Worst Cooks Exit Interview: Lina Yu

When you presented your final dish, Chef Anne’s Chicken Cacciatore, how did you feel about it?

When I presented my dish I felt that since it was incomplete there would be no way that I would make it through. Chef Anne wasn't able to accurately critique me since one of the key ingredients of the dish was missing, which was the sauce. That's half of the dish right there! I felt pretty upset that it was the timing and not the actual cooking, I feel, that got me eliminated.

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

If I could do-over the challenge I would have been more aware of the time on the clock because at the end of the day I think that is what got me eliminated. I took too long trying to get things perfect and then it was too late when I found out my plating dish was missing. I would have grabbed everything I needed before I started cooking.

What was the most valuable tip/piece of advice that you learned from Chef Anne?

The most valuable tip that I think I received is to prep the kitchen and ingredients before you start the actual cooking. I also figured out which is the chicken's front side versus back side. I don't think I can ever forget now.

What did you take away from the experience?

I learned that cooking doesn't have to be a stressful experience and that not everyone is the perfect cook. The goal is to improve each time and hopefully I'll get to a point where I can actually make a full meal without feeling like I just had a nervous breakdown.

Will you continue to work on your culinary skills?

I'll continue to try to learn a little at a time and I'm sure I'll have a lot of practice in our house. We have to learn how to cook since my family expects us to host some holiday dinners.

What advice would you give to future Worst Cooks competitors?

I would say be alert of your surroundings and remember that even though this is a cooking show it is a competition as well. Be careful and watch what is happening around you or you might miss something.

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

I cooked an easier chicken dish that required only soy sauce and sprite. Sprite soy sauce chicken! I am still all about simplicity. All you have to do if put some chicken drumsticks into a pot and pour a can of sprite and soy sauce on it and let it cook. It turned out pretty decent according to my husband. I'm happy with it.

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

The most memorable part of shooting the show was just getting to know all the other contestants. Everyone was from different walks of life and no matter what you do for a living, cooking is something that everyone can relate to. For our group that was the frustration we all found with not being able to cook particularly well. We were all there for the same purpose which was to improve our ability to cook food which is so key to our everyday lives.

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