David Kinch, Manresa, is backstage with his girlfriend, the lovely Pim. Kinch, who won Best Chef: Pacific, loves the weight of his medal. He keeps holding it up against his knuckles, saying it is heavy enough to be a lethal weapon. He might need a weapon to fend off fans if he went on a cross-country road trip with his friend, Eric Ripert. Kinch says traveling wih Ripert would be awesome because "that charming accent and his good looks will open all kinds of doors. And, he's the only Frenchman who will eat barbecue."