FoodBeat: Who would you want to work with in the kitchen in the future? And who would you shy away from?
Dana Cohen: Christina would definitely be my first pick for working with. She was my best friend in the show and we got along so well. We have the same style and passion for cooking. I worked with her in a bunch of challenges and we did great together. We’re both here to win and not make a scene.
For who I wouldn’t want to work with it would definitely be Barbie. We have such a different conversation style. If I’m mad I hash it out with the person. She stays very quiet and works it out passive aggressively. It was difficult to work with her because of our different styles. Most days we got along great, but I found it very difficult when she was angry with me. She became very quiet and rolled her eyes at me and wouldn’t explain what was wrong. We just needed better communication but we never figured it out.
FoodBeat: What would winning Hell’s Kitchen mean for you?
Dana Cohen: It would mean everything in the world. There is so much on the line in this television show. To be able to work with Chef Ramsay would be such an honor. The kitchen and salary are great too, but it’s really all about working with Gordon Ramsay. He’s so accomplished and knowledgeable it’s crazy. We’re getting down to only a few chefs left and I can almost taste winning. Knowing the prizes just push me that much harder. I want to win!
FoodBeat: Is there anything you want our readers to know?
Dana Cohen: I want people to know that I have represented myself to the best of my ability. What you see on the show is really me. I’m proud of all the work I’ve done and all my accomplishments on the show. People always ask about the drama and I’m glad I’ve stayed out of it. Everything you see is real and nothing is edited. There are no producers telling us to act a certain way. What you see is really how people were. I’m very happy with how I portrayed myself in an honorable way. If I went with the drama I would be so embarrassed.
Even if you don’t win, you still need to leave having done a great job. It’s basically a huge resume for the rest of our working lives. Employers will watch the tapes and see how you really work in the kitchen. By making it look like you have an attitude it will be hard. I know what I’m doing on the show is the best of my ability and I’m really that person you see.
