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Downtown restaurant Warehouse chef Emily Hahn is no stranger to the limelight. Before gaining a seat on Top Chef, she compete on reality show Chopped. “I had zero interest in being on camera. It’s always been something I’m insanely terrified of,” says Hahn, “Chopped was an easy one day and done experience.” When Warehouse PR specialist Angel Powell asked Hahn if she had any interest in Top Chef, she replied “Uhhhhh, maybe?” Hahn says she just sort of waded into it and found herself suddenly in front of Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio. Hahn says that her facial reactions on the first challenge were accurate to the nervousness she was feeling. “It’s something that scared me. I’m not doing it to be famous. I’m doing it to prove to myself that I can get on t.v. and cook with other talented people and come out alive.”
Hahn says her time on Chopped didn’t prepare her for the intense experience on Top Chef. She knew though, if she could make it through the first one, she’d be ok. Hahn did survive the first episode — her Asian barbecue chicken wing with tamarind and chili glaze was even a judges’ favorite — so you’ll have to tune in tonight to see if she makes it past the second challenge.
