With the popularity of “Top Chef” how does it feel to have become a household name?
I think “Top Chef” has definitely been a really positive thing in my life, but I had done shows on the Food Network before then, and also on Discovery, and I was known also as a model. That’s the thing about me. You always know what people are interested in by where they recognize me because some people know me from food, some people know me from fashion and others from “The Ten Commandments” [ABC, 2006] miniseries they watched with their kids.

You mentioned in Vanity Fair that you might want to pursue a brand of foods. What food would you start with?
I think condiments, frozen food, ice cream or beverages. It is more important to me to do a really nice product, so I would see what I could do with the most ease. I would like to do a line of couture ice creams.

What’s in store for the new season of “Top Chef”? 
I’m really excited because I think this season is going to be great. I’m not really allowed to talk about it, but there are going to be some strong women in there.