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I always watch the show and one Saturday I was watching where the chef's had to prepare a Latin meal for the cast and crew of the Telenovela Dame Chocolate. Someone on the show said that they watch Dame Chocolate all the time and that it is very popular in Mexico. Well it is not very popular in Mexico. They have muchas novelas in Mexico but Dame Chocolate is not even shown in Mexico. Telemundo is a television station in Florida not Mexico.I just wanted to let the people on Top Chef know this for I live in Mexico.
Sincerely,
Allen

Hi Gail,

Is there any place where the show tells what knives they use? Or what knives the chefs and master chefs prefer? The only knives I see in my local area are made by a total of 4 companies...

Thanks!
John

Bring back Top Chef!! This new show "Top Chef Masters" is disappointing to say the least!! Top Chef was a great show it had everything, great judges, competitors that were real people,excitment, suspense,humor and more. Simply put Top Chef had the all the right ingredients and was the recipe for the entertainment perfection!!! PLEASE BRING IT BACK. I will not watch Top Chef Masters it leaves me with a bitter taste..

To Gail and Top Chef producers: Please bring Padma back, wow, what a difference a host makes. I am trying my best not to be rude, but the choice of this woman with no personal connection to the TV audience is ridiculous. Thank goodness we know this show produces top quality food by amazing chefs which is mesmerizing to watch; otherwise, I would not watch Top Chef again.

May I suggest that TC join the 21st century and buy a scoring machine and ask judges to rate each dish as well as add other categories for menu flow progression or other more general categories. Then the numbers at the end can be crunched, and the chef who is consistently the best will win. I don't think this should be played like the Superbowl where one dish can destroy an entire season of homeruns or make an otherwise mediocre performance. To make it more interesting it would be neat to hear a discussion at the end of whether the judges agree in their gut with the final tabulations - because sometimes our decisions are emotional based on a variety of factors, including personality. I don't think personality is unimportant in a chef, because that chef's personality will influence the people he/she works with, and thus the atmosphere and culture of that chef's restaurant - and diners will notice that "personality" as it manifests itself in many different ways, not just through the food.

I was very disappointed that Hosea won. Stefan was consistent throughout the season. I just watched a rerun of the finale and again I thought that Stefan should have won.
Judging should be based not only on the final dishes but the chef's performace throughout should be taken into consideration.
I will undoubtedly continue to watch Top Chef, but I hold my reserations when it comes to the judging

Roxanne

Gail,
We Can't waite for Season 6! Sorry, I never wasted my time to post last season. I was too Ashamed, after telling my husband.. "Stefan will win, or this show is truely fixed!" Pleez...{not just about the food,) but the Top Chef we know and Love... Leave Real World back in the 90's.... See you soon..Vegas(Uhg)
Ntilthn

My friends and I were so disappointed to see Hosea win the title 'top chef'. If its called 'Great Chef', then maybe Hosea.
Guys, remember how universities' courses were judged? Not just a last test, but also attendance, mid-year test, essays, and the final test/essay. If the show used a more scientific measuring system like that, I am sure Stefan would have won.
Look at finale of the cooking show 'Masterchef 2009' from the UK, there were much more rounds and episodes to showcase contestants' full skills. Top Chef has a long way to go.

I never miss TC. I really wanted Cara to win and was very disappointed when her last two dishes were not "hers". That said, all the "Stefan" fans need a reality check. When he was allowed to choose who he would go against he ALWAYS selected the individual that was thought of as the weakest (Superbowl challenge) he never took on the best. He did this all the time. And when it came to the challenges where the chefs could choose their dish, he always took the simple dishes. If you want to be the best and win you need to take on the Best and Hardness to prepare. Don't kid yourself the judges saw all the short cuts he took. He never proved himself to them or me. I felt Cara should win until the last two dishes. So the best man did win. Get over it and have Stefan over, maybe he could prepare you a good hot dog!!

Definitely disappointed in the finale. Stefan not only was the apparent top chef throughout the season but he provided a complete meal in the finale that the judges were very happy with. I agree with many of the viewers that the judges made a big mistake.

I just think Gail is HOT HOT HOT!

I for one was glad Stefan didn't win, because his arrogance was just totally off-putting. I was also sorry that Carla flamed out in the last challenge, but Hosea, who appeared to be sort of a dum-de-dum kind of guy throughout the season, stepped up to the plate and deserved to win. I do have to say, though, that this year there were fewer true weirdos on Top Chef than has been the case in past years (think Marcel in Season 2 and Andrew in Season 4). This year Jamie was really the only one who mixed it up a lot, and she was gone mid-way through. That was kind of nice, actually, that there wasn't the hysteria that was seen in other shows. After all, in Season 2, two of the chefs bowed out voluntarily and one had to be kicked out of the game for behaving sophomorically. I suppose that's good television, but it takes away from the central issue -- who can cook? I'm looking forward to Season 6.

It was a bit disappointing to see the personalities becoming such a big issue. Tom clearly did not want Stefan to win and that I think spread to the other regular judges, even Gail - I'm sad to say. That's my impression of the finale episode. Overall a bad and amateurish call.

Hey Gail, My name is also Gail Simmons--by marriage. I live in the Wichita KS area and was the managing editor of a small weekly publication for 12 years. I am now trying to get through court reporting school. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the courtrooms! I will have to watch your show. I didn't know you were a judge on the top chef show until I just was browsing through Bravo.com. I wonder if your middle name is also Lynne. Peace Be With You. Will have to watch now to see you.

Wow. Watching Carla go with Casey's advice was painful. I can only imagine that tasting the difference in her food against Casey's influence was really notable. Sadly, Casey seems so poisonous about it.

I think you guys rewarded the guy who made the best meal that night, but you didn't reward the most competent chef of the season. The judging needs to change and weigh prior performances more, because the winner barely measures up to Harold, Hung, or Stephanie. You can count on Stefan to hold his own among 'em, but not necessarily Hosea.

STEFAN should've been named Top Chef! He was by far the most consistent & most talented in every single category. Why did the judges even bother having other very esteemed chefs share the meal and invite them to share their well-trained opinions if they were simply going to be ignored? They almost entirely had Stefan as their choice for Top Chef!

I was sooo sad to see Carla cave to Casey's suggestions! The food I wished to try consistently, every episode, was that prepared by Carla. For me she is Top Chef. Stefan's food was also interesting but Carla had the nice factor added and that made her special. Too bad.

This season was great you whiners, and Hosea deserved the win. Every episode has to be treated independently. Do I think Stefan is the really the best chef? Yes, I think he is. It doesn't matter though, Hosea won the last round. Of all the judges, Tom commands the most respect. He not a critic, he's a REAL CHEF, not just a critic. Who did he pick and why? Listen to what he said. Think of it like a football game like the Superbowl. On any given day.... And on that day Hosea (the underdog) won. Four okay to great dishes in a row. No clunkers. But, one crapper for Stefan (2 if you count the desert) and 2 crappers for Carla. Congratulations to Hosea.

Oh and by the way, if Jeff didn't have to WIN his comeback challenge to stay, Stefan would have got canned earlier, eh?

I hope Gail reads this and can mention this to the producers of the show... I think there should be a challenge on a future season where the Top Chef's volunteer time to an endeavor like this. No matter what city the next season will be held in... This reminds me of what Carla would support... SAME Cafe, Wonderfully Different. http://www.soallmayeat.org/

I would say the fact that you needed to write this post justifying your choice, shows what a poor choice it was, and shows your lack of conviction in that choice.

I do not remember in previous seasons you and Tom and Top Chef in general, having to explain your choices. Not one of the judges are able to "stand behind your dish"...

Between the lame choice for winner, and the even LAMER Toby, I can assure you that I have watched my last episode.

BTW...Tell Padma to get over herself.

jiminy crickets there are some LOONS on this website!
CASEY did NOT ruin anything! if you'll watch the show again, you'll hear Carla say, "the pressure of doing this o'heure d'oeuvre is hanging me up and I can't even focus on the rest of the meal"...
oh... yeah, by all means, let's blame Carla's lack of focus on Casey.
as Stefan would say, "Get a Life"

It may be time to get some new blood in there, like Toby Young and others. Maybe you're tired of the whole thing. It seems to me that you may be spending more energy on selecting those push-up bras than trying to be a fair and responsible judge.

As others have written I can't really be critical of the judges, who of us has taste-o-vision? One thing I think we can all agree on however is Gail's choice of dress for the finale. Get those girls out there girl. Took my breath away!

The reunion show was great! Everyone looked and sounded happy and it was fun to watch the footage/laughing. The final four chefs were all winners of a nice prize. Hosea got the big money, Carla got the Car, the Superbowl tickets and the respect of many fans/chefs, etc. Stefan gets the great opportunity to work with and travel with Eric Ripert, and Fabio gets the Fan Favorite money and title.. A nice ending to a season of real characters..Many called the show boring in the beginning, but I think the show got better each week by the good challenges and guest judges that were brought in. It became more competitive, informative to the viewers, and more interesting when they added the farm, Chef Ripert's restaurant, the Last Supper, etc. It showed more of the venues, cooking techniques out there and emphasized using fresh food, respecting food/meats, butchering techniques, fish challenges, and the importance of good cooking/taste of food/comfort foods, and not just the trendy extravagant foods/sauces which dominate many menus/restaurants today.. NYC and New Orleans were great locations to showcase.. I hope that the finally in New Orleans helps the economy/rebirth there, also. Great to see you back and look forward to next season.

To all of you sheep bleeting the old standard "the people complaining weren't there and didn't taste the food" line, Toby Young, Hubert Keller, and Rocco DiSpirito were there.

Toby and Keller had no problems with Stephan's salad, Rocco felt Hosea's fois gras scallop was uninspired (and he was rudely dismissed by Gail and Branford Marsalis, both non-chefs). All but Gail and Tom enjoyed Stefan's dessert.

The dessert itself wasn't judged by taste, but by presentation. Gail thought it looked like it was from 1982. Tom thought it was just there. No one complained about the taste, and Hosea was munching on a banana lollipop while they waited, so it doesn't take Jaques Pepin to tell you that the dessert was fine.

We didn't have to be there or taste the food to see what happened. Stefan was robbed, and the judges should be ashamed of themselves for what they did.

Gail Plese tell us that Carla will be hosting a show soon. With her fun loving approach to life , her balaced approach to cooking and they way she seasons both with love I can't wait to watch.

Hooty Hoo

Casey definitely wrecked it for Carla. Some people just can't stand it when someone else gets appreciated and rewarded more than they, even when they're not in the contest. Casey must be one of those. Coming into the Top Chef show must have brought back the pain of her own loss, and she didn't deal with it in a healthy or moral way. She may not even have recognized her own impulse to sabotage Carla, but pushing the contestant she was ostensibly helping away from that contestant's strengths was unquestionably malicious. Especially so since she didn't even deliver by properly doing the method of cooking beef that she said she knew, and didn't monitor the cooking of the souffle that she talked Carla into, after convincing Carla to abandon pastry which is Carla's strong suit. The other helpers may have jumped in to rescue the progress of a dish when the contestant was otherwise occupied, but none of them had the nerve to question the overall plan. The helpers, no matter how talented, were not on the chopping block so the other two knew that the contestant was in charge. I hope others in the restaurant business notice Casey's destructive personality, and keep her out of their kitchens.

This is the last season I will watch. It sucked!!

Not only that....but every judge should learn the proper way to hold a fork!! It is held with the index finger & middle finger resting between the thumb & index. NOT like a cavewoman!! dummy!! Why the hell did you come back???

What a severe letdown and you guys try to sugarcoat your decision! *geez* Stefan is the winner and 95% of the people know it!!! At this rate, why bother to call the show Top Chef? You let a cook win who can't do half of the things a real chef is supposed to do!!!!! How lame is that?!

I find it hard to believe that so many people can comment so adamantly about who is/isn't the Top Chef without ever having tasted the food! You may not agree with the judges, but give them a little credit. They all have extensive experience and sophisticated palates. I respect their decisions.

Gail

You (and the other judges) do not deserve the criticism
that the majority of viewers gave you. I thought Hosea deserved the win. Carla gave it away and Stefan was so over rated. He messed up a few weeks back and was lucky he was not sent home at that point. I do believe that this seasons chefs were the weakest of all the seasons. I liked a lot of the contestants, but no one (other than perhaps Carla) stood out throughout the entire season. In every other season there were at least two or three standouts. Hosea won it fair and square. The viewers who criticized you and the other judges are poor losers.

I have to say right off that I am definitely not questioning the outcome or the integrity of the judges as im certain they chose exactly who they thought won the challenge. My big complaint is that the final challenge was not a level playing field.
When you throw in the wrench of having to draw knives for the appetizer and each person is forced to cook something that they may or may not be familiar with then that directly affects the outcome of the whole season really. Save that BS for any other episode but not the final. Who is to say that if Stefan or Carla had Fish for the app that they wouldnt have made the best tasting food all night with it. No one needs a twist in the final episode where it really is good to see them cook their 'best' meal. Kinda tarnished the season if you ask me. Bad call by the producers.

WHAT A RIPOFF! I am still fuming and it has been a week since the finale. Any show that can screw up that bad doesn't deserve to be on. I am done with the show! What a shame because it use to be fun.

I'm dreaming of a one-off competition where the first round losers from each season meet and compete against each other to find out who, in fact, is the WORST chef to ever appear on Top Chef. Conversely, the chef who wins this competition could be awarded a second-chance slot on an upcoming TC season to redeem him/herself.

It feels like all through the season, Hosea didn't consistently "win" but consistently "didn't lose". I wish I could have been there to taste it all. The frozen fish of Stephan's did NOT sound good. Carla started out as my least favorite, but her passion and fun and attention to TASTE won me over. I feel so bad, as I'm sure you do, that she wasn't strong enough to hold Casey at arm's length and had her HELP with CARLA'S creations.
I don't envy the judges tasks. At least you're not conjuring drama like the Bachelor!

Hey, I'm not going to vent at the judges. The editing of the show is probably to blame, as at no time did any of Hosea's cooking talent become apparent to us lowly viewers, which is why everyone is so mad.

Gail, I AM going to slam you for saying Stefan's so arrogant. in TV viewer land it looked like he just really tried hard, and he made many thoughtful gestures towards his competition. Arrogance wears many faces. We all need to look more closely in our own mirrors,

Gail, I love you but Stefan should have won Top Chef. I love the show and will definitely watch the next season, however I think that the final 3 should have been 1) Stefan, 2) Jamie 3) Fabio. I enjoyed watching Carla's soul cooking but she has been in the bottom three in many challenges. Hosea was great throughout the season but I don't think that he is top chef. The winner should have been chosen for great technique, taste and consistency throughout the season, and it is clearly STEFAN!

Please bring Toby Young back, his insights were spot on!
P.S. I was never a fan of Casey and she proved once and for all how classless she is.

I'm truly disappointed with the regular judges this year! I'm glad Toby was on this season, he was a breath of fresh air. I believe that the rules were changed this year in the finale to help Hosea to win. I have watched top chef every season and the regular judges should be ashamed of themselves..it's suppose to be Top Chef not Let me play it Safe and manipulate my way to stay Mediocre Chef! HOSEA IS MEDIOCRE AT BEST. I BELIEVE THAT RIGHT IS RIGHT and Stefan did consistently better than Hosea the whole season and it always mattered in the past seasons when it came to break a tie for the title of top chef but was totally disregarded in this one. I WILL NOT WATCH ANOTHER SEASON of Top Chef, it's not based on how well the chefs cook it's based on how well they can kiss butt. Hosea did all he could with his sidekick Leah (the worst chef) to stay alive! It was disgusting to watch, I mean really alot of better chefs were sent home while he remained. Whereas Stefan was a bit arrogant at times but he was a darn good chef and friend to many on the show. I thought this competition was based on the chefs ability to cook not on their personalities. I believe Tom Colicchio didn't like Stefan and exercised his persuasive power on the other regular judges to vote against him. In addition Tom made good on his threat to Stefan(at the judges table in finale part 1), when he told him "you come in here confident almost cocky and with that attitude you better be able to deliver!" by holding Stefan to a higher standard than everybody else. By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to find the recipes of the food Hosea cooked in the Finale in the cook books of the Best chefs of New Orleans (he has no originality)!!!

The Bravo Executive Committee, Staff, Judges et all should seriously consider all the blogs posted re: Hosea's win.

It is clear and there is overwhelming belief that the wrong chef was titled.

Consider a new line up to your Judges Table - its much needed.

Gail,

You stated that the question of "How do you not take into account how many challenges Stefan or Hosea won, bringing them to this point?", but you never answered it...

It was clear to me and many others that Stefan was the best chef from the beginning, how could the fact that he won a record 8 challenges not be taken into consideration...? Mind blowing...seems like the wrong decision had been made once again...

I am an ordinary person w/o culinary exp. who just enjoys the show and have been watching since epi 1. This season failed when Jaime was eliminated and it became clear Leah continued because of the "kiss" drama. There are many other reality shows out there full of random drama to choose from, don't let Top Chef fail to that level. Hosea should not have even been in the top three.

I love the show watch all the time. The chefs work really hard for the mostpart. Most have real talent others i can do without. I think that the judges are full of themselves. IT'S FOOD PEOPLE---JUDGES YOU ARE NOT ALL THAT.

Susan:

I asked the same question, along with questions about Gails qualifications to judge ANYONE when she is not a chef herself. I doubt this will be published either :(

Please, Gail, explain to us why your 1982 comment stuck, and Stefan went down, while Rocco DiSpirito, a CHEF, was treated with disdain and IGNORED while making a similar comment about the dish that allegedly carried Hosea.

Hosea won by, among other things, dishing up a perfect SCALLOP???

Oh please. How pedestrian can Top Chef get?

I loved this season so much but was really disappointed with how things ended up. I think that Hosea was no where near qualified to be in the finale with Stefan and Carla. He got through b being middle of the road the entire competition. But, Top Chef is about being on top, not being average or in the middle. Stefan clearly should have won the final elimination challenge hands down because he was consistent and on top throughout. I would have loved if Carla won (she's awesome) but Stefan did better than her. So, clearly he should have won. Hosea shouldn't have been there in the first place. It should have been Jamie as the third finalist.

I felt that Stefan, although cocky and sure of himself, was the most competent chef. In my opinion the judges didn't choose Stefan as the top chef because they wanted to teach him a lesson. Hosea faltered through the whole season yet wins. I don't think I'll be watching another season of Top Chef. I was disappointed in the outcome. I don't like reality tv, but felt that top chef was not your typical reality and rewarded those who actually deserved being rewarded. I was wrong.

Gail,

I asked a question and it wasn't posted...why?
Afraid of having others see the question? I'm sure I'm not the only one who asked. Perhaps you didn't want your disrespect of a CHEF pointed out?

I'll repeat the question:

Why were you bobbing your head and rolling your eyes when Rocco was speaking?

Be an adult and post all questions/comments...not just the ones you are comfortable with.

Gail,

As Bill Shatner might say, "get a life!"

The finale was a joke and your insights were banal. Hosea's venison was tasted earthy? I don't doubt it, the guy is a mediocre cook. Besides, no one better ever serve me a meat dish that tastes earthy (where in the world do you ususlly eat anyway?)

STEFAN IS THE TOP CHEF OF ALL FIVE SEASONS. Your comment on Stefan's dessert as being an 80s type of dessert drew laughter from one member of my family who immediately said, "wasn't she 5 years old back then?"

Bravo: Bring back Toby Young and send Gail and Tom packing.

@ viewer of the viewer
I recently began researching the history of food for a book. This is based on various things I have read so far.
Your rationale for having a dessert is completely backwards, at least as far as western cuisine goes:
The idea of having something sweet at the end of a meal goes back at least as far as the 12th century in Europe. There's no real reason given for its inclusion, except that it was the sort of thing eaten at the end of the meal by *wealthy* people. They ate dried fruits or sweet cakes or marzipan, along with a final cup of wine.
The poor could not afford sugar or honey until beet and cane sugar became relatively inexpensive in the 19th century. Before that, sweetness was achieved often through use of dried fruits. Some 18th century commentators (well-off and educated) were astonished to notice that suet pudding containing dried fruits was eaten at the beginning of the meal by poor farmers in England, followed by bacon and cabbage. This was apparently to lessen their appetite for meat or cheese, which they could not afford.
Until the past few centuries, sugar was regarded as a spice or condiment rather than a basic ingredient due to its cost. As far as I have been able to find out, only cane sugar was available and until the 17th century it had to be imported from India.
Now I think that all this offers a good opportunity for future TC challenges that won't favour some chefs who specialize in a particular type of regional or cultural cuisine.

I don't feel sorry for Carla at all. She was chatized and almost sent home twice in the beginning for following someone else's lead. She was easily led astray and that is not a characteristic of a "Top Chef".

I liked Hosea from the start. Stefan was cocky and it made Tom mad. Stefan is the better chef between him and Hosea. But I do not feel that the top chefs were in the finale either. It should have been Jeff, Jaime and Stefan. That would have been a true "top chef" finale

I am going to have to agree with the majority of veiwers and say Hosea was awarded top chef based solely on this final meal, so I believe it was not quite worthy. I think Hosea is a great chef but believe Stefan was robbed of this title because of a few poor choices during the final preperations. Stefan's skills as a whole outshine Hosea's greatly!! I believe Carla's skills out weigh Hosea's as well! They were robbed!

Come on, Stefan is clearly the winner but because he had some "ego" and knows he's a great chef and didn't show enough humility, The Judges were not going to let him win. From the very first episode with apple peeling, Stefan has been in the lead. He took the leadership role again and again, as any Executive Chef would. He might have come across as a little bit arrogant but so did many others including Hosea. I think his arrogance was misinterpreted because of his inability to find the right English words. Hosea critized him for picking the lobster as an easy dish (after winning the quickfire - eel episode) but Hosea himself picked the easy redfish in the final (not the alligator). Hypocrite. Stefan was compassionate to the other contestants. He was always the first with a pat on the shoulder or hug. He was a clear winner throughout the competition while Hosea had to dig himself out of the bottom many times. Obviously, The Judges discriminated against Stefan for being European or not "humble" enough. I used to love this show but I'll never watch it again.

"outdated and somewhat generic in presentation" - really, Gail? perhaps those carbonated blackberries should have been better placed within the missing blue souffle part.
hats off to Carla and Stefan for your courage (among others),

I, too, disagree with the panel's final decision. I believe Stefan should have won. With what I saw, it was a draw with desert being Stefan's downfall. He won almost every challenge put forth with flying colours, doesn't that account for anything? As for his arrogance, Tom certainly shows his arrogance again and again. Didn't you see how confident, yet warm and fun, at the same time? He showed compassion towards the other contestants, but I guess you didn't see that. Well, you failed. I still LOVE the show and will watch again, can't wait!

You know, the "Fantasy Game" has a point system. If you have the "right Chef" in your team of three, you get points, if you don't you lose points. Perhaps the next season should have a point system that counts for at least a portion of the final decision. If that had happened, Stefan would have had the most points prior to the Finale. That may have tipped the balance to his favor - and would then take the full body of work into account instead of just the one last meal.

Oh please Gail, if you really thought Hosea was the Top Chef it is time for you to leave the show. We all know Carla blew it by listening to Casey and we get it, but Hosea! You can say all you want in his defense but those of us who watched the show know he didn't deserve it. He should have been sent home long before he was! You are making it worse by sticking up for him. So very disappointing!!!

The winner of Top Chef wasn't Stefan because he was an European....which is very sad... even Tom said several times that the best contestant was Stefan. But at the end, he didn't wanted Stefan to win and he did his best in showing this. Stefan was is a better chef than Hosea from many points of view.

I feel there was poor judgment on the part of Tom and Gail. I feel that the real Top Chef was Stephan and i will all ways beleive it. I enjoyed the show up to the last one. I will not watch any more of the Top Chef program until you get better judges and a different type of judging. STEPHAN IS THE SEASON TOP CHEF. Why dont Gail and Tom admint they were wrong

As a fellow European I was never turned off by Stefan's "attitude" to the extent his American fellow competitors, audience, and Judges were.

Sorry, but even by the time of the finale some of you judges were still incapable of pronouncing his name correctly. Considering how easy it is to put the stress on the right syllable, that's downright insulting.

So the three contestants of the finale were instructed to "cook the meal of your life?"

Well, we know Carla failed, and I was sad to see it happen. But how about Hosea and Stefan? This may indeed have been the meal of Hosea's life, but I'm not convinced that he'll be able to go much further. In the case of Stefan, on the other hand, I know that he will continue to grow and expand. He and his food will soar and shine!

Bravo needs to rethink its judging criteria.

You criticize stefan's dessert as if it was prepared for a ballroom. Well why did the finale feel like a funeral. I watch this show religiously and it completely failed to capture anything about NY this season and did even less so about New Orleans. A hugely disappointing season on many levels. And why does tom always seem miserable. Hopefully if it comes back for another season it isnt this bad.

Hey Gail!
For next season. Two finalists in head-to-head competition. Allow them to plan part of the menu ahead of time and then have them react in real time with ingredients of your choice for the rest of the menu.

As for the helpers/sous chefs. I don't like the idea of past contestants. I prefer the outside professionals. But what I think would be even better is to allow each finalist to bring one of their own staff from their home restaurant/business. And if they are doing 5 courses, bring two staff members.

Also, the concept of immunity should go out the window. Immunity is especially unfair when there is a team elimination challenge. Find another reward for winning the quickfire.

And never bring back contestants from previous seasons to compete against the current season... that was the worst episode of the entire 5 seasons (Super Bowl challenge).

As for the winner this season... I would have preferred Jamie, Jeff or Carla... but that isn't the way the competition played out. I still love the show and can't wait til next season.

It seems to me that the judges/producers chose to reward consistent mediocrity over erratic brilliance. Not a criteria or result that would seem to be in the original spirit of Top Chef, which (as I interpreted it) was supposed to be about excellence. Bottomline: they have hurt the show's credibility with this decision.

Stefan was robbed. He had the best dish of the night...I think the judges didn't like Stefan's arrogence and screwed him in the end. It shouldn't have been a popularity contest...the best chef should have won and that was Stefan week after week.

after watching the out come of the finale, I don't know if I can ever watch this show again. Stefan was the better chef. All Hosea, the snaggle tooth potatoe head did, was manage to be to mildly ineffective that he managed to avoid elemination. For me, he should have been gone on the Bernadine challenge! As a seafood chef, he should have exceled. It's about as bad as me walking around saying I'm a photographer, but not knowing how to develop film... I call BS! None of the über biased panel even brought up the fact that stefan had never worked with alligator before and pulled it off wonderfully... I think I hate this show after that. Hosea is a poor chef with poor morale fiber as well. I hope he has no girlfriend to go home to and he and that greasy haired rat called Leah can shack up and be mediorce together!!!

Thank you, Gail, for being a pretty woman who also cares about being kind and pretty from the inside.

All my life I was told how pretty I was and that I could get away with bad behavior as a result. Now turning 50, I realize that I'm very glad I didn't listen to that nasty advice and was always as kind as I could be.

Why am I writing this on a TC blog? Because TC has two examples of pretty women who have an elitist, unkind quality that makes them ugly:
1. Padma, her hyper dramatics and absolute refusal to write a blog here. For a short while, she did a video blog...and that has stopped. Why? Either she can't write or doesn't believe viewers deserve her blog, despite her over-inflated paycheck and ego. If Tom, you, and guest judges take the time to write a blog, why doesn't Padma?

2. Casey, her behavior/communication re Carla is outrageous....and ugly. I always saw it in her season, and she's proven me right.

Hosea was not a strong competitor through the show. If you ask me, Jeff should have stayed. Jeff, Carla, and I could really care less of who was the 3rd contestant. I don't like Stefan's attitude, so I would like anyone but him to win. I love Carla because she showed so much improvement. She started off very shaky, Hosea was just average, Stefan had ups and downs- but, seriously, out of the 3, Carla was the strongest. I understand that you're only as strong as your last meal, so I understand that Carla couldn't win. Casey... words can't describe how much I hate her. It was not her time to shine, Carla listened to her because she had experience. But did Casey ever win TC? NO. I'm no longer a fan of the show. It's just ridiculous how many good people, how many people with promise were eliminated. The stipulation for Jeff to stay was ridiculous, he came second to Carla, but should have stayed. I'm disappointed, I'm not watching Top Chef again, I don't even want to know that there are re-runs.

i can't believe hosea won. stefan clearly was the best chef and although i have loved watching this show in the past, i just can't get over the result. my husband and i refuse to watch it next season. tom was probably just jealous of stefan's obvious talent. hosea looked like an whining idiot most of the show and we had to watch the disgusting make out session between him and leah which i know has nothing to do with the results, but it was sick to see them. He didn't even make a dessert and one of the chefs made a note of that after the meal but hosea chickening out didn't matter. hosea was so insecure of stefan the whole competition for a reason- because stefan IS way better than him and for most of the viewers is the TOP CHEF.

I echo Sandi's comments and do not consider Hosea to be Top Chef. Clearly, this season is an anomaly and hopefully the judge's will learn from their viewer's ojective support of Stefan being the REAL TOP CHEF.

Also, I hope the producers keep Toby Young on the panel. He is the most objective of all the judges and his opinions are spot on.

Thank you for your thoughts, Gail, and congratulations on your recent marriage.

I, too, have been a huge fan of Top Chef but have been left feeling disappointed and unsure of whether I want to take time out of my busy life to watch the next season. In the past, even if I have not liked the chefs you have chosen on a personal level, I have fully agreed with the judges choices.

Last season, you based your decision on the meal AND how the contestant performed throughout the season. For example, in Season 4 that grumpy girl pulled out an excellent meal but had not performed well throughout, as Steffanie and Richard had.

This year, Tom Colicchio defends his decision by saying that you judge the final meal as if it were the Super Bowl. I could have bought that had it not been for previous seasons, and also had it not been for the fact that I thought you were interested in choosing a Top Chef, not a Top Meal.

Stefan's dessert - was it tasty? Just because it looked dated from an American standpoint does not mean it was dated from an European or historical standpoint. Just because something was popular in a previous decade does not mean it should not make an appearance today, as long as the food as good, no? He consistently prepared exceptional food throughout the season.

I also feel sad for Carla but also excited for her as she has displayed talent, grace, composure, humility, love, and skills that will surely make her a success. I hope that I can eat at her tasting tables one day, if she can afford to realize her dream.

In short, going into this finale I would have been content if Stefan or Carla had won. After Carla's unfortunate missteps, Stefan was the clear winner to me. Hosea had one great day with an excellent sous chef at his side that helped him rise out of mediocrity.

Thanks for your time - a fan from Canada.

A viewer posted: "By the way, wth does not expect a desert at the end of a 3-course meal?"

Well, me for one. I've never understood why we eat something sweet at the end of a meal. It always seemed odd to me. If I'm having a savory pork chop, and I love it, that's the taste I want to leave with. I don't want to go off in a completely different direction with sweet. But that's just me.

My question is, how, exactly, DID we come to expect a sweet course at the end of a meal.

So, here's my own stupid, unqualified theory: Sugar based foods were consumed at the end of a filllng meal to provide an instant bust of energy so past generations could get right up and go back to work in the fields or other labor.

Well, I sit at a computer. I don't plow a field. My body doesn't require the extra fuel or burst of energy after the sleepiness of a large meal that our forefathers would have needed.

You are right, "Viewer", it is often expected.

But.... why?

Wow... I just have to add. Reading the comments posted here makes my stomach hurt.

I have a very hard time seeing the judges and Casey Thompson attacked.

As I said on Richard's blog, viewers should really, really, really take the EDITING into account.

I'm especially calling out those who say they are long time viewers and were disgusted by the outcome. You know how the show rolls.

I was sad about Richard not winning last season but I'm maddened by Stefan not winning this season. He CLEARLY had the most talent. He was consistent throughout the challenge. What is wrong with you people????? You don't have happy fans. We're pissed.

Gail,
First of all, having you gone for part of the season really made me realize how much I love your being a part of this show. I'm so grateful you were there for the finale. I think I speak for many viewers when I say we trust your opinions (very important) and appreciate the way you treat the contestants.

I have to say I just read Tom's blog, and I feel sorry for him. He must get sick of having to write his "finale defense" post every year. But I must say his Super Bowl analogy really summed it all up perfectly.

I've watched the show since the beginning. I know how it works. I know that it wouldn't matter if it was Daniel Boulad and a CIA student competing. It's whoever makes the best meal in the finale. End of story. And that's where trust comes in. If we trust the judges, and I do, the right person wins.

Personally, I'm glad the judges don't see what the viewers see all season. It's got to be hard enough seeing a consistently strong contestant fail in the final challenge. And many have, for various reasons.

Love the show!!!! Congratulations to all the contestants. I heart all of them! And I'm sure we'll be seeing more of our wonderful season 5 chefs.

Hosea won. Yawn.

If Carla gets a show, I'm watching.

I didn't like the Hosea/Leah story line, and felt you were inserting personality story lines to make up for less impressive cooking this season. I thought Karla had the best mix of food/personality, and Stephan, while obnoxious at times, had the best technique (except for the over-cooked salmon, which was a shocker!).

Gail,

I'm very disappointed with the result of this season too.

if you guys do not care about dessert, and don't think dessert is real food, pls do not ask the contestants to decide themselve to make dessert or not, just ask them don't make it. Personally think dessert is very important of a meal, and this idea is very common among my friends. I just think it's unfair while Hosea was lucky enough to make a "right" decision, and Stefan just thought from most of the eaters and made the dessert instead of another meat/main course which will be another best dish of the night. Top chef should not be by luck!

Also, Stefan made another lovely dish with uncommon protein, alligator. Wihle Hosea, a wimp, chose the easiest protein Red Fish, and what, he said he only cooked one or two times of this fish? I dont believe it, he said he's a seafood chef, right? Thou he doesn't know how to skin eel and didn't make good fish dish too in other episode.

Carla, I'm not surprised she lost, as i thought she should been out after the restaurant war, which she failed badly with her 2 desserts. I dont understand why Radhika was out becoz she suddenly became a restaurant owner. If running a restaurant is so important to be a chef? If yes, why not have restaurant war in finale?

Hosea...should be out already when he and Leah kissing, hugging around on the sofa. And next day, their performance were really affected by what they did the previous nite. If you are professional, and take this competition serious, should you allow yourself to be distracted? Will you start affairs with other contestants? Thou Stefan also fancy Jamie, but his performance never got affected becoz of that, that showed Stefan is alot more professional than Hosea.

I still think Stefan should have won the title of Top Chef, thou he's very arrogant, annoying most of the time, his cooking skills, creativity are a lot better than Hosea. Believe Tom doesn't really like his personality so he lost? Thou I think most of the good chefs in the world are arrogant, as they are qualified to be.

Worst decision ever.

If it only comes down to one meal, then just make a few chefs cook a few meals (heh like so-called "Food" Network's Chopped, which is now way better than Top [NOT] "Chef." FN sux and yet you have sunk below FN. Congrats).

Divide 20 chefs into 5 teams and chose accordingly--that is, according to what your producers say not the judges' "opinions."

Based on this season's "winner," >loser< clearly none of you cared about the honest outcome or the best chef (otherwise Stephan or Carla would have won--it only comes down to one meal? then judge each contestant on ONE meal [say again?? CHOPPED?? why is that better AND with better judges??] Toby?? Not even relevant).

And no-class Casey? Why? Carla should have won on class alone. Ban Casey forever. What's that? You won't. Why am I not surprised. Oh right, cheating slack-jawed Leah-sucking Josebeast. Did the producers pay you to chose Jose? I'm guessing YES

I won't be watching Bravo (not anything on it ever) any more.

Jeez.

Blah, blah, blah. Quit complaining. This is my first season watching Top Chef and I loved it! Jeff was my favorite, but I'm glad Hosea won.
Can't wait for season 6!!

Congratulations on bestowing the title of "Top Chef" on the fish guy who can't filet a fish to save his life. I just thought it was hilarious that he thought he was really screwing over Stefan by making him cook alligator. Are these people really chefs? Fried alligator is one of the simplest, yet tastiest things you can eat down south, so to think that THAT would have been a challenge for the most technically sound chef this season was ridiculous. Stefan for the win! You judges must've been smoking something when you handed out the prize...

I agree with Sandi all the way.

Oh, and a word about Bernie's baseball analogy.
You may have to win the game in the ninth inning, but they don't wipe out the runs you've scored in the first eight.

Regarding the previous commentor's baseball analogy:

If you build up a 27 run lead through 8 innings and then give up a couple of runs in the 9th, you still win.

The rules of this show have been poorly conceptualized from the beginning. Really disappointing.

What?
"as much as we were rooting for dear Carla..." The judges shouldn't be rooting for anyone. Imagine the furor if a referee anounced that they favored one team or the other. And if you were rooting for someone, who were you rooting against(Toby excepted)? The answer is obvious. For the second year in a row, the best chef finishes second. Last year was palatable because of Stephanie's consistent talent, but this year's winner is seriously inferior. "a winner to make you proud?" Embarassing.
Also, if the entire competition is to be based on a single meal (with ridiculous "twists"), what is the point of showing the previous challenges at all?

I've been a fan of the show since the first season. There has been plenty of drama with conflict and egos. I was very surprised Stefan was referred to as arrogant; I saw it as experience and confidence. He was clearly a gifted top chef. The bigger problem is he didn't humble himself and bow down to the judges. You judges were clearly intimidated because you haven's seen this confidence thus far. Honesty, you judges should be on the chopping block - NEXT - new judges needed. Tom was clearly intimidated by Stefan!!!

So here is a question to ask...WHY did they have Gail come back!?!? We saw her how much of season 5 and then she comes back on the most important day?!

Where is my comment? How long does it take for someone to moderate it?

About Carla, my husband thinks that she should sue Top Chef for forcing those sous-chefs on the finalists.

I had always enjoyed watching Top Chef because out of many other Reality TV competitions, I have always thought this show's judges were the most reasonable and fair. But my opinion was obviously wrong- this season was a total disappointment and I'm not sure I will watch future seasons again.

The fact that none of the guest judges at Commanders Palace was asked to represent them for the finale judging was questionable- it seemed like their opinions were totally dismissed by you, Tom and Padma. While we are all happy for your recent wedding, but for you to come back with all your preconceived opinion about Stefan without consideration of his past performances, or Hosea's past performances at that, was really mind-boggling. And while Hung could win with a 80's inspired dessert (and he clearly deserved the title of Top Chef) and Stefan couldn't-- there is clearly no consistency in the judging of Top Chef.

When you have cheftestants from Europe, the idea of having them cooking regional American food in the finale suggest a type of cultural discrimination towards the foreign contestants. There should've been more consideration in choosing the challenges when you accept foreign chefs in your competition.

Hosea doesn't deserve the title of Top Chef- he just merely won the Commander's Palace Challenge- that's all. It's hard to justify giving him $100K for 1 good meal. He clearly won because he had Richard Blais as sous chef.

Gail,

One last comment - Tom has always stated how the editing doesn't accurately reflect the intent or opinion of the judges.

I have to call BS on that.

Maybe Top Chef should hire the editors food network uses for iron chef america.

BTW, the choice of Hosea wasn't a controversial choice - it was a bad choice.

Stefan is the best chef - he may not have groveled and begged to your liking, but he is the superior chef.

Sure, the show would be like the Superbowl if it wasn't the fact that Tom told Toby if there were to be a tie the tie-breaker would be to consider the entire season's work of the cheftestants.

I agree with Hupert Keller's and Toby's argument in defense of Stefan. (See Toby's blog). How can you even say with a straight face that Hosea's first course was better than Stefan's. You all have eliminated many a contestants for cooking 101 mistakes: seasoning. So, how can you sit there and defend that Hosea's bland dish was better than Stefan's watered-down one. Last season, you sent ??? (one of the partners in the gay couple) packing because her salad was not seasoned enough. And, have said in many occasions that that is just cooking 101. Also, any Top Chef should be able to make a dessert. Hosea should not be penalized for not making one; however, Stefan should of been given kudos for producing one that tasted good with no complaints except presentation. But, as you have mentioned, if a chef had to choose between presentation and taste, it should be the latter. So, ok, the venison was better. That makes one for Hosea and one for Stefan's squab, best course of the evening. The final meal should of been a tie and should of gone to a tie-breaker considering the entire season. And, Stefan should of won hands down.

So, I agree with 98% of the comments made on the message boards and on the blogs. Hosea is the weakest winner in the history of TC and I am disgusted of the lack of integrity in the judging. I've been a faithful fan everyone season but now I don't even care to watch the show anymore like many of fans have mentioned in their comments. Listen, producers, I'm sure you have someone to read the message boards and blog commments. You will be losing many faithful fans for the disgrace and lack of integrity presented at the judges table in the finale. If you care about your fans, you should stick to your guns (like Tom said about Carla and go with your gut) and not just try to shoot for ratings. What were you all thinking?

Lastly, I think the judges were rather biased and went with Hosea because Stefan was "arrogant" as Gail mentioned in her blog and seemed to of stepped on a few too many toes with the judges. Stefan appears egotistical but he's truly the top chef and has proven his expertise throughout the season. Everyone knows Stefan is a great chef and he's going to have an amazing future ahead of him. We will all look forward to seeing him in the future as one of the greats in the culinary world.

This finale was disappointing because it demonstrates Top Chef's inconsistency.

In season three when the contestants got their celebrity Sous Chefs, the Sous Chefs were instructed that THEY COULD NOT OFFER AVICE OR TIPS TO THE CHEFS - ensuring that one chef did not get an unfair advantage.

This season, of all the sous chefs, Richard was the most proficient of the bunch - and Casey was the least proficient.

They all offered adviced to their respective chefs and that - IMHO - invalidated the results that the chefs were judged by.

Season 5 will end up being Top Chef's "Jump The Shark" moment.