Posted on 08/11/2010 by Gina in Hells Kitchen and Cast Interviews
by Gina Scarpa
Leading up to the season finale of Hell's Kitchen, it looked like a dead heat between Jay and Holli. Both had performed exceptionally well through the entire competition but in the end, Chef Ramsay had to make a decision. Jay won the last challenge heading into the final dinner service but Holli pulled ahead by showing that she grew into a great leader with an eye for detail. Today, we spoke to Holli in an exclusive interview about her win and her upcoming move to London to cook at the Savoy Grill.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for Hell's Kitchen?
A. Holli: I didn't really want to try out. I had a coworker who told me about a casting call and I thought he'd be perfect for it. I never even watched the show! When I got cast and they liked me, I finally went on Hulu and YouTube and started watching.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What surprised you most about meeting and working with Chef Ramsay?
A. Holli: I was surprised at how real it was. I thought maybe it was a bit of an act and I can tell you that it definitely is not! I'm surprised by how many cameras there were! I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I don't do reality tv. I don't even watch tv really. I was like, "Holy crap! What is happening here?"
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The red team had a very difficult time working together. How did you deal with the drama?
A. Holli: I just tried to stay out of it. I'm not used to being around so many women. In the kitchens I've worked in, I'm pretty much the only woman. I had all these men working for me that were old enough to be my father and that's what I'm used to. Being around all that estrogen was really tough.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's the deal between you and Jay? Was it a showmance or was there actually something there?
A. Holli: There was really nothing going on. We're just big flirts. I didn't realize that he wanted to sleep with so badly. I found out watching the show. We joked around constantly and kept it light. There was nothing happening. Even if we both wanted something to happen, it was impossible! There's a house full of people. I'm not that crazy. No way! It was just fun to flirt with him.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You and Jay performed extremely well throughout the entire season. What do you think it was that Chef Ramsay saw in you?
A. Holli: I think it was just my growth in Hell's Kitchen. I'm still young. I'm still able to be molded. Chef Ramsay really wants someone that he can tell them, "This is how I want it. This is my standard." Jay has a lot of experience and he's going to do great. He has a restaurant that he's running. That's his thing. He has his own style already. I'm still moldable. Ramsay told me one thing that is the biggest compliment. He said that out of the history of Hell's Kitchen, or any chef he's known, that I have grown the most over such a short period of time. He said it's going to be scary to see what I can do in a year.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Are you in London yet? What are your plans?
A. Holli: I'm not in London yet. I'm in California yet. I'm waiting for the go. The restaurant is opening in October. As soon as they say, pack your bags, I'm packed.
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How is working in London going to affect your family life?
A. Holli: That's going to be really difficult. I still have to work things out with my son's father. I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that he's going to come with me. I'll put him up in his own house. He'll be my next door neighbor. I love the guy, he's a great father, but there's no way I'm leaving my son here when I go. I will do whatever it takes to get his dad to go with me.
(Image courtesy of Fox)
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