by Michael J. Lamp

In one of the more surprising exits this season, master technician Angelo was sent packing on Top Chef: All-Stars after his overly salted potato soup failed to please the palates of this week's judging panel. A very gracious (probably the nicest chef yet) Angelo talked with RealityWanted and other reporters about guys vs. girls, meeting the Muppets and dealing with not winning...again.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: You and Mike seemed to forge a nice friendship on the show. From the audience's perspective, though, his recommendation that your soup needed more seasoning seemed to lead to your defeat. What are your thoughts on that?
A. Angelo: Mikey's an awesome guy; a great chef, great friend of mine. As I tasted Mikey's dish 5-10 times, he tasted mine. [What you saw] was only a glimpse. At the end of the day, I put out the dish. I conceived the birth of that dish. I'm wise enough to make my own decision.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: A lot of the male chefs that have been kicked off have been less than complimentary of the female competitors. What are your views on the remaining ladies?
A. Angelo: Great question. I'm gonna answer this way; I never once doubted the judges' decisions. They're much older than I am, much more experienced than I am. If Carla, Antonia and Tiffany are still in the game, they should be in the game. If we're doing the cookie challenge, that's not necessarily my strength. That's the luck of the draw. The three girls, they deserve to be there.

Q. Everyone made soup. Why did you personally go in that direction?
A. Angelo: We were allotted two hours of cook time, I believe. We basically had to set up our own kitchen. Trying to understand the balance of the two, I didn't want to sacrifice flavor. Also, I've never been to a Super Target before. I don't know what to expect. I'm not going to expect to see Salmon or Filet Mignon or Caviar.

Q.  What was your favorite challenge?
A. Angelo: I'm half Dominican [and] half Italian, so sports are in my blood. The US Open challenge [was my favorite]. Being on those courts was pretty big for me.

Q. What were your thoughts on the Sesame Street Muppets?
A. Angelo: I like to be cracking jokes and lighten the mood, so I thought the timing was so appropriate. It's just awesome to see Elmo. My son loves Elmo.

Q. Did you think Tiffany was going to go home after reaching her breaking point at Judges' Table?
A. Angelo: I don't really play that game. I have my own standards and hold myself accountable. I made an error and am responsible for my error. I don't know any other way to answer that.

Q. How burned out were you by the end, after cooking so much in back-to-back seasons?
A. Angelo: I think it's close to 70-80 dishes I've cooked in total. Top Chef: All-Stars broke me in the most amazing way. It pushed me to my limits and kept on pushing me. I think it helps me to this day, seeing how I approach situations. [Last night], it was more of a sense of gratitude. To be in that environment, in front of millions, what more could I ask for?

Q. Are you disappointed that you didn't win?
A. Angelo: I believe things happen for a reason. I don't question that process. I gave it my all. I cook with sincerity [and] love.

Q. Were you more relaxed this time, seeing as you had gone through it once before?
A. Angelo: I think they are two different circumstances. I think I was misunderstood the first season. Cooking on All-Stars, there were great chefs there. I formed more of a kinship with everyone. We were all there because we love cooking. That's the reason I've been put on this Earth.

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

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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