by Michael J. Lamp

One of Top Chef: Masters' nicest chefs was sent packing this week, after failing to please the judges - and Maroon 5. This nice guy didn't finish last, but he didn't make it to the top, either. I caught up with Alex to chat about tricky critics, stunning weight loss and Top Chef curveballs.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Once again, I was tricked during Critic's Table. It really seemed like the judges were going to send Celina home, and then they went with you. Were you surprised?
A. Alex: Honestly, I wasn't very surprised. I know I made a lot of mistakes. I had made some basic errors and bad judgment. I didn't think it was that bad, but I didn't pull it off very well. I don't know if you saw my reaction, but I was not very surprised. After the bug episode, I was like, "What's next?" I didn't know what to expect. I was just ready for major curveball challenge[s].

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Why did you decide to take on so much of the workload for your group? Did you think that would help your case at Critic's Table?
A. Alex: It's funny, I really didn't think of it that way. I just saw the task at hand and went for it. In retrospect, I guess I did. Maybe I overreached. If I kept to my basic philosophy of keeping it simple, I would've probably done a lot better. I always try to help people that are in the weeds. Turns out, I was in the weeds and didn't know it until [it was too] late.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: What was your favorite challenge during your time on the show?
A. Alex: I liked the Biggest Loser challenge. It had a lot of personal weight for, no pun intended. I had lost like 90 pounds, and I know how difficult it is to do that. The young lady that I worked with was just wonderful. You could tell that she was so proud of herself. I really enjoyed that. I enjoy cooking that way.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Tell me a little about the charity you were competing for on the show.
A. Alex: [The organization is called] Faster Cures. I had cancer about three and a half years ago. They do research for all life-threatening diseases. A friend of mine, Michael Milken, helps fund the research. I think its very important that we get as much money to researchers that are actually looking for cures or for people that don't have great care or great friends. The faster we figure out how to do it on a cheaper level, the more people it will affect.

Q. Michael, RealityWanted: Did your opinion of any of your fellow chefs change after being on the show with them?
A. Alex: Well, if anything, I was impressed that nobody just lost it, cracked and went downhill. A lot of them adjusted their confidence. Humility sets in. I knew going into it that it would be curveballs left and right. I'm not sure if some of then knew that.

Top Chef Masters airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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