Fabio: See You Soon

Bravotv.com: First, what was it like coming back after being away for a bit and watching the show?
Felt good. When you work 120 hour/week it is always good to get one week of break from work, even if was for a competition.

Bravotv.com: What did you think of the Quickfire twist? What were your thoughts on Jeff coming back?
I think he did deserve to be in the final because his dish was better than Jamie and Leah but i don't think he shoud've been there at all. Each one of us went through two more extra challanges. He did get the shortcut. I don't like shortcuts, but he's a good person and a very talented chef, so i guess im fine.

Bravotv.com: What did you think about Emeril as guest judge?
Emeril is awesome. He made an empire out of his passion and I would like to be just like him — pleasant, personable, and a good professionist. He and Colicchio are among if not the best businnessman chefs in this country, and for me it is inspiring to be around them.

Bravotv.com: You said you studied the flavor profiles rather than actual Creole dishes, were you worried about this at all?
No, I was not. Chicken, shrimp, and oysters are chicken, shrimp, and oysters everywhere in the world. I was more worried about the spices. I haven't used many of those and a cajun mix or Creole mix features a lot of them. That's why one of my dishes was missing some heat.

Bravotv.com: What was the inspiration behind your dishes and cocktail?
My partener in crime, Jacopo Falleni, is a great Mixologist and a great drinks connoisseur, among the best in Italy and I sell many of that exact drink every week. Now I agree that it is sweet …Bravotv.com: What did you think of the other chefs’ dishes?
Everything was very good even if I did not like some of them, but it is a personal opinion so I really can't say much.

Bravotv.com: Were you surprised it was you and Stefan in the bottom two?
He got more critique than me for the dishes and for the cocktail, but at the end he did two New Orleans dishes and he got to move on. He is a great chef. He will win.

Bravotv.com: Fans LOVE you. Were you surprised by the fan reaction?
We were watching the episode at Craftsteak. When I got kicked of every single person started to boo the TV. It was a good feeling to see how many people were suppotings me On my Web site, www.kidshealthcafe.com and on my Facebook account I got over 5000 e-mails in a little bit more than one day. It is a very good feeling. I'm in the people businness and making people happy is what I'm about.

Bravotv.com: How can your fans find out more about you?
Check out my restaurant at www.cafefirenze.net and my new Web site that will launch in a couple more weeks, www.kidshealthcafe.com.This is as far as I know but even if I did not walk away with the title, I promise you that you will see me very soon again. Hopes are that America likes me a lot because you will see me again, very soon, Italian-style.