Eli Kirshtein went for the gold — but was cut before making it into the top 4 on Wednesday’s Top Chef. The Atlanta-based chef gave the final challenge — competing in a culinary Olympics — his all, but ultimately served some undercooked lamb that sent him packing. Calling to discuss his fate, Kirshtein said he knew that it was his time to go and also opened up about tensions in the kitchen with Robin. –Brian Orloff
How daunting was it competing in a Bocuse d’Or — and serving that huge panel of chefs and diners?
All the other [challenges], you drop off your food, say, “Here’s what it is,” and you walk away. This one, you’re in front of a huge panel of people and you’re presenting the food and serving it, so it was an amazingly intense in that respect. Much more than who the judges were — because by that point in the competition you just become numb to the caliber [of judges]. You’re just more nervous that you have to stand there and talk.
Was it a fair final challenge? It required you all to cook in a style that was so different from what’s expected on Top Chef.
The most notable thing was that was the next to last day of us being there. At that point in the competition, there was a huge emotional strain and it had been really prolonged. You’re really tired at that point, so everyone was looking at that challenge as a finish line. It was a milestone to get to that challenge — and get through that challenge.
Did you understand why the judges kicked you off? Did you think your lamb was inedible?
I totally understand what their perspective was. One of the things I always feel is arbitrary is the judges’ opinions. Across the board, they’re probably right about it — but I also know that I ate [my lamb] and I felt it was good. I feel as if there was a mental block at a certain point where [judges] said, “This is underdone to me,” without eating it or trying it. [But] I’ll definitely say it was one of those things where I didn’t have my best day. I definitely was the person who deserved to be going at that point.
Do you regret anything you said about Robin now that you’ve had time to think about your relationship?
First of all, I don’t think that I said anything out of malice. Specifically with the comments about cancer, I feel as if I said something that probably other people were thinking. I also would not be surprised if I was the only one who said it in the interview room; I just happened to be the one who got the edit on it. I feel as if you look back in the way she handled herself [with] the other contestants [and] it was absurd and unprofessional. It’s that simple. Everyone in the kitchen [tried] to be super professional and super helpful, helping each other out whenever necessary. And she was the one person who didn’t do that. She was not on the same wavelength of working together.
Justin Stephens/Bravo
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