Stephanie: Restaurant Warrior

Bravotv.com: First the Quickfire: Being from Chicago, have you ever been there for breakfast?
No.

Bravotv.com: Have you ever worked a short order line? What was the experience like with the egg orders being thrown at you?
I have never worked as a short order cook. I think the system they have with calling one egg when they want two and two when they want four threw some of us off a little bit. Then when they asked me for beef and I did not even know they had beef I got a little flustered. I certainly have respect for the guys who work in "the hole" on a regular basis there.

Bravotv.com: What is the key to cooking the perfect egg?
Just make sure you make it how the customer wants it ... people are pretty particular about their eggs.

Bravotv.com: Onto the Elimination: Were you happy that you got to keep the same team as Wedding Wars?
Very happy with the team. I would have chosen the exact way. Think we are three of the strongest contenders at this point wo how could we go wrong.

Bravotv.com: Had you been planning a Restaurant Wars idea because you knew it happened every season?
I hoped there would be a Restaurant Wars seeing as it is everyone's favorite episode. I came with a pretty clear vision of what type of place I would want to open for the night.

Bravotv.com: The whole gastro pub concept seemed to be your idea -- what was your inspiration?
Gastro pubs are up and coming in Chicago. Paul Kahan who is very well known here is opening one soon and it is highly anticipated. I just felt it was unique to the show and also representative of where people want to eat these days.

Bravotv.com: How did you guys come up with the items on the menu?
We all sat down and brainstormed together, each bringing different dishes to the table. I think we all respect each other's cooking and ideas so we were able to make a great menu collaboratively.

Bravotv.com: At Judges' Table you said you did the pasta, but it seemed Nikki was brought in just to do that -- how much did she actually help?
I made the dough and created the dish. Nikki helped by rolling out the pasta. Considering I had a whole other dish to do and set up the front of the house, it was great to have someone to roll out the dough which can take a little while.

Bravotv.com: Were you all unanimous about bringing Nikki on or you would have preferred a different chef?
I would have been happy with either Nikki or Jen. I think after the other team picked Jen we were unanimous about bringing Nikki on.

Bravotv.com: Did you get to try the other team's food? What did you think?
I did not get to try any of their food. A little too busy.

Bravotv.com: Why did your team choose to make Antonia Executive Chef?
I offered to do front of the house and since Antonia had chosen the team it made sense that she be the exec chef.

Bravotv.com: How confident were you feeling at this point, after winning Restaurant Wars -- both as a team and individually?
After this win I am feeling great! Only one more challenge to get through and I will have reached the goal of the final four. I also think that the three of us have proven to be the strongest of the bunch left with our performance in this challenge.