Dawn Burrell

You were just starting out in their careers, and I just could not afford to slow down.

I had to find really good kitchens.

I had to cater.

I had to do things that would make me money so that I could survive.

Right.

I did go back to competition.

And I think that the competition is always within self to challenge myself and to push myself in ways that, like, real life does not bring.

It's not real life to be a long jumper.

It is something that you seek out to do.

Just as, you know, being on Top Chef is something that's sought after.

And in that arena...

It's when I challenge myself to be the best I possibly can be, unlike any other place.

For this next concept, I would love to win the James Beard Award.

And I want to...

I mean, I wouldn't be mad if I was on the Michelin spectrum.

You know, I can't say that that's necessarily been my goal, but it would be nice.

I mean, there would have to be that complete transference into something else because I...

My mindset then was that there was no way that I would be interested in competing in Masters because it would no longer be my job.

It would then be a hobby.

Now I would like to compete, you know, but that's, you know, I have kind of recovered from the death of my career as an athlete.