Another one bites the dust! I'm not sure why my favorites keep getting sent home (yes, I do, they are the best, that's why), but Nick was sent packing Wednesday night after an alliance between Nookie and Avery was formed.
Nick did not deserve to go home, period. But because of the alliance and Nicole's stupid immunity, he got the boot. I caught up with Nick to get the details on how much he knew before the vote. And of course, I asked him about his annoyance with Jenna and Nicole. Check out our interview below!
Ology: Hi Nick. So how aware were you of the alliance between Nookie and Avery?
Nick: I was totally oblivious to it. I knew that those two were getting along, but I guess I didn’t realize just how thick as thieves they were. In hindsight, it probably would’ve been more smart, strategically, instead of being up in Nicole’s business all day, to sort of highlight Avery’s missteps would’ve been a smarter move for me.
Yeah, you should have targeted Avery!
I think it was a too-little too-late. Avery was trying hard, you know, and she was frustrated with herself. Nicole was just like not giving a shit, so I don’t know, in hindsight it was probably not the smartest move. It was hard to pretend that I was really upset with Avery because I know she was trying hard and she was frustrated. I think her inner Nookie would have come out with the strategic chess moves and stuff.
I was actually surprised Nookie voted for you because he could’ve made it a tie, right?
He could have yes, but there’s the whole alliance thing that you know once you show that you’re not trustworthy in one of those things. It could mean you’re doomed I think.
Did you have any strategy going onto the show? Did you think you were going to be targeted because you were one of the better, more-respected chefs there?
It’s tough to say. Up until I was ejected, no one voted for me once. I kept it pretty low-key, mostly just trying to play the honest game, and just show up and do awesome food. Especially in the first half, which is the majority of my time there, it was kind of unfortunate that my decision making for who gets voted was largely kind of personal. You know, the people who annoyed me, or the people I thought weren’t trying hard enough. My reasons for picking people kind of changed from city to city.
Who do you think was your biggest competition?
It’s really tough to say. I think that skill-wise, and kind of all around, I think that me, Nookie, and Avery were kind of on an even level. Nookie seems to have the mental game locked down with his sort of Bobby Fisher-style chess moves. It’s just kind of a shame with the circumstances, but I think the whole team, minus Nicole, was pretty evenly matched.
Now I have to ask because I know you were one of the people, one of the many people, who was very annoyed with Jenna over the episodes. Who bothered you more Jenna or Nicole?
It’s tough. I feel bad because Jenna and I have spoken since the show, and she didn’t realize how much shit I had talked about her. You know, the difference between me talking about Jenna, than say Nookie or John talking about Jenna, is that all I ever said is she is annoying to me and I choose not to put myself with her. It was not on her, it was all "I" statements, that I choose not to be around her, whereas Nookie will call her one thing, or John will call her a "ball and chain." I just know certain personalities that I don’t work well with.
Nicole was just super quiet with her own agenda, but when it came to high-pressure situations, she was just not a team player at all. I don’t know, Jenna was just little annoyances here and there like tone of voice, or little quips that she would say. With Nicole, it wasn’t really an annoyance, it was an "I’m so disappointed that you’re not breaking out of your lone wolf shell to ask for insight from the team."
In Morocco, every single move, every step I took, I said "Hey Chaz, hey Gary, do you think this is a good ratio of spices in this?" because we’re a team. There’s a lot you can do on your own, but there’s a lot of input you can get from the other chefs, and with Nicole I was hoping she would do that and she didn’t.
Do you think it was because she had immunity, or she just would have done that anyway?
I think she would have done that anyway. I think to her having immunity didn’t mean anything. All it meant was that she had the most valuable dish in Tuscany, but she didn’t understand. I don’t know. It’s hard to say in hindsight, but she didn’t adjust accordingly to the "with great power comes great responsibility" type thing.
What was it like watching yourself on TV? Did you regret saying anything?
No, it wasn’t as weird as maybe I thought it was going to be. We were with cameras in front of our face all the time, and it’s kind of a cliché, but after about five minutes you totally forget they’re there. I remember a couple of funny one-liners I had, and I was like oh geez I hope that doesn’t make it in, or one thing or another. It was kind of funny with certain things making it in like my comments about Nookie’s sex life on last night’s episode.
I do wish that I hadn’t…I don’t know if it was the actual way that it was... where I said Jenna was annoying in every city, but they really made me the guy to say that. I don’t know if I punctuated it more than everyone else, but I’m sure everyone else was annoyed with her, but they just loved hearing it come out of my mouth [laughs].
Would you do another show like this? Another competition show?
Yeah, I would consider doing another show. After being through the production process, seeing how the final product turns out, and knowing other shows that I’ve had friends on, I’ve got a much better grasp of what goes into it. I would be open to doing another one, but I’d be selective. I wouldn’t just jump on the bandwagon just to be in front of the camera. You probably wouldn’t find me in some sort of ridiculous elima-date show or whatever stupid show like that, but if it was one where I felt like I could get to know my skills and personality. I supposed I would do Around the World 2 because traveling was so amazing.
So who do you want to see win now? Who are you rooting for?
Well, even though he voted me off, Nookie and I got really close. He was the guy that when I first heard he was a chef for the Red Sox, you know growing up in New England, I was a little star-struck. He and I keep in contact pretty regularly. He’s a super sweetheart. They’re kind of illustrating how he’s a little bit of a conniver. So, Nookie is a really good guy, and I would love that. Also, John Vermiglio is an awesome, awesome chef. When it comes to pure, raw skills and talent, that guy is completely understated. Right when I got back to Chicago, the first meal I had was this amazing nine-course at Table 52 [his restaurant] that he cooked for us, and he’s just outstanding. The guy’s got such a deep grasp on flavors and innovative techniques. His personality is not a boastful, or shit-talking chef, but his skills are probably the most honed out of all the chefs, and I would like to see him take it.
Do you think Nick should have stayed? Comment and let us know!
---
Follow on Ology: Sharon Tharp | TVOlogy
Follow on Twitter: @sharontharp | @TVOlogy
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment!