Meet The Team / Nichol Nelson

Richard Blais took home the title of Top Chef at the end of Wednesday's nights finale, and all is right with the world. After a long, surprisingly spirited "All-Stars" season, Richard, the heavy favorite, nabbed the crown -- but not without a tough fight from challenger Mike Isabella. The four-course menus both chefs created were short on gimmicks, focusing heavily on technique and flavor, and the judges came down to the wire before giving Richard the title. Find out how he prepared for the finale -- and why he says he's o.k. with being perceived as neurotic.

What did you do to prepare for the finale?
I really just kind of got back to basics. I think people expected me to come out with a laser gun or a robot to cook the food or something, but really, I was baking bread and roasting chickens. I wanted to come back to the Bahamas and emphasize that although I enjoy using some modern techniques, I can also cook with a spoon, a pot and some butter and salt and pepper. So I really focused myself and did basic cookery.

Traditionally, the judges have given contestants a lot of freedom to create what they want for the finale. Were you worried they were going to throw you a curve ball?
Going back into the final round, I think all of us were surprised that it wasn't going to be just two challenges, it was going to be four. Then also knowing it wasn't going to be three contestants left for the finale, it was only going to be two. I think the pressure throughout the whole season kept building and building. So certainly by the end of it, you know you can't control it, you're just going to have to accept that and go with it. So the final challenge was a little bit different. Go build your own restaurant -- it was surprising to me, but also thrilling. You saw on the show where I said I got goosebumps -- well, I really did. For a chef to be given the task of building your own restaurant, I mean, this is what chefs dream about on the subways or commuting back and forth to work. We're dreaming of that while we're sitting there chopping carrots or peeling potatoes.

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.

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.

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.

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.