Shirley Chung, formerly of Twenty Eight in Irvine, didn’t win “Top Chef,” although she made it to last week’s finale. Brooke Williamson of Los Angeles took home the title, but Chung left with something much more emotionally gratifying: her mom’s blessing.
“She realized this is who I am. This is my calling,” Chung said during a phone interview the day after the uber-emotional showdown on Bravo.
Chung, who was on the interview circuit in New York, talked about her culinary journey through Season 14, her new Los Angeles restaurant, why she left Twenty Eight in Irvine and her playful bond with rival Williamson.
(Editor’s note: The Register interviewed Chung, who recently moved from Newport Beach to Los Angeles, twice last week. This interview contains edited answers from both interviews.)
Q. Talk about that incredible moment with your mom in the finale.
A. To be able to share that moment with my mom, it’s a very satisfied feeling. I am extremely happy. I watched it multiple times already with different people – every single time, waterworks everywhere. There’s no dry eyes.
Q. Your parents wanted you to be a doctor or an engineer. How tough has it been choosing a profession your parents didn’t want for you?
A. When it comes to parents, ultimately they want (your) happiness. They don’t want you to work too hard. Cooking is a very hard profession. They don’t look down at the profession. I’m a little Asian girl. They always wish I would do something lighter duty. For her to taste my food, she realized this is who I am, and this is my calling. That’s why that moment was beautiful. We understood each other.
Q. How were you different as a chef this season compared with your first tour of duty on “Top Chef”?
A. The last time around, I was a shadow chef. I was always working with celebrity chefs. I never took credit. I was always translating my chef’s vision instead of my own. I didn’t know who I was as a chef. This time around, I’m very sure who I am as a chef.
Q. What do you call it?
A. Modern American with Chinese soul.
Q. During the season, which challenge was the hardest for you?
A. The shrimp boat. I wasn’t myself. I had motion sickness. I couldn’t think properly. Fortunately, I was able to come back in Sudden Death.
Q. Were the cooking challenges in Season 14 harder than Season 11?
A. It was not so much harder. I think physically it was a lot harder. We did the overnight barbecue. For 48 hours, we didn’t sleep. Then, the (treasure hunt) in the rain.
Q. You are incredible under pressure. How do you stay so focused?
A. Food calms me down. Even when I’m nervous, the moment I pick up my knife and touch food, it doesn’t matter how fast my heart is racing. I calm down.
Q. Where did you watch the finale?
A. In a bar in Brooklyn (with Williamson). We had a lot of friends here. It was really fun. It was a great moment.
Q. You two seem to have fun.
A. We are never afraid to talk over each other. We love each other. This is our dynamic.
Q. So when she tells you to quiet down, you don’t get mad at her?
A. When she says that, I purposely raise my voice even higher. I poke at her.
Q. You’re fun and outgoing. Williamson doesn’t come off as warm and fuzzy. Tell me why you like her.
A. She’s a great mom. She has a heart of gold. I love her humor. She (has a) very dry sense of humor. I love that about her. When I try, I come off rude.
Q. Do you think you’ll collaborate?
A. We’ll probably do dinners together, for sure. I go to her restaurant. She promised me I would dine for free for life.
Q. Why did you leave Twenty Eight?
A. I felt Twenty Eight was going a different direction. They are strong on corporate events and private parties. That’s not something I’m interested in anymore. Right now, I (want) something smaller and more intimate. Ultimately, I want to work with my husband. That’s why we’re moving to Los Angeles, to have a smaller restaurant so we can be with each other 24/7.
Q. Steamer’s Co. Raw Bar and Seafood Bowls is a fast-casual restaurant. When will it open?
A. End of year.
Q. Is your husband going to cook with you?
A. No. Front of house.
Q. You have a great on-camera personality. Will you be doing more TV?
A. I don’t know yet. We have a lot of events planned (with NBC and Bravo). I’m a chef first. I don’t want to be a personality on TV. I want to be a chef on TV.
Q. Will you come back to Orange County?
A. I don’t rule out anything.
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