Howie's big news

Talked to Howie today. He was his usual refreshingly blunt, humorless self. He's back home in North Miami but not for long ("I'm ready for a change"). His plan is to open a contemporary American restaurant in New York in the "next six months." Partners are people he's met since the show, some who contacted him, impressed by his food on the show, he said. Details are still being finalized as he is still scouting spaces, location and name. It's looking to be on the Lower East Side and yes, pork will be on the menu. Howie of course had quite a lot to say about his ending but wasn't sorry to go. "I wasn't surprised I was eliminated. I really wasn't feeling it anymore,'' he says. "It had been five to six weeks straight of shooting, away from your friends, family, the Internet." He was also bummed about Tre. "If I had one person there who I felt close to, it was Tre. We were roommates. I really was rooting for him too - he was the most talented, hands down. No one even came close. I always said to him You're the guy to beat. To see him get sent home took away some of my spark." He believes his lack of a dish at the Quickfire hurt his chances. "I know people thought it was a copout. But Tom and the other judges tell you, If you're not happy with what you prepared don't serve it, so that's the irony. I'm a good chef if I have good products, a good staff and enough time to prepare it. That challenge was a departure from what it means to be a good chef. "I understand why they did it, though, because it was entertaining. I had a horrible [supermarket] aisle. It was definitely frustrating." And the yacht challenge? "I wanted to make the most out of the $50 that I could. I thought I did that. I baked those [appetizers] from scratch, the puff pastry and the phyllo. I cooked down my mushrooms...I had the sense that people on the boat were enjoying my food even though it wasn't the prettiest." On the other cheftestants food: "How often can they do seafood sausage? CJ did the same thing he did at the burger challenge. Hung's salmon was too classic but where he works [Guy Savoy in Vegas] is all about that. He also didn't cook a thing. I think the judges, even though they're tough on everyone, have some natural favoritism. It's not unfairness but some people fit the mold better." About "throwing himself on the sword" at judges' table: "When Michael Schwartz called my food 'crap' I just thought, I'm a professional chef. How long are you going to rake someone over the coals?' I do have a lot of fire in me, like Sara said (I was glad they didn't edit that out) but I also have pride."    Guess he won't be stopping by Schwartz's Michael's Genuine Food & Drink Design District eatery anytime soon. "Would I eat there? Not in a million years,'' Howie says in disgust. "I hope I never cross paths with that guy again." More tidbits: When are you interviewed for the camera? "You are constantly being pulled aside, they never stop pulling you - at the house, when you're cooking, everywhere,'' he says, adding that no one can wear splashy clothes with any logos at all. So Howie went out to Target and bought up like two dozen plain grey shirts. Finally after a few interviews, a producer asked, "You're always in that grey shirt. Don' you have any other clothes?" The Food Gang, where Howie used to be executive chef, wants nothing to do with him. "They are bitter because I didn't give them the option of saying no,'' he says. "But they're still getting publicity from this show." And yes he still watches TC every Wednesday night, but due to contract obligations is unable to say who he thinks will win.

Comments

[Lori B]

I have missed a few espisodes, the last one I saw was when Trey got eliminated, how many have there been since then and who went. Who is left?