Where are you living and working now?

I am the executive chef of Nosh Restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colo.

What have you been up to since FNS?

I worked at several restaurants in New York City, then moved back to Colorado Springs to assume my current position at Nosh.

What was your favorite thing about being on FNS? And your least favorite?

The best part of FNS was the camaraderie. I became, and still am, great friends with Adam, Aaron and Kevin from the show. They are some amazing guys.

My least favorite part was the after-challenge interviews and doing multiple takes and pickup shots. That truly removed the sense of "reality" and put me back in the realm of scripted television.

Do you keep in touch with other finalists?

Both Adam and Aaron have eaten at Nosh, and I speak to Kevin once every couple months.

What was the funniest/coolest/weirdest (or worst!) incident to happen behind the scenes?

Aaron snores like a freaking lion. I had to wear multiple earplugs.

How did being on FNS affect your culinary career?

It helped me network with other chefs and allowed me to be center stage at several restaurants in NYC before landing a position.

What advice would you offer the next round of finalists?

Be prepared for war! You will be pushed mentally, physically and psychologically throughout the filming process. Be true to yourself, and don't try to mold who you are for what you think the producers are looking for.

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

To be very honest, I would change nothing. I do not have a time machine, and to dwell on the past and what I would change is, in my opinion, pointless. I am perfectly happy with who I am and where I am at right now in my life, and if I had made any other choices at any point in my life (not just the show) than the ones I did, who knows where I would be. Regret is a waste of time and spirit.

Do people recognize you from being on the show?

Sometimes.

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

Thirty minutes is a lot of time to accomplish the impossible.

What's your current favorite recipe or signature dish?

For signature dishes come check out Nosh in Colorado Springs: www.nosh121.com.