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New Show title: "Top Chef ...that ain't actually the Top Chef, but happens to be a insecure mediocre average no dessert making non-risk taker that barely got by all season by backstabbing and face sucking and who was especially lucky in the finally by getting the Blaise-Man to support him & also picking #1 on the finally knife set so he didn't have to chop off an alligators tail and cook it"

Judges . . "This ain't no ectch-a-scetch. This is one doodle that cant be undid . . Home Skillet" ...Next season should have 3 World renowned Chef's that would judge ....the 3 Top Chef Judges (Toby excluded) on how poor your judging is from week to week. (Yes that would be a 2 season Show) ...."Top Judge"

Ummm....Tom . . I think Stefan was actually the Top Chef last season so . . "Please Cleanse Your Pallet and LEAVE!!!!!"

New Top Chef Term: Weaksauce!!!

The winner clearly was Stefan. The last decision should be one that takes ALL of the season into consideration. And as those have said above, Stefan performed better consistently. Pretty ridiculous. Oh well.

By not acknowledging past performances you have given the title to the wrong chef. I am also incredibly insulted by the result of the Panel's decision.

The clear Top Chef was evident early on as it has been in the past, "Richard Blais" anyone? The list goes on and it becomes very evident that shows like this are mere fodder for product placement and drama, not about cooking food.

In my opinion, up and coming shows which base big decisions in part on the entire progression of the chef make more sense that this ridiculous outcome. How ashamed I am that I allowed you into my home once again to reward mediocrity over substance.

Dear God, what a hideous outcome. I've no doubt that Hosea put out a great finale meal, with Richard "Top Sous Chef" Blais by his side. But the idea that he is a superior chef to Stefan is just laughable.

I thought it was painfully obvious that Tom didn't like Stefan and there was no way he was going to let him win. Sad. Stefan was clearly a better chef through out the entire season. If I had been served a 3 course meal from Hosea I would have been left waiting for a finish of some sort. To finish with a heavy meat dish? I totally disagree with the judges. I thought Toby Young was the best judge at the table last night. Totally unbiased.

Wow, Top Chef won't have any viewers if everyone who commented here doesn't watch next season...yeah, right...get over yourselves, it's a show.
Real Chef has it right! Don't watch it again then, bet the show will survive without you!! I love it, it is clearly entertaining, and the top 4 chefs all won in my book.

Real Chef --

Those of us disappointed in the outcome are going by wins and losses. Obviously, none of us were there to taste the food. Most of us probably do not like Stefan. Hosea won, what was it? One challenge? And that was when the entire kitchen helped him out because his meat got spoiled. When Hosea won during that challenge, Tom even commented that everyone had done a bad job. It wasn't even this great runaway victory. Stefan on the other hand, had many great victories. It is not irrational to be surprised by this result.

I've never posted on this site, but I was outraged last night! All along, Stefan has shown top-notch talent. Hosea was always sniveling about how Stefan couldn't lose. He was so obviously insecure with his own cooking abilities and was jealous of superstar Stefan. AND YET--he gets rewarded because Stefan's dessert was inferior to his previous desserts!? Give me a break!!! I'm guessing Bravo wants this outrage to stimulate interest in the show, but it is clear that Hosea did not win based on merit. You know he's absolutely stunned himself that he won, considering how he acknowledged how stellar Stefan was all season. This is hands down the worst Top Chef winner ever!

I felt Stephan really should have been Top Chef overall based on his overall talent. I don't understand the way the judging is swayed and each passing season it's getting worse. I won't be watching next season because, I believe this season's been such a let down. Best of luck Carla...we love you!

I think the judges are UNFAIR. They should be choosing TOP CHEF, which means that the overall performance should be taken into account.

Hosea maybe had cooked a good meal on the Finale but his overall performance is pretty much average. On the other hand, I think Stefan has showed the he clearly has the skills of being a top chef.

Congrats to Hosea. All the hate is weird.

Ouch. Not a good finale. Sure Stephan was kind of a jerk, but he was clearly the best chef through the course of the season. For it to be so close in the finale - and him not win is very disappointing.

I too am unhappy with the outcome, but to demean the judges is unfair. None of the viewers tasted any of the food, so all of their opinions are based on chef personality and food presentation. It has always been understood that the chefs are judged only on the basis of the meal that is prepared. It seems quite reasonable to me that Hosea prepared the best meal for the finale.

I am happy that Carla won the car and I am hoping Fabio gets the $10,000 as fan favorite. If this happens, two of the better chefs will not go away empty handed.

She doesn't add any value to the show. Just repeating whatever Tom says. Highly unethical decision, Stefan was far more consistent through the whole season. The judges seemed to have already decided to crown Hoseya,maybe because they got negative feedback from the previous episode where Fabio was eliminated. Their decison making process was "how can we justify Hoseya winning". Say hello to the Top Chef Mafia!
I don't think I will waste any more time watching Top Chef.

Excuse all of us for being passionate viewers. Apparently, you're the exception in having a life while taking the time out to condescend to all of us with your patronizing lecture.
If you read the comments carefully, it's obvious everyone LIKES Carla, but most, if not all, agree that she did herself in. Most viewers dislike Stefan, and yet they vote for him. And no amount of editing can hide a contestant's true nature.
It's true that none of us tasted the foods. But the point of the show is to watch the tendencies of all the contestants. By this, we can gage their skill and professionalism, and on this basis Stefan is the clear winner. As was Harold, Ilan, Hung, and Stephanie.
I'm sure, Real Chef, that if you got wind that a food critic who's given you a poor review, had a hidden agenda, you would stoically accept it, right? Even though it's unfair? By suggesting that the judges were subjective in their own ways is to insult them. It can't be purely objective, but there is a set of criteria that the judges must honor. And viewers are probably angry because their sense is that the judges in this instance departed from it.

Ok, for all those complaining, I don't see how it would have been fair to Hosea to not award him Top Chef.

I didn't taste Stefan's dessert, but the judges were right about the presentation. It was pretty bad in the context of a cooking competition (I'm sure I would have snarfed it done, but it looked so unrefined compared to what we've seen before).

The both had a mediocre/subpar first course. Both nailed the second course. Both nailed the appetizer. But Stefan blew it with the dessert.

And people complain about Hosea not doing a dessert course. A 3 course meal doesn't have to have a dessert, nor did the judges require a dessert. Stefan did a dessert because he likes making them. Carla wanted to do a classic french meal and went with a cheese dish for the final course. I don't know about you, but I generally don't like to end my meal with cheese, but that's perfectly fine.

Hosea played to his strengths. Why would he make a dessert if he could make a savory dish that is better and still make sense in the context of his menu. According to the judges, his progression worked. And that's all that really mattered.

Stefan should have made a kickass dessert, then he probably would have been top Chef, since his second course slightly edged out Hosea's.

The also admitted that Hosea slightly edge out Stefan in the first course, even though both were subpar.

Gail - you and Tom showed your bias against Stefan on a number of occasions. If it really was Top Chef, he wins hands down, but you guys kept commenting about his attitude, what has that got to do with how the food was prepared or how it tastes? I guess Tom must be the biggest ego in the room, is that in his contract?

I so hoped Carla would win, she stole my hear.

I can see why Hosea won. He had four good, almost great courses while Stefan had 2 great courses and 2 so-so courses.

The finale must stand on its own in my opinion...the previous episodes determine who will be there. If the entire season is taken in to consideration, there wouldn't be any suspense and little chance for a come from behind victory.

I didn't like either Hosea or Stefan for different reasons but I understand the judge's decision.

Congratulations to all 3 and especially to Carla, be true to yourself honey.

One more thing: Can you seriously imagine taking Stephan to the Aspen Food & Wine? He has the manners, social graces and personality of Hitler (or possibly Idi Amin). Not the best representation of the Top Chef program. Hell's Kitchen, maybe.

I was rooting for Carla too and am very sorry that she didn't stick to her plan. I thought it was lack of confidence and my husband thought she was trying to be nice to Casey. Only she knows her intentions...but it took her out of the running. Bummer.

I thought Stefan was the superior chef throughout the season but over the last few weeks I thought he was so over confident had so little respect for the other contestants that he thought he didn't need to do much to win. I thought there were very valid criticisms of his work on the last episode...the carpaccio and the dessert were poor while the appetizer and squab were extremely good.

I didn't care for Hosea's personality almost as much as I disliked Stefan's. Although his courses didn't seem to hit the same height as Stefan's 2 good ones, none of his were poor while 2 of Stefan's were....leading to the win.

The show leads to the finale as being the last test...the last meal should stand on its own. The chef's know that from the beginning and they have a long break to refresh themselves and their thinking before coming back. The earlier part of the season just determines who advances and who is eliminated, nothing more. By building to the crescendo of the last meal, it creates drama and suspense and a relatively level playing field so that any of the 3 finalists can win. Without that suspense, the finale would be predictable and probably boring.

Like they say in most athletic games between closely matched opponents....on any given day any one of them could win. Although not my preference, I can see why Hosea won.

I know that all three finalists will be successful. I wish them all the best. Congratulations to all three.

Although it is true that viewers have no way of truly assessing the food since they can't sample it; we can at least watch edited versions of the guest chefs' comments and opinions. Based on those, it is clear that Stefan had more "wins" from some of the most celebrated chefs in this country whose own culinary origins and expertise are international. It would make more sense and be far more credible if a system of cumulative "success" were rewarded. It would fairly eliminate chefs who continue to underperform -- for whatever reasons -- and "move up" those whose cooking is consistently excellent, or consistently improving. I think it is absurd to select a winning chef based on one meal, rather than an entire season's performance. Moreover, the "core" judges leave quite a bit to be desired in terms of their own experience. Padma is not a professional nor an accomplished chef. She has written some cookbooks, none of which have been particularly successful. Her comments are rarely informed or articulate. Tom Colicchio has never proven he can cook a terrific meal under the circumstances, time constraints and pressure the Top Chef contestants undergo. In an earlier season he once questioned a chef somewhat snidely about the authenticity of using truffles in Italian cooking. Perhaps he has never been in Northern Italy. Rocco di Spirito -- another occasional judge -- had numerous customers gagging over the poor quality of the food when his "reality restaurant" show was on a few years ago. I think it would be fair to have all the core judges be tested first under the same circumstances to see if any of them would qualify as Top Chef, let alone be elevated to their role as judges. Finally, while I am not in a position to judge food I cannot taste, and am not implying that Hosea is not a fine cook, if we are to rely on the opinions of accomplished chefs throughout the season, he would not appear to be the winner. Nevertheless, I don't doubt that he is an impassioned, creative chef, and I wish him the best. I agree with many of the previous posts that this show needs to re-think its judging criteria and even the quality and expertise of its core judges.

Dear Gail,

I must admit that I am very disappointed by this season's batch of chefs. With the exception of Stefan, Carla, Fabio, Jeff, Jamie, I thought the rest of the group were mediocre. I felt that the judges made a mistake kicking off the most two creative people on the show, Jamie and Jeff. They were the only ones that tried to push the boundaries with their cooking. Granted, Stefan was full of himself, he had the dishes (and the wins) to back up his talk. As for Carla, she seemed to really put a lot of thought into her dishes. You can definitely see that she is a person who cooks with her heart. I know this is a "competition", but the judges need to make up their minds in what they are looking in a "TOP CHEF". Is this Miss America or Top Chef? Are you looking for someone who is "well rounded" (good chef, creative, good personality)? Or are you looking for someone with mad creative skills (disregard personality)? Make up your minds! I am very disappointed by the judges' final decision. Rather than picking someone well rounded or creative, the judges picked someone who was "consistent" and mediocre. A person who threw his team mate under the bus and watched her screw up(the organic farm episode). A person who also appeared (or was portrayed)to have cheated on his girlfriend on the show. Hosea might be a nice person in real life, but he was portrayed and came across as sleazy. Even Stefan showed his human side when Carla cried last night. I know drama and personalities "sell" on reality TV. But let's not stoop to the level of MTV's Real World level. What's next? Food fights and make out sessions in the bathrooms? If last night was a preview of what's to come in the future for Top Chef, then I am probably better off watching Hell's Kitchen. Despite his attitude, Stefan should have won. (Carla- love you but you messed up the beef and dessert.)

I guess if Josea can win than ABSOLUTELY ANYONE can win!!!!

what a shame. top check used to be good and this year they got it SOOOOOOOOO wrong.

I am surprised and amazed at the results again. I decided i would not watch TOP CHEF again.

It looks like TOM & PADMA wanted the TOP CHEF to be in America. So they decided that in finale Desert will be optional, coz they know that Hosea can never make good desert and karla is not better than Stephan.

Stephan took aligator meat and made a such a wonderful soup, for which no one raised a finger, on the other side hosea had to use fish.

Why cant in finals all chefs be given same ingredient and show them their skills?

And who doesnt want to end a meal with desert?

TOP CHEF must be someone who know how to make a desert

I totally agree with TOBY YOUNG. PADMA & TOM are biased.

The show gave the title to a cook who did not deserve to be the winner.

I want TOm to reply to all viewers on his decision for TOP CHEF

I was sad to see Carla sabatoge herself. I think her confidence is often fragile. She is a loving cook that pours her soul into her food, which is what makes it so wonderful. AND she had CLASS! She did not bad mouth the others, she was positive and sincere.
The others are not in her league as a generous and dedicated human being.
I wish she had made the best food because in my book she truly is a Top Chef in many ways.

You need to have more contestants like her on the show. Not those underachievers like Leah who cannot even cook a dish or finish a challenge.

The people who blog here need to seriously get a life. The chefs, including Stefan, have told you that they like each other and the show is edited to create drama. The judges have told you why they made their decisions. None of you tasted one morsel of food and yet you complain that the person you LIKED the best should have won. Some of you do personal attacks of some of the competitors in language I wouldn't dignify.

It is a television show. It is not reality. There is no fairness attached to it - like all competitions it is subjective. And those who get to exercise their subjectivity are the judges. You are the viewers. You tasted nothing, smelled nothing and got to judge nothing. You were entertained and that is all that counts for a television show. You got involved and you watched the show and now you are reacting as if it were your life. It is not.

It matters not whether you think it was fair to spring a new ingredient at the last minute; it matters not whether you think one person is kicky and the other boring. What matters is what is on the plate and what those people tasting what is on the plate subjectively decide.

So how about some class? How about a warm congratulations to the winner. Sour grapes never improved the taste of anything.

Last night's episode was pretty disappointing. It felt like Hosea won by default. He's done a good job this season. Not good enough to win challenges with talent like Stefan or simplicity and soul like Carla, but not quite bad enough to be sent home earlier in the season. There was always someone worse. It's unfortunate that this was the finale because it seemed like a prime example of the kind of episode where the food was so underwhelming the judges grant a reprieve and the chefs move on to compete again another week.

Perhaps in the future Top Chef might go down the path of other television shows and at the finale base the final judgment on an entire body of work. The name "Top Chef" implies so much more than just "who did the best job at this particular meal".

Gail - good points but in my heart, "Carla is the Top Chef." Loved her attitude throughout the entire season and slow rise to the top. This is the first time I have ever cried watching a contestant loose it in the end all because she did not stay "true to her own cooking."
Carla, keep on cooking beautiful, loving food!

It came down to them cooking their best in the end. After Carla basically gave up the game to Casey, doing something she had no idea about for the Finale, I was like well there you go it's over. I thought Stephan might pull through and win the end, he's cooked good food, but only does dishes from his heart when he returns to his roots. Hosea was consistent all the way through the Finale. And that's what counted right? The FINAL cookoff? I mean it doesn't matter if Hosea skirted by the whole competition, he made it to the end and obviously cooked the best OVERALL meal. I was sorry to see Carla go out like that I was rooting for her because she was finally doing so well in the end. I mean I don't hate Stephan but I don't like arrogant people either.

I cannot tell you how disappointed I was in the final decision.
Hosea is not the Top Chef. Top Cook? Maybe.

Stefan was robbed!
Quit basing your decisions on personality!
You guys really crowned the wrong chef.

Do you really think Hosea could have worked with alligator or made desert? No! He took the safe way out. He was so far up Stefans butt.
Hosea KNEW that Stefan was the better chef. That's why he whined the whole time during the show. You guys really crowned the Biggest Whiner!!!
Congrats Bravo! You guys really wasted my Wednesday nights!

Hosea? I feel like I just wasted all the Wednesday nights I spent watching Top Chef. Never again.

Hosea? Really?

He barely skirted by all season and should have gone home weeks ago!!

How disappointing...

Gail,

I was greatly disappointed in the judges final result. I found Hosea to lack talent and skill the entire season and truly believe the only reason his dishes were done so well this time was thanks to Richard. I think without Richard, who even admitted to working with Hosea and suggesting things, Hosea would have not been able to deliver.

Carla was fantastic and finally came into her own, sadly lost because of not sticking with what she thought was best. I would have been perfectly fine with her winning since she also showed a great deal of talent, but Hosea showed a complete lack of that throughout the entire season.

Stefan who may have had an ego out shined everyone as far as I was concerned. And I don't understand your issue with his dessert, I thought it was well done and a great finish. In fact, I would have voted against anyone who did not make a dessert since it is something that I always get and I think is a great example of the quality of a chef and restaurant. What makes a top chef is their ability to be versatile and work with anything, Stefan proved that by cooking with alligator which he had no previous experience with yet did extraordinarily well, while Hosea took no risks. And Hosea couldn't even make a simple dessert, I find his lack of talent, his cut throat and back stabbing attitude all season long to be a disgrace to the Top Chef name.

I think Toby was dead on with his decision and I would side with him completely and I think that everyone else let their personal issues cloud their judgment. It is too bad you failed to see what all the viewers did which was what a good person Stefan actually was and what a scumbag Hosea was. You have lost a viewer in me.

Gail, You guys got it wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!! How in the world can you judge an entire competition based on ONE dish!! You guys may as well have a format like Food Network's "Chopped" for cryin out loud if you're gonna keep judging like that!! Unless he totally crapped it out (which he didn't!) Stefan deserved to win this thing. Not happy! Not happy at all!!

It's clear here what happened. A awful, nauseating season finale occurred. Hosea (albeit having no appeal at all, in his food, nor his personality) was chosen as Top Chef, with little to stand on, nor to sway the audience. His food was sub-par at best. It's clear that Richard helped create that menu. What is also clear is Tom is totally insecure with the presence that Stefan had, and felt intimidated. There was no room for Tom's ego and Stefan's. Face it! Carla, hands down was the audience's choice, and I know it's not personality that wins, but I think more thought should have been placed into the judging. And frankly, more thought should have been placed in the production of the finale. HOW BORING? How anti-climatic. How much so, that I have been left with no excitement for next season, as I have in the past. And don't even get me started on Padma AKA "Repeat-ma". The lady can't come up with a thought on her own.....

Boo to you Top Chef and, big big big mistake BRAVO.. Big Mistake...

Sorry, Gail. I think you're great, but this finale's outcome was truly disappointing. Of course, the performance of the chef over the whole season should be taken into account during the finale. Of course! Otherwise, what does the title Top Chef even mean? Top Chef of one meal on one episode? Stefan consistently outperformed Hosea. He is a better chef. What's worse, Hosea was basically a B+ chef the whole season. He skated through by not taking major risks. I remember absolutely nothing that Hosea cooked, but have specific, interesting, original, well-executed dishes I will always remember from contestants like Carla and Stefan. Hosea, though nice, was a mediocre chef and it was so lame to crown him Top Chef and reward that mediocrity. Even if his finale meal was better, I fault the judges for not crowning a true Top Chef.

what a disappointment! looking at the season as a whole, hosea shouldn't have even made it to the finals! it should have been FABIo, carla and stefan-- even after reading your blog, i don't get it-- are you judges not embarrassed by what you're dubbing "top chef"?? the credibility of the show was totally lost last night--

Bad choice.
The implication provided by other viewers, that the judges created a bias in favor of Hosea by not requiring a desert course, is on the money. If you're going to judge a chef on one meal, why not have him display all his skills in that one setting? As Hubert Keller stated, desert-making should be included in a chef's repertoire of techniques. And Hosea clearly has no ability or confidence there.
On the one hand, I understand that a chef is only as good as his most recent meal. But on the other, if you're not going to take into account a finalist's previous displays of skill and guts, why have an entire season? I understand that the process is to winnow it down to a few contestants, but if you're going to go by one meal, then call the show 'Top Meal', rather than 'Top Chef'. Which Stefan (or maybe Carla) clearly was.
Does a Top Chef sabotage a colleague (Ariane)(yes, Ariane, Hosea is a wimp)? The point is to be the best, not to win as a result of someone else's failure. Compare Hosea's behavior with Carla's, when she steadfastly refused to blame Gene and Danny for vulgarizing their dish. Does a Top Chef reveal his sniveling insecurity by constantly obsessing over another chef? Hosea doesn't look like a professional. He's still a little boy. Regarding Stefan, I didn't find him as offensive as others obviously do. His arrogance often seemed more tongue-in-cheek. If he got on well with Fabio, how bad a guy can he be? He showed his true colors, I believe, in the way he tried to console Carla, who is an absolute and pure gem.
A truly disappointing finale to what was a pretty good season.
Note to producers: more shows like the Le Bernadin and Last Supper episodes. Both were inspiring and instructive.

I thought this year's finale was somewhat anti-climactic. I think the mistake was made when a former chef was allowed back into the competition. He didn't win, but I think that helped setup the unfortunate finale. I believe the finale should be between the two top chefs, not three. I can see why Hosea won. Carla clearly needs to stand up more for herself. If she cooked her own dishes, she probably would have won. Contrary to others' opinions, I think personality should play a little bit of a factor in picking the top chef. Chefs don't work alone in a vacuum. Stefan needs to polish his people skills. I must say though...after all is said and done, I still love the show!!!

Hi, Gail. I was very glad to see you return for both finale episodes.

Poor Carla. She'd been making steady inroads in the Top Chef 'boys club' and I was really rooting for her to win. But as others have commented, she ultimately let her insecurities get the best of her and followed Casey's suggestions, to her detriment. I loved Casey's cooking, but her style is completely opposite Carla's down-home style, despite Carla being classically French trained. But she got the car!

As far as Hosea and Stefan, I don't have much to say. I'm not sure either deserved to win, frankly. Hosea seemed to get too much joy out of undermining other chefs. And Stefan was entirely too full of himself. In the past few episodes I felt he thought he had the whole thing sew up, no effort required. That attitude ultimately jumped up and bit him in the ass, thank heavens.

Thanks for a great season (bad language was down considerably, thank heavens). What about New Orleans next season?

Is this what Top Chef has degenerated into, having to anoint a top chef who spent the whole season toiling in mediocrity, who clearly displayed a massive inferiority complex, and who constantly obsessed about beating a superior opponent. Hosea's performance up to the finale had been nothing better than subpar. How can a "seafood chef" botch every seafood challenge?

I'm certain that the purpose of Top Chef, aside from selling advertising time and providing exposure for Food & Wine, the Craft restaurant group, and Padma, is to champion cooks who have exceptional talent and pursue excellence. I see none of those qualities in this season's winner. When you have such an embarrassment of a winner representing your franchise, you immediately lose credibility amongst your peers and the viewing audience.

Dear Gail,

I agree with the great majority of comments above and I really hope the you, Padma, and Tom take some of this feedback and not merely pacify yourselves with the few positive comments. It really appears from your explanation that 'personality' trumped cooking talent in your eyes. Which I find unfortunate. While its not "picking a president" it still should be based on talent, shouldn't it? And, if the title is Top Chef, and you know the winner isn't the best one, what's the point?

This season's t-shirt should be: "Feel the Love!" ... or ... "I've been royally sous vide!"

Dear Gail,

Like Carla, you are a true class act, but even class acts, sadly, have their downfalls. I was so disappointed to see both you and Tom evince complete disdain fro Stefan's personality (read: "arrogance", which you both stated). This was "Top chef", not "Top Who Would I LIke to Take to the Prom". Hosea was a weasel, and he played it REALLY safe with the venison course; AND he had Richard to actually carry him as well. Stefan played it safe with the final course, too, but no one can accuse him of falling back on the old (would that be "pedestrian", Padma?) "alligator soup" recipe when Hosea "stuck it" to him, as Tom so laughingly said.

This is probably true for everyone, but, in the end, your choice of Top Chef revealed so much more about you than it did the top chef.

I have to agree with most of the comments I think your response was uncalled for, and this is not the show I excepted.
You sounded like you did not like Stefan. Came across loud and clear. I am sorry I really enjoyed watching this show, but I am not sure I will watch again next season.

Great finale.... great tv. Everyone's saying the whole season should determine the winner. If that happened, what would be the suspense of the finale? Come on people, we're not choosing a President here. It's a game.... and I love that even the front-runner can go down at the end if they don't bring their A-game. And I don't think the judges were out for Stefan. Remember, they've rewarded the big ego before (Hung, anyone?). I think everyone's forgetting that Stefan really hadn't been dominant for the last few weeks. Anyway, congrats, Hosea. Now for Carla.... I'm wondering if we'll hear from Casey? As a fan of both women, I hated how last night played out. It's hard not to resent Casey, but we all know she's a sweetheart and a good chef, so I wonder if maybe Carla was ASKING for help and the editing just cut it out. Either way, Carla, you have much to be proud of! Great show.... hate to see it end, as always!

"Whose food would the viewers want to go try?". That should be the ONLY question for deciding who's Top Chef. Based on the entire series, not one night only. Even the greatest -- including all the guests at the last table -- have a moment of oops.

And that's why this season was a failure. And why you better pay attention to viewer unhappiness. Hosea's food was compelling to few viewers. Even the judges didn't act like they would make any effort to seek out his table. While all of the judges would be interested in another meal with Carla. That's why she should have won. And why you better change your rules to allow the whole season to count.

What a ludicrous decision. Last season’s winner made a dessert that wasn’t dazzling (pound cake and overwhipped cream, if I recall correctly) and Stefan’s looked very nice, even if it wasn’t innovative. He was forced to cook alligator and did so beautifully. Yet Hosea, a consistently mediocre, fly-under-the-radar (remember Arianne’s downfall?) cook, wins? Stefan’s entree was better than anything Hosea made. All Hosea has done, time and again, is whine that he hasn’t made whatever in his restaurant or it’s not indigenous to Colorado. And this guy is a top chef?

I think this has everything to do with the fact that Stefan wasn’t whining and begging for it enough. Maybe this wounded Colicchio’s ego or something. Who would have thought that Toby Young would be the judge who made sense during the finale, while the rest of you appeared to have lost your professionalism?

A bad decision, on par with the ridiculous Ilan (“I can cook directly from Casa Mono’s menu”) Hall win. The judges looked like fools last night.

I am sorry to say that the fifth season is most likely my final season of viewing this once great show. Top Chef has lost its way. It has become less about the food and more about ratings, drama and personality. Just another example of poorly constructed reality TV. You used to be much more than that. Please go back to season one and look at what you did right back then before you even consider another season.

Here's the thing; while I admired Stefan and Carla (and Jamie), I was content with Hosea's win for a couple of reasons.

Carla, I think, is incredible. Yet in the defining moment, - you've always judged each episode on that episode's food - in the one most important meal, she elected to serve a dish cooked with a technique completely strange to her. She relinquished control of a menu and food that she should have jealously and righteously controlled. I think she knew that the moment she let the meat slip into the bag. And now that control for that course had slipped away she became nervous and flustered, hence the oven issue. She wouldn't have become flustered if the menu stayed under her control, and even if she still lost, she'd have felt better about it.

Stefan quickied dessert. It's that simple. Many, maybe most of us, chefs and not-chefs, don't attain greatness because we don't relentlessly pursue the details, the small things that differentiate professionals from dilettantes. I was disappointed at Stefan for this course, and I too wondered why I wasn't surprised.

To me, this was one of the best final four, er, three, ok, five, counting Jeff and Fabio.

Hosea seems to know what he knows, and knows what he doesn't know; performs well under pressure, and appears to be an excellent cook. He pulled it off! That's why he won.

Judging final meals must be excruciating, and there must be millions of us that wish we were tasting the food with you!

Gail-

Thanks for your rationale. I've never faulted decisons based on taste, since its pretty subjective and I didn't get to eat it. From the edit of the show, all of the chef experts seemed to have mixed opinions of Stephan and Hosea's fish dishes. It seemed like a pick-em.

however, after reading Toby's blog, I am really disappointed that you didn't take into account the monumental success Stephan had all season, when compared to Hosea. Perhaps your absence was a hindrance to you there? I dunno. If the menus were close, as all of the judges seemed to say they were, then how does Hosea win?

Oh well, another season where the bet chef lost in the finale.

We need a Carla t-shirt. "Hootie?" on one side and "hoo" on the other. It would sell out. What a classy gal. You go, girl.

Another viewer lost. I agree that the Top Chef should be chosen by his or her performance throughout the entire season--NOT based on one dish. Hosea got to the finale through sheer luck and by throwing others under the bus. Stefan got there based on his own skill. What in God's name were all of you thinking?

What a ludicrous decision. Last season's winner made a dessert that wasn't dazzling (pound cake and overwhipped cream, if I recall correctly) and Stefans looked very nice, even if it wasn't innovative. He was forced to cook alligator and did so beautifully. Yet Hosea, a consistently mediocre, fly-under-the-radar chef wins? Stefan's entree was better than anything Hosea made. All Hosea has done, episode after episode, is whine that he hasn't made it in his restaurant or it's not indigenous to Colorado. And this guy is a top chef?

I think this has everything to do with people deciding that he wasn't whining and begging for it enough. Colicchio, especially, seems to just not like the guy.

A bad decision, on par with the ridiculous Ilan "I can cook anything from Casa Mono's menu" Hall win. Frankly, this time, the judges looked like fools.

Wrong call. I'm done with Top Chef. You committed the biggest sin judges can commit - putting their own egos before food.

You picked Hosea because he was more submissive, and socially less offensive than Stefan. As you can see from the comments, back-to-back challenge wins (anyone care for Eric Ripert's opinion?), it was a no-brainer than Stefan (or, in an upset, Carla) should have won.

Episode after episode, three Michelin and critically acclaimed chef after the other, Stefan would come out on the top, if not winning. With Hosea scraping the bottom.

You picked cultural chauvinism over food. Congratulations, you lost a good chunk of your viewers.

Gail,
I hope you will read this and share it with the others in the show. I thought that choosing Hosea was a bad choice. First, you say that the decision has to be made based on that night's performance only. This is ridiculous because even the best chef in the world can make a mistake - you should take into consideration the track record of all the challenges, and Stefan proved many times that he was the best, most complete chef. Hosea never, successfully completed a good desert (what kind of 'top chef' can't do deserts- my favorite part of the meal). Stefan, however, proved himself with the desert in restaurant wars, and the fact that he pulled off the soup says more about him - Hosea can do a good dish on his own terms, but Stefan can do a dish on his and other's terms. That what determines a top chef. It seems as if the decision was made on the poor desert, but if that is so, then why not make it on the 'best dish of the night' as said by Tom regarding Stefan's Squab? This is very disappointing. Even Hosea agreed that Stefan is a better chef than him by his constant insecurity and rivalry.

I disagree with the above comments in that both Stefan and Hosea had their high and low points during the season which I thought was as entertaining as previous ones if perhaps lacking some of the more bitter interpersonal rivalry (e.g. Marcel and Ilan) of previous seasons. Isn't a chef only as good as the last meal he/she has cooked?

No quarrel with the decision from me.

No, the disappointment around here started when Richard, Casey and Marcel walked into the picture. My wife said "Carla will lose if she doesn't get Richard" So we spent most of the episode gritting our teeth, knowing our favorite personality was going to crash: Carla never had a chance the minute Casey opened her mouth.

How sad to see a past loser sabotage another's seasons. How sad to see Carla give in - just as she did several times this season - to some loser's 'suggestion.' Message to Casey: Shut up and let the CHEF cook the food.

No real doubt that Hosea would win if the food was any good at all. Stefan went from wanting to wow the judges to 'screw them' some episodes ago.

If you have any influence AT ALL Gail, keep the losers off the show, give the finalists some top talent (like Colorado?) to help - talent that knows when to keep their mouths shut.

Gail, thank you for your time and efforts.

Dear Lame, I agree with you, it was a bore...

Hi Gail, I'm glad you came back for the Top Chef finale and I saw you last week at the SoBe Wine and Food Festival. You seem to have a refreshing personality and you look very happy after your wedding, congratulations.

Reading the different comments and also discussing with my friends who also follow the show, WE ALL AGREE that watching Hosea win was a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME. I don't know the first person that actually likes the guy or think he's a good cook... I'm not saying he does not deserve to be on the show but based on technique and knowledge he does not cut it. I don't care if Stefan was nice or not, he was far better than Hosea and so was Carla, too bad she made wrong choices at the end.

Hosea should have never been in the final 3, and Fabio should have never been kicked off the show. I believe in that moment, Top Chef gained a lot of haters.

Hosea's main goal was to beat Stefan, not to make good food.

Very disappointing Top Chef finale...

I am very disappointed in the winner. Hosea had lady luck on his side (first pick of sous chefs, first pick of protein for twist challenge) and he hogged the foie gras. I realize you may not have known any of that as a judge.

Not to mention, for as much flak as was dished out when several cheftestants served Chilean sea bass, why is foie gras not given the same disdain?

I was so sad for Carla. I was sadder still that dessert was not a required course. It should be top-overall-chef, not top-chef-who-can-only-master-savory-dishes.

Lame that fish, fish, more fish, and game won the night. I will level a criticism of the episode that I hear a lot on your show... "How one note!"

While I can understand judging the individual challenges throughout the show based on their own merit only and not taking into account past performances, it seems to me that the criteria for judging the finale should be different. How can you NOT judge the contestants on ALL of their work? It makes no sense to me for the final decision to be based on that one performance. That's the point in the competition where you really must view each contestant's history - not merely what was just served to you.

If that approach had been taken, the outcome would have been much different.

I also thought your dislike of Stefan was evident all thru the episode. Are you stillmentally on your honeymoon? What's with the nasty attitude toward Rocco?You seemed like a different person.

I don't think the judges were biased in this decision, just as they remained impartial in prior finales. It always comes down to the merit of the final meal at hand. Isn't that how Ilan beat Sam? I was disappointed for Carla, but a valuable lesson was learned here that I know she will never forget: stick with your instincts and stay true to yourself. I know she would have won, if she had cooked her food her way. Stefan is probably the best chef of this season. I mean c'mon, he was an obvious early front runner. But, from what I saw toward the end of this season, his anger and competitiveness clouded his approach and in the end, I feel was his downfall. Hosea was always consistent and seem to always put a lot of thought into preparing his entries. I think that for Top Chef, you are only as good as your last meal, so in this case, the best chef won.

Watching the 5th installment of top chef ,had me going week after week with high expectations, Carla my hero and pic for top chef was a great personality to watch , i am sure top chef viewers fell in love with her personality from very early, but when she stepped her game up close to the finale , i was so impressed i would have made this season of top chef my favorite.Hosea, Fabio and Stefan all contributed to the great dynamic of top chef season 5 , I am not going to rub any one's nose in the dirt by saying the finale sucks and it was disappointing to watch , i will just say this, life is never at anytime going to be as predictable as we all would like it to be , and top chef was true to that. The unpredictability of the outcome of the finale is what keeps the series real ,if everyone got what they expected in the end what kind of competition would top chef be , its Top Chef!! , kudos to the top chef team , love you all, I have learned laughed cried been disappointed angry been amazed and happy, but all in all, it was a good roller coaster ride , congratulations Hosea , you are Top chef!Let no one tell you different , Carla keep your head up ,you go girl Hootie hoo forever , Stefan you rock,continue to kick butt ,Fabio you have the strength of a lion, Jeff great come back that was brilliant you deserve to be called with the greats as well, Top Chef season five is one of the best if not the best season yet , looking forward with great anticipation for season six God bless you all. Boyd James, Jamaica.

Quite Honestly, that was the WORST episode of the season and the WORST FINALE of the 5 seasons of Top Chef. The food was uninspired, the judges looked bored and there was certainly no drama. Stefan, Carla, Fabio, Jeff and even Jamie will far exceed whatever modicum of success Hosea may obtain from this...he's boring, dull, unimaginative. Top Chef has lost it's edge, don't even bother doing a 6th season. It's over.

I was rooting for Carla to pull out all of her stops and drive through the men. As soon as Casey talked her into the sous-vide, I cringed..and, when Casey talked her out of her tarts, I knew it would not be the same as Carla's famous way of making great crust/pastry that Tom always loved!! I was heartbroken. I wanted to scream at Casey for butting in and was so upset that Carla didn't follow her "heart" and cook her own food her way. She's way too nice. So, I always thought Stefan would take it anyway unless Carla had kept her running streak. But, Hosea just seemed to have the best luck ever, from the knife pull for the choice of Richard, to the choice of protein, and the lucky decision to NOT do desert. It was a very surprising ending. They all deserved to win in their won individual ways, and I am sure that they will all have very successful futures. It is nice to know that Hosea can now open his own restaurant with the money.. and, Carla has won a car!! and the hearts of all of the fans. Stefan is very talented and will go far... Great season. Hope to see you back soon..

Color me utterly disgusted by the finale and the entire season. I've always admired you as a judge, Gail, but you, Tom and Padma really irked me during the finale. Granted, part of the problem lies in the whole system of judging. Hosea skated through most of the season and certainly dodged elimination several times by back-stabbing other cheftestants. As for thinking Hosea is a "nice guy," I suggest you watch the tapes from this season. Hosea is a cretin. His behavior during that lamb competition at Stone Hill Farm certainly was not that of a Top Chef. He and his nasty little squeeze, Leah, connived to oust Ariane, no less as both of them kept gushing how they felt guilty for "cheating" on their respective significant others. Hosea's food was largely inconsistent throughout the season, but he always slithered into the next round. I don't have much respect for Stefan, either. Though he was clearly talented, his arrogance often led him to make some horrendous food choices. Given his misogyny and inconsistencies, he didn't seem like an ultimate Top Chef either. I agree with you that Carla's fatal decision to follow Casey's terrible advice broke all our hearts. Clearly, Carla's tortoise had been inching her toward the title. She behaved with class, compassion and humor, as well as talent, throughout the season. I urge the producers to abandon this ridiculous practice of bringing back former cheftestants as sous chefs. This practice doesn't work nearly so well as the celebrity sous chefs have.

Gail, I really appreciate the work you do, but this outcome was awful. Hosea should have gone home early in the season for using canned crab, if not later for hanging Ariane out to dry on the lamb butchering. I'd seek out Stefan's and Carla's food any time; but you couldn't pay me to patronize any restaurant of Hosea's. His behavior the entire season was revolting.

Gail,
I noticed that you made a point of noting "no ego." Love your impartiality. We know who had an ego. He also cooked better food, had some verve and deserved to win. (I was also rooting for Carla :( )
Using words of some movie critics..."thumbs down!"
Bah!

I love watching this show and I was very disappointed in the result as well. Carla was my clear winner factoring in the past five weeks of the show.
What was the point of having a Finale 1 last week if it bore no weight on the ultimate prize?
How unfortunate she listened to Casey who was a disaster in her own finale!

Hey Gail,

First of all, you looked hot last night! Damn!

Anyway, thank you for giving us some insight into the decision. Based on what we saw last night, I would have to agree. Ignore the haters who feel that public opinion should be a factor in the decision or who clearly have not been paying attention to the judging process, where the meal in front of the judges is the one contestants get judged by, not previous efforts.

Dear Gail,

You just lost a Top Chef viewer. How could you not take the whole season into account? Stefan and Carla were much more impressive. Worst finale ever.

The dessert was so 1982.

What kind of comment was that? How old were you in 1982? Was your palate that well developed?

Except for season 1 when the chefs were really creative, the successive seasons have gone way south.

The worst contestant one. Hosea came off like a jack ass during the entire season.

First off, boo to Hosea for commenting in front of Carla that 'at least I cooked my food' and for not comforting her when she was crying. And they call Stefan the @$$hole.

I was so excited about the finale ... waited with anticipation, poured a glass of wine ... hushed my son and husband and settled in. Only to be so completely let down and ended up dreaming about the finale all night. *sigh*.

I had so hoped Carla or Stephan would win. That being said, I know I didn't taste the food, but I would like to say something.

For the finale at LEAST I think the chef's entire work during the season should factor in for the Top Chef decision. (at least 25%?) I understand judging solely on the scope of a dish - but you'll have to change the show's name to 'Top Chef Today' then. Because seriously, hands down, Stephan was the Top Chef of season 5. He was presented with a protein he'd never used and was enough of a chef and a thinker to make it work. Hosea had dishes through out the season that were down right mediocre! God I'm so mad this morning! LOL!

As for Carla - when she cried, I cried for her. But I can only imagine her nerves in the final kitchen and probably she was thinking, "Ok, that sounds good, lets try that, let's push the envelope and win" and not just letting someone roll over her.

OH! Another thing - AND another reason past performance should be considered for the finale. THEY HAVE HELP! They not only have help, but they have excellent help.

I'm going to get off my soap box now and grab a cup of coffee. Can't wait until the reunion.

I don't care what the reasoning - what a lame, disappointing finale. Carla or Stefan should have won. Hosea was a waste of my television space.

I'm rethinking watching this show since you usually manage to screw up the winner. How about taking the entire season into account in the future?

Lame, Lame, Lame. Have you even looked at the polls?

I am very disappointed.

You guys screwed up here. Sorry Gail. Hosea was a middle of the road competitor the entire time. Stefan showed the chops to be Top Chef throughout, and you toss him on dessert? WEAK CALL.

Dear Gail,

Although I appreciate your candor here, it was disconcerting to see your disdain for Stefan during the finale. Herein, you lean toward Hosea because you depict a "nice guy" sort of person. Behind the scenes he was just as single minded and cut throat as any other competitor. I found the decision resting solely on the final course to discount all the work (& wins) of Stefan great season. By eliminating his past perfection (which you missed due to your absence); it sort makes the finale "most lucky cook". Pure luck that Hosea didn't provide a dessert to finish his meal (as most meals do end with some sort of closer)... As a judge, you, & Tom should have been more impartial. Unfortunately, that really was not the case.

I'm disappointed with the decision you made. If you're going to let Hosea win on a technicality then it ruins the whole season. the problem is that the producers clearly can't make up their mind on this dessert issue and because of it you couldn't give stefan any edge for serving a "meal." if any place in nyc cut off a dinner at a venison(or meat) course could you call it a restaurant? come on, gail, you're better than this. i love your insight and i hope it was behind the scenes crap that lead to this incorrect outcome.

As one of the links on the show's page shows, this season didn't crown a "top" chef, it just rewarded the last one standing. Again, bowing to the lack of skill these chefs demonstrated, the judges allowed them two days to work with their sous chefs instead of one like last year. I can't wait for next season to start so I can wash this season's horrid taste out of my mouth.

I disagree with the decision on several levels. Hosea came to the finale simply because he managed not to be eliminated, not because he inspired anyone or won multiple challenges. The way the show was edited made it clear Tom would not vote for Stefan. Tom clearly signals his bias every year. Again, we only see what the producers let us see. I think the way you handicapped the first course is wrong. You should have taken into account the degree of difficulty. Stefan dealing with alligator for the first time definitely had the bigger challenge. Overall, as a viewer the final was disappointing. Hosea's dishes seem pedestrian. Also, having the best dish should have counted for something. I was struck that everyone said Stefan's food had no soul yet everyone raved about his squab and connecting it to his Euro background. Mr. Heller did not seem to have a problem with the frozen fish and many seem to find Hosea's lacked enough acid. It seemed clear the judges were pulling for Carla who unfortunately didn't follow her plan and turned the meal into a train wreck. As a viewer I just have to say Tom's apparent bias seems to always win the day.

wrong decission!! Really disapointed!! masssive anti-climax to an otherwise good series

I think that Hosea and Leah's situation should have been treated as the incident between Marcel and Tre had been, you touch another, whether in a violent or sexual way , you are out. I am sure that there is a reason for the sleeping quarters are separate male and female. They should have been both asked to leave. I hope the producers of the show take this into consideration for future seasons.
I think you are right about Carla second guessing herself. As far as I am concerned, Casey was one of the worse chefs from her season, and Carla should not have listened to anything she suggested. You could see that loss coming from around the corner!!

Reading your comments is a joy, unlike watching the finale. Tom looked like he was at a funeral, and Padma looked like she was thinking "Whatever" as she congratulated Hosea. Didn't feel like as celebration as much as the end of a long evening of dental surgery. "Thank goodness that's done with, we all gotta go!" I share that feeling.

You guys BLEW it! Stefan is TOP CHEF in my book. I've watched the show faithfully since the start but I just watched my last episode...it seems that it's no longer about who is the best chef and more about the drama... Stefan YOU ARE TOP CHEF!

so sorry to say this but I think the producers fixed this particular Top Chef I do not believe that Carla would be so stupid as to pick TWO DISHES that are not her own for the final competition.. just defies logic... Not clear why the show was fixed but seems to be no other logical explanation.. Bummer and I really loved the show...

I understand the elimination of Carla though she was my favorite, but you can't imagine how painstakingly painful it was to watch a Stefen prove himself all season only to be eliminated by a chef that was consistently mediocre by the shows own standards. --pte

It was nice to see Fabio as a guest at the table, and to hear his commentary on the food served. But other than that, with Fabio out of the running, My friends and I couldn't have cared less who won. I'm happy I watched Top Chef this season. Otherwise I wouldn't have found out about Cafe Firenze (which I now make a point to visit at least once a week since it is an hour from where I live) and wouldn't have been able to experience amazing meals from week to week.