Hans Rueffert

Where are you living/working now?

I?m still living in Talking Rock, GA and working for ETC3 Television in Ellijay, GA.

What have you been up to since NFNS?

Just two weeks after the finale of NFNS Season One, I was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. In the surgeries that followed that diagnosis, I lost half of my stomach and half of my esophagus. I went through a regiment of chemo and radiation therapies and ended up losing over 70 pounds (never trust a skinny chef, right?). But, I'm happy to report that I'm in remission and living every day as if it were my last. I'm working on a new television series with Georgia Public Broadcasting/PBS called Hans Cooks the South, which will debut in January 2009. I also write restaurant reviews and food columns for a handful of magazines. I also teach at the Cancer Wellness Center in Atlanta, which is tremendously rewarding. Most importantly, I'm a father of two fabulously curious children and the husband of an inspiringly creative wife. Life is good. Check out www.hanscooks.com and try and keep up!

What did you enjoy most about being on NFNS?

I walked away from that experience with lifelong friends and an education that you couldn't hope to secure any other way. I loved the anticipation of each day's challenge and inventing dishes on the fly based on the selections at the communal pantry table. Plus, it's always nice when you have someone else cleaning up your mess in the kitchen! Though it was the challenge I dreaded the most, the media "eat and greet" event was my favorite challenge. I just seem to be in my element with a live audience.

Do you still keep in touch with other contestants?

Absolutely! My Food Network friends were in constant contact with me during my cancer battles and continue to be a regular part of my life. They are great people. Marc Summers has been a constant mentor and supporter. Michael Thomas and I still plan on working together at some point if our schedules ever slow down! That would be an amazing thing!

Any behind-the-scene happenings from NFNS you can tell us about?

Most of the good stuff happened in the Green Room while we were waiting on the next challenge. We were in there for hours at a time and the combination of heightened nerves and anticipation made us all a little goofy. That's where the friendships were made. There really wasn't a sense of competition behind the scenes. We were all genuinely concerned about everyone's performances and gave tips and suggestions after each challenge.

How did being on NFNS affect your culinary career?

I was already doing some television work prior to NFNS, but the show really helped to hone my skills on screen and teach me to connect with the person on the other side of the camera.

What advice would you offer the next round of contestants?

Don't try and be someone you're not. Stick to what you do best and don't second guess yourself. Ultimately, it may not be what the judges are looking for, but the camera sees right through you if you try and fake it. Also, enjoy every minute of the experience. It'll be over before you know it.

When you look back, would you have done anything differently?

I don't think so. I'm proud of my performances on the show and I am happy with the experience.

Are you recognized from your time on NFNS?

All the time. I do a good deal of traveling and I am always surprised when people recognize me. I keep an online blog (www.hanscooks.com) and many fans of the show followed my cancer journeys as well. It's nice when people approach me with a kind word and a wish of health. What more could you ask for?

What was the greatest lesson you learned from your time on NFNS?

Wow, that's somewhat of a beauty pageant question. I guess I learned to trust myself. Every time I questioned my ability to perform a task, I always came through it just fine.