All Top Chef Interview with Tyler Wiard, Continued

ATC:  This is Laura Kluvo from All Top Chef and I'm on the phone with Tyler Wiard.  Hi Tyler.

TW:  Hello.

ATC:  Did you watch last night's episode?

TW:  I did.

ATC:  Was there anything that surprised you?

TW:  To be honest with you, probably not.  It was just as I remembered.

ATC:  If you could go back, is there anything that you would do differently?

TW:  I've had a long time to think about this one and No, I don't have any regrets.  I have friends who have said that we should have gone with the chowder instead of the pork burger, but it's like Vegas you know?  You can't go back, you have to play the hand that you are dealt.

ATC:  You were in the top four for the previous challenge and it seemed like you had some creative ideas for this challenge.  Did CJ listen to your ideas at all?

TW:  His energy and his confidence about the pork burger were so positive that I just said, "Okay, let's do it."

ATC:  Did you watch the previous seasons of Top Chef?

TW:  Some of them, not all.

ATC:  Did you recognize CJ and the other returning chefs?

TW:  Absolutely.  I recognized CJ, Josie and Stefan.

ATC:  Do you think it was fair to bring back chefs from previous seasons?

TW:  Fair or not fair, it doesn't matter.  This is Top Chef.  There are going to be twists and turns and unexpected events.  Honestly I loved it.  I was like, "Okay, this is fun.  This is different and I get to be a part of it."

ATC:  Who is your best friend from the cast?

TW:  Eliza Gavin and CJ.  Especially Eliza.  We both live in Colorado and it is just nice to have someone from my state to talk to.

ATC:  Tell us about Elway's.

TW:  Elway's is a steak house.  No two ways about it.  That is the brand.  We don't consider ourselves to be the typical classic steak house though.  We certainly will give you a great steak, asparagus and a shrimp cocktail but we also have some very innovative side dishes that are not only seasonal and local but you will see that these items are much more creative than the typical steak house.

ATC:  What is the most popular item on your menu?

TW:  To be honest, it is the 8-oz filet.  It has been the favorite for a long time.  People still enjoy red meat and it is a prime piece of steak.  Also, you want to save room for our delicious sides.

ATC:  In addition to cooking, what are your other interests?

TW:  I really enjoy being a father.  My daughter Liliana, is 22 months.  I consider myself to be an "old dad" but I am enjoying the rewards of fatherhood.  There is nothing better.

ATC:  Chef Tyler, we are almost out of time, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?

TW:  I definitely want to thank all of my friends, my family, my fans and the fellow chefs who have supported me.  Thank you for all of the positive feedback - not only in my career but also in my personal life.  Thank you all.