Worst Cooks Exit Interview: Kelly Gray

Why did you need or want to be on Worst Cooks in America?

I needed to be on Worst Cooks to be saved from myself and my terrible culinary skills. Up until now, virtually all my cooking stories involve something catching on fire and that totally had to stop.

What was the most valuable tip or piece of advice that you received from your team leader? 

Chef Robert gave good advice like, "Relax" — but of course, I am a crazy woman and didn’t.

What did you take away from the experience? 

Friendship with some AMAZING people. The cooking is almost secondary to the experience of living and bonding with 15 other people.

Will you continue to work on your culinary skills? 

I want to but I haven't. I would really like to practice some vegetarian dishes but I just haven’t been able to. I need another go round on the show so I can learn some more and get more comfortable.

If you could have a do-over of the challenge that sent you home, what would you do differently?

I would steal someone else’s recipe card. Mine was ridiculous and had a million things to chop and I knew straight away I wasn’t going to pull it off. Plus, I’m a vegetarian and it sounded gross to me even — I’m not really a fan of black beans. I honestly don’t know what I could have done to salvage those fritters and once I realized that, I didn’t have time to finish my nacho pancakes. It was an all-around disaster.

When you presented your final dish, how did you feel about it?

Terrible. I knew it was bad and it was embarrassing to present something so bad. I’m still trying to block it out.

What advice would you give to future Worst Cooks competitors?

RELAX. Every time we had to cook I would get a huge knot in m stomach and not from having to ingest meat. I was so nervous that I wasn’t able to actually enjoy cooking. Maybe they should let the recruits have a cocktail while cooking on the next season. I’m nervous now just remembering it all.

What was the first dish or meal that you attempted to cook back at home after being eliminated? How did it go? 

Nothing. I have cooked nothing since leaving the show. That is terrible, I know. I knew I probably wouldn’t actually recreate any of the meat dishes but I guess I am pretty lame for not having at least attempted some veggie dish.

What was your most memorable or funniest moment while shooting the show? 

Most of the funniest things happened off camera, back in the penthouse. My smooch from Joshie was pretty funny. Priscilla’s crazy alarm clock kept us laughing — it was so loud ALL night. Anna’s crush on Chef Robert was the funniest thing — she loved him!!!

Read Jen’s Exit Interview, find out more about Worst Cooks in America and catch the show on Sundays at 9pm/8c.