I was really disappointed with the outcome of Wednesday night's Top Chef. Jamie was my favorite cheftestant and I was certain she would make it to the final three. When I spoke with Jamie yesterday morning, I was surprised by her incredibly positive attitude. She's still hard at work at San Francisco's Absinthe, and fell asleep on the couch before she could catch her elimination on Top Chef.

To find out what she had to say about Stefan and scallops, read more.

On what she achieved by being on the show: I think for me going on the show and being on for the time I was, was a great achievement. I was able to showcase my talent. I showed I am a strong cook.

On her elimination: I screwed up and I had a pretty good idea that I was going to be the one going home. I had to accept my fate at that point and move forward. It's not the end of the world. For me it wasn't, at least. It was so long ago. It was six months ago. I've had enough time to let it marinate. I realize that being on the show itself is an amazing experience. I was kicked off over salted celery; I mean it's just not a big deal. If it had been my own food, my own creation, and my own intellectual property, I would have felt a lot worse. It was easier for me to go home because I cooked someone else's food badly.

On her obsession with scallops: I'm kind of over all the scallop talk. I didn't even realize it would turn into such a big deal! I think Fabio's comment sort of escalated it. But, I do like cooking scallops. Yeah, they are on my menu. I don't know. I think the whole thing is kind of silly.

On her relationship with Stefan: The whole romance was kind of fabricated for television. I think it was more of a crush in terms of admiration. Actually we have a lot of respect for each other as chefs. We both really admire each other. He's one of the people I talk to the most now. In terms of his personality, yes, he can be overbearing, especially when we were stuck in the stew room for hours and hours, but we have stayed in contact.

On the judges: Gail was my favorite of the judges. She was the most fair. When Gail would speak, I would really listen to what she had to say. I think Toby is there for the showmanship. I'm just going to stay mum about Tom and Padma.

On who should win: Anyone's game. Stefan is the most talented. But who knows? Any of them could win. A lot of people thought I was going to win and I'm not there anymore.

On what's next: I'm staying at Absinthe for awhile. I don't know what is going to happen. We'll have to wait and see. I would love to travel and experience a lot of different cultural foods. I don't know if I want to open my own restaurant. I've thought about pursuing more television, I've talked about opening a soup joint, but part of me really wants to go back to New York. Who knows?

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