Eric Greenspan Dishes on The Next Iron Chef: No Spoilers, No Grasshoppers

When Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose was eliminated in the first round of this season's The Next Iron Chef, the only Los Angeles chef in the contest left the building--or the kitchen. Since Greenspan's elimination, the ranks have been culled further: second to go was Holly Smith (Cafe Juanita, Poco Carretto Gelato) of Kirkland, Washington, and most recently, NYC's Brad Farmerie (Double Crown, Madam Geneva, PUBLIC, The Monday Room).

We asked Greenspan for his take on how the competition is going so far. Don't worry: no spoilers. Greenspan isn't allowed to spill the beans (your grasshopper joke here _____) on that one. (Wonder what The Food Network would do if you broke their contract: send Alton Brown after you with a Bob Kramer knife?) Our Q&A with Greenspan after the jump. And look for more from Greenspan as the remaining 7 chefs leave the kitchen island. (Got a question for the chef? Ask in the comments and we'll pass it along.)

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Alton Brown with the remaining Next Iron Chef contestants

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Brad Farmerie with durian

Eric Greenspan: I thought last week's choice [Holly Smith from Seattle] was rough because Holly's dish looked simple but tasty. That's just her style. This week, although Brad is a fantastic cook and perhaps the nicest man I've ever met in this business, I guess the pierogie was too similar to what he was to change. It didn't make sense to me, but I wasn't tasting.

SI: I know you can't give any forecasts, since you know the outcome of the show, but is there any advice you'd give for the rest of the contestants? Speaking hypothetically, of course.

EG: Jehangir should stop prodding Trevino because he can be a dangerous man. It also seems like Seamus is cooking out of his mind right now and is clearly the chef to beat.

SI: Is there any advice you'd give to future contestants?

EG: Always remember that this is not a contest about how you cook, but how you cook under specific circumstances. Don't try too much or too hard. Stay focused.