What did you think of today's challenge?

Very stressful start! Overall, good, but for 12 in a kitchen it was challenging and on the edge.

What did you prepare today?

Scrambled eggs; mise en place with vegetables from the market; duck breast, sautéed Yukon gold potatoes; vegetable, shitake jus.

How do you think you did? Is there anything you wish you'd done better?

Perfect temperature on eggs, good accurate mise en place. Should be more avant-garde with the duck? Could do more creative touch.

What was the highlight of the day's events?

To stay very calm and avoid any stupid injury, or accident with nervous people under the fire of the heat!!!

Are there any lessons you took away from today?

To stay centered and focus on your horizons, around people who are crazy for recognition. To be above in the higher self of looking the big picture. It was a very interesting day! Thank you!

What was the most constructive or interesting piece of feedback you heard from the judges?

One of the judges [said] to push the creative side of me and I appreciate the criticism very much. Today I decided to be conservative and secure in the kitchen; I was feeling the people I am working with.

How do you think you are doing in relation to your fellow competitors?

Very well. Everybody is working in kindness and understanding for each other. It's a good group of passionate people.

Who do you think is faring the best and why?

Everybody has a different style of expressing their creativity.

What do you think your fellow competitors think of you?

Being from France brings too much expectation — that is always the problem. That's the good and the bad of being a foreigner.