by Michael J. Lamp

 

Top Chef: Just Desserts came to a close this past week, as Yigit Pura was crowned its inaugural champion. I caught up with the talented Yigit to talk about aligning with Team Diva, finale uncertainties and his plans for the future.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: First off, congratulations! What went through your head the moment Gail announced you as the winner? You seemed pretty overcome with emotion.

A. Yigit: I was. It was the most spectacular feeling. I went into this very euphoric place. The next thing I know, Gail was standing in front of me and Zac was in my arms.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Your braised pineapple really seemed to seal the deal for you. Is that a recipe you were waiting for the right moment to use?

A. Yigit: The pineapple itself is something I've worked with before. That dessert was kind of the morphed child of three desserts I've made before. I took the pineapple and combined it with an Asian dessert and a contemporary American dessert.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: I have to ask you about Team Diva. You seemed to be the most universally liked member of the posse. Did the other contestants take issue with the friendship the three of you had as much as the show made it seem?

A. Yigit: The funny thing is that the Team Diva thing came up as a joke because Godiva was our sponsor. Heather was honorary gay, as we like to call her. The three of us became really close friends within the first three or four days. I think people were a little threatened.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Going into the finale, did you feel like you were the winner or were you still unsure?

A. Yigit: All I knew was that I felt like I had put out four solid courses. They were all consistent. I felt they were all me. I'm glad my best was the best.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Now that you're Top Chef's big winner, what's next?

A. Yigit: My immediate plans would be to take a proper weekend; after that, maybe a trip. In the coming year, I have a lot of plans. I'm working on opening my own place in the near future. On the greater level, I've also been in touch with the Human Rights Campaign. That's something I take a lot of pride in.

 

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: What advice would you give to future cheftestants?

A. Yigit: Study their recipes the day they start their application process with bravo. Enjoy the process. It goes by like a whirlwind. As tough as it was, there were some awesome moments and I've made some great friends. Relish and make the most of it.

 

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

 

Follow Michael at twitter.com/mjlamp