I really enjoyed judges critiques because I can always grow and improve from that. I don't think any of the judges are intimidating.
Stephanie Izard. She is extremely talented but super-humble at the same time. And she was the first female Top Chef. I remember cheering her on when she competed. At that time I just started in my culinary career. Watching her cook was very inspiring.
Physically, this season of Top Chef was very challenging. We stayed up for 48 hours for the BBQ challenge; we ran around in a hurricane. I got sick, had a fever, lost my voice, stuffy nose, but kept competing.
I didn't cook for the competition, I cooked for myself, I cooked for my loved ones, I cooked to represent my culture, I cooked to represent Chinese-American immigrants. I was proud of what I was able to accomplish under the conditions.
One thing inspired me the most from the time I spent in Charleston was how much heritage and history are connected to influencing how I cook. Each dish tugged my heart in a different spot that after I finished cooking, I was really emotional and felt fulfilled at the same time.
Anis Mansour
James Orbinski
Natasha Richardson
Aja Naomi King
Jean Case
Beryl Bainbridge
Joe Sample
Rinus Michels
Brent Smith
Carl Paladino
Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Gil Garcetti
