The frenzy made the 24-year-old Halls eventual victory somewhat anti-climactic (for the blog readers, anyway).
We spoke with him last night after the season finale.
Are you guys friends now?
Credit: Carin Baer
It was a little uncomfortable, but I dunno.
Were fine with each other… we get along.
[But] I mean, its well deserved.
Hes a very lively character, compelling to watch on television.Ilike watching him on television.
Did you think you guys were portrayed accurately?
Have you been getting more hate from fans, or more love?
Im getting a lot of love.
So youre keeping up with things on the Internet, then?
I mean, people send me things.
My friends send me things here and there.
What can you do?
In the final challenge you got along really well with your team, while Marcel had problems with his.
Do you think your leadership skills were underrated on the show?
I havent really been in a management position at all.
I dont have much experience managing people.
Would you hire anybody from the show to work for you?
Their personalities are too strong to be employees of mine.
Everybodys got their own clear vision.
Otherwise, Id hire almost everybody, but I think everyone needs to run their own place.
Okay as they say onTop Chef, lets talk about the food.
Did you taste anything inedible on the show?
That was absolutely disgusting.
What was your favorite dish that you made?
My mystery box [had] the baked snails with American cheese and artichokes and bar peanuts.
I thought it was really creative and probably the dish I was most happy with.
It came absolutely out of nowhere…. [But] I wouldnt make it again.
I mean, it was weird.
Youve mentioned in several interviews that you want to travel soon.
I think in May, Im going to go to Spain with my parents.
We have different cooking styles.
Ive surpassed him in some ways, and in other ways I cant touch a dish that he does.
Hes been roasting chicken for 30 more years than I have.
And where did he learn to cook?
He taught himself, actually.
He just started cooking.
Do you cook for your girlfriend?
Yeah, I do.
Does she do any cooking?
No, not really.
She just eats a lot.
She was very honored, and then upset with me when she found out that it failed.
Have you always been so skinny?
Thats a funny question.
Toward the end of elementary school and through junior high school, I was quite heavy.
Then I started working in a kitchen.
Uh, youd think that the opposite would have happened.
My first real New York restaurant job was really intense.
I lost 25 pounds in 2 months.
Very quickly, just from sweating, running around 16 hours a day, 6 days a week.
It really makes you lose.
If anybody wants to lose weight, start working for a kitchen.
Speaking of the sweat, how do you deal with those glasses?
They fall off my nose.
They edited all the parts of me pushing them back up.
Have you ever done anything risque while on the line,Kitchen Confidential-style?
[Laughs] Im not gonna tell you that…
Okay then, a few quick-fire questions for you: Favorite protein?
I dont know these are hard!
Beer or wine drinker?
Both, but I drink wine more.
Describe your style of cooking in five words.
Is that five words?
Your game plan for the next five years: Go.
I want a restaurant.
Im not exactly sure where.
Im thinking the East Village area [of New York].
Thats where I live right now; thats where I love.
I dont know, well see.
Thats where rent is still a little bit outrageous.
One last thing: Will you blow the prize money, or spread it out?
Ill probably invest it.
