Kelly Choi: Top Chef Masters bickering was "unnecessary"

Kelly Choi grew up in a family and a culture build around food -- an upbringing that made her a natural gourmand and foodie.

That led Choi to a career on local New York City TV as an expert on Manhattan restaurants and global cuisine. Her popularity in the Big Apple led Bravo to sign her up as the host of the ultimate exhibition of culinary competition, Top Chef Masters.

The daughter of Korean grocers, Choi grew up in and around her parents' store. Choi's friends and family would gather to share, enjoy and discuss food. So, her gig as host brings her back home to her roots.

I spoke with Choi as Top Chef Masters fans prepared for the series' season finale on August 19.

What is the best part of your job?

It's having a chance to taste recipes from some of the greatest chefs in the world. I've had the opportunity to enjoy the most amazing dishes. And, though I'm not able to be in the kitchen during the preparation of the meals every week, I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about cooking and what these chefs do at such an elite level.

As the Top Chef Masters season winds down to a close, there have been some verbal conflicts and disputes involving the chefs. Some fans found that to be disturbing and against the spirit of the show. What was your reaction to those arguments?

I agreed with those fans who thought it was unnecessary. I know emotions can run high during a competition with such passionate individuals, but I think one of the reasons our viewers watch is because we're not like other reality shows that rely so much on arguments and fights to create drama. There's an artistry and a civility about our show that I think people find refreshing.

I hear about (the disputes) after they occur because, as the host, I'm not in the kitchen during the preparation. So, I was surprised -- like many of the viewers.

How did your upbringing prepare you for your on on this show?

Growing up in an Asian-American culture -- as long as I could remember -- when I was spending time with my family or my friends, it wouldn't take long before we would be talking about food. Food became my way of getting to know other people experiencing other cultures.

How does someone who lives and works around food stay in red carpet shape?

I don't think the stereotype that a foodie has to look a certain way is valid. If you look at many of the celebrity chefs on television these days, many of them are fit.

I think that, if you're going to eat something, you should really focus on enjoying it. Try not to eat when you're stressed or rushed. Sure, we all do it. I do it. But, you can't really enjoy the experience. I believe you can still enjoy your food and stay healthy.

You were a VJ for MTV Korea. Did that help to expose you to foreign cuisine?

I learned that the food there is so much better than the Korean food I grew up with -- except for the homemade I enjoyed as a kid. I've never been able to find Korean food as good or as fresh in the U.S. Since then, I've discovered that eating another country's food is a way to visit and explore that country's identity when you're not able to travel there.

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Of course, Choi would let nothing slip about the final outcome of Top Chef Masters as the season's conclusion draws nigh. But, with the show's recipe cooking up a successful run this past season, it looks like Choi will be sampling more of the best food on the planet next year.