Experiences Of Hell

'Hell's Kitchen' exclusive interview: Krupa Patel

On this season of " Hell's Kitchen ," there's no questioning that Krupa Patel has been one of the more memorable personalities on the Red Team. Unfortunately, she was eliminated by Chef Ramsay Monday night after an episode that featured her struggling with dinner service -- and also failing to impress during the earlier beer-related challenge.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to chat with the Queens resident about her experiences.

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Matt: Early on the episode, they made it appear as though you were having some troubles in the first challenge because you had too much to drink [the night before]. Is that what happened?

Krupa: Edited definitely had some influence in it ... I hadn't eaten anything with the challenge that day and then the dinner service. So what happens if you have alcohol on an empty stomach? You get drunk quicker! [Laughs.]

That is something that many people don't realize when watching the show -- just how stressful this competition is, and how you guys still have to find the time to cook your own food.

It's the funniest thing looking at the pantry in the 'Hell's Kitchen' dorms because everything is like quick-serve. You wouldn't expect that with 18 chefs in the kitchen, but everything is either nukable or a pizza you can just throw in the oven. It is 'Hell's Kitchen' and you don't have time for that leisurely meal. You can instead go ahead with practicing or strategizing with your team.

It's a very weird thing because no one is really cooking in there -- it's very rare.

So what made you want to get involved in the stress that is this show?

Well I can usually handle stress, so that [wasn't an issue]. Getting on the show was actually not my idea. My sister thought it was a great opportunity, and I kind of went for it.

The only turnoff for me was not even Chef Ramsay or him yelling at me or even getting kicked off -- it was the whole TV aspects. The cameras in your face, the lack of privacy ... I wasn't expecting it to be so TV. I guess there was a certain aspect that I thought would be really kitchen and [restaurant-focused]. But a lot of it really is TV.

Let's talk about two people who have gotten plenty of time on TV so far this season -- Elise and Carrie. Based on everything that has happened between the two, whose side are you on?

[For the most part] I sided with Carrie and there was a reason for that. Carrie didn't get in her own way, but Elise got in her own way because of her mouth. Even when she was doing something good, it would be negated by the fact that she screwed up afterwards -- or with her reaction, like with her not working [last night] and about her letting her teammates do most of the work. That's something Carrie wouldn't do.