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 Food becomes outdated so quickly.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. 
Ms. Gaynor, your glass of haterade….
I liked Robin on the show. When things get stacked against one person, when they stack it by mainly showing you what other people say and not primarily the person’s actions, it’s a pretty clear put up job. I think her food looked interesting and I hope to be able to try it. Shame on me for not going to Crave.
My favorite moment was nonconstestant-related and occurred when a “judge” remarked that Robin didn’t know what foods worked together on a plate. Why on earth would a chef of her caliber go on a show like that?
It was painfully obvious, editing or not, that Robin was far outclassed in the kitchen by every other contestant in the top ten. She did provide some serious entertainment as the outcast loonball though!