Restaurants

Chow Bio

Robin Leventhal

by Steven Blum

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So, you're the former owner of the restaurant Crave and you made it into the final six on this season's Top Chef. What's it been like watching yourself on TV?

It's been painful, quite frankly. A lot of my friends and family are really angry about how I've been portrayed. There were people on the show who really liked me, but when it came down to it, it was all about portraying the competition and cliques that emerged.

Do you think you have to have a big ego to be a good chef?

I don't think you have to be cocky, but I think you have to have a strong ego. Strong egos needn't be intolerant or disrespectful.

What televised dish are you most proud of?

I really liked my "cacophony of pork" dish. I think it turned out beautifully.

In that episode, you described yourself as a "bad Jew" who eats things like bacon wrapped in more bacon. Was there ever a time you believed God cared if you ate pig?

The pretense would be a belief in God, which I don't have. I'm an incredibly spiritual person, but I can't attribute my spirituality to one being.

Now that the show's over and everyone knows your food, do you plan on using this exposure to open a new restaurant?

I loved running Crave, but I don't want to create the same food over and over again. Food becomes outdated so quickly. Let's change it up! I've done the pork chop, let's do the braised shoulder. I'd only open a new restaurant if it could be flexible with a constantly changing menu.