by Gina Scarpa and Kylene Hamulak

 

Clara Moore, the first chef eliminated from Bravo's newest reality series Around the World in 80 Plates, was taken off the itinerary after her "bubble and squeak" contributed to the Red Team's loss in Week 1. Her departure came as a result of her teammate's strategy to deflect from his own shortcomings with the diners after their first set of tasks in London. We talked to her in an exclusive interview to find out more about her experience traveling to compete on Around The World In 80 Plates.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to do Around The World In 80 Plates?
A. Clara: Well, my two passions in life are cooking and traveling, in that order. It was like they custom made for me.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is there anything you absolutely would not have eaten if it had come to your plate?
A. Clara: No, I don't think so. I like to try everything!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: London had all of you eating and drinking a lot in a short amount of time - did you also have the opportunity to slow down and enjoy your meals?
A. Clara: No, not one bit. During that competition, it was just shoving and shoving of food. We had a little bit of food after.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your bubble and squeak was not one of the two plates criticized by the diners or Cat and Curtis - why didn't you make more of an argument at the table?
A. Clara: That's a really good question that I've been asking myself for months. I guess the thing that I think is that I hold myself to a high standard and didn't feel good about what I put out. Reality show food is not the same as reality. I was holding myself to reality standards.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You were obviously surprised by Nookie's strategy - did you consider having that type of strategy yourself?
A. Clara: I will tell you what. That first challenge, I didn't have a strategy, obviously. The unfortunate thing was that I was convinced that we were going to win. We were working so well together, Gary was doing such a good job at the front of the house. I thought we had this in the bag. I didn't even have the faintest idea of us losing. Once we were called out, my mind kind of went blank and I thought maybe I would've squeaked by.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What destination would've been your ultimate place to visit with the show?
A. Clara: Oh my god, Marrakesh. It just seems so gorgeous and colorful and beautiful. I've been eyeing that destination for a long time.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Clara: Not any big plans, things are happening at work. We are opening another location, which is really exciting. I'm on Twitter @ClaraMoore314 and I'd love to prove myself again.

 

Around The World In 80 Plates airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

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