by Todd Betzold

 

It was do or die last night in Hell's Kitchen, as Christina Wilson and Justin Antiorio lead their teams in the final dinner service for Season 10. The winner became the Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay's Steakhouse in Vegas. Both chefs made it through the dinner service with only a few bumps in the road, but Chef Ramsay chose Christina as the winner and Justin finished as runner-up, but not too shabby with the number of chefs that audition for this show. Today, we spoke to Justin in an exclusive interview about his time in Hell's Kitchen, working under Chef Ramsay and much more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you decide to try out for Hell's Kitchen?
A. Justin: I never watched the show in my life (laughs), so I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. My father is a chef in Houston and he watched it and he actually signed me up for it and then I heard the grand prize, so I thought what the hell and went and tried it out.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: After watching the finale back last night, is there anything you would have done differently or do you regret anything?
A. Justin: No regrets, no remorse man. Chef Ramsay wanted what he wanted for his kitchen at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. My food is a little different. I don't do creamed spinach and steak on a plate. I like to put bold flavors in there. I like to put myself on a plate and I like to put myself out there. I don't really have any remorse.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: How do you feel about your team for the final dinner service: Clemenza, Brian, Barbie and Royce?
A. Justin: Nobody tried to sabotage me and I don't know if that's how America feels, but that's not really how it went down. They did the best they did with their abilities. It sucked that I didn't get first pick and it sucked I got last pick, but I feel they tried their hardest. Maybe my menu was too difficult, but I can't blame them.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: When you were standing at that door, ready to turn the handle, what was going through your mind at that time?
A. Justin: I had every emotion in the world. I was praying to my whole family. I was nervous. I was scared. I was happy. I gave everything that I had and I really put my life out there and I put who I am as a chef out there and like I said, I don't have remorse for anything, so the handle turned or it didn't turn. It sucked, it wasn't a good feeling and nobody likes to lose, but you move forward and carry on with your life. Now I have the opportunity to run my own kitchen without Chef Ramsay. Now I have the opportunity to do what I do and do it well.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was it like working in Hell's Kitchen and under Chef Ramsay and all the chaos/drama with the other chefs? What was that experience like for you?
A. Justin: I kept my head down and I stayed focused and stayed true to my craft. There are a lot of different personalities that I had to work with, but for the most part I didn't get involved with it and I kind of laughed at it. If you guys want to act like this, that's your business and maybe you are not able to cook on the level that Christina and I are doing right now. I know I am here to win and it was a job interview for myself.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: It seems that you and Christina did stay out of the drama and it's weird that you both were the final two, so maybe that is the reason why.
A. Justin: I don't know if that is the reason why. I think our cooking abilities and our focus is what carried us. Yeah we stayed out of the drama, but if I threw a hissy fit in the dorms I don't think that is going to make a bit of a difference when we go down to the kitchen and we start performing. Chris and I are great competitors and if you give us at any given time, we would love to go up against each other in any situation because that's what we love to do. We are both chefs and that's what we do. It's not just a job, it's a lifestyle and I feel we both stayed true to our craft.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What's the biggest thing you are going to be taking away from this whole Hell's Kitchen experience?
A. Justin: I've never had to do anything with TV before and the production is incredible and they are unreal with everything that they do. Besides that, I got to work with Gordon Ramsay, whose a Michelin star chef and I learned a lot from him while I was there. His focus and drive in everything that he does is incredible and I hope that I can take that with me wherever I go from here.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Where are you cooking now and what can readers expect next from you?
A. Justin: I just got home to Jersey, literally I'm still in the car. I'm home for a day and then I am going to Miami for a little relaxation and then I'm coming back and going to fire up and try to open my own spot.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Is there anything you would like to add?
A. Justin: You can catch me on Twitter, Facebook and his website. I'm still doing things. I'm still around. I'm not going to burrow myself in a basement somewhere and get fat. No, I'm a chef and I love what I do and I'll be out there and it's definitely not the last you are going to see or hear from me.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Todd on Twitter @tbetzold