Q and A with Kevin Gillespie of “Top Chef”
AJC Staff
Q: Were you disappointed with the judges’ call?
A: After watching the show, I’m less disappointed in many ways. I basically lost due to a difference of opinion about the pork belly and a technicality about the mushroom. Every ingredient had to be used, so there was no way of leaving that matsutake mushroom off.
Q: Have you ever cooked with matsutakes before?
A: No I haven’t. I assumed they would cook like a porcini, but when I tried them it was clear this is not what should have happened, and they were not tender.
Q: Was the mystery box a problem for you?
A: I was very vocal about it being too many things to put on a plate. I thought it was kind of clunky. It didn’t play to my strengths.
Q: It seemed that Preeti didn’t give you much help in preparing it.
A: I projected a lot of my anger and frustration onto Preeti, and she didn’t deserve it. For once in this entire competition I let my emotions get the better of me. I know you know what was going on in my personal life. [Gillespie and his wife of 6 years had broken up just prior to the taping of the finale.]
Q: I’m very sorry. It must have been strange to see your mom right after that. Was it a surprise?
A: It was a total shock.
Q: Was it a good shock?
A: It was good, and it was bad. I really didn’t want to talk to her about “Top Chef.”
Q: Getting back to the food. You talked about a “difference of opinion.” Do you feel you cooked the pork belly correctly despite the judges’ comments?
A. Absolutely. I serve it like that every day at the restaurant, and people have been very happy with it. I’m so over the braised pork belly and the crispy pork belly. This is much more like a country-style rib or a spare rib. You have the integrity of the belly. You can see the layering of the fat with lean meat.
It was the same thing with the brisket I served the week before. It’s a difference of opinion. I’ve had Tom Colicchio’s short rib at Craft, and I don’t like it. It’s too soft for me.
Q: Are you going to do any more television?
A: Television was something of a lark, but I do well in front of the camera. We’ll see. First and foremost, I’m a restaurant chef.
Q: What’s up next? Are you staying at Woodfire Grill.
A: Of course. We just nailed 4 stars from Creative Loafing, and that’s important to me. I can’t talk about our plans yet, by me and my partners have some restaurant projects in the works.
The thing is, I don’t want to build a New York restaurant in Atlanta. I want to build an Atlanta restaurant. I want this city to be a true epicenter.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
77 comments Add your comment
Jed
December 10th, 2009
11:40 am
You had our votes, Kevin. Congrats on making it so far in the competition. If it were based not so much on that one meal, but the entirety of the contest, you would have won, hands down.
Man, that bacon dessert looked so good!
Testy Turtle
December 10th, 2009
11:40 am
Kevin rocks my socks off!
AJG
December 10th, 2009
11:44 am
You made Atlanta proud, Kevin! We are so blessed to have you and Woodfire Grill in our fair city. I’ll look forward to seeing your enterprise grow!
Nancy
December 10th, 2009
11:53 am
This is the first time I’ve watched an entire season of Top Chef and I was so proud of the way Kevin portrayed Atlanta for the culinary world. I had the pleasure of dining at Woodfire for my birthday last week and as a vegetarian I am happy to say that even though pork is Kevin’s thing, he makes an amazing vegetarian tasting! I was happy to see that Toby recognizes that we have a superchef in our city. Bravo, Kevin!
jimmy
December 10th, 2009
11:58 am
He’s going to have to open another restaurant if I ever want to get a seat at Woodfire. So happy for Kevin and his team.
Congratulations!
EW
December 10th, 2009
11:59 am
Kevin, thanks for showing the country what southern charm, sophistication, and class are all about. You made your city proud and you are a great chef!
Kevin Glowacki
December 10th, 2009
12:00 pm
Sorry to hear about the disruption in your personal life, that really sucks.
You represented yourself with great aplomb, sticking to your roots and cooking what may seem simple, but delivering what counts most, great flavor and soul. I’ve never been a big fan of gimmicks, but rather have always found the dishes I enjoyed most were focused on high quality ingredients that were properly prepared. I think your food and strong support of the local food (and wine!) movement will draw more people to appreciate that yes, there is more to Southern cuisine than biscuits & gravy!
I wish you’d been at PRIMAL Atlanta this year, you’d have rocked it along with all the other awesome talents that were there. Hopefully you’ll be there next year, though with your rising rock star status, I’m sure the demands on your time will be enormous.
My wife and I are really looking forward to our dinner at the restaurant next week and wanted to find out if we could bring a bottle of bubbly to share / give to you as a congratulations on your current and future success.
Cheers,
Kevin
HM Roberts
December 10th, 2009
12:08 pm
Kevin, you were my favorite from the first episode. Each week I looked foward to your latest dishes. My friends an I plan to dine at Woodfire next month. Best of luck to you!
Jst_Sayin
December 10th, 2009
12:12 pm
Kevin, you represented Georgia well and did us peaches proud!
I was disappointed with how Padma announced the winner, and even more disappointed that the jerk Michael won. Whatever, Kevin still rocks and I will support him and visit Woodfire very soon!
Ellen
December 10th, 2009
12:24 pm
Kevin, you had our votes the whole way through. We ran into you at Whole Foods around episode 3 (you were buying spaghetti squash because the restaurant had run out). We pressed you for advance scoop, and your poker face was amazing, which kept the suspense going for us. We think you’re terrific, and you’re Atlanta’s Top Chef regardless of what Tom and Padma said. P.S. Your first course with the chicken skin looked AMAZING. I want that NOW.
gina
December 10th, 2009
12:41 pm
Kevin you rocked on the show. I think they should determine the winner by reviewing the dishes for the whole season…. Or at least give scores to the winners of each challenge and they take that score to the finals. So the winner would be determine by your score and your last dish. Good luck to you, and I hope to one day eat your food. PIGS RULES!!!
Warren
December 10th, 2009
12:48 pm
You showed tremendous class throught this entire competition. Michael seemed a bit too arrogant, The world has enough arrogant chefs. I really appreciated your humility toward your opponents and your authenticity. Your food was creative and bold. I was dissapointed that you did’nt win thanks for a fantastic season you were the best.
Andrea
December 10th, 2009
12:49 pm
I was really dissapointed. what a drag. I won’t watch top chef anymore. Kevin was a great chef on the show, good luck in the future!
Paul
December 10th, 2009
12:57 pm
Kevin was such a great ambassador for Atlanta. A truly talented chef. I love his food but I’ll admit I’ve had his pork belly and although I liked it, I knew it could be problem for the judges. Anyone who watched the entire season knows that Kevin was the most consistently flavorful and soulful in his dishes. I’ve got reservations for tomorrow night at Woodfire. Five course tasting menu, here I come!
jokerman
December 10th, 2009
1:00 pm
What’s it take to be a judge on Top Chef? Or for that matter any of these cooking shows.
“Ah yes Margo”….”Such bold flavors in the entree”
“Well Todd” …. “I was totally blown away with the balance of the acidity and sweetness of the dish.”
What are these pompous dolts talking about “BOLDNESS” .. “ACIDITY and SWEETNESS?”
Hey, did it TASTE good? That’s all I’m interested in.
Louis
December 10th, 2009
1:14 pm
More importantly, good luck at the Bocuse D’or…i mean i understand that the $125K and title would have been nice but for a guy that the judges did not even award second place to, you got the $30K and the opportunity to represent your country in the International Culinary World’s competition of competitions…no one else got that, ever, in all the previous seasons…sorry I live in NY or I would like to eat at your place in the ATL…
MadMommy4u
December 10th, 2009
1:17 pm
Seems like Kevin won anyway. Sorry that his marriage broke up. The promotion of Kevin’s talents and restaurant will surely bring much success to him. I recall he won 30,000.00 in one of the high stakes quickfires and also will be cooking in some very prestigious contests… I wish the article had told us all the prizes that were handed out to the contestants along the way. I watched every episode but can’t remember who won what.
SS
December 10th, 2009
1:18 pm
Kevin – you should have won! and sorry about the split… but now you should date my sister! she has a thing for redheads, she plants and tends her own veggie garden and she’s an amazing cook. Did I mention she’s easy on the eyes?
Pam
December 10th, 2009
1:20 pm
I was rooting for you from the first episode! I’ve been a long time fan of the show (and a closet foodie/chef wannabe) & thought the caliber of these contestants was the best to date. I love your take on simple, comforting, soulful food is what I’m all about. This is also the first time I’ve completely disagreed with their choice – throughout the season you were the most consistent and successful in your execution. I just moved to Atlanta (due to seperation/divorce – I’m so sorry for you) and can’t wait to come to Woodfire! Best wishes for a successful career & life!
Ruth
December 10th, 2009
1:22 pm
You got robbed Kevin. They should have looked @ the whole & not just one part. You kept your integrity & humility & that’s what counts. All I can say is Padma,Tom Toby, & Gail were either hypoxic or had alittle too much wine. Shame on them for such a bad choice. The world doesn’t need another smart-assed punk chef. Mt days of being a fan are over. Thoses judges ruined it for me for sure.
bbb
December 10th, 2009
1:25 pm
Kevin you were amazing through the whole season. And I hae certainly been hearing that the books are filling up quickly at your restaurant! Thank you for making Atlanta and southern cuisine look elegant, charming, and on the same level of sophistication and techinique as everywhere else. Hurray. You still won in my book! The last two Top Chefs have shown that Atlanta does have a thriving chef driven scene. I wonder if Rathbun will be next?
Scott
December 10th, 2009
1:26 pm
At least it was left to the three best chefs and two of them are really nice guys
Michael Fong
December 10th, 2009
1:39 pm
I was rooting for you. I used to work at the Red snapper down the street(I know Jimmy well) and I sold Mike Touhy his first POS system. We dined at woodfire a couple of months after Mike had left and enjoyd our dining experience. We will be back and you were a pleasure to watch.
Janet
December 10th, 2009
1:53 pm
Kevin I was really shocked that they removed you from the judging room before they announced the winner. I thought that was done in poor taste..no pun intended. You have alot to be proud of in this season’s Top Chef. Just the fact that you won the $30,000 and will compete in such a prestigous competition says it all. Best of luck to you in all your future endeavors.
Betty
December 10th, 2009
1:59 pm
As an Atlantan, I am brimming with pride. Kevin was so gracious and true to the flavors of the South. He obviously impressed a lot of people along the way and I know he will continue to do so. Kevin, good luck in all your future projects!
Mel
December 10th, 2009
2:00 pm
Kevin, I was rooting for you the whole season. Not only are you talented, but you were the most grounded, most sincere and honest, most genuinely good person that was on the show that season. I am so incredibly proud you represented our city!
Craig Hall
December 10th, 2009
2:05 pm
As a regular at Woodfire Grill, going way back to when it was Marra’s (my wife and I had our first date there, got engaged there, have our anniversary dinner there, etc), I can tell you that it is as fine a meal as you will find in Atlanta. Last month we had Kevin’s tasting menu, and each and every course was simply wonderful. The pork belly dish very similar to the one on the show last night, and it was “simply” perfect. Our server was kind enough to surprise us with a copy of the night’s tasting menu that Kevin was good enough to autograph. Those personal touches make a perfect meal into a perfect evening.
The verdict was disappointing, but I am glad this season put a face to our favorite restaurant. And incidentally, the last time I was at Craft in Atlanta my pork was undercooked to the point of being inedible, and I had to send it back. I honestly can’t remember sending back another piece of food in my life, so well…
Mary Guilbeau
December 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Kevin
You are a TOP CHEF, regardless of what the judges thought. I liked you and your cooking from the first episode. I hope you win favorite. You are a true southerner. Whenever I visit Atlanta, I will definitely try to dine at your restaurant. Good luck and don’t let your separation mar your great cooking. Love your food and love will find you again. LOVE YA!!!! Would love to meet you.
jsf3000
December 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Great job Kevin! You represent yourself, your food and your city proud! You won 6 Elimination challenges and 3 Quickfire challenges (Bryan won 4 Elims and Michael won 2 of each) so we KNOW who the better chef was. You are also going to The Bocus D’or! Wow! Congrats. I’ve been to Woodfire before you went on the show and it was extremely tasty. Now I can’t even get a reservation before 10:00PM!
Well done my friend, well done!
Now, go do work son!
LS
December 10th, 2009
3:10 pm
Kevin, you are amazing. You made Atlanta so proud. Can’t wait to come to your restaurant!
Kate
December 10th, 2009
3:45 pm
Kevin you rocked it! We loved seeing you all season and were rooting for you in the end. You were right. On any day, any of the three of you could’ve easily beaten the other three. Can’t wait to come to HOT-Lanta and eat your food!
JG
December 10th, 2009
3:47 pm
Kevin – you were my favorite from the beginning and definitely my favorite contestant on Top Chef ever! You did a great job and were classy the whole time. We may have to make a trip to Atlanta just to vist your restaurant!
Sheila
December 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Kevin- As far as I’m conerned you are the best, creative, top chef of them all.
David
December 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
Kevin, you were my number 1 and your beard was my number 2.
kj
December 10th, 2009
4:57 pm
Kevin,
I have been watching Top Chef since the show first aired. There has never been a contestant that was such a class act from start to finish. Even after you took your frustration out on Pretti, you owned up to it and I’m sure let her know she was not derserving of that. I was floored when that threw in the former contestants as Sous Chefs at the most important challenge of the season. If they were going to provide “help”…it should have at least been the last contestants standing before the final three. Clearly, the playing field was NOT level in that respect. I wish you all the best! I live in Texas and have never been to Atlanta, but would now like to visit just to eat at your restaurant. My husband (who never watches cooking shows), got hooked this season and was so upset last night when you didn’t win. I told him not to worry…enough people saw and know your incrediable talent and that everything would work out anyway! Good luck at Bocuse D’Or and all future endevors. You ROCK!!!!
Barbara, Dylan and Austin
December 10th, 2009
5:10 pm
Hey Kevin congratulations you did wel, we really wanted and knew you would win from the first showl…..our family loved the food you made.
It looked like food we WANTED to eat. And you were so kind all throughout you area true gentleman.
My 18 year old has signed up for culinary school he loves to cook….thanks for the great show!
kmacjp
December 10th, 2009
5:10 pm
Kevin, I just loved watching you cook. I actually drooled a few times looking at your food on TV. You have such incredible talent and you stood out as a good, generous person. It seemed that you were genuinely liked and respected by the judges and your fellow contestants. I doubt this will be the last we’ll hear from you, because you are going to go far! Wishing you and your sweet Mom all the best.
Ma Honey
December 10th, 2009
5:21 pm
You may not have won the $125,000.00 but you won so much more: you won the respect and admiration of all who watched Top Chef. Some things are more valuable than money and titles and you are far richer than the others in that respect.
I am saddened to hear that you are having marital troubles. Remember that we need the tough times to help us appreciate the good times.
Teri Wilson
December 10th, 2009
5:23 pm
Kevin, My partner and I couldn’t believe that you didn’t win. She’s so upset it effected her whole night and she’s still going on about it today. You were AWESOME and we all know who the REAL WINNER is…..You!!! You were so professional, such a nice guy and last but not least made the best tasting food. Good Luck in your future endevours.
Liz P
December 10th, 2009
5:38 pm
My friends and I in Chi-town were rooting for you all the way, Kevin. I’m sorry for your disappointment in how the finale went down, but you’re absolutely the winner in our eyes!! I would love to eat at any restaurant where you’re cooking.
SP
December 10th, 2009
5:39 pm
I don’t care who was announced winner of Top Chef, because frankly, Kevin is the Top Chef. Congrats on taking it to the end with class, Kevin! Looking forward to your future restaurant endeavors… perhaps an all pork restaurant?
Top Chef Season 6 Las Vegas - Page 11 - Gossip Rocks Forum
December 10th, 2009
6:01 pm
[...] Originally Posted by frecklered I have never been more jealous of someone, ever! that is amazing. . I was so geeked out I could barely speak. Kevin has so much class ! I just LOVE these interviews with him. He says he ended his marriage right before the finale, and projected his rage on Preeti. I also agree that the way they cut him was tacky. They usually just announce a winner. A conversation with Kevin Gillespie, ‘Top Chef’ finalist | Omnivore Atlanta and Q and A with Kevin Gillespie of "Top Chef" | Food and More with John Kessler [...]
Kathy
December 10th, 2009
6:05 pm
Kevin, I just want to tell you that my husband and I think you are the TOP CHEF WINNER. I was so disappointed last night, and couldn’t believe they picked Michael??? What??? No way, it should have been judged on everything the last three finalists cooked from the beginning…not the last meal! That was very unfair and totally ridiculous. Not only that but Bryan was better then his brother also!Michael is so full of himself it makes me sick. If he was all that…he would have won the majority of competitions. But he couldn’t because you already did that for him…LOL! Kevin you cook food the way it should be cooked, from your heart…down to earth and without all the hype. If your a great Chef, you don’t need all the show….just great Flavor! Best of luck to you always, and if we ever visit Atlanta our first stop will be Woodfire Grill:)
Q and A with Kevin Gillespie of "Top Chef" | Food and More with … | SwagSodDope LIVE
December 10th, 2009
6:23 pm
[...] I love his food but I’ll admit I’ve had his pork belly and although I liked it, I knew it could be problem for the judges. Anyone who watched the entire season knows that Kevin was the most consistently flavorful and soulful in his dishes. Read more: Q and A with Kevin Gillespie of "Top Chef" | Food and More with … [...]
Jenn
December 10th, 2009
6:39 pm
Kevin you are THE man. You won the most challenges and were consistently amazing. Even more, you always remained true to your style and didn’t need the crazy bells & whistles to make your food good. Your the Top Chef in my book and I hope to eat at your restaurant when I’m in Atlanta next.
SMK3
December 10th, 2009
7:12 pm
Kevin, you were a true gentleman throughout the competition, and you made food that everyone would be happy to eat. You shone through in so many challenges and always came out on top. You will go so far and I hope one day to eat in one of your restaurants. You were our favorite for the entire competition and as far as I’m concerned you won (and you did win a lot throughout the show!!) Congratulations and good fortune in your future!!
Julie
December 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
Kevin – Your food was consistently inspiring and I agree with whoever said that it made them drool more than once! I too am a big fan of that “magical animal,” the pig, and delighted in seeing it showcased by you in its humble brilliance. You captured the essence of the times we are living in, calling for local, careful, simple but creative comfort food. All those foams and gimmicks… UGH enough already! So pre-recession, and the arrogant, overfed judges just did not pick up on the fact that you are the MAN for the time and place and in my view as well the real winner of Top Chef.
Henry Jordan
December 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
I was raised in Atlanta and moved to San Francisco about 8 years ago, but still love my Georgia roots. I was really rooting for you all season and had never been so tense about any other season of Top Chef. I believe that food ought to be about flavor and about family and friends, not “art for art’s sake.” It’s food for goodness sake! The next time I’m back in Atlanta, I’ll make sure to eat at the Woodfire Grill. I think you were robbed and wish you much success in the future.
And there’s nothing wrong with good biscuits and gravy! I’d like to see the V-brothers make a good biscuit!
mattie
December 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
I was so bummed about the decision. I was rooting for Kevin since the start. He is adorable and genuine and I have a total t.v. crush on him!
ATLFoodie
December 10th, 2009
9:10 pm
I have been watching Top Chef since the 2nd Season and love the show. I have never liked the way they leave it up to the end and don’t take into account how much a contestant won throughout the season. Kevin, you were the best contestant on the show in all the time I have been watching. I thought Michael was very arrogant and if you didn’t win, I wanted it to be Bryan. So as you can see, I was disappointed all around. Well like a lot of people on here have said, you did the ATL proud and I can’t wait to eat at your place.