BravoTV.com

I like Top Chef but I do not think that Hosea deserved to win the competition. He was not consistent enough as Stefan was. I think that from now one, the judges should look at how consistent the chefs are doing through out the competition and base their final decision on that. I think it will be fair.

I love Top Chef!!! I wish they would do a episode where the chefs had to cook gluten free. It is a growing community and would be creat to give awarness to the community. Plus it is hard to find good recipies that are gluten free, at least at this level.

TO Carla:

You said you wanted to show how to compete in a different way -- with a lot of love -- and you did! You're a winner just for being who you are. You're my favorite in this season and you're a breath of fresh air in reality shows. Spread the love, the whole world needs it more than ever :)

Dear Producers of Top Chef, After season 4, I swore that I would never watch this show again. Of course I gave season 5 a chance and got sucked in one last time. Now I know that I will never watch this show again. It has turned into reality show rejects who can(?) cook. It's too bad the show went into this direction. I can't sit through another season where people are kept on the show for the drama they create and the chefs who are clearly the cream of the crop are eliminated for poor reasons. Stefan was clearly the best talent. Hosea? are you kidding? Carla in the finals? Are you kidding? No more! Goo bye Top Chef, team rainbow et all. Sorry

How can Hosea win the title 'Top Chef'? For me, this is by far the biggest joke in TV cooking shows.
1, My feeling is that some of the judges used double standards between Stefan and other contestants. They expected much more from him than from Hosea, which is so unfair in a competition.
2, The finale rules should change next season. You can't simply select a top chef based on one last meal. Their overall performance and execution throughout the season need to be taken into account. Even you do judge them based on one last meal, please at least make it a complete one. The same reason you judge a writer by a whole article than just by few paragraghs. If a rule is flawed and stupid itself, then no fair judgement will come out of it.
3, Guests' opinions should play a bigger role in the final judgement. You can have a model sitting there judge who is the next top chef and can't listen more to professional guest chefs? In the Finale, not just Toby Young pointed out that Hosea's three courses deliberately avoided dessert, but also Hubert Keller.
Overall, I am sure lots of viewers' comments showed disappointment in Stefan's losing have big reasons.

Stefan is Top Chef!!! Tom was jealous....

This decision on a Top Chef was so random. It really doesn't make sense if one looks at the overall performance for the season. Hosea won only 1 QF on his own. His single elim win was accomplished with much help from the cast. Stefan, by contrast, won everything by himself. He rocked it out time and again. He was THE superior chef for the season. I find the show has morphed into "Tom's Favorite Cook"...

Regardless of who won and lost, I think Stefan still stands out as the most talented contestant of the season. He was kind enough to give me an interview at Intrepid Media, and was pretty hilarious.

Burning Questions With Stefan Richter

Hey, I loved all of the chefs, flaws and all! I can appreciate how hard it is to understand how Hosea won. He won the last challenge. That's how this game is played. Like I've said on another post, there is a good little show on the food channel where they do add up scores from the different events, but it is only one hour. All each week on Top Chef gets you is another week to keep on keeping on so you can get to the final 3. All is fair according to the rule of the game. I understand the feeling that the person who won the most challenges should be the winner, and in a way they are. I think Hosea is getting a pretty bad rap for something he has no control over. He made it to the end with the other two and he did the better overall that day. Again, best wishes to Hosea, Stephan, Carla and Fabio. You were great to watch! You made the season fun because there was no real or serious sniping. I LOVED watching you all help each other out! I think it was so Carla of everyone. I never felt like people were sabotaging each other. They really played the game fairly and it made it so much more enjoyable. Looking forward to next season. Hope this next group is just as soulful and fun!

I loved season 5 and I am ready to see season 6 and hopefully be in it. I think it is time to have some Chefs from St.Louis. Vegas seems to be the Gossip. How cool would that be.

Thank you, thank you for having the finale' in New Orleans. I have not found a place yet where EVERYONE as an opinion on food. I was told before I moved there to be ready to talk about and defend my opinion of what I prepare and what I eat,and it was true! Chefs are reviewed and revered. As Wynton Marsalis says in the CD jacket of "Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert" - New Orleans is a true American melting pot: the soul of America. A place freer than the rest of the country,where elegance met an indefinable wildness to encourage the flowering of creative intelligence. Whites, Creoles, and Negroes were strained, steamed, and stewed in a thick,sticky,below-sea-level bowl of musky gumbo. These people produced an original cuisine, an original architecture, vibrant communal ceremonies, and an original art form: jazz." I hope that everyone who went to New Orleans because of Top Chef had a positive experience and will encourage others to support the preservation and re-birth of New Orleans.

This was my husband and my favorite season. It was so nice to see these people getting along without all of the in fighting, eventhough it was a competition. I'm glad that Hosea won and took Stefan down a couple of notches, although I must admit, one of my favorite moments was when Stefan wiped away Carla's tears during ther finally. Proved that he actually isn't such an ass! Can't wait for the next season and good luck to all who gave us such an enjoyable season this time around.

If it is possible, could you find out for me where I could purchase the dress Padma wore for the finale. I absolutely love it!!!! Any info would be great. Thanks

Dee,

Ted Allen will not be coming back. He has his own competition show on another network and dissed Top Chef in his pre-debut interviews. It's fine to get your own show but to trash another show is very poor form, IMO

On another note: Dear Carla,

Your loving, positive and enthusiastic attitude throughout the entire season was inspiring to watch. I also love to cook and hope that my love shows through as yours does!

Kind regards

Why not do a points system like NASCAR does all season? Reward for consistency over a season, not luckiness in one episode. Really winning the most quickfires or challenges should pay off since they were earned over a season not 1 challenge. Time to get an even playing field for all, don't bring previous contestents in to cook on the finale who can make or break a chef. Let's save that stuff for a cookoff challenge/special with only previous contestents. Let the finale be all about those chefs who made it to the end and what they can do on their own.

My vote was for Stefan!

I just read that "Bethenny" from the NYC Housewives show, was on Top Chef? Is this true and, if so, where and when, can we watch this episode?

Love. Love. Love...The show!! Did I mention I love the show. This was my favorite season, but I was terribly disappointed with the final outcome. Nothing against Hosea, but his performance was not up to the level of Stephan or Carla. Carla was my favorite, but I would have felt a better sense of fairness if Stephan won. If is all about one day of cooking, then in my opinion, it more luck than actual cooking talent. Both Stephan and Carlas were more consistent, and to me that indicates true cooking talent. The bottomline is that if you asked me who would I want to cook for me, I would not say Hosea. My two cents

Stefan, you're the best, and I might add the most gracious. So many have already expressed how I feel about the outcome of this season. Please listen to your viewers, afterall we're the ones that will keep you on the air. I tune in for the creativity of your cheftestants, not for who's kissing who, or the unapreciated swearing and finger throwing, or in Ariane's case being thrown under the bus by two chef's? who should have been eliminated together for that. I've never seen the fantastic Emeril use these tactics on his show. I know his show is not a competition, but anyone can use poor sportsmanship and favoritism to get the ratings.
Thanks for listening hope you hear the 90% of us who agreed that this finale was insulting to those who were true chefs and your viewers as well.

Stefan should have won. Plus-he is really sexy---confidence is so sexy!

Ties with the Ilan victory as worst finish ever. My whole family yelled "NO!" when Hosea won. It was grossly unfair. Stefan is the obvious winner.

you mean to tell me that out of alllll the viewer email questions that NO ONE asked about carla taking loser caseys advice? no one...please, i am betting that was one of the biggest comments/questions and for some reason they did not address it. what a joke, along with hosea winning which is a bigger joke.

The reunion show last night was very good/fun to watch. Congratulations to Fabio!! Now. all 4 finalists have won some nice prize. Hosea, the $$$, Carla, the car and Superbowl tickets, Stefan, the great chance to work and travel with Erich Ripert, and Fabio the $$ for fan favorite. Very nice ending. They are ALL winners and will ALL fare well with their exposure from this great show.

I would like the viewers of Top Chef to vote on whether Tom should return next year, or be replaced.

A very large number of comments prove that viewers felt he destroyed this entire season with his arrogance and biased personal feelings.

Stefan was demonized by Tom for no good reason, especially when compared to other personalities we have seen over the years.

I just saw the finale-I am afraid Andy doesn't have the fans he thinks he does. I have seen him on RHW reunions too, and something about Andy is just ANNOYING. He's not likeable, he's dislikeable!!!!!!!

Very disappointng, love the show will keep watching but come ooooon. Stefan was arrogant but he could back it up. He was also compassionate. Hosea should have gone home on the farm episode. Wake up people.

i want to nkow where is fabio restaurant locate it at?

I think Stefan is thrilled not to be The Top Chef, as it will be a big benefit to him in the long run. I honestly believe him when he says it is ok that he didn't win, he knows that he is in a better position and looks forward with great anticipation. He has been catapulted to the top and he well deserves it. He is cocky, arrogant, and strong, but those are the qualities that you need in that position, to be a leader and do what it takes to get the job done. He knows what it takes, and does his craft very well. I believe it is confidence and he showed compassion and true concern for everyone on the show when it was needed. We all need a villan that is what keeps us engaged in what we are watching, it is entertainment people, and Bravo to Bravo for bringing it to the masses and creating the controversy that you did, means that you did a great job with the show or else you wouldn't have the reaction that has caused. Do you think any network is going to provide a non-entertaining show on purpose? Hmmm... think not. It was definitely disappointing to see Stefan lose but he will be just fine, remember his confidence? That is what is going to take him far, far away and he will be on Top! I am proud of you Stefan, and you are definitely a great leader. Continue to be true to yourself, it is a great quality you possess, I think alot of us maybe jealous. I love Fabio and Carla as well, they are great and I will definitely visit their restaurants. Good quality people thanks for sharing with us.

I believe Stefan when he says he is "GLAD"(how can we forget)that he is not The Top Chef and it will work to his advantage, already has in so many ways. He has a strong personality and in that business you have to be strong and set a precedent for your staff, tell it like it is but be encouraging and praise for a job well done, when it is done. You have to be a leader and strong, and he possesses those qualities, maybe a bit extreme at times but really, he is what a Chef should be. Stefan will rise to the top and yes he was compassionate when needed and that quality was noticed by alot of people. We all need a villan to make everything a bit more interesting so we can watch and do exactly what it is we are all doing, so Bravo to Bravo for cultivating the masses and producing a show that has caused so much controversy. Right on Stefan, you are going far and you were just catapulted to the top and being runner up is a far better position and you do realize it. I am proud of you and think you are amazing! Congrats on truly being a winner.

Regarless of the outcome, Jeff's restaurant, DiLido Beach Club, is my favorite of the Top Chef restaurants I've visited thus far. It's at the very back of the Ritz Carlton, virtually on the beach at the end of Lincoln Rd in Miami Beach. Really really good food and a fantastic setting. Chicken Under a Brick is to die for.

Also, for one of the best breakfasts in a down home setting, if you're in Hollywood CA, go to Betty's Grub Restaurant. If you crave french toast you have to try her cinnamon raisin french toast with strawberry butter.

Whenever we travel, my wife and I always seek out a Top Chef restaurant. In many cases the contestant's restaurants are better than the guest judges.

My primary comment is that the finale part 2 was the worst episode of the entire season. The judging seemed way too subjective and biased. The scenes in the kitchen shown in the finale seemed to show all the chefs in a more negative light. They shouldn't bring in past losers to mess up the finale. As another commenter stated, they should let the finalists bring in one of their own staff of their chosing to assist. Top Chef definitely disappointed me this season. Chefs who should have stayed were eliminated, some chefs stayed WAY too long.

what happened to ted allen? i dont like the new judge,toby. i want ted allen back.

Too bad- Stefan was clearly the best chef this season. I don't think you could do a rematch as suggested by "viewer" as Leah has probably spent the money by now. But what a great idea to have next season with just second place winners. Hosea was at best- marginal. Not what you consider a "chef". Stefan was top class all the way. Okay, a little cocky but talent worthy of cockiness. He knew he was the best from day 1. Proved it over and over again with consistant results. Just like Richard last year another great talent. I think they took Stefan too personally, but Hosea??? Come on. Carla was a joy.

I hope someday to eat at Carla's "Share the Love" restaurant. What a great contestant!

Hi, Monica - I attempted a similar post under Hosea's blog, but I never see my posts appear, so I think they just go out to the Ozone...

Just in case this one makes it to you - I'd like to know if Top Chef would consider a different premise. Score the Chefs' dishes cumulatively throughout the season. I think this might possibly be more reflective of the Chefs' talents, rather than just "Who had a Bad Day"...

And just my two cents - This has been my favorite set of chefs, so far... Watching them help each other out and, even when stressed out, acting like adults rather kids has really been a breath of fresh air.

Thanks for a great season! (I didn't necessarily agree with the judges... but it was a fun ride, nonethless!)

A total and complete disappointment. I've recorded the final episode on DVR and was going to watch it the next day... But when I found out that Hosea won, I've erased the episode without watching it... And, believe me, I was a VERY faithful viewer, and watched ALL of the Top Chef seasons... and could not wait to see this season... But if the next season ends like that - I'm NOT watihcing any more of Top Chef... Hosea should NOT have won... period!!! He might be an OK cook, but he was NOT consistent throughout the competition and he does NOT have people skills required to be a leader/Top Chef... VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!

I was disappointed when Richard didn't win. I thought oh well thats just a fluke. But Oh no it wasnt a fluke. Now Stefan didn't win. And now people see about Top Chefs editing. That on top of not winning, Stefan is the biggent class act Top Chef ever had. What a double loss.

Boo, Boo, Boo top chef. The kids and I watch every season. Never have we been left so dissatisfied. There must be a way to change the scoring so that you are not judged only on your final challenge. Hosea is terrible. He is not even someone you love to hate, you just hate him. Not sure I can bear another season if it ends up like this. I never write comments online for anything! This was disappointing. And yes, he does look like a thumb. B00000000000000!!

I am sorry that Carla did not win!!!...However, I agree with the judges final decision to give it to Hosea. I was part of the show in New Orleans, LA and after participating in the taping and having the opportunity of tasting the food of all of the contestant. I can now see how the judges make their decisions. Good job and Fantastic SHOW.

Thanks for coming to NOLA.

Stefan should have won. Period.

It's OVER!!! You can't change the rules/outcome now.. Stop whining, people!! The judges did the best they could with the rules they followed and they seem to have deliberated for hours before making a final decision. The final 3 were all winners.. They were all good and will all go on to be successful.. Be happy for them!! They all worked hard and we want to see Top Chef back next season!! By all of the stir and comments, this started as a "boring" season with complaints from many as to how none of the chefs were talented/exciting. Well, they certainly rose to the challenge and they all presented their best and it turned out some great final challenges/venues and great guest judges. I enjoyed it.

Producers it is not too late to save this show!!! Look at how many people have been protesting the results of Season 5. I am not suggesting that you strip off Hosea's title but I think it is necessary that you also give Stefan his title. OR you can hold a competition between the two and then determine who the winner 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)!!!

Message to Executive Producers & Tom Colicchio

It’s CLEAR that Tom C. as well as this show have both “JUMPED THE SHARK”.

(OOPS! Did someone say “shark” ??? Hey -- why don't you give Stefan a few items from the Top Chef Pantry & a couple minutes to prepare, and I bet he’ll make a great-tasting dish!!!)

I am so sorry for Carla, she had such heart, she should of stuck with what she did best. Stefan was the clear winner and sorry to say not sure how Hosea ever made it as far as he did.

Love love love the show! Wish it was on more. Could you please get rid of Padma though?? What is her purpose after all? Gte someone in there with more food experience. Having her say she likes something is like having my kid say he likes McDonalds...Thanks

OMG! I love Top Chef!
I was upset Stefan or Carly didn't win. Casey really let Carla down. Carla should have done what she does best, "Bring the love". The pressure of the finale made her second-guess herself, and she let Casey cast doubt on her choices. Hosea was more arrogant than Stefan! Hosea was not gracious, or sportsman-like at all!
I'll be voting for fan favorite tomorrow...hard decision..
Carla or Fabio? She was a delight! They have plenty of catchphrases to choose from this season:
ex.,"...tame his creative monkeys" was hilarious!

I have nothing against Hosea, but I really felt like Stefan deserved to win this year. You would think on the finale at least, the judges would take some small consideration of previous performances...I guess not. And its not like he totally screwed it up either, he put out a pretty impressive meal I thought. Anyway, I think he handled loosing pretty graciously also.

Has anyone missed the fact that Stefan's desserts WON the Restaurant wars and what were they, oh, yes, ice cream and some sort of popsicle -- they were so "creative" I heard on the show -- and this time they were "so 80's" -- what a huge lot of hypocrites! This is so contrived and it angers me that anyone who shows no creativity all year long and uses canned crab by the way, ends up winning TC when Carla and Stefan were innovative and able to conjure up something new and exciting -- what a lousey season!

Well obviously you guys need to redesign the rules so it's not Top Bore winning or Top Lucky who didn't get eliminated. Wins during a season should count for something, the finale should only be 2 chefs and be 2 hours long, and the final meal should have both chefs using the same ingrediants with BOTH making a dessert. Way too much of "cook the best dish" or whatever you want challenges this season. Personally I don't want to see past Top Chef contestents participate in the finale, as judges is OK since they were on the other side of the fence. How about the finale contestants picking ppl they work with to help out in the end? If Tom and Padma can't be biased in challenges then get them out.

top chef is a great show,i did not want to see hosea win either, but thats the way the show is played,you have to be able to taste there food to be able to say who should have won.

(can i have some cheese with all that whine)

Stefan was the clear winner. It is a shame that Tom couldn't get passed Stefan's personality and he allowed himself to choose the mediocre Hosea. Tom, we are disappointed in you. And Gail: have some cojones and stand up for the right person. Don't defer to Tom so much. Toby: good on you mate ;)

After a season is over I have always found delight in seeing the episodes over and over again...I cannot watch Carla hand over 2 of her dishes to Casey ever again and I cannot watch Tom C let Stefan's arrogance get in the way of awarding him a much deserved Top Chef honor, and sorry Hosea, I'm from Colorado.....in fact, I'm so upset, I'm not sure if I'll ever watch again...we'll see......

I love the show, the drama, the competition... but I was so disapointed that H...a won... he won only because of Richard... The real winner was Richard not H...a. Stephen was the best in every way.. so what the dessert was "80".. it was still good. He did a complete meal not H...a I can't stand him... he is a back stabing two timing as... h.....
I will not watch the show again... very disapointed.

So we got a show that weekly teases us with "who's gonna go?". Contestants live in a enclosed pod, work in unfamiliar kitchens, get set up in bizarre situations with no preparation, the pressure is turned up and they are supposed to do their best work? I'd rather see a few competitions before they start kicking people out of the kitchen, so I can see how the chefs adapt to their situations, not just react. Should one meal be the final, final? No. One meal can be luck - good or bad. I don't care who's swapping spit in the hotels - only if they're doing it over my food. Less drama, more creativity - please!

The fact that the editor of the show has to write a blog explaining the conspiracy of Hosea shows that TC is desperately trying hard to save face.

It was very sad to see Tom's judgement get thwarted by his dislike for Stefan. Josea has been average at best throughout the season. His dishes have never been as strong and his imagination has been very limited.

Stefan may have been cocky but he was superior in technique, presentation and most of all IMAGINATION.

Tom should have considered the fact that had Josea been stuck with the alligator he might not have come out on top. He got his meal right because he chose to be complacent and safe. Complacency is not a mark of top chef.
Stefan worked with Alligator for the first time and according to the verdict came out on top.

Consistency should be rewarded and SHOULD HAVE BEEN considered. As compared to Stefan there was no one who was as consistent.

Just because Stefan is cocky does not mean you do not reward him. All the top chefs like Eric Ripert would probably rather work with Stefan than with Josea.

that dessert was pathetic but should not have been the reason for Stefan's demise.

To me Josea seemed like the Karaoke singer in a bar who is average AVERGAE. Anyhow seeing a pathetic chef like Josea make it to the top was really sad and the last straw for me to watch Top Chef.

Tom I hope you read this and digest it. Your team's judgment fell short this season and because of that you lost an avid fan.

The Black Widow strikes again! Casey truly earned that knickname, didn't she? And I'm sure Carla would agree. I think the scoring for the show should be changed. The first half of the season, can stay as is. At the half way point, points are given for each quickfire and elimination challenge (more points for elimination). Earn a point if you are in top 3, lose a point if you are in the bottom 3. These scores could be used to determine who goes to the finale and used in the selection of the Top CHEF!!! Tom said in Season One, Top Chef has to be a leader. Harold was, Tiffany wasn't. I don't think Hosea is either. Ah well...life goes on.

I think it sucked tht Stefan lost. They said he made by far the best dish of the night. I think all of Hosea's food seemed like dishes you can find at any midrange bistro. Stefan's seemed like something a little. I agree with what someone said earlier Hosea did not win he just didn't lose. Last two seasons the 2 best chef's didn't win. I understand that they don't look at the rest of the season just what is cooked that night, but that is why they keep having subpar chefs win!

Would love to see season 6 with a come back of the 2nd and 3rd place Top Chef Contestants competing. This would bring back the best and many of the viewers favorites. It doesn't have to be the $100,000 prize but maybe half.

Please Bravo think about it. I have been a true viewer of the program since season one first show.

Carla was my choice to win. I was disappointed to see her allow someone else (Casey) take over the meal. She could have had this in the bag. All she had to do is a nice beef stew. Many judges have commented on her sauces so this would have been the way to go.

I am so angry with Carla for allowing Casey to influence her so disastrously. She did not follow her own dictates and so diserved to lose.

Hosea's true intentions to win TC halfway through the season was to "beat" Stefan because "Stefan was the one to beat." He was clearly the best chef on the cast. Hosea got what he wanted and deserved, but did not earn.

Stefan was truly the one to beat, and the chances of him or Carla not winning is suspiscious.

(thank you, casey...for interjecting your sous chef leadership on someone else's finale night)

Top Chef have really disappointed me last two years. But I'm sure that the last one has been the worst.
This competition has been manipulated, everyone knows that Leah had to leave early than she did, and what is that of letting Jamie and Jeff return to the competition? (I won't mention Leah) Was it that the producers tried to fix a heavy mistake with this two contestants? I think it is. Stefan was robbed, so were Jeff and Jamie, who deserved to stay longer than they did. And I'm not saying Carla didn't deserve to be in the finale, but she grew stronger just at the very end of the competition, not in the beggining.
And for sure it was producer's decision (I remember Tom saying that above of judges were producers, and decisions could change) to let an american chef win this season, despite the fact that Stefan was more prepared than Hosea, and he deserved more than Hosea to win this season.

I finish saying that I won't see Top Chef anymore, because I thought that the desicions were fair, but seeing this season I realize that food doesn't matters, that the work of an entire season gets pissed in only a challenge (the finale) and that if producers don't want you to win, then you won't.

Top chef, you have became another reality more (just rubbish), I'm not going to see you anymore.

(forgive me if I do gramatical mistakes, I'm catalan so I don't have a great english)

Could you pass this on to whoever the challenge-idea person is? I've been watching and loving Top Chef for many seasons now. Unfortunately, with all the challenge ideas they come up with week after week, I have yet to see the contestants step up to a gluten-free challenge. While more and more people are becoming aware of Celiac disease and the diet modifications it requires, there is still quite a lot of work to be done. I think a challenge featuring gluten-free food on Top Chef would go quite far to increase awareness. Not only that, but those of us who must cook this way for those they love need a freakin' break. Throw us a bone here--all these great (sometimes not-so-great) culinary minds thrown together can at least come up with inspiration for those of us trying to put this kind of food together day in and day out. (If I can do it, they should be able to.) I think Top Chef contestants should be able to come up with something that lets the gluten-free diet transcend mere nourishment and allow Celiac sufferers to enjoy cuisine again.

Thank you.

Get over it. People.. Be happy that they ALL are winners.. Hosea won the money to open his restaurant, help his parents.. Carla won the car and is America's Chef Sweetheart and has that Karma and will be very successful wherever she goes/whatever she does/cooks.. Stefan will work with and travel with Chef Ripert to the food and wine fest. and had gained so much respect from world wide chefs/judges in his skills/techniques, and great cooking.. No matter how they tried to "paint" him as arrogant/whatever, he showed his "soft spots" and is, obviously, a nice guy out of the kitchen.. He is just an intense cook/competitor, which may fare him well in his future jobs.. They are ALL going to fare well in their futures after their exposure to Top Chef.. The judges did what they had to do by the rules given them and by the hours they spent deciding.. so, don't be so mean. It's still a good show with good judges and if you keep complaining, Bravo will just replace it with another worse show...!! They took "Project Runway" off the network, right? That's probably because of all of the complaints about the judging from bloggers who didn't see their favorites win? Well? If you don't want to watch, then, don't. But, many of us still like this show and want to see it again, next season.. It's never going to please everyone...

Loved the whole season. I felt so bad for Carla, but she shouldn't have let Casey have the final say. I also think she'd be an amazing TV chef. So much personality.

Congrats to Hosea! I did have to laugh when I saw the foam on his dish. Marcel in the house???

Stefan - the chef with a 'tude. People defend him through his previous wins, but unless you change the rules, those don't count. Sorta like the Miss America pageant.

Do you suppose Casey saw this as a second chance? Well, she got it and blew it AGAIN. Only this time she cost Carla $100,000 because I believe she would have won. I have not read her nasty comments about Carla nor do I care to. She said she won't be on TC again??? Good luck finding someone to argue with you, Casey.
Now let's talk about finding a new Head Judge with a sophisticated palate (restaurants featuring steak and sandwiches??) and a formal culinary education. This guy has been inconsistant in the extreme and I've heard other real Chefs call him on his culinary knowledge. Yes, I have seen all five seasons. You can tell by the third week which one Tom wants gone. He is also very inconsistant in his interpretation of the rules. I think I'm alone in this however. I nominated "Chef" Anthony Bourdain one year. I notice he did not participate this season. Now his opinion is worth something. OR how about Chef Ripert. I could listen to him talk all night, or at least an hour ... or two ... or ten. You get the idea. His comments on the food, presentation and technique are objective and reasonable. Toby Young was a breath of fresh air this year, but given his reputation, I expected him to be much more caustic and demanding. We were disappointed that he wasn't. Kudos for snagging Chef Emeril for the finale. What a delightful surprise. And in your face Food Network for asking him to leave. Well, that's my rant this year. Enjoy your blog very much. Until next season...

OK so I am really confused at why nobody has commented on Carla's use of a silpat mold to make souffle. Souffle NEEDS to climb the container that it is in to rise. Using a silpat doesn't allow it to do that...It's non stick for *&@!'s sake!!! Her oven wasn't too hot, she just used the wrong vessel for her dish. I am mortified that none of these professional chefs made any comment about that fact.

Hi! I just want to join all the whiners and do a bit of whining of my own. I miss LeAnn Wong's blog. LeAnn's blog was so insightful and held so much behind the sceens information. I know LeAnn is busy, and I know she has a life but I really enjoyed her comments and would love to see them again. BRING BACK LEANN!!!

It would be a much better competition and a more satisfying result if some consideration was given to performance throughout the season. Neither Hosea nor Fabio got to the top for winning - they made it by not losing.

Steffan was not robbed. It is clear that Hosea did great at the finally. Don't be bitter and be fair. Congratulations Hosea.

STEFAN SHOULD HAVE WON! HE WAS THE MOST CONSISTENT ALL SEASON, AND WAS IN THE BOTTOM ONLY ONCE! WHY WOULDN'T THE JUDGES LOOK AT THE ENTIRE SEASON, AND NOT JUST THE FINAL MEAL IN MAKING THEIR FINAL DECISION? I WANT A DO-OVER!!

Hugs to Carla. As its obvious, we all love her as a person and hoped she could pull it off. I adore her quirkiness.

Just a few comments:
1. as someone aaid elsewhere, less obvious product placements PLEASE
2. also as noted elsewhere in the comments, we want to see great food cooked, not cr@p recycled. PLEASE no more junk food. Velveeta and spam. It made my gorge rise just thinking about it. What's next, having them raid the dumpsters behind the nearest Macdonalds for ingredients?
3. No more stupid and inccurate Super Bowl analogies - elsewhere it's been pointed out by many many comments in different blogs that Top Chef and football are nothing alike. (And I add: if I wanted to watch football I would do so. Top Chef is supposed to be a cooking contest)

Most importantly, if you really want to crown the TOP CHEF, you need to recognize that consistency and a well-rounded skill set count/
So,
-make dessert mandatory
-No cheating and hoarding (it's a sad commentary with Celebrity Apprentice is a model of fair play compared to your show)
- Decide who goes to finals on the basis of previous wins and placings, maybe by a points system

As for the rest, I don't care about what the chefs get up to when not cooking. They can bang each other senseless for all I care. What does matter is that they don't throw each other under the bus before or after the competitions (Leah & Hosea vs. Ariana; Casey vs. Carla)

Bravo, the producers, and judges owe Stefan and the viewers an apology. STEFAN IS OUR WINNER!

To the Producers:
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.

My heart ached for Carla! I cried with her. If only she hadn't listened to Casey, I believe show would be the "Top Chef". I always thought that Casey was an evil person. Even when she was a contestant on the show. It sure seemed like sabotage to me! It's just too bad Carla fell for it.

Stefan was the best through the whole competition. In the finale he had to cook alligator which was probably supposed to be a disadvantage but he made a success of it. It was a good season but a horrible finale.

I felt so bad for Carla at the end. I wanted her to win. Anytime she was won anything or received compliments from guest judges during the season, she was so appreciative. She is a very special person, and she deserved to win. The reason she didn't win is because she let Casey control her. If Carla would have remembered from the season that Casey was on the show, Casey sabotaged the finals for herself. She didn't care at that point, so why would she care if Carla won. I feel for you Carla. I hope you get over this loss okay. I'm not saying that Hosea shouldn't have won, but I feel that Carla's cooking was very special, made with lots of love, but in the end, she let Casey take over.

Stefan and Carla were victims of the Top Chef caterers' curse. There was witchcraft at work (and I don't mean Tom's sandwich shop). The city of voodoo and black magic was the perfect platform for the curse doom two superior kitchen artistes because they pursued the humble art of catering and not rock star chefery.

CARLA,don't you worry GOD HAS WONDERFUL PLANS FOR YOU!!!!

Sorry that Carla lost, but "he who hesitates or doubts, loses". And I think the biggest thing Carla learned is that when she listens to herself and goes back to her training she does well. It's one experiment with flavors, but NOT TECHNIQUE. The "Eric Repert" and "Last Supper" challenges should have proved to Carla that she has the technique. Why mess with sous-vide if you've never done it?

Regarding CASEY'S RANT -- editing aside, for Casey to state that Carla isn't trained in french cuisine and she shouldn't be cooking it. Since when is Casey trained in french cuisine??? She had a french grandmother ... but remember the braised chicken posing as a coq-au-vin (rooster)??? If you're going to get stuck on technicalities and training and all that ...

I always liked Casey. She seemed disheartened during her finale and ill-prepared to make "her meal of a lifetime". I put it down to nerves, but now she's just whiney and bitter. I hope they don't bring her back. Would have loved to have seen Hung or Tiffany.

Carla lost the competition because she was open to new ideas. The timing might not have been right and the source, as proven by Casey's past performance and apparently her post show comments about Carla as stated by other viewers (I haven't seen them), was of poor quality. However, for the entire show Carla's total focus was on the food and preparing it with love, care, soul and passion.

In contrast, Hosea's total focus was on his competition with Stefan; food was a secondary interest.

I for one hope someday to have the opportunity to taste Carla's food. Through her consistent performance and focus she is worthy to be called TOP CHEF.

In comparison, through his consistent performance and focus on Stefan, Hosea is worthy to be called TOP WARRIOR.

I can only hope that the judges now know the difference.

Stefan was robbed. Sorry Stefan.
The judges need to get over their biases.

Tom must go

Stefan should have won. Tom demeanor and his constant "don't embarass me" showed just how much of a jerk he is.

Hosea has no class, no top dishes. If Hosea is top chef, I am top judge

I am amaze at the non-objectivity of Tom Colechio this season. STEFAN should be the winner. I see Top Chef becoming more and more like "The next Food Network Star" at best or at worse "Hell's Kitchen".

This is the last season for me. It is clear to me that the show is now a one man show for Tom.

When will Season 6 start.....hurry.

Top chief 5 deserved to Carla or Stefan ……. Hosea …..No way.

If Carla wins it is going to be Cinderella kind of story.
Stefan really deserved to be in top for his skills and food.
Hosen is not even having the confidant to do desert…..! He expressed once.
He just deserved to be in top 4 that all…………..not top 1.
He just know some 3-4 dishes perfectly, I think…….he is repeating it in difference way.

After seeing the finals I feel…………I can also win the finals doing most practiced meal in my life.
I think he is Tom’s favorite or his just lucky.

He didn’t deserve top chief it at all…………………….!

This year final is not feels like other year finals…it very week!
It’s just like other elimination challenges.
I feel Then they didn’t considered the other guest judge opinion.

I think in all 5 top chief ….this time weakest chief selected.

Casey is evil, and I do hope that Carla wins fan fav. She was the only one on this season that had heart, passion and skill. She made food from her soul and never gave up which is something that i can not say for the other comtestants. Regardless of who won, I think we can all agree that this has been the weakest season of Top Chef and I hope next season they showcase chefs that can wow the audience and judges and still find a way to push themselves every challenge. This season was full of chefs that did as little as possible and just hoped to get by. Instead of New York, it should have been called Top Chef: Hacksville