lisa wrote:

in the final four, hawaiin birthday lua, I felt the judges were very contradictive in the discussion of the chef's approaches and then in announcing the winners and losers. Wow, it completely astounded me and discounted the judges integrity and fairness. I felt like they had been bought.... not because of any predisposition towards a winner but because I felt like a modern politician, they said one thing and voted another, really shameful and a good reason not to watch corporate tv

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:10 PM

Lindsay wrote:

Wow...I don't even think I can watch the final. Marcel made it into the final? He's gross... just really really gross. And Sam's gone? Good luck with the final...there's no use watching it now.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:10 PM

s williamson wrote:

Since I can't taste the food, I have to rely on your assessment of the taste; however, I think behavior in the kitchen should be taken into consideration. After all, if a person is really a top chef then he should also be able to work well with others and not create animosity in the kitchen. Throughout the competition Marcel has been a thorn in everyone's side. At times when everyone worked together, it was Marcel that didn't pitch in and acted selfishly. I'm truly upset that Marcel made it to the final when Sam to me was obviously not only a better person, but also an excellent cook. I'm truly disappointed in the judges' decision not to have Sam and Ilan in the final.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:12 PM

RonBeach wrote:

I do not understand how Chef Alan Wong's opinion that Sam's dishes were the best could be totally disregarded by one comment, "He didn't cook anything," when Marcel "hit a home run" by not cooking anything. I personally have no interest in watching a final between Marcel and Ilan and though I have watched every episode to this point, will likely not watch next week's conclusion.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:18 PM

Liza wrote:

Dear Padma!
Thank you for being fair in your comments about all that uncomfortable to watch personality wars! Marcel is a very interesting chef!
You're a warm and caring person! Thank you for hosting this season!

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:19 PM

bikimn wrote:

I cannot understand how a contestant who spent a good portion of the contest in the bottom 3, only won 2 quick fires, and never won a solo elimination challenge (except this penultimate challenge), can be in the final 2. I further cannot understand how a contestant who won the most elimination challenges and quickfires can be sent home. Absurd. Couldn't history have factored into this challenge since it led to the final. I mean, come on, even Mike won more!

Final thoughts on Marcel: I disagree with your theory that he is "Piggy" from Lord of the Flies. Piggy was an unwitting victim, who did nothing to provoke his persecution. Marcel, on the other hand, is a catalyst, in the most negative sense of the word. As a catalyst he changes everything around him but remains unchanged and unscathed. I see everyone else having the potential to change into better chefs (even better people) because, although some of their behavior has been unacceptable, there has been evidense of self investigation and remorse. Not so in the case of Marcel. Not once has he even tried to understand why he evokes such behavior from others. How many people are going to want to work with him?

Utterly disturbing outcome.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:20 PM

lisa wrote:

I was really astounded at the contradiction from the judges discussion which often reminds me of a jury and often very different points of view which is nice against the final vote on who to stay and who to leave. I felt suddenly like I had been dooped by corporate tv. Judges like modern politicians who say one thing and vote another, super disappointing and I had no expectations for the winner. padma as the spokeswoman as well as the established judges should feel ashamed.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:22 PM

Cassidy wrote:

I'm not sure if I can watch next week knowing Marcel is in the final. It makes me sick that someone so awful (awful person, awful cook) could make it to the finale. He obviously had the least experience, and he kept making what looked like the same dishes over and over again. He was never inovative or anything. I feel like he only made it this far to make good TV. I'm disgusted. Last season you knew all 4 deserved to be there. Tiffany was annoying, but she could cook.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:25 PM

Adam wrote:

It would be so easy to root against Marcel... if his competition simply decided to rise above him and demonstrate a superior attitude. Yet at every single step in this competition... from Betty screaming at him to Frank threatening him to Cliff wrestling him... every Chef miserably failed, even if Marcel instigated it (which he didn't do each instance).

For Ilan, Elia and Sam to pull a last minute stunt like that was easily the worst display of class and sportsmanship in the entire series. They had nothing and went stabbing in the dark at the last second. A truly pathetic way to go out for two chefs that very well could have won.

By the way... why does Marcel take so much heat for his consistent use of foam? Ilan apparently trademarked saffron and Sam tried to pickle a glass of water one time. If you're Mr. Popularity, then it's a "style"... if you're Marcel, then it's "tired".

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:27 PM

Matt A wrote:

Did the producers make the decision for you? Ilan is obviously too immature to be a top chef. Is the quarrel really so important, so dramatic that we need it to bring us back to the finale at this point? Elia and Ilan should be going home. Sam would represent what a top chef should be better than Ilan. Your show was a step above other reality shows. Not anymore. What a shame.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:27 PM

michelle smith wrote:

?????????? WHAT!!! Which are the judges that made these decisions tonight? Do they have sunstroke from the Hawaiian sun? The chef that was consistently strong throughout the 11 weeks was eliminated !!(Perhaps that's why he won the $10,000.) Last season Tom and the other judges truly picked the Top Chef, Harold. Tonight I feel like I've wasted 11 weeks and I won't waste the 12th. Top Chef program loses my elimination challenge ad infinitum - too bad.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:28 PM

Clifton wrote:

I said it before and I am saying it again. The final selection was about ratings and only ratings. Basically, you used the same formula from the last season. Take a chef who is now well liked against another that is ---- BAM - you have the season finale.

DOES ANYONE SEE THIS OR AM I THE ONLY GENIUS HERE!!!

I can only imagine how the judges had to lie about Marcel's nasty food - just to keep him in the competition. WHAT A JOKE

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:28 PM

Destiny wrote:

Padma,

Immediately before the winners were chosen your face was shown in the background as Chef Tom was speaking and I said outloud, "Padma is distressed - Sam is going home." And sure enough ... Padma you were wearing your broken heart before the first tear fell. I'm right there with you. Sam should not have gone home, and it doesn't have anything to do with 'fan favorite'. You had a tough job and you have my complete empathy.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:29 PM

Steve wrote:

Padma. I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed you as a host so much more than last years.
And for the record. You are gorgeous.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:29 PM

Savanna wrote:

I was disappointed with this show. In fact, I may not watch the finale. Although Ilan is probably a good chef (I haven't tasted the food therefore can only go on judges comments and his credentials) , I believe that both Sam and Elia deserve to be there more. I question the judges motives behind keeping Marcel. Marcel has been in the bottom end of almost the entire competition. I admit that Elia is slipping, however, both Sam and Elia have been in the winner's circle numerous times and show a lot of professionalism in the kitchen. Both Marcel and Ilan show no professionalism. If I were a judge (which I am glad I am not) I would include professionalism in the kitchen (since they will be running their own) as part of the competition because these people will need to be polite to their employees as well as customers. Marcel was far too competitive and Ilan was immature in his response to Marcel's competitive nature. Elia, in her defense, seemed tired of the competition and tired of holding her feelings in. Holding those feelings in seemed to cause her to slip. Sam just shouldn't have been let go at all. Sam should be Top Chef.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:31 PM

John wrote:

I am so glad Marcel is moving on to the Finals. I hate Ilan's attitude and corrupting influence. I recently read the Marcel was a victim of assault by an out of control Top Chef fan at a bar. Is this true?? Is he alright??? I read the fan out of no where broke a bottle across his face and he had 30 stitches in Las Vagas. Please let us know if he is alright and please comment on his condition.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:32 PM

Joan Wood wrote:

The ongoing bad treatment of Marcel by the other chefs, particularly the incredible back-stabbing by Elia, who was obviously trying to save herself, is simply appalling. I have seldom seen such a truly awful group of people. I hope Marcel wins as he has been nothing but a class act throughout the show and he has attempted to focus on the food and not on personalities. We all have people we don't particularly like in our lives, especially our working lives, but there is no way that Marcel deserves the appalling, classless, rude and VIOLENT behavior that has been directed towards him.

I am really glad to see Elia in particular leave. She never supported Marcel, never helped him, never spoke out in his favor or defended him, despite what she says to the camera. Good riddance. Her behavior tonight, along with Ilan and Sam's egging on, was shameful, as it was so obviously baseless.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:33 PM

Jimmy Messina wrote:

Padma,
Could you explain the thought process when it came down to eliminating Sam? Sam and Elan were by far the best chefs on the show. Marcel does not desrve to advance to the finals and he sure does not qualify to win Top Chef. He is no Harold. I am devistated that Sam was eliminated. He is a leader, and great chef, his dishes tonight were had great reviews. I believe that Marcel and illia should have been eliminated.
If Marcel wins TOP CHEF. My family and I will find another program to watch. I have been a Chef for over 20 years and I have never seen a person like Marcel how he destroys other epople with his attitude and petty sayings. This has been going on since the beginning of this season. He should have been eliminated the second week. I certailnly hope the judges and the producers have integrity and are not keeping him on the show just for the ratings. My best to you, Tom and Gail.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:36 PM

This show is a joke wrote:

So, which judge is sleeping with Marcel?
That is the only logical explanation I can come up with for why that clown even made it to Hawaii in the first place, much less the final two.
What a joke this show became tonight. What a farce it will be when you crown Marcel as the "Top Chef", which it is becoming very clear you have decided to do for quite some time.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:37 PM

Nicola wrote:

I totally agree with you Padma...but a drowning man will grasp at a straw! I was dismayed (once again) to hear the other contestants gossip about Marcel and attempt to plot against him. Regardless of personality, Marcell has maintained conviction which shows tremendous strength through all the adversity of the crabs in a barrell mentality he has dealt with to this point!

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:44 PM

KG1441 wrote:

Sad, very SAD. There is NO justification for sending Sam packing. He has be consistantly better than everyone, certainly more than Elia and Marcel. By eliminating him, you all proved that this isn't about the 'TOP CHEF' because Sam MUST be there in the finale! Personalities aside, Sam has been about the best of them all, and to eliminate him for Marcel and Elan? I can tell you know that I am a 'former' Top Chef viewer because I do want the 'TOP CHEF' to win, and your ways of rating and eliminating people prove to be weak. You eliminated a Top Chef contender. Now the show is worthless!

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:46 PM

Brian Kasher wrote:

The judges have done a really good job. Not getting drawn into the drama of the back of the kitchen is a real plus and good to see. I find the judges comments on the food enlightening. Padma really works well as the Host(ess) and the other judges seem to really try hard to be expressive. Tom is cool too. Wow Rock Star Chef!!!
I think there may be value in actually having one elimination where the Chef's must run an actual kitchen with staff. I think the budget could handle a night with entire staffs to manage...logitics may be more challenging to the producers though. But who get's the bucks in the end?
Thanks for a cool show that everyone can get something from!
BK

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:53 PM

Chef-Terrific wrote:

I want to start off this blog by proclaiming that Padma is the most beautiful t.v. host I've ever seen! Thank You for bringing us along on this rather interesting ride!

This show was pretty good in my opinion. I could have done without the lame remarks from Elia in the end and I was very surprised to see Sam go. I watched and expected Marcel to go and I've always felt that Sam is one heck of a chef. Those two would have made a terrifc finale. They would have been professional and very competitive in the kitchen.

I was very disappointed to see Ilan make it. I have come to think of him as the evil little imp. I now expect the final show to contain nothing back school yard smack talk since no one is there to hold Ilan back anymore. Im extremely ticked off that he made Elia look like an idiot in the end, forcing her to make that lame speech about cheating at the judges table. I was really hoping that Padma would just break from the initial decision to send Sam home, which was clear, and send Ilan home for bringing that all up again.

But, Ill be watching next week. Not for the match I've hoped for all along, but I expect one heck of a finish regardless.

And once again. Padma's blog is the best, for it is blessed with beauty!!

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:54 PM

Valerie wrote:

The judges disgusted be by sending THE BEST chef home! I think it's obvious that the producers had more than their share of input as to who goes to the finals...poor Sam! He had the best attitude and food out of everyone, and I'm so disappointed to see two chefs who are extremely immature continue on. I definitely will not be watching the show next week, it's pointless because neither Marcel or Ilan is the true Top Chef this season.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:55 PM

Nancy S wrote:

I cannot understand people's hatred of Marcel. Above, Cassidy wrote that Marcel is an awful cook. This simply is not true. He works at a restaurant in Las Vegas where a tasting menu costs hundreds of dollars per person! He is clearly talented, and clearly experienced.

Aside from that, I am shocked to see Sam eliminated, but as you have said before, the judging does not take into account prior competitions.

So, I for one, look forward to the final episode.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:56 PM

Jeffrey wrote:

You kept Marcel who is rude, obnoxious, petty and selfish and far from what being a TOP CHEF should be about and sent Sam home. I think chef Tom Colicchio is dead wrong about not caring what goes on in the kitchen. I would imagine that if Marcel pulled that crap in his kitchen in his restaurant…he would be told to pack his knives and go in a heartbeat!! Sam should have at the very least been in the final 2. I’m disappointed in all of you. If Marcel is what a top chef is all about…. then I don’t ever want to be a top chef!

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:56 PM

Jeff wrote:

Sam got ripped, and this was a pure rating's game. I 'm glad Sam knows that this is just a game and is moving on with his life. Can't keep a good man down. Won't be watching as Marcel proves what a stupid call this was. Bad judges.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:58 PM

Kerry wrote:

My only comment was "WHAT?" when Sam was told to pack his knives. These judges got it ALL WRONG!! Sam is the only one with the whole package. First season to watch the show, I was hooked, but now it's off the TIVO season pass.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:00 AM

alex wrote:

My only really big concern with what you and the other judges said is that although i agree he deserves kudos for using an ingredient foreign to him, there is absolutely no excuse for causing that kind of food related reaction in a client- that alone should have been reason to send him home- no matter how spot on the flavors were. You are a judge, and host, and your opinion and reaction should count just as much as tom, gail, and the guest judge. Furthermore, the fact that other guests complained as well is even further proof.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:02 AM

michael wrote:

hey padma,
can you quit before season 3 begins? i'd really prefer someone with real professional kitchen experience instead of someone who expends all her energy sticking up for marcel probably because he reminds you of a pathetic little brother. more foam huh? guess that's how you like it. that's probably because it's easier for you anorexics to throw up.

luckily gail is hot. i couldn't watch an hour of this garbage with just you. i really hope they replace you with someone prettier, smarter and with better taste. whoop!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:05 AM

George wrote:

Now why do the chefs have to continue being jealous and hate Marcel. Its rediculous. This underlying feeling of collective hatred towards the one whom the chefs turned into the loner. I find it rediculous when Marcel is doing nothing but talking to the guests and explaining his dishes that the chefs had to bash him. Its childish and shows their jealousy. I would have loved to have the food explained a little so I could enjoy and understand this whole chef competition. Those guests enjoyed Marcels coversation. He was talking for a while because there were like 30 guests there plus judges. It all just got out of hand early on and the chefs needed to let it go and be professionals. Nearly all of the hate towards Marcel came from little or nothing. THey just always wanted to take things out of context to bash him. I don't like how Elia eventualy joined the group. SImply because they were all friends didnt give them the right to gang up on Marcel all the time. Its also pathetic when you see them getting upset over such lame stuff like a pot. But o'well, it will all be decided soon.
P.S. I cant believe they sent Sam home!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:06 AM

alex wrote:

My only really big concern with what you and the other judges said is that although i agree Ilan deserves kudos for using an ingredient foreign to him, there is absolutely no excuse for causing that kind of food related reaction in a client- that alone should have been reason to send him home- no matter how spot on the flavors were. You are a judge, and host, and your opinion and reaction should count just as much as tom, gail, and the guest judge. Furthermore, the fact that other guests complained as well is even further proof.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:11 AM

Bria wrote:

Do the judges have any integrity? The decision for the finals was clearly based on who would generate ratings, not on overall merit through out the competition.
Marcel and Ilan, are you kidding me? Sam and Cliff by far dominated the challenges Although, Cliff was disqualified for merely "wrestling" Marcel in a joke gone awry, but CLEARLY harmless; by no means did this justify his disqualification. Doesnt overall performance and consistency through out the competition count for anything? Sam week after week proved to be the most consistently talented chef through his placement in the competition. Elia, although a bit of an underdog in the beginning, proved her refinement, perfection & talent during the latter half of the competition. Ilian, though talented, was very inconsistent. Marcel...haha...though innovative, is far too immature & laughable as a finalist.
Judges, producers, whoever is the master minds of this mockery...youve disgraced yourself and profession. Believe me, this didnt help your ratings; everyone I know is literally boycotting the final episode by not watching.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:11 AM

Adam wrote:

Why do you defend Marcel so?

I read a day ago in the news that he was struck in the head at a bar with a bottle. This guy is an aggrevation to everything around him, plain and simple...You yourself said his pineapple poi 'didn't work'...and he advances??

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:14 AM

Michelle Horton wrote:

Padma,
I understand how difficult it was for the judges tonight, however, I totally disagreed with the decision to let Marcel stay, I really think he should have been told to "Pack his bags and go!"

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:14 AM

Jennifer L. wrote:

I seriously burst into tears after watching the first half of the Finale. It astounds me and totally appauls me that Marcel of all people was not sent packing. I dont think I have ever been so disappointed watching a reality show (and I rarely watch them as is it) and tonight served as a good reminder why I dont watch them! After tonight I dont think I will ever watch Top Chef again which is sad in itself because up until this point I thought it was a fair, great show. Marcel over Sam or Elia is just disgusting.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:14 AM

nancy wrote:

The problem with the gadget cooking is that those of us at home who like to learn from this show and try new things don't have this stuff. Nor do I think it belongs in the kitchen. Why not have the final 2 be people who can just cook? Not gadgets or doing the same style cooking over and over.

I am so inhappy with your choice of the final two.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:14 AM

Elli wrote:

Padma--
I'm including below my main comment I've tried sending to Chef Tom, but my comments don't ever seem to make it on to his blog.

Along with that, I do want to compliment you for trying to contain your emotion, but still being very genuine in showing that you had respect and feelings for each chef as a person and as a contestant. Also, you looked really lovely (with little or no makeup) in this episode.

Chef--
I sent a comment last week but it didn't appear on the blog. My specific comment pertains to your interpretation of Marcel's behavior.

He displays classic passive aggressive behavior. I am trained and worked with seriously disturbed and behavior disordered children. Those who are passive aggressive so bait other people and push their buttons that the others display the aggressive and outwardly destructive behavior. Then "the Marcel's" can plead, "What'd I do; I didn't do anything."

Episode after episode Marcel changed the other chefs' settings on burners; moved pots; moved things in the frig or freezer-- along with verbally baiting them. What concerns me is that his bad behavior is being rewarded (just as in Project Runway, the person showing the most abusive behaviors was rewarded by being selected as the "best." It's unfortunate --but not surprising-- that Elia (and some of the others could not better articulate what Marcel does. However, that is a classic example of what passive aggressive people do to others.

What this does is it tells children and adults that it's ok to do whatever is necessary to win. That's NOT ok -- and YOU (and the producers) should care. That's what adults in charge should do.

--Elli
ps I'd really like to know what all Sam seasoned his popcorn with!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:16 AM

Georgina wrote:

Very disappointed in the final 2. I find myself having a hard time respecting Marcel or Ilan. I know it's TV and things get skewed. So maybe this 'skew'ing is why they seem so unlikeable (though Ilan used to be my fav). But I just can't imagine rushing to read any of their opinions like I do Harold's each week. Neither of them seem like a Top Chef. It's all a bit anti-climactic.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:17 AM

Bella Fresca wrote:

OK..so the dish of raw tuna served as one of the dishes representative of Hawaiian cooking was not a dish to be considered as it wasn't 'really cooked'...so since it wasn't 'cooked' why was it used as an example of what the Chef's needed to keep in mind when they put their own spin on it...I thought it was about TASTE not the need for a frying pan. I am not going to watch the finale. I think the judges were unfair and unless the judging is less arbitrary, and more defined in the beginning as in ALL FOODS MUST BE COOKED TO IMPRESS JUDGES next season I am not watching the show.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:18 AM

jimmy wrote:

Fantastic show, and very educational. So happy to see Marcel in the final!! It takes all different shapes and sizes to make the world go round. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but that is what makes the world so interesting.

GO MARCEL!!

Padma, you rock!!!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:20 AM

Alvardan wrote:

All of you threatening to stop watching if Marcel wins need to get a life. I know plenty of people that will stop watching if Ilan wins...frankly I'd be really really REALLY upset if somebody as immature and ridiculous as Ilan Hall wins. But i'll keep watching!

Padma, you're gorgeous, you're smart, you know your food. Hope to see you on Season 3.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:21 AM

whitedaisy wrote:

Dear Padma,
Very nice job on your first season; I hope for many more for you.

I am sorry to see that your first season has been overwrought with drama and a lack of integrity from your chefs.
It brought out the worst in them, as well as the bloggers on this website.
With such a polarization of personalities and not more focus on the Food, the audience has experienced much of the same "choosing sides" that has taken place on camera.
I hope that next season the contestants have a more thorough psychological screening or the film is edited to show less conflict. Not good TV.
Best of luck next season, I happen to find Marcel fascinating and believing the judges to have chosen based on the Food, am pleased he made it to the finals.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:23 AM

Violet wrote:

Ok cry babies you are not going to stop watching the show, so quit crying and face it Sam was a dissapointment. He was great all along but bombed tonight, it happens... They are the best of the best, and someone has to go, you bring it or you dont. I think the judges all had good explanations. Just because you think Sam is cute doesn't mean he made the best most awesome dish of the night. Geeze are the 12 year olds out tonight? I feel like when I read the boards my little girl typed these up. And I have to explain sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. So see you all NEXT SEASON. Go Marcel. Your hardly any kind of bad person or threat just a good cocky chef. All chefs are cocky anyway. That's it. Oh and the pot thing was so pathetic. So very pathetic. It's like are you kids? Marcel is easy to handle and work with. You just have to learn how to roll with different personality types. That is life. Not everyone on the planet is a bowl of cherries to be around, and that is reality. Sometimes your boss is crazy or difficult, etc. but you just have to deal with it, and deal. It just so happened everyone else on the show were little cry babies. Sam and Ilan being the instigators, while keeping themselves very safe. They encouraged Cliff but made sure not to be in the room. Hmmmm.....

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:23 AM

Heather wrote:

Padma,
I think you were the only one that realized that Sam truly deserved to stay. You actually started to tear up when you told him to pack his bags. I wish you would have fought for him a bit more, as I think he is the real Top Chef. And from the likes of many blog postings tonight- it seems 90% of Top chef fans agree that Sam should still be there. At least it looked like you tried... can't say that for the other judges! Too bad, I thought the show was the real deal...

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:24 AM

Rob L wrote:

C'mon. On so many of these blogs, people responding take decisions at the judges table completely personally and the wrong way. You need to give the judges the benefit of the doubt about how the food tastes. They are the only ones tasting it, by the way. The reason why people assume that Marcel's food doesn't measure up is because they watch his behavior or attitude. By that measure, he could have gone home long ago (however...this is not American Idol, and America doesn't vote people off...thankfully).
If this was a cumulative competition, Ilan and Sam would have made the final. Like Chef Tom said on "Watch what happens": Sam had all the ability and tools to be Top Chef, but on that night, he was not in the top two. Unlike those who have sworn to not watch the show because of hate for Marcel (who I hope has a speedy recovery after being hit by a fan in Las Vegas), I will definitely watch the finale because I want to see good food and a good competition.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:26 AM

meagan wrote:

Padma you've been such a great addition to this season..However, after tonight I'm over Top Chef for good..
I expect Bravo to produce reality shows where judgesdo not choose contestents that create dramatic tv...At least apologize to viewers after you've watched the tapes and say you made a mistake...Marcel will never be sucessful business owner because he lacks BASIC social skills that are imperative to being anyones boss...Bad form

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:28 AM

Lisa wrote:

I am still astounded. I cannot believe Sam is gone. I agree with the others in saying that Marcel did not show much in the way of versatility. Foam, foam, foam. You could tell that Sam and Elia both cook from the heart. Ilan has tried to stay the middle of the road most of the way. I almost feel the decision was made before they even entered the challenge. Chef Tom seemed so contradictory, and his facial expression when he said that Sam did not cook anything was nearly condescending.

I felt so heartbroken for Padma. She seemed to disagree with the decisions made.

At this point, I am not sure I will be watching next week, or even next season.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:29 AM

stacey wrote:

It figures Marcel goes on...Sam gets criticized for raw dishes, yet Marcel wins with them...there are just too many inconsistancies...Betty has chunky soup...boom! eliminated...Marcel serves hazardous to your health raw chicken and he's brilliant...It's such a shame that ratings are first and foremost over talent this year...

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:30 AM

Frank wrote:

Hi Padma,

Once again Marcel showed his professionalism over the other 3, and I hope that counted for something. He didn't get together with anyone to trash someone like they did. I never liked Sam much personally but wished he was in the final.
I sincerely hope you are hosting next seasons' show. I really enjoyed your comments tonight when Tom dissed Marcels dish. You stood up for what you felt was right and that shows you have strength and character. Loved it. I also thought Gayles comments were great too. Tom is not good at giving corporates choices and decisions, he's too transparent. Nice guy, but he doesn't lie well. Which is good, really. Anyway, I'm not watching the finale, don't really care, but I can't wait for next season and like I said, I hope you're on it.
Sorry, I forget something. Why do Harold, Sam, and Wong have blogs and for that matter, anything to do with the show? They're over. If you don't say goodbye soon, in a few years there will be hundreds of blogs on here...just a thought...bye for now.
Frank.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:36 AM

Alexis wrote:

I find it unbelievable that Marcel advanced to the finals after all of the shenanigans he pulled the entire season. He sabotaged Sam and Elia tonight by messing with their pots on the stove and then lied to the judges when Ilan and Elia called him on it. Marcel may be a good cook, but he doesn't have the maturity or intellectual ability to run a top-flight restaurant. He would run off all of the help.

If Marcel wins this competition, I will not watch this show again. Tom said it is only about cooking. It is not only about cooking. To me, and I suspect to most of the other viewers, winning the competition is about being qualified to 'build' a top kitchen from the ground up, supply it, staff it, manage it, and finally (maybe) cook. It is about humility and graciousness; Marcel doesn't have either. It is such a tragedy that a really grounded guy and outstanding cook/chef like Sam got booted when Marcel just skated by last week. I felt like the judges were just being nice to allow him to go on the trip. Hopefully, this lousy decision will propel Sam to greater heights. It truly would have been a competition between ADULTS with Ilan (I think he won the most elimination challenges), Sam (I think he had the most quick fire wins) or Elia. It is almost a joke now because if we watch the finale, we have to watch a childish jerk "compete" with a classy individual and good cook. I expected more out of Top Chef.

Sincerely,
Alexis Jarrett
219-865-1276

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:38 AM

cara wrote:

So don't watch. All of these "I don't think I can watch next week if Marcel is in it" comments are ridiculous. Guess what, filming ended months ago, there is nothing Padma can do for you. Turn off Bravo and watch something else then, or wait for Top Design afterwards and get emotionally invested in someone else's life again.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:40 AM

leslie wrote:

hi Padma,
i was totally satisfied with tonights decision, to be honest, i am glad marcel made it to the finale , i never appreciated any of the other chefs behavior towards him, and then in the end elia decides to backstab him as well. marcel if you read this i want you to know i respect that you were always proffesional in any situation and never allowed the comments or treatment of the other chefs to deter you from your goal and i hope you kick ilans but next week (cooking i mean). its never cool to gang up on someone, it feels awful. its been said that marcel lacks the communication skills to make it as top chef, well, what about sams behavior? what about ilans behavior? even elia's, clearly they lack the communication skills to make it as well, i want marcel to win, but in the end the proof is in the puding.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:43 AM

Vic wrote:

I think the word "disgust" is in order. Sam has been the "Top Chef" from the very beginning. It was always great to tune in and watch him get closer to the winner's circle. Your producers decided to exploit the rivalry between Marcel the "weasel" and Ilan the "11th grade home economics student." Your show WAS worth watching. I feel that I will never watch another episode of this rubbish again. You have SOILED the good name of legitimate competition. We might as well be watching Professional Wrestling. Let's see what's on A&E now that Bravo has lost all legitimacy.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:44 AM

trish0220 wrote:

First I am glad to hear you say that. Obviously we who watch only see only what we see, most of it has been people trying to sabotage Marcel. His arrogance frankly has been proven valid with his confidence in his food and presentation. I have no problem with arrogance when it is earned and deserved.

I was shocked and dismayed at Elia tonight, and after being a fan, was glad she went home. She looked like a tattling 1st grader. She spoke of him possibly moving her pan. Well almost every week someone has done something to him to break him. Even during the romantic dinner Ilan took all the burners with his clam dish to help sabotage Marcel, but Marcel worked it out.

People on the blogs have been talking about the behavior in the kitchen what I have seen would have convicted everybody but Marcel tonight. I hope he wins especially over Ilan

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:53 AM

Cheryl wrote:

You have got to be kidding me! Sam is out and Marcel is in? During the entire competition, Sam has been the most consistent Chef; he knows how to run a kitchen; he listens to the challenges. He won the most quick fire rounds and on some rounds produced food in an entirely different class than the rest of the competitors. Marcel, the foam king, could not run a kitchen on this planet. His ideas are NOT innovative but rather repeated week after week. He is more a Top Chef than I am. Sorry folks but I will not be watching the final because frankly I think the judges made decisions based on a rating opportunity, not on talent, style and class. SHAME ON YOU.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:54 AM

Elizabeth Cronin wrote:

I can't add much to what already has been said except the decision tonight was wrong. If it is truly about a "top chef" why would Marcel be picked over Sam? It may not be true, but the outcome appears to be a production setup...one my husband predicted at the beginning of the episode.
Padma, I read that you were hesitant last year because it was a reality show. I never saw it that way until now. It has become a melodramatic, overly edited and produced farce.
Too bad...my family had really enjoyed it.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:57 AM

Susan wrote:

I think the word "disgust" is in order here. The contradictory nature of the Judges' remarks was absolutely absurd. I never thought that Marcel would make it this far; he simply seems too unoriginal and too immature to be in the running for the honor of Top Chef. If Cliff got sent home for treating Marcel in a physically aggressive manner, why was there no reprimand for Marcel's having hit the camera that was fimling him? I don't understand the Judges' deep regard for Marcel, he was my first choice to throw out. Further, Sam has every right to win. He is, by far, the best chef on this season's program. I think this was the first time that I ever noticed that BRAVO itself was consulted in some of the eliminations. Oh, really? You don't say. Since it seems obvious that this was done only for some drama that may or may not boost ratings I think this might be the one decision that BRAVO can take almost sole responsibility for. Unfortunately, I think it would have been a better move to leave the integrity in the show. I know that at least at my house, for the first time this season, my TV will not be tuned to BRAVO's Top Chef next Wednesday. Had integrity been left in the mix, my family and I would have found the finale more palatable. Good luck to all, I hate to see a good reward go to waste on unworthy winners.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:58 AM

Liz wrote:

The show was fun but it seems obvious that it was all staged and set up by the producers to induce these types of responses. It appeared to me that Marcel worked fine with his co-workers at the restaurant in Las Vegas. He was probably told to act conceited and superior order to get under the other chefs' skins, so to speak. How cheesily dramatic! How sordid! How typical! It's a shame that so-called "reality" shows can't even be real. Why not abandon all pretense of reality and turn the show into a Lifetime Original Movie? Chefs of both genders could rape each other, they could be eliminated through salmonella poisoning and mysterious kitchen fires, and harsh judges could suddenly become paralyzed and asphyxiated by eating fugu. Now That's Entertainment!!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:59 AM

Charles wrote:

Let me get this right Savanna, you go on Ilan's credentials (ok he is a line cook at one to Mario Batali's Restaurants) while you discount Marcel credentials (he is a Master chef at on of Las Vegas Best Restaurants)! And Elia and Sam who have been behind several dirty trick of there own on Marcel, protect by the producers with Ilan because they (the producers) believe they were liked by the public better (remember the first poll of the season, who do you like best and who is this years villain). And just what has Marcel done in the kitchen to cause you to dislike him so much, from everthing that other have seen... Nothing!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:02 AM

patrick smith wrote:

Padma,
Your fairness in the final decision was well accepted by me . While Marcell may rub some the wrong way,to many viewers have made the show into a beauty contest and not a cooking challenge.Marcell is the real deal,besides being inovative in his dishes he steps up and brings his type of ideas to whatever the challenge is Good luck to Marcll.If everything on the show were to be judged by the TV viewers than I`m sure that Sam would have won.By example if the show was judged by humorous events rather than cooking ,Mike would win.The way its done now is the only fair way to do it. Keep up the good work...can`t wait till next week.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:02 AM

patrick wrote:

I think Padma was right on with her comment about why anyone should care about how Marcel took so long to describe his dishes. I think that from watching the show that Marcel is that one person that everyone has grow up around that just rubs you wrong with his arrogance and demeanor( if he says stoked one more time...) but I believe he is a fierce competitor that did not come on the show to meet people or become part of a clique, but to do what looks like he has spent a good portion of his life preparing for. I think he is a total pain in the ass but I would put him ahead of Elan because he hasn't hidden behind anyone like Elan tonight by speaking up saying Elia has something to say and putting her on the spot. She was a total class act the whole show right up to that point.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:02 AM

Lynn wrote:

I've blogged everywhere else tonight but one more time...Sam is by far BY FAR the Top chef. What were they thinking, because I could see your opinion was voted down as was Chef Wong's. Ratings and controversy rule. I'm so disappointed in my favorite show, I could cry. It's obviously not a meritocracy. At this point, I could care less who wins. Let's let it be chemical boy, what the hell, he gets the sympathy vote. You all threw the finest chef in the competition out and his runner-up behind him. Count me out for the last episode just like most of your other former viewers.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:04 AM

david wrote:

quote
... I can believe you sent Sam (or insert whoever here) home...
unquote

People.... I am talking to the people who left all these comments. How can you all swear by one contestant or another when none of you have eaten the food that they cooked for the competition?

Competition decisions are always going to be controversial. But, please... can you guys leave the judging to the judges? They eat the food. Let them do their jobs.

I have a nagging feeling that the overwhelming support for Sam (or insert any other appropriate name here).. is coming from women (or men) who are just enamored with his personality/looks for whatever reason...

It's about the food. Pure and simple.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:06 AM

Jenna Sperl wrote:

I always thought a top chef was someone who was a great chef, that others wanted to work with and who inspired others to cook. Obviously Marcel is none of those. Throughout the entire show he has been the only one who did not get along with others and his actions in the kitchen were unprofessional. And i'm sorry but i don't want to eat a dish that has been prepared with various chemicals. Sam should be in the finale he is everything a top chef should be.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:06 AM

Amy RJ wrote:

Dear Padma,
You seem to be the most sincere judge...it didn't look as if you wanted to send Sam home. Hopefully true...but why did the judges vote to send him home after all the challenges he won? Isn't it like the A student getting a B on the final and fluncking him and then taking the C student who got an A on the finale and giving him a chance at a scholarship... think about it. Doesn't really seem fare.
Amy

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:09 AM

Marie wrote:

I am so disapointed in your choice tonight. What were you guys thinking? Sam has consistently been dead on with his food, mature, a leader and focused on being a professional not a petty child. How did you let one time overshadow all that he had done. He was even the most mature at the end when it became the childish blame game. That you would allow the 2 most immature people to advance to Top Chef. I think Marcel has proven himself and matured over the course of the show, BUT ELAN??? Over SAM? HOW? BAD BAD BAD. Forget the last episode. I could care less. You guys have now lost credability. Sad.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:10 AM

david wrote:

Oh, and one more thing... what's up with all these accusations at the judge's table????.... Such "unsportsmanly" conduct is disgusting. If you have a problem with a fello contestant's behavior, please take it up with the judges/organizers as soon as the incident occurs... If you haven't done that, and have no corroborative evidence to back up your accusations, please SHUT UP. ...Any other choice of actions is probably unwise since it only makes you look bad.

Cliff left because he physically manhandled another contestant. Comparing his actions to other unpleasant behavior in the kitchen takes a real stretch of imagination. Imagine a 250 pound, self-admitted "you-hater" dragging you out of bed and pinning you down!!!!

And when did annoying behavior get confused with actual cheating? Being pushy and competitive is NOT cheating. It is being pushy and competitive. But, this is a competition, right?? ..... People who can't take the heat shouldn't be in the kitchen. It's like playing football and expecting your opponents to be gentle with you!!!! grow up people....

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:11 AM

Laila wrote:

I am psyched that Marcel is still competing to be top chef and that Elia and Sam had to pack their knives and go! The way that the other three so called "chefs" tried to tell on Marcel using his behavior as an excuse is totally lame. If i had a whole group of people ganged up on me, i'd have a cocky attitude too! It was a horrible way to go for them. I had lost my respect for Sam, Elia, and Ilan from the previous episode when they watched Marcel be harrassed by Cliff. But even until the end they were after him. Even if Marcel doesn't win the title of Top Chef-the fact that he remained in the competition longer than almost all of the other chefs is satisfying in itself. Rock on Marcel!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:13 AM

Shell wrote:

What exactly do you know about cooking?

Your comments at judge's table should embarass you.....sorry.

You are not their mother...their guide...their supervisor...don't act as such....HOST...provides commentaries on what is occuring....that should be all

"poor Marcel.." thought he was a grown man...capable of caring for himself......

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:21 AM

Michael wrote:

Most weeks I was left really anticipating the next week's show. But tonight was different. I find a cook off between Ilan and Marcel to be terribly uninteresting. The problem is you rate the chefs on one meal in a single elimination approach without reference to their total performance. It's based on that one meal that moment. That may work when there is a larger group, but it fails the show in the final four. Why? Imagine if you have one chef that wins every challenge until the final four contestants are left. Then that chef does not win for the first time in tonight’s episode and he gets cut for that one meal, then you are not going to end up with the Top Chef. Especially considering he may be getting eliminated by a Chef that made it through safely week by week, but who actually won few of the challenges. For Season 3, you should consider the numbers at the final's table in some manner. Padma alluded to this by mentioning that Sam won the most Elimination Challenges and Ilan won the most Quick Fire Challenges (I think that's how she said it) This would improve the suspense because each week, you don't just win, you accumulate some added benefit in the finals. Also, this way even if you win the Quick Fire and have immunity, you still really do care about wining the Elimination Challenge. Finally, when it comes to the finals you won't eliminate a person that should be a Top Chef because even though they've been dominating the entire time, that one dish was minutely less good as somebody who got lucky. I may catch the show next week, but I doubt it. Why? Because it's NOT about the food. It's about the Chef. The name of the show is not Top Food.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:31 AM

Madhuri wrote:

Padma..firstly wanted to say Vanakkam!

I really felt you compassion for the two eliminated and I think you did a fantastic job as the host of Top Chef this season. Also I think Tom is a fair and knowledgeable judge who seems to always be the voice of reason while you are the voice of compassion.

I think the others have given Marcel a very hard time. Especially Ilan who seems to take a sinister joyous pleasure in trying to pick on Marcel. I think the final two should have been Sam and Marcel. Sam has consistently done well, and his dessert sounds and looks heavenly. And with the exception of one small fight with Marcel, Sam seems very mature and tries to bring peace..so hes an amazing chef and good team player. I really think its unfortunate he's gone. Can't wait to see who wins, but now that one of my faves is gone(Sam), I am rooting for Marcel.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:37 AM

Monica wrote:

I am so pleased that Marcel in in the final two; I look forward to his winning the competition. The others, IMO, have behaved horribly; it's a valuable lesson in group dynamics and the crowd mentality--the worst kind. Your explanation for Elia's behavior is right on the money. I can only imagine what it would have been like if Stephen, not Marcel, had been in this season instead of the first. (But then Stephen would have mopped the floor with them, literally.)

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:41 AM

John wrote:

Well, this episode will be my last Top Chef. The fact that they have blatantly "created" a phony ultra-dramatic finale is so appalling and leaves a terrible taste in my mouth (pun intended). To allow the Mad Foam Scientist to compete in the final episode of Top Chef is so Real World/Road Rules-esque and so stereotypical of reality based television. I expected more from Top Chef. 18 foams, 13 gelées, and a chemically induced poi does not make a Top Chef. Brash, abrasive, immature, and down right unlikeable will not make me watch a show. You can even top it off with a Heat Miser coiffure and I'm still not interested. He was in the bottom three on and off throughout the season and was always saved by boring television producers with MBAs, who already had the Barnum and Bailey style posters printed up for their "perfect" grand finale. I'm not buying it, and I will never watch Top Chef again. It was fun while it lasted.

Sam and Ilan are the final two, period.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:44 AM

betaty degrauwe wrote:

Savanna, "Marcel is far too competitive"? Put ME in a competition with a $100,000 grand prize (amongst other gopodies) and I'll show you COMPETITIVENESS! That is the very name of the game, COMPETITION, and with the extraordinary array of prizes going to the winner, let alone the $100,000--THE COMPETITORS BETTER BE PUTTING ALL THE COMPETITION THEY HAVE IN THEIR BODIES INTO IT IF THEY HOPE TO WIN. Competiton is the name of the game "TOP CHEF COMPETITION"--how can you think anyone is TOO competitive? Just doesn't make any sense, sorry. No, there was no Harold in this season's competition, and never will be again..Harold is Harold, Marcel is Marcel, Sam is Sam, etc. This is about individuals, not clones. And all chefs are indeed individuals in their own rights. Ever watch Gordon Ramsey? Would you want two or more of him? Thank God for the unique characters of each and every one of us, chefs included!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:47 AM

ANN K wrote:

I HOPE YOU GUYS LEARN YOUR LESSON FROM YOUR FANS WHO ARE SO P.O'D THAT YOU LET SAM GO. That was so unfair that you cheated so many of us fans of the show. We are the reason your show exists and stays on air. This season has been crazy and an emotional roller coaster. Can't you see things from our perspective and take that into account? WHY Can't you judge the FINALE chefs based on THEIR all around skill? Personal and Cooking? They need to show leadership and a track record to prove that they are an ALL AROUND TOP CHEF, not just a good cook for 1 show. That is just DUMB and unfair to the chefs who have proven to be on top for pretty much the whole season. ILAN and SAM would have been a worthwile challenge to see. AAAAAUUGH! I hope you make serious improvements for season 3 and change your judging tactics. PLEASE!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:50 AM

Karma wrote:

Padma it was obvious that this judging was emotionally hard for you; so I wanted to tell you I thought you handled it very well and brought a sincere and respectable conclusion to this finale. I have enjoyed your tender and honest responses this season. It seems to me you have beauty on the outside and in, and that's rare. So thank you for bringing a nurturing and compassionate aspect to the show.

The behaviors of the chefs have obviously been disappointing on a human level, and decisions by Bravo producers to feature and exploit it made it more so…this lowered what could otherwise have been a more respectable show. I hope in the future they screen for more mature contestants and focus more on the actual cooking.

All that said, I think the judges made good decisions. Marcel has been treated unfairly and it is nice to know that when only considering the food, he was vindicated by advancing to the final. Ilan needs to work on his maturity and bring it up to the level of his food. I think he has been vindictive, manipulative and hateful and those are not admirable traits for a chef who oversees a staff of differing personalities in a kitchen. It was especially nice in the beginning of the show to see Marcel at home with his friends. I think it was a good reminder that he has people in his life that care about him and enjoy his company. He is a person with feelings just like anyone else…something that was overlooked by his fellow chefs in their hateful attitudes towards him. I am hoping Marcel wins because I think he sincerely deserves it.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:52 AM

Charlotte wrote:

I think the fact that Marcel routinely sabotages the other chefs is more than pertinent. To ignore that is to ignore the qualities that make up a great chef. There are no chefs in any restaurant anywhere in the world who work alone. He turned off ovens set by other chefs, removed pots from ranges, took up more than his fair share of space in the kitchen and refused to move over for the next guy.
Basically, the judges ignored the animosity building among ALL the other chefs toward Marcel. It didn't happen in a vacuum. Everyone else managed to get along well enough and behave in a courteous and fair manner toward each other in the kitchen and at home. Clearly, the TC producers made it clear to the "judges" that Marcel should stay in the competition for the purpous of keeping ratings high.
I won't watch the finale, and I doubt I'll tune into the next season.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:54 AM

curious wrote:

TopChef? As every Bourdain reader knows, being a TopChef has nothing to do with being polite and gracious. But you have to be passionate about your food and you have to be uncompromising on your kitchen. Sam, check. Elia, check. Ilan, mmm, maybe. Marcel? Oh please. Nope, and actually the opposite. As a foodie in a town with lots of great restaurants, I would expect that Sam's kitchen would be one of the biggest draws in the city--and well deserved. And who wouldn't be moved by the passion and heart and perfectionism that would come on every plate from an Elia kitchen? But Marcel? If Marcel works in a kitchen here, he needs to stay hidden back in the line -- because if he comes out front, the smarm will spoil appetites everywhere. With an attitude like that ... I wouldn't even trust his food. He seems like the kind of cook who would doctor your meal if he didn't like you. Or serve you raw chicken and blame you for not liking it! No thanks. Open your Marcel kitchen in YOUR town. And I'll be happy to sign up months in advance for a reservation at Sam's place right here. TopChef? Yeah right.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:57 AM

becky wrote:

good luck with the show. I'm done.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:58 AM

Mark Vernon wrote:

I can't believe the rest of the Judges let Tom bully them about Sam's dishes. It was apparant from the footage of the Judges Table that Tom had made up his mind that Sam must go. One bit of advise or consider it a suggestion. That you review your own video of the contestants in the kitchen. Marcel turned of burners, altered temps and during the episode that required caloric limitations, Marcel is aledgedly running around the kitchen with a sqeeze bottle of olive oil. You have cameras in the kitchen use them to weed out the cheats. I really enjoyed the first season of top chef, because unlike Hell's Kitchen the chefs seemed to be held to a standard of honesty. But this season has been a disappointment with Tom way to full of himself. I will not be watching the finale. Don't care, its all staged, for ratings. How sad.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 1:59 AM

Bill Ragsdale wrote:

I agree , for the most part, with your comments for THIS evening. You defended my favorite, Sam, weakly and this disappointed me. Generally, I have not enjoyed your participation in this series, HOWEVER, I have to say that this season has spoiled me for the show altogether. Someone must have beguiled you all into making a spiced up drama rather than a true competition.
You commented about the anguish you had during the decision time, pointing out the video'd segment. This makes me believe that you all monitor the chefs as well. You know that Marcel had no business being in the final round and it makes me doubt the judge's integrity.
Bad end to a formerly great show.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:02 AM

Melissa Gilbert wrote:

I join in the group of OUTRAGED watchers of Top Chef who find it DISTURBING and CLEARLY UNFAIR that Sam has been eliminated rather than Marcel. You clearly have ignored the luau guests' reaction to the food. Also, Tom you said yourself that you expected people who are chefs to be role models. What kind of role model is Marcel??? He is a truly selfish arrogant person who would be a terrible Top Chef. Sam and Ilan deserve to be going head to head based on their performance over the course of the competition.

BRAVO TV, you are disgraceful for allowing your "production decisions" to interfere with what had been a great show up till now.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:17 AM

Interplanet Janet wrote:

I don't think Marcel is the best chef, but I so hate the other chefs because of last week. You go, Marcel! Win it and make those jerks pay.

As for Top Chef, I can't handle it anymore. This show kills my heart. You prove that humanity is as ugly as I suspect it is and in spite of the fact that I loved Season 1 so much, this season was a soul destroyer. After the finale I'm out. Sorry you had to be a part of this debacle of a season, Padma. You deserve better.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:19 AM

Lisa wrote:

It seems that the judges always say that their decision is based on the food, but they have repeatedly let Marcel pass because of his risk-taking and innovation, even when the food was not good. Although it is important as a chef to take risks, that should only carry a person so far. When he continued to take risks, but not produce good tasting food he should have been cut. I thought it was interesting that chef Wong and Padma both criticized his dish and said they weren't huge fans of his food, but he was chosen for the finals anyway. In contrast, no one initially had criticism for Sam's dish, but he got the boot anyway.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:20 AM

JAMES wrote:

Padmas - I disagree with the judges decision in the part 1 finale and I think your face after the decisions had been made completely said to the viewers you are not in agreement with who is in the part 2 of the finale for top chef. HANDS DOWN Marcel does not deserve to be there for his cooking alone. It's all smoke and mirrors with him no substance. Sam and Elan need to be the final 2 competing their past performance proves it. I will still watch but sorry I think your credibility and integrity as a judge is seriously tarnished here. Your comments however about Elia on this blog are spot on.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:22 AM

ab wrote:

WHAT IS A TOP? a TOP is someone who carves the way for others to follow. So do the judges believe young chefs should be following in the footsteps of Marcel and Elan? Is that where cooking is going? to chemicals, gossip warfare and creative hairstyles? What happened to integrity, honor and great mature preparation to deliver creative, consistent yummy good food?

As a New Yorker, who frequents more TOP restaurants than I would willingly admit, I'm shocked to find this as the defintion of a TOP chef.

WHAT IS A TOP? - truly, it is clear in the moniker & very defintion of the prefix TOP: be it chef, leader, executive, mother, father, or president - a mature, ethical role model. That's what a TOP SHOULD be. In this case, TOP CHEF, and in this episode, neither was this honor upheld, nor was the integrity or respect of the food, prepration, delivery, or maturity upheld from those preparing, delivering & YES, those JUDGING the food.

Without the benefits of "Emeril's smellivision", I had believed the show to be about taste, presentation and integrity. This is all we have as viewers. The selection of the judges truly shows that these merits were not considered (in all senses of those words).

The judges did not heed integrity and instead heeded ratings.
Padma's favorism for the underdog (Marcel) was apparent throughout her early blog entries, and perhaps plays too much into her personal beliefs (ref for the cognoscenti : her similar to her support of of a brilliant, yet persecuted individual, which Ayn Rand readers would agree: is truefully right, yet falsely wronged). A slight backtracking was dulfully noted in this edited episode (weren't they runny?), yet does not explain the Marcel cradling that occured in the early episodes that got him this far.

To be fair to the judges, some of the chef's did not uphold the integrity of the title, as much as their initial intentions and heart would have. And yes, this rapt audience must be disappointed in Elia's lack of follow through for bringing up Marcel's "cheating'. If you potentially comromise a chef's food by moving it from a burner (on or not) or if you compromise their food by messing with their mind - that's not moral, and it's not honest. I would certainly consider that cheating and wished Elia would have followed through with historical eveidence. Elia should have either followed through or not brought it up. On the other hand,

Sam has shown consistency throughout the show, not fallen into the wayward and wanton ways of gossip, and THAT is the true sign of a TOP chef (and leader). But still, to end up with Elan and
Marcel. ? Again, is that's who you want as our role models?

I certainly would not want either of these final TOP nominees serving me food based on their ethics, behavior, or thoughtfulness.

Under the premise that "it was all about the food" - this episode has certainly failed, and plays against to very same audience that they've known they have captured in the last 2 seasons (and have just potentially lost with this last episode).

I will indeed also be abandoning this show after being a loyal viewer for all episodes, all seasons, finding it to be a distasteful, unpalatable & fickle case of corporate viewmanship and ratings.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:24 AM

Rush wrote:

I dont think I even want to watch the finals....Its more of stupid fight rather than an awesome cooking competition...
Cannot believe this.....This show is going down.....
So many things are unfair...Sam seems like such a great chef, he's always been so nice to everyone else...he has been winning so many challenges....Why did he get eliminated?
And are you kidding me Marcel is going to be in the finale? He is absolutely immature.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:27 AM

nick byassee wrote:

I have really enjoyed you as a host this season. I disappointed that you were not stonger in your views for the final 2. I have been a loyal fan of each season and planned my Weds. evening around this show. I will not be watching the final show and may not watch next season because of your fellow judges pick. I think the selection was poorly thought out and a big let down for your viewers.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:28 AM

vm wrote:

It's obvious that the decision to keep Marcel is for the ratings. The comment that one of the judges made in the last episode was very telling. Although Marcel did not do well in that competition as well as many others before, the juges decided to let him go to Hawaii because he 'was interesting' or they wanted to see what interesting thing he could do in Hawaii. They definitely made exceptions for him that they did not do for any of the other three. As such, why go on with the competition when you have already decided who the winner will be or given Marcel an edge over anyone else. I guess he makes for a better show.

It's also interesting how you the judges have been so inconsistent in their definition of what a Top Chef should be. I should not have been surprised since this is a Bravo production. This show has turned out to be parallel to another Bravo reality show - Project Runway. In that show, the judges also made many exceptions for Jeffrey, who had many horiible designs and had a disrepectful personality and manners, go on to the finale because he was 'interesting' and they wanted to see what he could do. He went on to win the show despite his many failures in design and interaction with the other competitors.

These shows message seems to convey that being nasty, disrespectgul, and condescending are the traits one must have in order to win.

I stopped watching that show. If Marcel wins this show, I will do the same.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:30 AM

Mike Tyler wrote:

You know, I've read the blogs and seen how consistently you guys say that it is about the food not contrived staged events. In this case I think it was pretty obvious that what you guys wanted was a final in which the tension would be as important as the food. Elia, clearly seemed weaker than the others and deservedly had to go now. Elan equally clearly had proven time and time again that he deserved the final. That leaves Sam and Marcel.

With Elan in the final there would be tension and controversy with only one of the two. Marcel. He goes in by default because you guys and probably the producers wanted conteoversy in the final. And Sam gets the boot

Shameful, just shameful

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:32 AM

nigel wrote:

How bizarre the last epidsode. Sam was by far the best chef with Elan a close second. I can only guess the judges were influenced by the producers who think (and rightly so) that a finale with Marcel would create drama. Bottom line if Marcel wins I'll never watch Top Chef again, thats just taking it too far.

Salman you lucky, lucky .....

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:36 AM

Tim wrote:

You know what people? This is about the food - not the chef. Marcel is a dick, but he's a talented dick. And so far, his food has been the most impressive. Yea, he overuses foam. So what - the kid sticks with what he knows. How is that any different from Ilan overusing spanish flavors (particularly saffron - which he uses CONSTANTLY). How is that any different from Sam overusing pickled ingredients?

Marcel is an ass, but the guy has skills. Stop hating the guy for who he is, and start liking him for what he does. You people are nothing but shallow jackasses. Shallow jackasses trying to turn a competition of skills into a popularity contest. You all ought to be ashamed.

THANK YOU Padma for giving this guy - however much of an ass he is - the credit he deserves. I loved you since S2 started because I knew you were a woman of integrity, with a pallate that can be trusted, that cared about what REALLY mattered. I hope you stay on for S3.

ps. I live in Vegas and hope to find the day I get to enjoy a meal by Marcel. (And Elia, for that matter - Mandalay is right down the street. ;)

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:38 AM

Tara wrote:

I feel that there was a miscarriage of justice on tonights show. Marcel won through skulduggery and FOAM for the love of god. He has the personality of a rusty kitchen knife and would alienate everyone involved in a restaraunt that he had contol of. You can't be a Top Chef if people won't do their best for you, and they WON'T for Marcel.
It was also strange to hear all of you say negative things about Marcel's pineapple poi ( all be they minor ) and then after talking to the contestants, pronounce it a success.
Sam and Ilan were the clear winners. You all just wanted the ratings that the feud between Ilan and Marcel will generate. Have a nicetime. Happy cooking. I doubt I will ever watch this program again.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:40 AM

lizzie from Maui, HI wrote:

I really really believed in Sam and I really thought that it's truly unfair for him and his talent to be sent home just like that. Thank you Padma for defending him but I guess it wasn't good enough. I surely did see your tears tonight, it must have been real hard for you to tell Sam to leave because I know that you, too, believed in him. But still, I can't imagine Marcel in the finals. It should have been Sam and Ilan, period. To Sam, I hope you read this, goodluck and be PROUD!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:41 AM

Jennifer wrote:

I have watched the entire season but haven't joined in the discussion until now. You may have gotten to know and like the cast this season, Padma, but from the viewer's perspective, the cast, as edited, seemed like a pretty dislikeable group. Where were the decent souls of last year?

I have read all of the comments about what a great cook Sam is compared to Marcel, how much more mature he is, etc., and how it must be just ratings hype that led to this finale. But I cheered when Sam was eliminated. He is a snake in the grass, encouraging everyone else to act out their childishness and hate so that he can stand back and appear to rise above it. (Think agreeing to the head shaving prank and then watching the assault on Marcel from the sofa; think encouraging Elia to speak out tonight and then standing in the line saying nothing while she looked foolish). I call that manipulation, not leadership.

As betwen Ilan and Marcel, it is Marcel who deserves to win. He is focused and has been better able to rise above adversity. He also apparently cooks good food.

Better luck picking the cast next season. I really like you as the host.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:41 AM

Sam S. wrote:

I was utterly shocked after watching this Finale part1 episode. Astonished was understatement. It seems like Chef Alan Wong's opinions were kind of being dismissed. Especially when he mentioned that Sam's dish was by far the best and a true fusion between traditional hawaiian food and his own signature. Also, I disagree on the part of Sam "NOT COOKING ANYTHING". Just because he didn't use HEAT to "COOK" doesn't mean he didn't cook anything. I just think that's a bit of an ignorant comment coming from a professional chef. No offense...
I maybe not a professional chef and not quite understand about the chemical mixtures in the culinary world. But, as a consumer, I would rather have my food coming from the organic form and seasoning instead of cooking up from a lab or chemical induced.
It just seems like the decision was made because of the consideration of the rating. More conflicts, more viewers. Sorry to be so harsh, but that's what I truly feel after this episode. It was disappointing..... on the judges' and show producers' decision tonight.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:41 AM

Kendra Bruno wrote:

My husband and I have watched this program since it first started. I can honestly say that as of tonight's conclusion, this will no longer be the case.
I was thrilled to see Harold win last year. He was, to me, the best and most deserving of all candidates based on his performance AND his personality.
In the kitchen, personality DOES matter. I am sorry Tom, but you SHOULD care about what happens in the kitchen on your show. Behavior matches talent, integrity, worthiness and success. Sam clearly should have been in the finals. We will not watch the finale based on your decisions.
Sam was consistantly a good chef, a good team player and an honorable person. While I had great respect for all of those involved in the production of this program, it was lost on what happened this evening. I am not certain how this happened, but I believe that this was a complete failure to do what was right, especially by Sam. I wish him well and my guess is, the success he has in the future will far surpass anything he would have gained from being your Top Chef.
Comments from a Previous Loyal Fan!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:42 AM

ricky wrote:

its good to see that you have feelings about how this hawii trip trnd out cant wait to get them all back together again for there littel chats ha ha how would i go about giving a new type of top chef show it would be a cool one it would be where the chefs would get mad or help the littil guy bring in a trainer and let him win the top fires and all that stuff while they ether get upset or they will say whats going on

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:47 AM

Becky wrote:

So, so incredibly disappointed. Top Chef producers, judges, who-ever is in charge of making such a wrong decision please be advised you lost many (much needed) fans tonight. I have been with you from the first episode of the first season and never missed a one. Now however I do not feel I will be back for any future episodes, including and especially the finale. I feel the integrity and uniqueness of this show has been deeply compromised by such a strange and clearly undeserved choice of the final two. I wish I could cancel my subscription to Food and Wine as well.
I feel like I've lost a good friend.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:48 AM

Debby wrote:

I was in complete shock and disbelief when I watched tonight's show. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SENT SAM HOME! He should have been named Top Chef. He has been consistently in the top of the competition. Why the heck would you guys keep Marcel? I feel that it should matter how they conduct themselves' in the kitchen. If you are going to be in charge of a restaurant you need to conduct yourself with a certain amount of professionalism, and it is clear that Marcel is definitely lacking that.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:50 AM

Suejin wrote:

This was my first season of Top Chef and I'm not a television watcher, but I became devoted to this show. I enjoy that the show features innovative challenges, ambitious food, and yes I do love the drama and the fun.

I think each week my opinion of who I wanted to see go to the final would waver a bit, but I was pretty happy with the final four because I wanted to see what each of them would come up with. I'm disapointed to see some of the personality conflicts revealing themselves in a last minute attempt at what? What was that? A desperate attempt at tipping the scales in their favor? Each of those 3 are so talented that it's embarrassing to see them distract from their skills by targeting Marcel. They may have legitimate complaints, but wasn't there another more appropriate avenue for them to approach the judges with these concerns?
I'll be tuning in for the finale although some of my enthusiasm drained out knowing that Sam won't be competing. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him around though, and I hope you return next season as a host and judge. I really appreciated your encouraging and nurturing attitude towards the contestants.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:52 AM

Christine wrote:

I am extremely disappointed that Sam was eliminated and that Marcel made it to the finale. It is abundantly apparent that Marcel does not have what it takes to inspire a staff and to be called Top Chef. Part of being a leader is to manage, motivate and command respect, qualities, which Marcel is severely deficient.

In subsequent seasons of Top Chef, you need to have a challenge that clearly showcases the contestant’s leadership and managerial qualities; even more than in the past.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:53 AM

Jason wrote:

All you whiners over Marcel need to give it up. I am rooting for him to the end! Sam was nothing more than a pretty boy batting his eyelashes at Gail and Padma. Elia can barely speak english and doesn't understand that you cook food for people not yourself. And if anyone in this competition is arrogant it's Ilan and I can't wait to see him lose! GO MARCEL!!!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 2:56 AM

linda wrote:

I am amazed that the best chef throughout the competition was eliminated.

Also, the judges told the chefs to add their influences to Hawaiian cooking, yet Elia's additions were too much?

Marcel was original and scientific about his approach to food. He was also consistent. But did he win throughout the series? No.

This is all very subjective. We get it.

Use make-up and hair people between takes next season. Your women are melted and messy. The men need some grooming too.
Heat is part of cooking. But as viewers we are used to seeing people appear fresh and combed.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:00 AM

shari wrote:

yes, you're pretty and a better host than last year's Katie Lee Robot. BUT- you made a huge mistake tonight. what a load of crap this show turned into. I have no respect left for any of you judges. Sam really was the Top Chef, I don't care who the other competitor would have been.

also, please- I beg you- start using the handy built-in SPELL and GRAMMAR CHECK buttons before posting any future blogs. you'll seem much smarter.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:04 AM

prash wrote:

Judgement today was fair,Marcel is just misinterpreted person,who's trying all it takes to stay strong and be focused on food.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:08 AM

ricky wrote:

let me state this it is top chef not top bitching show, folks you can stop watching if you want but win you dont try and stand for your dish and learn then get out of the kitchen to the chef thats been one for 20 years what kitchen to you work in? in those years you mean to tell me you havent work with marcils type look in the mirro your coustermer is allways right and the food is a number onev

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:08 AM

Michelle wrote:

What was the reasoning for eliminating Sam? Did you just keep him around for yourself to have some eye candy? I think not. The judges liked him overall the entire competition, and the final two should not be based around one meal. Does a quaterback only have one chance to make a touchdown in an entire career? Nope...it takes more than one game (plate) to truly show character of a true champion. No need to watch next week.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:10 AM

Cheena wrote:

i am not disappointed by you and the judges' decision. Marcel has stayed true to himself this whole entire competition while ilan (despite his creative dishes) took the chameleon role. sweet and kind in front of the judges table but behind the kitchen, he's this rotten spirit, scheming pathetic excuses just to get Marcel eliminated. that is not "top chef" behavior AT ALL. personally, i think of ilan as that kind of chef that would smile at your face but spit on your dish if he hated you. i don't worry too much about Sam, because all of us know he is a great chef that holds a lot of potential. he will go far, no doubt. i trust that yourself and the judges will make the right choice for the elimination finale. i'm sure all you professionals know the difference between good and evil, ...between truth and ilan. oops, i meant LIE.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:10 AM

R. Christian Anderson wrote:

Padma.... until tonight, I seriously thought you were still a bit awkward in your Top Chef role... but tonight, YOU ROCKED! I totally agreed with your reasoning and I also think you're on target about Marcel. One thing about Marcel is that although he brags about himself, he speaks with mischief in his eyes and I have never heard him say anything behind anyones back. On the other hand, whats with all the nasty and dangerous pranks and backstabbing? My real sadness in the Hawaiian episode is that Ilan was able to get Elia to complain about Marcel so he wouldn't have to do it.. and then he barely agrees with her. I was really disappointed in Elia, because I was her biggest fan after Josie was voted off (which I still think was a huge mistake). Elia went nuts shaving her head, trashing Marcel with Ilan and Sam last week and then this week went slamming Marcel at the judges table was very sad to me. She is a better person than that. In the end, I was hoping Sam would win along with Marcel because I think Sams dish was a better tribute to Hawaii than Ilan's heavily Spanish influenced items. I liked that you stood up to Tom. You were right about food not having to be heated up to be considered being cooked. I also think Sam has far superior leadership ability than Ilan. Nice to see your personality come out tonight!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:16 AM

Lyle Castillo wrote:

I guess in the end it is all about ratings though with your two finalist you may lose the ratings race. Here in Hawaii we are not only about the food but about the people...good people..I cannot believe that Marcel is a finalist, and in Hawaii since he is definitely not about people or food for that matter either. I guess it is more important to showcase rivalry, conflict and conflicting personalities then "TOP CHEFS" since you sent home the two top chefs...Auwe, with what you find as important for the show to be viewed you should've had it anywhere else but Hawaii, here the importance is in People, the Aloha Spirit and our Special Foods...aloha.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:20 AM

Lyle Castillo wrote:

Another suggestion...since we view food as an International language lets make sure that we pronounce and put into text the correct spelling for foods we are trying to portray. We here in Hawaii eat nothing called lumi lumi and Laulau and luau are completely different from lua...remember that mispronounciation of words and misspelling of words can become completely different in meaning and perhaps offending in their usage...aloha.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:31 AM

Richard wrote:

That's the last episode for me. Marcel has made a poor showing throughout and has truly been an example of a bad apple spoiling the barrel. Never helpful, never cohesive, disruptive, making the same tired techno stuff week after week. This is all about ratings, not about food. Too bad. Sam was a good chef and leader, the best all around this season.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:41 AM

wendy motta wrote:

I thought sending Sam home instead of Elan was a poor choice. We watch the show in a large venue here in the ATL, and I know for a fac tthat atleast 340 epople in here will not be watching the season finale. There is no excitement in watching Elan and Marcel compete. It would havebeen much better to see Sam and Marcel.
Also, it gets very tiring to see Tom Colicchio be so emotional in his judging. It seems he judges more on wether he likes someone than on their talents.
I saw Padma show signs of keeping Sam and all of us concurred.
Can't Tom be sent home instead?
Good job on hosting the show Padma - atleast you bring some glamour and real brains...

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:42 AM

cricket6 wrote:

I for one also feel as the majority does in this last episode. I can't believe Sam was eliminated and Marcel goes on. In one episoode Padma states she likes Marcel and wanted to see what he could do in Hawaii. This makes him Top Chef? Do you really want someone such as him protraying Top Chef? I was under the impression that Top Chef was about how/what they cooked, the risks that the Chefs took in making their dishes. Not getting this far just because someone liked a Chef.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 3:53 AM

Chris wrote:

I was surprised by the elimination decision in Part 1 of the Hawaiian. I agreed with the decision to send Elia home, but I was shocked that Sam went home and not Marcel.

Maybe, Marcel's poi was very delicious, although Padma seemed less than impressed by it when she described it as runny and too sweet. Watching Marcel make it on television gave me the impression of pineapple-flavored Cool Whip; it just didn't seem very appetizing. His fish dish looked tasty, but not extraordinary. Sam's divine-looking dessert was one of the favorite dishes at the lual and everyone seemed to agree his poke was very good. It seemed Sam was criticized for not wanting to overpower the fish with yuzu seasoning. Overall, Sam has really done better than Marcel throughout the entire competition. In any event, his dishes in the lual elimination challenge just seemed better than Marcel's food.

Ilan's food seemed interesting and apparently was very well-received. I agree his dessert might have been prettier, but it still looked good, and it apparently tasted wonderful, which is what really counts.

As for the drama in the kitchen during the show, I did think Marcel was purposefully turning off the other contestants burners and moving their pots. I can understand how he might have moved Ellia's pot because he thought she was done cooking her food, but he seemed to "accidentally" move all three of the other contestants pots and/or shut off their burners so that I just didn't think his actions were unintentional. Nonetheless, I think Elia would have done better just to let it go after she confronted him.

I do think some of the contestants have overreacted to Marcel's obnoxious behavior, and I certainly do not condone being threatening toward anyone (by the way, I am referring to the screeching and cursing at Marcel, not the shaving incident. I do not think Cliff acted maliciously, I really think he thought he was just having innocent fun, and he took it too far. Of course, I agree with the decision to send him home for his poor judgment). However, I do not feel a lot of sympathy for Marcel as some posters seem to feel. I do not hate Marcel, I just find him very immature, whiney, insecure, and, as I said, obnoxious. Still, I think he is talented; he just needs to work on his social skills. In Marcel's case, it isn't just that he needs to learn humility, he also needs to learn how to be friendly toward others and how to apologize when he offends someone. Last season, Stephen Aspirino was rather arrogant and at times inflammatory, but even though he annoyed some of the other contestants, none of them came to despise him; I think the difference was that Stephen was willing to apologize when he offended someone and he also put his arrogance aside from time to time to show a more relaxed and fun-loving side.

All that being said, I think the show's producers are purposefully playing up the behind-the-scenes drama to get a ratings boost. I think some of the kitchen sniping could have been edited out. Also, I think the head shaving incident was played up for the shock value; I agree it was not acceptable behavior and Cliff was appropriately asked to leave. However, it was not a terrible act of violence nor was it a grave offense against humanity. In any event, if there must be trashy reality-t.v. drama shown, then it would be far more interesting to have it involve a little good old-fashioned "hooking up," instead of petty cat fights or stupid pranks.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 4:03 AM

mrsbrooks wrote:

No longer will my family and I be tuning in to watch top chef. Nobody could figure out the reasonings for 2 immature so-called chefs to be in the finale. If this is for the ratings it ain't working!!! Didn't the producers tell the judges Sam won $10,000 for being American viewers favourite and Marcel for most disgusting? Duh?????????/ What a turn-off!!!!!!!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 4:12 AM

J. Hamilton wrote:

Padma, Padma where are you coming from? You kept trying to ehance Elia's "All American" food prepared for "Hawaiian" people.
You even remembered what she had prepared in the "Sushi" competition. Cliff had won that challenge. How come you remembered the flavors and seasoning combinations used in Elia's dish from that previous competition. The samething you did when Elia did produce what was suppose to be on the menu, a chocolate heart in the last episode. However, I am glad you suggested that Marcel be allowed to compete in the "Hawiian" competition. He showed great talent. True he is arrogant, yet truthful. Elia is two faced. She never should have gone to Hawaii. I Cliff would have eliminated her had he cooked something enjoyable and not tackle Marcel. I am not a chef, I am merely a at home cook and you mean to tell me Slick Elia made fish with peas wrapped in a banana plant for a Hawaiin dish, give me a break. Cliff would have incorporated Hawaiin flavors, but he got "Punked, and executed the "ELIA's and ILAN'S ploy. Sam was smart not to come near Cliff when he was holding down poor Marcel.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 4:15 AM

Willow wrote:

Tonights episode was just as I expected, with all the drama in the background as it should have been, then Elia jumps on the lack of integrity bus and rides it home, with her ever so catty undercover friend and conspirator Ilan, trying to put together a good story for the judges, and Sam`s integrity lacks in the fact that, no matter what the issues of personality, should have spoke up to put and end to it rather than encourage the behavior. I have got to admit Ilan sure helped Elia look the fool, by pushing her to speak. Without any real evidence to produce, she had stated in many episodes she is a friend to Marcel, but a true friend would take that person aside and tell them how they feel, and not have to dig the knife from their friends back later. As for the decision of the judges, I agree with the outcome, I believe Sam lacked genuine belief in is own product and Elia lacked security in her choices, I agree that they are both excellent at what they do, they are too unsure about it and it truly did showed at the judges table. On the other hand Ilan and Marcel had a true belief in the food they prepared each week and showed a confidence when serving their product. They stood behind their choices and decisions on the preparation. I can`t wait to see the final episode, and may the best "Chef" win. I want to see both Marcel and Ilan break out of their safety zone and cook without restraints.
Next year you should have a "Veiwer judge" and I would love to volunteer. Best of luck to both.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 4:29 AM

Jen wrote:

SHOCK AND AWE. That is what I feel after seeing Sam's elimination. I cannot believe that an immature, petty young man such as Ilan would be kept around for anything other than a perceived ratings bonanza to see the "final showdown" between the archrivals. Blah blah blah. As for a final between these two chefs? In the immortal words of Mia: I DON'T GIVE A BLACK BONE!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 4:30 AM

carlos wrote:

so sad to see elia get played by elian..she let herself get rattled in the kitchen for no reason and it probably affected her final product. still, the best two chefs did move on BRAVO bravo!

posted on January 25, 2007 at 4:55 AM

Elle wrote:

I think a Top Chef is one who can strive through adversity, and Marcel has abstained from lowering himself to the levels of the other miscreants he unfortunately had to compete with. He could have defended himself and punched Cliff out and it would have been self defense, but he didn't. He also has put up with verbal threats (Frank) at Sam's urging, and let's not forget all the adversity that most undesirable Ilan has caused. All this combind, well, let's just say they wanted to try and break him mentally, because they know he is a better Chef and therefore, a very big threat. Essentially, none of them can win against him the old fashion way, thus last resort, "He's a cheater". WRONG

posted on January 25, 2007 at 5:01 AM

Claudette wrote:

I was shocked at tonights outcome. I have watched all the shows and have no desire to see the end now. A lot of wonderful chefs were sent home after one mistake and one who was at the bottom most of the season may become TOP CHEF,?????

posted on January 25, 2007 at 5:02 AM

Ivy C wrote:

It was disheartening and shocking to hear Sam pack his knives. I don't think I would be able to bear watching the rest of the finale. Marcel can be a decent cook but not as a top chef or leader or someone to work with. Everybody didn't get along with him. even though Ilan's attitude was corruptive I have Never seen a more unanimous dislike of chefs and viewers/fans alike for Marcel. Marcel Should Have Been Booted Off Long Ago. And Elia was the ONLY one who even barely got along with him. The whole group this season was two-faced and back-stabbing to begin with. And yes, I'd agree that they chose ratings over the obvious top chef that they sent home. It was really shocking

posted on January 25, 2007 at 5:22 AM

Heidi wrote:

What a disappointment! (I'm talking about the judges.) Just when I thought the season couln't possibly get any worse, it does.

I won't be watching next week. My little silent form of protest.

posted on