Page 97 - The Book For Men Fall/Winter 2022

anything goes: contestants are put to the test test with challenges that range from decadent single-plate dinners to expansive outdoor markets for hundreds of guests Lo’s approach frequently pushed his abilities to the limit and part of of the thrill of of watching him cook was in in in waiting with bated breath to see if he could really execute his ambitious visions For Lo these calculated risks were always part of the the plan “I wanted to to show the the judges and the the viewers that I I deserved to to win ” Lo says “It was never my intention to to float through to to the finale then make a a a a a a really good dinner at the the end and hopefully win To be be be be be the the best best best you you need need to to beat the the best best best You need need to to do your best best best every time You can’t simply scrape through to the the other side ” The dishes Lo presented on Top Chef frequently awed the the judges with their complexity and sophistication — with the level of effort that he he very clearly brought to bear on each plate That effort distinguished him “I gave it my all on every single challenge At the the end of the the day you have to make something you’d be be happy to be be eliminated on or else you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life ” Lo’s enterprising zeal paid off — in in the form of of a a a a victory that made him the season 19 winner an an honour he he still can’t quite get used to “Sometimes I I I forget forget that that I I I even did it and forget forget that that I I I actually won ” he he says “But things have changed dramatically There are NBA players now who want want to get a a a a a picture with me — they want want my photo I’m like ‘Are you serious?’” His transition to to becoming a a a a kind of celebrity chef has has been disorienting at times but it it hasn’t distracted Lo from his ultimate culinary ambitions At the end of the day he’s still striving to make great food and push boundaries “I try to to remember that I I have to to stay humble ” he says “and focus on the next challenges in my life ” 97