Over the past couple of weeks I grew to love Ariane on Top Chef, so when Padma asked her to "pack her knives and go," I was disappointed. The restaurant owner and mother got off to a rocky start in the first couple of episodes, but she hit her stride and took home several wins. I spoke with Ariane this morning and found out what she thought of the experience and what she's up to now, read more.
On going home: I worked hard and rose to the challenge. Maybe I relied too much on my teammates. I felt like Leah should have went home. I can say that now because I watched the show.
When it came to the lamb, I wanted to do it a certain way. I wanted to grill it. But they wanted to do all this stuff to it and I believed my teammates. It's hard when you are in a challenge. The time, the moment, the pressure, being the third wheel. I had such a good run. It was such a high. I had so many wins.
On Toby Young saying she can't cook: I was a little surprised by that. He's a little angry Englishman. Hearing what Padma said, on the other hand, was really really great. Maybe if Gail had been there it would have been different. Gail's tough, but she's not as verbal as Toby.
On working with Hosea and Leah: It was tough, being the third wheel. When there's three people on a team and two of them are in a relationship it's hard. One would say yes and the other would say yes. I had no say in any matter.
On watching herself: It was really tough to watch the first two episodes. I couldn't sleep. It was more sad than difficult. I wasn't ready to leave, but I have the love and support of my family. I stay true to myself. You really saw who I am. In the beginning it was hard because you get caught up. Your mind plays tricks on you. Time flies during the challenges; it's really like having an out of body experience. I just kept telling my family, "watch what happens!"
On who should win: I'm rooting for Jamie. I'm rooting for Carla. Those are my girls.
On what's next: We're extremely busy. I own a restaurant with my husband and we are looking to expand. It's here in Montclair. Maybe I'll write a cookbook. I have two daughters — one's 11 and the other is 13 — so I'm pretty busy.
Dwell
Betty Jackson
Net-a-Porter
I agree that Leah should have gone home. That was bullsh*t!
1I hope she;s next to go, and I wish Hosea would go soon (although he probably won't). They both seriously bug.
I also agree that Leah should have gone home. BAH!
2I liked both Hosea and Leah as individuals but in this team challenge they were super lame! They let Ariane hang for the stuff that the team should've focused on. I agreed with Tom though, why did every team take the meat off the bone? They were on a farm making a rustic lunch with the freshest ingredients. I just didn't get some of the choices.
3I was a big fan of Ariane as well and was totally shocked when she got asked to leave. Should have been Leah!
4Hadn't been a fan before I read the interview. Am even less of one now.
5
6I agree that Leah should have gone home as well. Ariane had proved herself quite the chef, while Leah keeps getting in the bottom. Plus, Leah's attitude sucks and she's cheating on her boyfriend on television. Classy.
7Sending Ariane home was so wrong. At least she did something. Leah barely contributed.
8I really liked her, she didn't deserve to go out like that!
9i didnt (and still dont, esp after this interview) like ariane, but leah should have gone home. shes such a non-entity... i bet this was one of the producers decisions that they give the disclaimer about at the end of the show... lets see, send home the mom from NJ, or send home the young girl who flirts with one of the other chefs. in good ol' real world fashion, of course theyre gonna keep the flirty one. makes for more drama.
10I thought Leah should have gone home too. Ariane skills have greatly improved over the course of the season. I was rooting for her and it was sad to see her go.
11I was mad about this one, I also thought Leah should have gone home. The two of them bullied her into cooking the lamb a certain way, and then failed to help her with it. Hosea admitted he had experience cooking lamb that way, and Leah admitted she didn't do enough in the challenge. Really disappointing.
12I was sad to see Ariane go. I was always a fan of her straightforwardness and authenticity as a person.
13She didnt deserve to go!
14I was surprised that Ariane was sent home.
Side note - Bravo recently was added to my cable line up and I'm now addicted to Top Chef.
15Dear Arianne, You're annoying as sh!t. Good riddance.
16I dont think Arianne could have won Top Chef, but I think for that elimination Leah should have been kicked off.
17I totally agree on that it was probably a producer call and the judges prob would not care, since I really do not think Arianne had the chops to win it all, but she could have gone further.
I was pissed that Arianne went home, it should have totally been Leah! Both Lean and Hosea are cheating on their significant others, and that's just wrong! If Arianne had followed her gut and grilled the lamb, she would still be there.
Toby Young just says mean things to be mean. Nothing he says makes any sense, and he's getting tiresome to watch. Even Tom rolls his eyes every time Toby talks!
18I'm sorry but Ariane should've gone home a long time ago! She's a nice woman but honestly, I can cook everything she's done! Her dishes are very simplistic (spam on toast with gravy? Come on), she just isn't "top chef" material.
It seems that Ariane is playing the 'blame game' -- blaming others for her faults. It's a competition -- if people aren't listening to you, SPEAK LOUDER! I saw the part where she suggested grilling and it was basically just an offhand remark, not said with any kind of emphasis on anything really.
19It was Ariane that butchered (literally) that lamb, not Hosea or Leah. It was Ariane that put way too much herb rub on it, not Hosea or Leah. If she needed help she should have asked, and KEPT asking if nobody would listen. It looked to me like Leah did try to help with the tying of the roasts (what chef doesn't know how to tie a roast?? Even home cooks can do that!) but they were already so botched due to the previous attempts by Ariane, and coupled with the poor butchering job, they were doomed from the start. I do think Leah could've been more honest and, in all reality, she won't make it to the end so it really doesn't matter.
i agree with almost everyone, leah shouldve been the one to go home. ariane was never my favorite, but she honestly tried to do the most important thing on the menu, and that was what made them lose but she shoudve gotten credit for doing that much, rather then what, tying up the lamp and making a salad? ugh leah should go home next week.. she annoys me.
20something about Leah just bugs me SO much. and she can't cook!
21Ahhh I'm desperately trying NOT to read this, but clearly I know who went home now. I missed last week's episode.. and it's not on Fancast yet!? Does anyone know when they usually put it up? Is there anywhere else I can watch it?
Same with Chopped.. is there anywhere I can watch that online?!
22i'm surprised that she's saying carla should win. honestly she hasn't brought too much to the table. as for the rest of it i- i'm really upset that she didn't get to go further - she's really amazing and she managed to over come her nerves early on to do some GREAT things.
23I loved Arianne! I was soo sad to see her go but I know that she will be really successful in her restaurant I wish I still lived in NJ so I could go check it out!!!
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