by Michael J. Lamp

The icing finally dried up for Orlando on this week's episode of Top Chef: Just Desserts. Despite starting the season as one of the most confrontational cheftestants, the last few episodes have revealed a kinder, gentler Orlando. He caught up with RealityWanted to chat about Judges' Table, season highlights and learning to accept criticism.

Q. Would you make any changes to your paella dish if you had a do over?
A. Orlando: I stand by it, but the point of us going in font of a panel of judges is to improve ourselves. The one thing I would change is I would've made them individually inside those sauté pans.

Q. Heading into Judges' Table, did you feel like you were going home or was it a shock?
A. Orlando: That was a big shocker. Last night, after I watched the entire thing, I remember minute for minute how the entire thing happened that night. It actually brought me back to that night.

Q. You mentioned that you had gotten more accepting of criticism toward the end, and I have to say that you did appear to mellow out during the last few episodes. What changed?
A. Orlando: I don't work for just a restaurant or a hotel. I work for an institution, and the individuals I work for are not used to being criticized by [someone like myself.] It made me very rigid. That kind of developed the ‘asshole' in me, and made me forget about the human side. If you take five seconds to listen to what [someone is] saying, it could help you to become a better individual or better chef. The panel of judges [was] there to make me better. I had to stop for a minute and realize it's not my regular job. In order for me to make it through this competition, I either had to suck it up and listen to the judges or make a change in me. It humbled me a lot. I was more open to opinions and criticism than when I started.

Q. What was the highlight of your Top Chef experience?
A. Orlando: Episode one, where we actually walked onto the boardwalk. That became the reality that this is really happening. It's not just a dream anymore. That was the highlight for me. Out of thousands of individuals, I actually made the cut.

Q. Now that your run on Top Chef: Just Desserts has ended, what's next for you?
A. Orlando: There [are] so many different things I want to step into right now. I'm taking a step back to see what area I want to focus on and where I want to take it from here. Bravo has opened so many doors for me.

Top Chef: Just Desserts airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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