Double Elimination: Interview With the Latest Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Castoff by Joseph Erdos in Shows, February 3rd, 2013
Every Sunday night, FN Dish gives you the exclusive exit interview with the latest castoff from Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, the competition show that features celebrities cooking their way through challenges for a chance to win the title of Cook-Off Champion and $50,000 for their chosen charity. This season will have the celebrities facing real-life situations — far from the glamour of the red carpet — and will test more than just their cooking skills.
Tonight’s episode began with four celebrities but by the end would drop down to two. Though the celebrities would continue to compete in two separate teams, they would be judged individually. And at the end of the day, two would be eliminated from the bottom three. The challenge required the celebrities to serve meals out of food trucks to a hungry lunch crowd of 100 within a time limit of two hours. Unfortunately, not everyone could cope with the difficulties of the challenge, but that didn’t mean those who did do well were any safer.
With the advantage from last week, Team Rachael got to choose the theme for their food truck from among the available options: Comfort Cruiser, Tiny Italian, Ragin’ Asian and Mighty Mexican. Rachael suggested they choose Comfort Cruiser because it would allow them to cook basically any comfort food they wanted. Out of the three remaining options, Guy steered Dean in the direction of Mighty Mexican since it best represented Guy’s point of view. Dean was apprehensive at first but warmed up to the idea and decided to create triple-pork tacos, which turned out to be a hit.
Also see:
Episode 5 Recap (Video)
Watch the Full Episode (Video)
Episode 5 Highlights (Photos)
When it came to service, Dean had the most difficulty managing the time constraints out of everyone. But he still ended up getting the most votes and won the challenge. That meant the members of Team Rachael would cook against one another in the elimination challenge, which wouldn’t be blind. They had to create their best food on a stick. Rachael and Guy found choosing the best dish difficult because they had criticisms about all three. Kathy’s grilled fruit skewers’ portion size was too small, Hines’ kebabs had undercooked shrimp and Carnie’s beef kebabs’ portion size was too large. In the end they chose the dish that was best overall. Hines was one of the two celebrities eliminated (read the other exit interview here). Watch Hines’ exit interview below.
How do you feel about leaving the competition?
Hines Ward: Uneasy. Up to this point I did everything I had to do. I completed the challenges. I felt like I did everything I could do, all my best. I tried to be a good teammate and friend. I wanted to win because I am, of course, a competitor at heart. When you accept losing, you’ve lost it all. I hate losing, but it’s a competition and you can’t win them all. I feel I did good by my foundation by finishing near the top.
What would winning have meant to you?
HW: I really wanted to be in the finals, one step closer to winning $50,000 for my charity, the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation, which hits home for me and my mom. Regardless of my not winning, I’m winning in the long haul for helping out these kids. I want them to be anything they want to be. I want to show them that every chance I’m out there promoting my charity.
Would you have done anything differently in the blind-tasting challenge?
HW: I thought everything was going in the right direction based on Rachael’s comments. But then Guy called my shrimp raw. I disagree with the shrimp. I ate the shrimp myself and it wasn’t raw. It was perfectly fine, but maybe it wasn’t up to Guy’s standards.
Did you ever think you would make it this far in the competition?
HW: Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get this far. But I think I showed the world that I can cook, that I got better each week and I applied all the things I learned. I had the best dishes three out of the four weeks.
What have you learned from this competition, about cooking, yourself?
HW: In the beginning I didn’t think I had much to learn, but at the end of the day I showed America that I know how to cook. I’m trying to be a Renaissance man.
What do you take away from this competition?
HW: I made some good friends and learned a lot of new things. Cooking to me used to be just about putting food on the table, but going through this competition I found out I can take something small and make it big, make more sides, be more creative with spices and work with new appliances. I will be reading all the instructions for my kitchen appliances and I’m exciting about getting my first food processor, which will cut down on my prep time tremendously. I am grateful for doing the show. I will take all the things I learned and become a better cook.
Do you have anything to say about Carnie, the final remaining member of Team Rachael?
HW: I want Carnie to win. If I was going to lose to anybody, it should be to Carnie. She has that passion for food. She sleeps and dreams food. She loves everything about food. She deserves it. And she wants this more than anybody. I wish her nothing but the best.
What’s next for you?
HW: I really want to take a vacation because doing the show has been grueling, but it’s nonstop for me. I have a cameo appearance on The Walking Dead. I’m doing NBC Sunday Night Football. I’m also going to be preparing for the World Ironman Competition in Kona, Hawaii.
Do you think Hines deserved to go home? Leave a comment.
Donate to Hines’ charity, the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation.
Keep coming back to FN Dish for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes previews.
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More posts from Joseph Erdos.
Tags: Exit Interview, Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, rvg exit interview
I nreally wanted Hines in the final. I am so fed up with Dean and his constant going on about his wife ///blah..blah..blah. So it was no surprise when she somehow managed to get on the program.I hope Carnie takes the title. Ever since Dean walked out on his first wife and son and also the daughter they were in the process of adopting from China I really have no respect for him.
I 2nd that for Carnie to win. I love her and her cooking.
I stopped watching their show. It was really unbelievable. They're constantly acting and they are very immature. I can't believe Dean and his Miss Spelling actually opened up a bed and breakfast and left the guests there to fend for themselves while she went in to labor. Stupid. He's always got some new venture to start and never finishes.
Why is it that everyone ignores Hines' personal life and professional reputation yet bags on Dean for having a happy marriage?
Happy marriage? You seem to know so much about some football player, check out Dean's personal rep, the guy is a liar and cheat. The whole show is just so he can win so FN can air his new show he keeps yapping about
Jealous much?
The entire problem this season is they found a pot load of "stars" who have no business being on a kitchen. I SO miss last year's group…at least a few of them. ESPECIALLY LDP deserved to be there. THIS SEASON HAS BEEN A BIG WASTE OF TIME AND I DON'T think I will finish it off.
A stoner, a sex addict, a one hit wonder, some nobodys, and a career long supporting actor. SUCH BIG STARS from season one.
Didn't see that coming. NOT!
If this show was rigged last season, it was much more subtle than this year's. No point in watching next week since we all know who the winner's going to be.
Check it out – Gourmet Dad's website. Disgrunted you hit the nail on the head. They're preparing him to be the next food network star.
Allows him to skate by all the competitors and start his own 'brand'.
I didn't realize until now that FoodNetwork was funded in part by the Spelling Family Foundation.
Bad season all away around. The only person that I liked at all was Hines – he may not have had as much "experience" as Diva Dean but he didn't constantly blab on about his personal "brand", his vast experience and how he had to shore up all the other members of his team. Oh Please Dean – you are no god of the kitchen. Get some perspective.
Come on, keyboard warrior, put on your magic hat and tell us. No. You have no idea.
This sux. Carney is annoying. Hines should be in final. Dean needs a shower and shave
@Karen – I totally agree with you. What's up with Dean and the massive amounts of sweat. From a food point of view – very disturbing to know that he's dripped on everyone's dish.
Mmmmmm make it more yummy
That's true of any of these "competitions." The way these chefs sweat in the kitchen (not to mention hair in their faces, cut fingers, etc., etc.), I've almost sworn off eating out!
Dean is about the only reason why I'm watching! He has always loved cooking and I love the fact that he and his wife have a wonderful loving relationship. Being in a marriage with step-children and ex-wives myself I respect that this couple works through life's challenges considering that Dean and his wife are in the public eye, judging them on their personal life is none of our business.
Dean is really the only person who has the passion in this show, the rest are just drama, although I do like Hines Ward he is awesome! To me Kathy Najimy and her passion for PETA is nauseating, if you are on a cooking show cook for everyone's palet not yours maybe then Kathy would win. I hope Daddy Dean wins at least he is cooking with the person who will eat his food not just being on a tv show. If anyone on this show is trying to still keep her career going is Carnie the drama to get more air time is beyond obvious.
Dean was obviously going to win it from the get go
@Audrey's Momma – so glad you shared so much of yourself and your thoughts. here's the deal, this is entertainment in the most annoying way possible. It's really not about the family or the charities and definitely not about the food. If you think Dean is doing this out the goodness of his heart – and that does for Hines, Gilbert, Carney and the rest . . . you are sadly mistaken.
They're doing it to make a name for themselves – yes they already have a name just not an A list version.
Get a grip – and know that Dean and Tori don't know who you are and really just want you to join their minions.
Actually, it's ALL about the food. The judges do not know whose food they are eating. The rest is bs and people are fools for getting upset about it.
Like when Dean went head-to-head with a vegan and made an omelet? Hardly a blind tasting.
First season looks like a masterpiece compared to this one. Obviously rigged, like most FN reality competitions, but… Dean vs Carney? haha Dean is going to put Carney to sleep so easily, although there's no surprise there, 3 vs 1 and the one lone chef wins to get both teams even on wins for next year? makes good TV. Fake, but good TV.
Hines should be in the finals.When Guy said best dish overall of the 3 I felt sure Hines would be in finals. He carried his team every week with fav dish.Also ehats the use to vote fan fav if the votes don't mean anything I'm done . last time I will watch. Smells like the fix was in. reality show with not much reality. will never watch this series again, regardless of contestants are.what good is the 10 votes per day if it doesn't count. thought R vG would be different.
I agree. Hines should have been in the finals. I will not be watching the final show. We all know who is going to win. Very disappointed in G & R. Doubt if I will ever watch this show again!!!!!
Trina and Trish sour grapes. Try reading the information about the show next time.
Of course the voting doesn't count. The entire series is in the can long before the voting is initiated.
I have to agree with everyone that posted comments, this season is a BIG FAT FIX lets guess who the winner is going to be. So disappointed, I have LOST alot of respesct for Rachel/Guy and Food Network.
Why doesn't the FN hire some new hosts for some of their shows, getting tired of watching the same hosts on all of the shows on this network.
my goodness you people are all so bitter. I think Dean has been great, he's come up with some really good dishes. He's given it eveything for all his challenges. That milkshake looked awesome!
oh please, it's so rigged for Dean. Showing his wife crying? LOL
Raw Egg Milkshakes – mmmmmm good. He should have added a disclosure before serving to Rachel and Guy. Yes, some folks are ok with raw eggs, but some are not. Folks with health issues or allergy could get very ill.
All these contestants should have thought twice and acted once. I definitely would not try any of their food.
that's unfortunate. Hines looks like such a great guy.