Top Chef Interview: Deconstructing Ron

Ron Duprat, the lovable, jolly Haitian, who traveled to this country on the back of a banana boat, wound up the latest casualty in the Top Chef kitchen.

Sure he didn’t properly interpret the concept of “deconstruction,” and maybe his seafood was a little dry, and his rice a little mealy, but when the camera flashed to that defeated look on his face at Judges Table, how could you not help but not feel a bit saddened?

For his part, Ron remains characteristically optimistic, saying his elimination was “merely the beginning” on his chart to culinary fame.

In an interview Thursday, Ron took some time out to dish on topics like swords, snakes, and Bob Marley. Yes, you read that right.

Is there anything you would have done differently with the paella?

Not at all. I would do this dish the exact same way over and over and over again.

Did you disagree with the judges’ criticisms of the dish?

Most definitely. I did more on this show than anybody else. It doesn’t matter the outcome. I feel like I won this show. I’m not going to say anything negative. Gail was the only one whose opinion mattered, and she wasn’t there. What does Padma know about cooking?

You don’t think Toby was any good?

The only judge who knows about food is Gail Simmons.

You once compared your cooking to Bob Marley, can you talk about that?

I cook with peace and love. In this competition I cooked for Joel Robuchon, and I cooked for the troops. It was something that I’d always dreamed about doing, and because of this competition I had the opportunity to do it. I helped minority chefs realize they can do anything.

Who do you think is the strongest chef left on the show?

All of the chefs. They’re all cooking with their hearts out. They’re all very strong.

Last week you asked if anyone had packed a sword, what had you packed as a special ingredient?

Well I did try to pack a sword but they wouldn’t let me bring it with. I knew I was going to use coconut. An island man not cooking with coconut?!

Do you have any rituals before you cook?

No, not at all. N-O.

Did any snakes get into your tree branch fortified teepee?

[Laughing] You know what? No, they didn’t get in.

Watch a clip from last night’s episode below, followed by Ron’s “morning after” video interview.

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