Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"BILLY TRUDSOE"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH - Since you're from New York, how often does Run DMC's "Christmas In Hollis" play in your kitchen during holiday season?
Of course you know we’re bumping run DMC
STANDISH - What is your favorite thing to cook & why?
I love cooking steaks and seafood together. The intertwine of the two proteins really make dishes stand out
STANDISH - What gave you the idea to try out for Hell's Kitchen 10 years later after not making it the first time?
So I was living in Melborn Flordia at the time and on vacation in the Adirondacks. I was getting ready to fly back and I was at Albany airport in New York and we had a flight delay. Of course it was Frontier Airline. So I was scrolling away and I had a Hells Kitchen contestant application, ad pop-up. I filled it all and cut to the end. Let me remind you that it was still Covid time and they asked for a 3 to 5 minute video so I shot it right in the airport with everyone looking at me like I was crazy lol I was contacted three days later by a talent producer & the rest is history.
STANDISH - What is the biggest thing you learned from Gordon Ramsay?
I mean, it’s insane that I was able to not only meet but cook for my idol. Chef Ramsay is the Michael Jordan of culinary and the goat in the hospitality industry. He instilled in me, passion, and confidence that I needed to keep pursuing my dreams.
STANDISH - What's the biggest mistake you made on the show?
I think the biggest mistake I made on the show is trusting my co contestants. When you’re in Hells Kitchen, you need to lean on each other but sometimes that will bite you in the back.
STANDISH - Were you all alone during your quarantine time? How did you not go insane knowing you were about to compete on Hell's Kitchen?
Yes, because it was Covid time we had the quarantine two weeks before the show. We were in hotel rooms for 23 1/2 hours a day. Of course you start to get a little crazy and senile. That’s kind of why I was off my rocker as soon as I landed in Hells Kitchen . I had so much energy and couldn’t contain it.
STANDISH - What challenge during the show had you shook?
The wind challenge is the one that had me the most shook and disappointed. Back home my wings are legendary, and everyone loves them, including myself as I am a chicken wing connoisseur. Throwing the twist of having another contestant judge your wings really threw it off and I was super disappointed to be up for elimination, especially on my amazing wings.
STANDISH - Did you know what your signature dish was, going into the competition?
I had several ideas for what I was going to make for my signature dish, but the black Force chicken really stood out. It is a Parmesan and basil egg battered chicken breast with a wild mushroom and baby spinach risotto finished with a sherry beurre blanc. Chef Ramsey only gave me a three as his pallet must’ve been off that day, but all my customers give me fives all day long.
STANDISH - At any point in Hell's Kitchen, did you want to give up?
Every day on Hells Kitchen is a struggle mentally physically exhausting. Of course you have the thoughts of if I just give up, I can go home and I don’t have to deal with it anymore, but the fire burning in me want nothing more but to take home the win.
STANDISH - What's the craziest thing anybody has said to you in public after being on the show?
I think the craziest and funniest thing people have asked me after being on the show was what is Chef Ramsay‘s dab pen flavor? lol I was dying laughing and still think this is hilarious.
STANDISH - Where did the name 'B True' come from?
I am very competitive and in my first year of college basketball there was two Billy’s on the team, so my college basketball coach who played for Seton Hall and went to the final four Darryl Crist gave me the nickname BTrue & it has stuck ever since.
STANDISH - Who would you dream of cooking for? Name 3...
If I could cook for any three people in the world, that would be a hard decision. Seeing how I’ve already cooked for Chef Ramsay I would have to say Post Malone, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. Three superstars that I admire very much.
STANDISH - Who was the most intimidating chef in your season?
I really wasn’t intimidated by anyone besides of course Chef Ramsey during the competition. We had a great cast and a great group of chefs, so it was easy being yourself and being able to show off your talents.
STANDISH - If Hell's Kitchen asked you to return would you?
As Hells Kitchen invited me back, of course I would accept the invitation. I love to compete and think that I definitely have more to offer than what was shown on TV. I was pretty shocked when I was eliminated, but things happen and I’m happy to move forward and continue this amazing journey.
STANDISH - Anything else you'd like to include?
I would like to give a shout out to all the great chefs who have competed on Hells Kitchen and to all the chefs grinding out every single day trying to do their best to give their patrons an amazing meal day in and day out. It’s a true struggle and a roller coaster ride. You have to be a different breed to be a chef and I’m fortunate not only to have an amazing team and following, but to be able to live out my dream every single day.
STANDISH - What are your social links?
Facebook:
Lizzie Keays
Basil & Wicks
Billy Trudsoe
BTrue’s Mad Flava
Instagram:
Basil & Wicks
ADKCHEF
BTruesmadflava
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