign very hard. Based on my findings on the internet, I thought I had a good chance but I wasn't sure.

 

Q. Why do you think the viewers picked you?
A. Justin: Well, I said I never thought I'd be accepted by America. We, as Americans, are ready to be challenged via our tv and see what's on the other side of the food coin. It's all happy, smiley, yummy food but I think people want a little bit of the shock value of seeing something different.

 

Q. Was it a close vote?
A. Justin: I didn't learn much and I can't confirm it for sure but I heard a rumor that I had 2.5 of the 4.5 million votes.

 

Q. Are you more comfortable in front of the camera now?
A. Justin: It's a lot easier now that we have time and takes. We can work more conceptually which is good.

 

Q. When do you expect to start shooting and will it be in New York, in Brooklyn?
A. Justin: It would be ideal. I don't want to have to commute but we'll see. I have a few meetings to go to next week and we will put it together. It will air sometime in the fall so we need to get the ball rolling.

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa