Angelina Bastidas opens up about her biggest challenges throughout the Top Chef season. We chatted with the recently eliminated competitor to get her take on who should win, her favorite of the judges and more.
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SheKnows: Who is your favorite Top Chef contestant of all time and why?
Angelina Bastidas: My favorite Top Chef contestant has to be Nina Compton. She’s an all-time badass, even though she didn’t take it home.
SK: Were you surprised by your elimination?
AB: With my elimination, I was expecting to take the win with the sudden death, but not plating my dish killed me.
SK: What was it like working with all of the judges on the show?
AB: It was great to get to know the judges and see that they are real people just like any of us.
SK: Which contestant do you think deserves to win? Or who are you rooting for?
AB: Honestly, all the chefs this season are amazing. All so talented. I think it’s pretty close. However, gotta root for my big sister Marjorie or my fellow Floridian Jeremy.
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SK: Who did you consider your biggest competition?
AB: My biggest competition has to be everyone here. From owners of restaurants, to James Beard nominees, to food and wine best chefs… Crap! Being the youngest in this competition is a lot of pressure.
SK: Was there anyone on the show you really clashed with? Who was it and why?
AB: I really did not clash with anyone, though I have a really strong personality, as you all know. At the end of the day, we are here for a competition.
SK: Who is your favorite out of the judges and why?
AB: My favorite has to be Padma. She is so humble and gives proper criticism. She’s not just a pretty face. She knows her stuff.
SK: Who do you think deserved to go home on last night’s episode?
AB: I think after our sudden death quick fire, it was only karma that bit Wesley in that butt of his! Joking aside, Wesley did a great job with sending me home. However, overcooked lamb doesn’t work anywhere.
SK: What was the best experience you had on the show?
AB: The best experience on the show was being among some of the greatest chefs in the country. Being able to travel around California, as it was my first time there, was great as well. I was so shocked with the views.
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SK: What was the biggest challenge for you on the show?
AB: The biggest challenge was trying to accept that I was the youngest chef. Age is not an issue. However, I dealt with obstacles throughout the competition, feeling like I somewhat had to prove who I was as a chef, and [that] added pressure to me. [I’m] realizing now, the biggest challenge was getting out of my own head.
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