by Gina Scarpa

 

Top Chef: Seattle's Kristen Kish said it best: everything happens for a reason and she just took a different path to the finale. Fans of the cooking competition were shocked when Kish was eliminated during Restaurant Wars, several weeks before the finale. She managed, though, to defeat everyone who was eliminated after her during Last Chance Kitchen. She re-entered the competition and faced off against Brooke Williamson, beating her in a best of five dishes served to the judges in front of a studio audience. We talked to Kristen in an exclusive interview about the road less traveled to a Top Chef victory.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you start cooking later than many of the other Top Chef: Seattle contestants?

A. Kristen: Well, I went to culinary school when I was 19. There was just a year after high school that I tried to do something else.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you decide to do Top Chef at this point in your career?

A. Kristen: I was looking for a new opportunity. I'm always looking for things that are new and exciting. Barbara [Lynch], who was on last season's finale helping out Paul Qui, encouraged me to do it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Going into the competition, were you feeling more nervous or confident in what you would bring to the table?

A. Kristen: I was feeling good and confident as much as I could be. I was just happy to be there.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I always imagine it must be hard to cook your best on Top Chef. You're told what to cook or how quickly to cook it. How did you handle that aspect of the competition?

A. Kristen: For me, it was more about... thankfully, on this season, we weren't told what we have to cook as much as past seasons. It's that time constriction and the amount of people you have to cook for. You kind of have to think about what you're capable of doing in that amount of time. There are times I overreached and obviously, I was eliminated because I did that. You try to find that timeline for doing a really beautiful dish that you're proud of.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You were extremely calm and collected throughout the competition. In fact, it wasn't until the finale that we saw that emotion come out. Was that a conscious choice to keep your emotions in check or is that just how you naturally are?

A. Kristen: You know, I was there for one reason and it was to just cook good food. I wasn't going to let any of these outside things influence me. It wasn't a decision but I think it was good for me. When I do get scatterbrained, it's not pretty. I did try to stay calm throughout.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When we spoke last time, I was wondering if you regretted not standing up for yourself more during Restaurant Wars. Looking back now, do you feel like it all happened the way it was meant to?

A. Kristen: Yeah... no, I'm a believer in everything happening for a reason. I just took a different road to the finale. No regrets, I wouldn't have changed anything.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: That finale was pressure! How did you feel having family members, the judges, and all the previous winners sitting in the audience?

A. Kristen: I felt more pressure walking into an empty studio before they all started to filter in than with people actually sitting there. I enjoy cooking in front of people, especially when you don't have to talk. It's interesting.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did you feel about that final team you assembled - Sheldon, Lizzie, and Josh?

A. Kristen: Oh my god, how amazing could they have been? So amazingly helpful and kind and driven. I obviously couldn't have done that without them.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: As each round went on, did you start to feel more and more like you had it in the bag or were you holding your breath the entire time?

A. Kristen: I was holding my breath the entire time! I had to keep reminding myself to breathe and I could feel my knees locking. I don't get to taste Brooke's things. I don't know what it tastes like and obviously, her stuff is fantastic.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: After you won, you talked about going to Korea. Have you made that trip?

A. Kristen: I haven't done it yet. I'm still waiting on the money! I'm getting a lot of emails from people that would love to help me. It's really awesome.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's the plan from here?

A. Kristen: Eventually, I want something of my own. For now, I love cooking with and for Barbara and we'll see what plays out.

 

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

 

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