by Michael J. Lamp

Fan favorite Fabio Viviani was sent packing this week on Top Chef: All-Stars, after his burger for Jimmy Fallon's birthday lunch failed to impress the judges. Fabio caught up with RealityWanted and other reporters to talk about his time on the show, though he was on his way to the airport and in what sounded like the wind tunnel of all wind tunnels.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: What was your favorite challenge from the season?
A. Fabio: Besides Restaurant Wars, I think the dim sum. Welcome to the land of opportunity, dim sum-style. [Restaurant Wars] isn't even a challenge for me. I run restaurants for a living.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: After all the back and forth between you and Anthony Bourdain, what's your final opinion of him?
A. Fabio: When you spell love [in your article], please spell it with a capital L. I love Anthony Bourdain. He only made one mistake. He blew his one-liner with the wrong guy, so I had to put him in his place.

Q. Thoughts on your burger, in hindsight?
A. Fabio: The one I made, I think it tasted delicious. And honestly, I don't think it was dry. It's no big deal. I love 80% of the menu at Craft. [Tom] maybe likes 80% of the menu [at] my restaurant.

Q.  You are very popular with Top Chef fans. Is that part of what brought you back for All-Stars?
A. Fabio: At the end of the day, it's about exposure. If you go to the finale and don't win, it's disappointing. The reality is, as chefs, we're looking for exposure. I don't really get when people bitch [about it]. We signed up for it. We all need exposure. Why do you think Colicchio does it? You think he wants to judge a bunch of pirates? It's about exposure, guys. That's what it is.

Q. Can you talk about your new book, My Son is on Google?
A. Fabio: I'm working with my mom, and Italian moms don't have schedules. Well, they do, you just can't bitch about them.

Q. Had you ever made a hamburger before?
A. Fabio: No, I never made a burger before - no need for it. Now, I guess I'm learning.

Q. How did you approach the challenge, having never made a burger?
A. Fabio:  I went to Richard Blais, and I said, "How do you make your burger?" I [did] what he told me to do. It didn't work out too well. Burger is a burger.

Q. Mike Isabella made a comment about not thinking Richard should people as much as he does. Do you agree with that?
A. Fabio: Richard is very focused on winning this competition. I don't know if he would go out of his way, [though] he did help me a lot. It's a competition; you're going to see good and bad about people. I think Mike is a great guy. I love him to death. I hope both Mike and Richard win, if they get to the finale. Angelo wears his pants a little too tight for my taste.

Q. What was different this time around, compared to Season 5?
A. Fabio: Well, you got the best of the best. Judges are harder; judges are meaner, besides Gail. She's always a sweetheart.

Q. You've talked a lot about the male chefs. What about the women?
A. Fabio: I don't think about them for the same reason that I didn't win. Mike, Richard Blais and Dale are the most talented. I don't think Carla, Tiffany and Antonia have the skill to win. I have respect for them, but they are like me. Carla does homey soul food. Antonia does American and sometimes French. Tiffany does soul food. I do Italian. It is what it is. It isn't the nicest person [that wins].

Top Chef: All-Stars airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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