The TV Chick

Lindsay is back for some more reality show action! You loved her Bachelor recaps, so now check out an exclusive interview. As the finale of Top Chef All-Stars approaches, she jumped on the opportunity to sit down and chat with recently axed Antonia Lofaso. Antonia dished about the contestants, provided some “behind the scenes” commentary, and expressed her strange, undying love for jello molds. Read on to find out more.

I was so sad to see you go! What has the response been from fans since your elimination?
People have been really supportive, and everyone tells me that it should have been Richard and I in the finale. But ultimately, I’ve always felt that whatever was meant to happen is meant to happen.

What was your favorite challenge to date?
It’s a toss up between the Jimmy Fallon challenge and fishing in Montauk. Both of those were playful challenges and reminded me not to take the process too seriously; to just be more light-hearted about it. It helped my food when I took on that mentality, and that’s kind of how I am in my day to day.

What was the deal with the beef tongue song in that episode?
It’s a running joke in my family that when I get nervous I tend to sing inspirational songs. It calms me down and other people down. Angelo, Carla, and I just got really into this beef tongue song. We formed a band and everything. The producers kept telling me to stop singing!

What was the most difficult challenge?
The first challenge when we came back to film in the Bahamas. I couldn’t wrap my head about being back in the game. I had a hard time finding my footing.

Can we talk about the stew room for a minute? The things that go on in there…it’s quite intriguing.
People watching have no idea that we’re in that room for a really long time. Judge’s table takes between 4 and 6 hours, but we’re usually in that room for an hour before and an hour after. Seven hours in that little, tiny room. We would make up games or start a full band to keep ourselves entertained. One time we wrapped each other up in the Glad bags that you see all over the set.

When did you first decide you wanted to be a chef?
I grew up on Long Island in an Italian American home and all we ate was Italian. You know – Rigatoni, Eggplant Parmesan. But one day when I was 8 or 9 I went to a friends house and they made a jello mold – I was floored by the idea of the jello mold. So I went home and made a jello mold every day for the next two years. From that point on I started to cook on my own accord rather than just cooking with my family. I started to see that that there were all these different styles of food, outside of what was typically done in my house. As I got older I would go to slumber parties and cook dinner for everyone.

You had to cook a “last supper” for Morimoto. What would your last supper be?
Mine would definitely be an eggplant parmesan.

And a jello mold for dessert?
(laughs)…maybe a jello mold.

How has life changed for you since appearing on the show?
There are always a lot of women who tell me that that I’ve inspired them, in the sense that I’m a mother but I’m doing something that I love. I’ve taken that role very seriously. I didn’t expect that at all. People say to me, “You make me think that I can do what I want to do with my life.”

So what’s next for you?
I’m working on a cookbook — that’s my first priority. The book shows that I’m a skilled chef but at the same time, I’m also a mom who wants to be able to spend time with my daughter. It’s a book for the working parent.

Who do you have taking the win in the end?
Richard Blais and I go way back. I really feel like him and I were the most consistent in our season, so I think there’s special part of my heart that goes out to him. But I also can’t throw my cousin [Michael] under the bus! All I can say is I really wish them both the best.

Okay, one last “Quickfire” question: If you were starting a restaurant and had to hire former Top Chef contestants to man to kitchen, who would you choose?
Stephanie Izard, Richard Blais, Dale Talde, Angelo Sosa, and Jamie Lauren.

Be sure to tune in to Bravo tonight for the Season Finale of Top Chef All-Stars at 10 pm!