‘MasterChef’ exclusive: Terry Mueller on having no regrets, leadership, and elimination

This season of “MasterChef” has been in many ways the season of shock eliminations. In between Andrea Galan, Eric Howard, and now Terry Mueller, we’ve lost three contestants who we felt had potential to be in the final five at the very least. We genuinely thought at one point that Terry was winning the whole thing. He’d never been in danger before his canned salmon dish last week, but that ended up being the thing that sent him home.

In our recent email exit interview, Terry reacted to what happened, talked about game strategy, and also the tremendous amount of support he’s received over the course of the season.

CarterMatt – Before last night’s episode, you had never been in serious danger of going home. Did you feel more comfortable because of that, or is impossible to feel that way in the kitchen?

I felt confident, never comfortable.

Have you replayed the canned salmon dish in your head ever since it happened? Is there anything you wish you had done instead?

No, I have zero regrets. I believe GOD has my ultimate path already paved.

Is it flattering that Shaun seemed to perceive you as a threat, and would you have made him cook with the canned salmon if given the chance?

Shaun is a strong cook. He is creative and talented. I’m not sure what I would have done. I thought the judges might have been more lenient towards canned salmon so I might have given him the fresh fish.

A lot of the other home cooks seemed to look to you as a leader and stabilizing force during the team challenges, even when you were not the Captain. Why do you think that was?

I proved myself as a leader in the first challenge. Unfortunately, we were only allowed to be captain once, otherwise I would have always jumped in. I am definitely in my element running a kitchen.

In general, what’s the outpouring been like since the episode aired? I know I’ve seen a lot of people shocked over seeing you leave.

I couldn’t have ever fathomed the love and support I have been blanketed with. @chef_bigt on twitter and @chefterrymueller on facebook have given me a venue to really be embraced and uplifted by so many amazing people.

Was there anything that you learned about yourself in the competition that you’re looking to take with you on future pursuits?

Yes, I am not in control. GOD is and has my ultimate plan.