Follow Good Bite's exit interviews each Monday as we track the progress of The Next Food Network Star! Last night we said goodbye to Dzintra Dzenis.

1. Before being cast on TNFNS, did you watch the show?

Yes, two seasons!

2. Was this your first time auditioning? 

Third time is the charm.

3. What was your favorite memory from being on TNFNS?

Finding out I got on the show!

4. If you were to describe your personal style of cooking, what would that be?
Inventive- adding international twists to everyday classics.

5. What is one kitchen gadget you can't live without?
The whisk!

6. Favorite meal to cook a date/boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife?

A great big chunk of beef tenderloin grilled on coals, extra thick fries (super crispy on the outside...soft and steamy on the inside), flash-steamed asparagus with endless dollops of hollandaise sauce seasoned with cayenne pepper.

7. Who inspired your love for food?

My Mom's cooking, plus watching  public television:  Julia Child and the show Upstairs Downstairs as a little girl (where the "downstairs" was always preparing scrumptious multi-course meals for the very lucky "upstairs"). 

8. First kitchen memory?

Mom allowing me to wash forks and spoons in a pie dish filled with gobs of soap suds when I was 4. Then helping to pound pork chops when I was 5!

9. If you could meet any chef alive or dead, who would it be?

Thomas Keller.

10. If you were to describe the whole TNFNS experience in one word what would that be?

Very "eye-opening" (haha...get it?).

11. In the last elimination challenge the audience saw you "shhh" Aria. What did you mean by that and why do you think the judges reacted the way they did?
Have you ever excitedly chatted with a girlfriend, where one speaks over the other to make sure the "audience" get's the point of your story? Well, that's what happened. Aria has been extremely popular with the selection committee throughout the episodes, and I just wanted to make sure the judges could catch a glimpse of me as well. Each week I had taken the selection committee's advice to heart and worked really hard to improve, challenge after challenge. In front of the selection committee, during the last challenge, we only had a few seconds "to shine." I wanted to make sure they heard what I had to say about the dish before it was too late. If I would have stood and graciously allowed Aria to do all the talking, I'm sure the selection committee would have taken my "silence" as very awkward, as well. I guess I shouldn't have said "shh," but I've heard worse. I'm truly sorry if I hurt Aria's feelings, it was not intentional. I don't know why the judges reacted they way they did. They must think my manners aren't very good.

12. How has the show changed your approach to food? 
I am a million times more confident about my capabilities! I embrace food with even more passion today. My cooking has become more daring, because life is too short to worry if something will not work out just perfect. Go for it, I say! Try different flavor combinations, and cooking techniques. If it works, a new recipe has been born. If it doesn't, too bad, let's fix it and make it better.

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