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Here's this week's installment of Slashfood's exclusive exit interviews with the latest "Top Chef All-Stars" contestant to get the boot. In an effort to prevent spoilers, we've included the text after the jump.
Antonia Lofaso was pretty impressive during Season 4 -- she made the finals, after all -- but she showed up for All Stars with a new and improved swagger. It looked like she might have a shot at the final two, but she was eliminated in a nail-biter of an episode. After a grueling elimination challenge that involved cooking a "last supper" for Masaharu Morimoto, Wolfgang Puck and Michelle Bernstein, she and Mike Isabella were sent back to compete for the last finale spot. Her "one-bite" dish of grouper had its fans, but Mike eventually nabbed the chance to cook off against Richard Blais in the finale. Find out why she initially said no to the All-Stars season, and what her family is cooking up with Mike's.
Are you happy with the way that you were portrayed this season?
I am. And it's kind of hard to say it was the way I was portrayed, because it's really just the way that you are. I know a lot of chefs try to say that it's editing that gives them a bad rap, but I felt like I came off differently this season, a little more confident and stronger, because I was a little bit more confident and a little bit stronger. I was really proud of what I did and I was really happy that it came across. The whole experience was really postive. Going in there I had a really harsh strong attitude because I knew that was the only thing that was going to get me to the end.
What did you think when you got invited to do All-Stars?
No. [Laughs] I said absolutely not. I thought, I can't do this again, are you crazy? I really did, initially I said no because, listen, this is one of the hardest things I've ever done, even the first time around. Make no mistake: There is no easy way around this competition. You have to go full-force straight into the fire and every day remind yourself that that's why you're there, and never waver. And I felt like I did that the first time, and if I was going to do that the second time I knew how much it takes out of you, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It's a really hard thing to go through. This is something that is also precious to us, and to put it out there for thousands of people to see is just a hard thing for me. I had done so well in my season, and I thought if I do this again and I don't do well, then what I did before will never be remembered. It was a very hard decision to make.
Was it better to go out on such a close decision, or do you wish it had been more clear-cut?
I would have been devastated if I'd made a mistake like I did in my finale where I undercooked something or didn't do something well. It was just based on somebody's preference. Because food is so subjective, you know what may to great to somebody might not be so great to somebody else. I preferred to go out exactly like I did. I gave them a dish that came right from me, right from what I was feeling in that moment. You know what? If it was that close? Even better.
When you saw that you were going to have to cook another round, what were you thinking?
We knew that there was something else coming, but we didn't know what it was. But Tom told us when we first got to the Bahamas: "Listen, this isn't going to be an easy road." So after we had a three-hour cook and all the anxiety and pressure that we went through, I didn't expect it to be over that quickly.
What's your relationship like with Mike now? Do you still talk?
Yeah, we still have playful Twitter banter. Believe it or not, our families have really sort of taken to this idea that we're related and they're trying to dig deep and find out where, exactly. I think they might be planning Thanksgiving dinner. I told Mike, "I'll see you at Christmas."
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3-25-2011 @1:26PM Amy said... Mike Isabella may have made it to the finale, but are they really going to award him the Top Chef title? http://foodiegossip.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-chef-all-stars-one-chef-down-two.html
He cheats in half the challenges.
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3-28-2011 @9:49AM LindyOman said... At least she went out with class more than most. I think they all have good shots at going out and making a success of their short period of fame. More important is running their business right and saving for later. HTtP://BIt.Ly/FreebieHomepage has lots of tools to help you save while doing grocery, clothing shopping and eating out. Like a free appetizer at Chili's.
3-25-2011 @8:09PM mccoffee said... Mike is a cheat, stealing Richards recipe. He is not in the same league as most of the chefs.....
Please blind fold the judges so they don't know who cooked what and what a change in who is voted off. Especially blindfold Tom the bald headed one. ugh...
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3-25-2011 @8:18PM johnkzin said... Until last week, I wanted to see her and Richard in the finals, with Richard winning.
This week, I changed my mind and said I want to see her win.
So, this episode was a bit of a let-down. Hopefully Richard will pill it off in the end.
Still, it was great to see Antonia make it this far. She's gotta be the hottest chef they've had :-)
She can cook for me ANY time.
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3-28-2011 @8:10AM Andre said... I was rooting for Antonia...she has class and grace...I truly think she is exceptional. Richard is a great chef, but he doubts himself and is not gracious when someone else wins a quickfire or an elimination. Mike Isabella is arrogant and stole Richard's "oyster shell" recipe. He sabotaged Antonia because he wanted to face Richard in the finals. Be careful what you wish for, MIke....Richard will beat you...karma is sweet.
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3-28-2011 @10:23AM B1 said... So there are a few Mike haters that say he 'cheated' because he stole a recipe from Richard. It was not a recipe, but an idea. The book that Richard had was full of ideas that he had for different dishes and for a resturant. Besides, when it comes to food, you may start with the same idea and end up with different products. Take a look at last night's Chopped. There were two desserts and both were the same, but executed differently. When it comes to food, how it is executed is what makes it your own. I'm great at baking and I get rave reviews from a box mix and when I tell people that it's a box mix, they say, "mine never turns out like this, what did you do?" and I tell them, "followed the directions". I really don't know what it is that I do differently. Maybe it's a timing thing, maybe it's a tablespoon of water or oil difference... I don't know, that many have said they cannot get theirs to taste the same.
Anyway, I think Antonia did an awesome and I loved her work ethic throughout the show. I'm sure she will do great things with her cooking.
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3-28-2011 @11:53AM mensh said... richard is neither a gracious loser or winner! mike is an arrogant fool!
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3-28-2011 @1:26PM Hannah said... I'm bad at math but I could have sworn that Antonia had more votes than Mike...I think Mike got the nod because he won so many recent challenges, not because of his last bite. He clearly is the most obnoxious and unprofessional finalist in recent memory, with the exception of weirdo Marcel that is...I don't find Mike to be very original or creative. His boorish personality doesn't help either...he's a bully with an apron on. Richard on the other hand is an arrogant poor sport. Mike and Richard deserve each other.
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3-28-2011 @1:49PM Thumbprint said... I was disappointed that Antonia was eliminated. She has been consistently on top throughout the competition, whereas Mike is very up and down, and her grouper bite was apparently delicious. Richard, without question, appears to deserve to go to the final. If he's not first, he's usually second. Thought they might just go with a final 3.
I guess that said, it's pretty hard to beat a surf and turf bite. When I saw Mike pick beef and lobster, seemed like he would win. Comfort food and gourmet elegance, all in one.
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3-28-2011 @1:56PM Thumbprint said... With regard to those unhappy with Richard -- I guess the show highlighted that he really cares about what he does, obsesses, and broods like an artist. So I don't see him as ungracious, I just see him as a perfectionist.
Frankly, he seems like a culinary genius, which is why I'd like to see him win. Also, he's the "go-to" guy when others need information. He always helps. There are a lot of good things about Richard, in my opinion. If I'm in Boston I'll certainly go to his restaurant. I'd go to Antonia's and Carla's and Angelo's and Dale's, too.
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3-28-2011 @4:43PM AB said... This just in per >>TMZ >>> March 28th. Ina Garten of Food Network Refused a Make A Wish chid's last wish. A 8yr old boy dyoing of Cancer asked his last wish to cook one meal with Ina Garten. She refused stating to busy doing a book tour. When she finished they asked again cause it was a big thing with the child. She stated No that she didnt have time ti fill peoples wish's.
Now if this was your kids LAST WISH , how would you feel at this moment ?? People a kids Last Wish .One should be honored. Write Food Network an also on FaceBook an if you can Tweet this .demand She be fired from Food Network for having a Cold Heart if she even has one. Please help an pass on the word .
Thanks
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