‘Hell’s Kitchen’ interview: Gina Aloise on the puppet, surprising exit, Gordon Ramsay

Regardless of what you may have thought about her on “Hell’s Kitchen” this season, there is little doubt that Gina Aloise completely delivered in one regard: bringing countless entertainment to the show. She brought with her a talking puppet named Alfredo, sparred with some of the other teammates, was thrown out of Gordon Ramsay’s dinner service, and this was all within the first two hours of the season. In following all of this up, she shockingly made the decision to leave the red team prior to the beginning of the challenge on Tuesday night’s new episode.

As it turns out, Gina is just as animated in real life as she is on the show, and she also is still hankering for an opportunity to get back in the kitchen and right some of her wrongs from this season. Earlier this week we had a chance to talk with her (and even Alfredo for a second) for an exclusive interview all about anything and everything regarding her brief journey on the show.

Cartermatt.com – Let’s start with what has to be the obvious question. In looking back at the decision you made, do you have any regrets over it?

Gina Aloise – Of course I have regrets! I think about it 24/7. I would love to it all over again in a heartbeat. I need to prove to the viewers that I’m great, that I’m fantastic, and aside from the personality, I need to show them that I can really cook.

There are so many cooking shows out there on TV right now. Why ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ when it has to be one of the most intimidating ones out there?

I have watched Chef Ramsay and all of his shows. The man is on fire. He is a machine. I love that guy! I would love to go back and do that again; and this time, I’m going to stay! I hope Fox gives me a chance to go back … I have gotten I can’t tell you how many emails. I need to satisfy them.

As someone who is a big fan of the show then, was there anything that you were surprised about that you were not quite aware of going in?

People think it’s easy. You’re actually in hell. That is a tough show to deal with. You have to be organized.

Over the years, you and a lot of other people have had some trouble with the team aspect of the show. What do you think gave you trouble with the red team? Did it start right away?

Meeting everyone, I kind of got the sense that they were a little bit intimidated by me, and when Alfredo moved in, that pretty much did it. They were like ‘gosh, I have two of them now.’ It was tough for everyone, but I’m going to go off and bury Alfredo in a hole [if I] come back.

Well, you can say that you have done something with Alfredo that has never been done before in ‘Hell’s Kitchen.’ How does that feel?

That feels great. The overwhelming response from people is incredible. I wanted to bring Alfredo on the show to mix it up a little bit. Not only does everyone want to watch great cooking skills, but they have to be entertained. They want a little fun.

In going back to the signature dish at the start of the season, what was your strategy going into that?

Well, I wanted to make something that had been in my family for generations, and I cooked [it as] my signature dish. I know Chef Ramsay, he thinks that cooking pasta is easy-peasy, and I was a little bit disappointed when he said it looks like I got it at a buffet. But he liked one of the guys’ dishes that was overcooked rigatoni with a little bit of tomato sauce on it. I don’t get it!

Are there any people that you are rooting for now to win?

I really enjoyed Zach and Barret. I think they’re pretty strong, and I hope one of them wins.

In going away from the show, what are you doing now, and what were you hoping to do with the exposure that you got from the show?

I’ve always wanted to have my own cooking show … Alfredo tells me that he would love to have a cooking show, and I think we could go far. I think the audience would eat him up, and I think they’d like to see a lot of me. That’s what I’m hoping for. In the meantime I have a restaurant here in Wilmington, Delaware called the Jalapeno Grill and the food is great, and you can go to the website and check it out.

Alfredo – Who are you talking a-to, Gina? Another man?!

Gina – Oh, I’m sorry. Alfredo wants to talk to you.

All right, so Alfredo, what was your experience at ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ like?

Alfredo – If I was allowed, I would like to get rid of everybody there! My Gina, she would have won the show, capiche?