She was outspoken and talented –- and seemed destined to make it to the finale, but a too-salty dish sent San Francisco’s Jamie Lauren packing on Wednesday’s Top Chef. While the elimination may have surprised viewers, the chef seemed to know it was her time. Calling from her Bay-area home, Lauren dished about Stefan’s crush on her (yes, he was for real!), her brassy personality and tackled our five burning questions. -– Brian Orloff
You and Stefan had a fantastic dynamic. Did he really have a crush on you?
Stefan definitely had a real crush on me. Stefan admires talent and I think [he] realized I was the other person there who was on the same level as him. He used to say that to me a lot. And he was convinced that I was going to be in the finale — [that] it was going to be he and I going up against each other. He was probably more bummed that I got sent home than I was because I think he really liked working with me.
So, his “crush” wasn’t of a romantic nature?
There was no romantic anything. That was just nonsense. In all reality, I’m queer. I would never go out with Stefan. That was never going to happen.
You also got some attention from Fabio when he made a joke about how many scallops you used in the competition. What did you think of his “Top Scallop” crack?
It’s funny to have seen that after the fact. That’s just Fabio. Fabio’s a clown. [He] has a ton of charisma. He had a lot of great one-liners. Unfortunately I’m never going to live the “Top Scallop” thing down. It’s a little bit obnoxious because people come into [my restaurant] and they’re always making these scallop remarks. But at the same time, we’ve sold a lot of scallops. So, I guess that’s a good thing.
You were refreshing to watch because you had no problems speaking your mind. Any regrets?
I have a problem with speaking my mind [laughs]. I feel really good about how I was portrayed. I definitely feel I come across as somebody strong and confident who knows how to cook and knows her s—.
You didn’t shy away from criticizing Eric Ripert’s food –- and the dish you got — while everyone else seemed to revere him. Did he intimidate you?
I am definitely fazed by Eric Ripert. I mean, I have his cookbook. I know who he is. I think he’s amazing. I just think out of the six dishes, I got stuck with the one that was sort of lame. I just didn’t think I could do it justice the way he needed it to be done.
You said you knew you were going home. What sealed your fate?
I was convinced just based on the feedback from the judges. When Padma said [the food] was so salty, it was inedible, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going home.’ Inedible usually means go home. I would have sent myself home. I also get that the competition isn’t based on a cumulative scoring system because if it was, I definitely think I’d stay in the game.
What do you think people took away from you being on the show?
If my 150 comments that I got on Facebook last night mean anything, I think people are really, really bummed that I got kicked off. I think a lot of people expected me to make it to the finale and that’s a really good indication of how people saw me on the show – as somebody who knew how to cook and was confident and sure of themselves most of the time. I think I was really original, and people saw that too.
Our Top Chef 5 Burning Questions:
Describe your Top Chef experience in one word.
Inspiring.
What is in your refrigerator right now?
A bottle of hot sauce. I have a jar of pickled green beans. A slice of American cheese. A jar of olives. A Brita water filter. And a bottle of sparkling rosé.
Name one food you cannot stand.
Salmon.
Pick your favorite fast-food restaurant.
In-N-Out Burger.
Gail or Toby?
Gail gives much better criticism and she’s way better to look at — for me!
Michael Lavine /Bravo
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