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I unfortunately saw the link to Casey’s rant before seeing the final Top Chef episode. Although I am ok with Hosea winning, I am crushed and heart broken by the way Carla’s rise to the top ended. Carla would have been better off competing alone without the disaster – I mean Casey’s distraction. Who can even think with Casey rambling on a 1000 words a minute; she purposefully tried to derail Carla.

Carla, don’t beat yourself up too hard, your food speaks volumes about your ability to manifest the spirit of down home LOVE, and SOUL into elegant, sophisticated, and bold flavored food – that’s an incredible gift.

Your show is Top Meal, not Top Chef.

Last season I was so disappointed that Tom, Padma & Gail contrived to make Top Chef 'politically correct' by choosing Stephanie over Richard Blais. I'm a woman who is gender & colour blind when it comes to enjoying a fair challenge. And then this season Top Chef seemed to show another bias: American chefs.
Team Europe was outstanding from the beginning but by mid-season Tom and Padma were beginning to swing away from Stephann and Fabio even when there was strong support from other very respected guest chefs. (I can only imagine what was edited out of the guest judge remarks on the season finale to make sure Tom's opinion looked valid).
So Hosea won---a lukewarm chef with heart but no outstanding performances for most of the season.
I live in Canada and have watched every season without fail--but I have now lost faith in the merit of the Top Chef award. It shouldn't be based which country you're from or on who has the most popular personality or the better 'story' for tv. If so, then start writing scripts and hire some actors.
The Food Network is on in our house so much I've been thinking of tapering down the hours I watch it. My first
'elimination'? TOP CHEF. Tom & Padma---pack your knives and leave!

Oh my goodness. I just watched Stefan's exit video and Carla's. Carla wake up and feel the evil around you. Cook "with love" but take the blinders off girl and beware the wolf in sheep's clothing or in this case the serpents in the kitchen. Casey, Hosea .....two of a kind ....scaly, fishy, serpents. Yes, Stefan has a big heart!!!! Yes, yes, yes he does! I didn't see Hosea drying your tears, or trying to comfort you when you were about to burst into tears. Hosea didn't run to your rescue when you were assaulted by a crab. Hosea didn't rush to your and Radhikas assistance when poor refrigeration threatened to put you on the bottom. When did Hosea ever even try to lead or help anyone for that matter? If you never enter the hen house how can you ruffle feathers. It is impossible to lead effectively without ruffling a few feathers and remember, this IS a competition....even Ghandi would have struggled to keep the peace. You cannot compare the totally detached, selfish, callous, hoarding, calculating behavior of Hosea with the playful, light-hearted though ambitious and confident behaviour Stefan. This country is built on involvement....not detachment. A kitchen is only as strong as the team of chefs and their leader. Stefan is a people person and a leader, the TOP CHEF. Hosea is just a fish shtick!

We loved Stefan!!! He should have won. He was handsome, charismatic, caring, supportive of the other chefs and frequently took the role of leader or helper. No cry for help or pain was left unanswered by Stefan. His assistance or intervention was seamless and without ostentation....that of a true gentleman.
Hosea, to the contrary wished for the worst and stood by with fishy, bulgy eyes like his favorite fare while others rushed to the assistance of their fellow chefs. His slimy relationship with Leah was again indicative of his scaly vacillant nature. How convenient to be so intimate when it suits you but astonished the next that she did not know to debone the fish prior to portioning it out or was that at your suggestion? Hosea, you lack integrity, leadership and very likely testes. Your employer made you a "fish" chef where your cold hearted slimy, cowardly, foul behavior would remain on ice and away from the warm blooded and loving nature of most chefs.
Carla, we love you too. We are sorry you were paired with the talentless and plain Casey. I am sure she was jealous of your beauty and zest for life and love. That frigid little ice queen is where she needs to be .....nowhere. Hosea, your fish are probably your only friends. You are a nasty rotten little fish. Better fish will just ignore your rancid appearance and demeanor. I wouldn't attempt to choke down anything prepared by you or the equally curdled Casey.
We much prefer the exquisitely sexy food of Stefan or the soulful, love inbibed food of Carla. Tom, Gail, British Guy .....we are disappointed in you. Patma ....not sure what exactly makes you think you have a palate but at least your diction is improving.

What a disappointing finale!
Hosea had the worst attitude of all of the contestants and surely was the least talented and least inspiring of the 3 finalists.
Its such a shame that Carlo second guessed herself and Stephan attempted a well rounded meal that didn't "wow" the judges.

I think people are being a little rough on Casey. As she mentions in her article there was much we didn't see behind the scenes. I can only imagine after getting lambasted like this on this site and others she got emotional, angry and struck back. I'm sure she didn't by definition "Sabotage" Carla as many have posted. That's just ridiculous.

I think Tom was biased against Stefan. I don't think it's fair that all of Stefan's prior wins on the show were ignored. And he handled the alligator challenge beautifully. I agree that the judges blew it this time.

It is what it is.. The judges followed the rules.. They are ALL winners. Hosea had the best luck and night of his life, gets the "egg" (money and can open his restaurant).. Carla and Stefan got the "chickens and chickens lay eggs", as Richard has said... Carla wins the hearts of America, the CAR, and will be more successful than ever due to her charm and personal signature food/talent. Stefan will travel with Chef Ripert and his skills and talent will be in demand by the best chefs, etc., and his restaurant will soar in fame.. They ALL win...Stop trashing Hosea and the blaming the judges on the final outcome.. it's just mean.... It is what it is.. It's over and be happy for the final three and all they have achieved...???

It is what it is.. The judges followed the rules.. They are ALL winners. Hosea had the best luck and night of his life, gets the "egg" (money and can open his restaurant).. Carla and Stefan got the "chickens and chickens lay egss", as Richard has said... Carla wins the hearts of America, the CAR, and will be more successful than ever due to her charm and personal signature food/talent. Stefan will travel with Chef Ripert and his skills and talent will be in demand by the best chefs, etc., and his restaurant will soar in fame.. They ALL win...Stop trashing Hosea and the blaming the judges on the final outcome.. it's just mean.... It is what it is.. It's over and be happy for the final three and all they have achieved...???

the amount of stress that this show causes isn't worth it. every episode is made to throw someone under the bus. whether it's the judges or the contestants... the editing is slime.

So, if the title of Top Chef was just going to be given away without being earned, then you might as well have given it to Fabio. Let's face it, he's at least hot. Consistency obviously didn't matter or Stefan would have been the winner. Richard must be an amazing sous chef! Time to think about changing your judges.

Stefan, from the very beginning was the best chef and it was EXTREMELY disappointing when they gave the honors to Hosea...not the best chef EVER. I agree with most of the comments here relating to Stefan who consistently stood out from the pack. Carla is certainly pleasant enough and a little wacky but lacked the confidence to be the top chef. Yes, she gave the lip service of believing in her own food but obviously...didn't. I do believe Tom didn't care for Stefan's ego and based his decision on that...which really pisses me off. He made the same wrong choice last year with Richard....the clear winner. I don't doubt that Stefan and Carla will be just fine however, I think someone needs to think of changing the name of the show to something a little more suitable....definitely not Top Chef. As a sidenote...FABIO, my FAVORITE chef is Fabolous!!!

Pure drivel of a blog

Nice to see Blais finally got his win, because Hosea sure didn't deserve it. Hosea came across as a shallow, empty headed, whiny xenophobe. What a bore.

Who picked the 3 sous chefs to return for the finale??

Clearly the caliber of each sous chef was not on equal footing. Richard's skill was above and beyond Marcel's and Casey's. Whoever ended with Richard had a distinct advantage!

I am disgusted Hosea won. I agreed with everyone who said he did not belong in the finale. My whole family was disgusted with this season's ending with Hosea. The guy is a wimp. He is no Top Chef. Stefan may be cocky, but that is because he knows how to cook and is a professional. Hosea is not even in the same leaguye. Very disappointing. My family is going to boycott Top Chef next season because of the judge's poor decision.

While I was pulling for Carla, I'm ok with Hosea's win. I thought the overall talent level of the contestants was weaker this season. And while Stefan was relatively consistent, I didn't expect him or the others to win based on past performance. Like it or not, Stefan provided an opening that allowed Hosea to pull out the win with the last dish.

I think Stephan should have won. He won most of the challenges and his skills as a chef are undeniable. Carla was an excellent chef, with a beautiful spirit. I don't blame Casey for her loss. As a Top Chef you need to take ownership of your dishes, especially in the finale! She should have been confident in her abilities, after all she made top three. Hosea was good, but his obsession with beating Stephan consumed him and became annoying.

My opinion: Carla was Top sous Chef, but Fabio was Top Chef. Stefan and Hosea were best for dramatic tension in the finale. Turns out, nice guys do finish first. Oddly. Granted, I didn't taste the food, but it is TV.

Earlier today I left a comment about the poor job of Tom on choosing the Top Chef. I was not suprised at all of negative posts. But now you can't read them, hey Bravo let the "Head Judge" take his medicine.

I watched EVERY episode.. and sometimes watched one or two SEVERAL times! I agree... Carla was slowly but surely getting to the top.. however, she blew it by listening to Casey! Why? Casey blew it on her final "cook off" as well! Stefan did cook some great meals.. but his poor attitude made me not want him to win. They have crowned a few winners with bad attitudes towards their fellow competitors.. and a few with bad attitudes towards food and the kitchen.. yet they won on their food alone.
this year i feel they crowned the overall best. Hosea's food was good and his attitude even better. he respected food and his fellow competitors.. and he cooked the BEST meal when it counted the most. Each meal is judged on its own merit. Or Jeff would have certainly been in the final 3. I think Hosea will be a great Top Chef.

How in the name of all that is holy could Hosea possibly be named Top Chef?? I can't think of one quality that the guy possesses that would qualify him. He consistently hugged the bottom of the list at elimination time, threw others under the bus, neglected to lend a hand to help fellow chefs (even though they helped him when he was in trouble). The guy is classless, spineless and a total jerk--AND HIS COOKING WAS AT BEST, MEDIOCRE. When will the producers and all the other "powers that be" just let the finalists cook. JUST LET THEM COOK. No last minute twists, no lame sous chef--just the chef - cooking the best meal she/he can. If you want to do something interesting, how about this--The finalist has a certain amount of time to make a five course meal with a sous chef of their picking (it could be a coworker from back home) The sous chef that works with the winning Top Chef gets to come back to compete in the next season. It's win/win. We get to see the finalist make a great meal (hopefully) and there is the incentive for the sous chef to perform as well. Just a thought.

Lastly, Carla darlin' my heart is broken---you have no idea how we all were pulling for you. There is no doubt in my mind that if you had made Your Food you would have nailed it. You showed us that technical skills are only a part of what it takes to be a Top Chef, you served great food with great class and a lot of love. BRAVO!!

2 hours of content crammed into 1 hour.

Richard's blog spoke of a sous-chef judge's table...why couldn't we see that?

Hosea wins and a minute later, off the air?

Anti-climactic in a big way.

Next season, give the finale two hours! It deserves it!!

Am I the only one who thinks its rediculous that Hosea won? All throughout the competition I wasn't impressed with his food. I think the only reason he won is because Tom Calicio had something against Stephan's attitude. Stephan lead the competition the entire time and was CLEARLY the best and most experienced chef there! The only reason I can see that the picked Hosea is because Tom didn't like Stephan's attitude or because they wanted to shock everyone for "good tv". This competition was OBVIOUSLY not judged of food or technique.
--Very dissapointed

I have always liked Casey. But, if I were in her position and the editing seemed to make it very very very clear that the reason Carla lost was "because she listened to Casey". However, that was the editing of Top Chef and NOT her and in her recent article where she basically throws Carla under the bus, now she is the bad guy? NO. She is defending herself. I know we all love Carla and assume she was supposed to win Top Chef, however....based on Casey's statements. It sounds like Carla was also not prepared for this challenge. The complete decision by the judges and the editors of Top Chef, it sounds like they were looking for the reason why Carla lost in her "being bullied" by Casey. Casey needed to defend herself for the show, and, well, honestly, Carla, for blaming Carla's loss on Casey.

I still think Stefan should have won. I think this season he did the most consistent great work. Hosea never was on that level. I would have liked to see Carla win as well, but...she was on the bottom a few times.

Stefan was ONLY on the bottom towards the end, when, well, there were less people to compete against...

Wow.. I just read the very cruel/mean/negative article that Casey wrote about Carla. I am shocked and hope to Never see Casey on TV/Top Chef/Bravo ever again. Her rant should have been to Bravo.the editors, not in the media trashing Carla!!!

I have nothing against Hosea personally. He seemed like a nice guy who made one good (not great meal) and was able to sell it. Throughout the season, he never took the reigns to show leadership, and wimped out many times at JT by being sheepish. Other than proclaiming that he is a seafood chef, he had never worked with certain spices, or skinned an eel, etc. Hosea's only elim win was with the help of everyone (inc. Stefan) when his dish spoiled.

Stefan, by contrast, took the leadership role many times, could make anything and complained very little (except about whiney Hosea)... btw: Stefan's desserts won RW for him and his fractured team (Leah was a mess). The fact that dessert lost the title for Stefan is bizarre. I think Tom was cocky to deny Stefan the title based on his perception of Stefan as being -- cocky. Pot meet Kettle.

Get Carla's Bio on the front page of Top Chef.

Over 50% of you votes wanted her to win, so show her the respect she deserves.

I would have turned the show off a long time ago if it wasn't for her.

Carla, we all love you! and I would fly anywhere in the world to eat your food :)

This is the only season when you kept testing and throwing curve balls until the very end. Cook us the meal of your life should be the Chefs being able to cook as fair a playing field as everyone. They jumped through hoops cooking what the judges want and now that they get to showcase their style you guys won't let them. You gave them 2 awesome sous chefs and 1 lame duck. I bet you it's because Dale said No. I'm done with Top Chef because it's obvious you're trying to showcase DRAMA more than cooking.

Hey, this wasn't the biggest upset. Do you remember when Ilan beat Sam and Marcel. Ilan! Now there's a real loser.

I found the finale to be such a let down (I actually turned it off before the final announcement; once I could see where things were going, I couldn't summon the energy to care). All season, I had a hard time seeing that the big "rivalry" between Hosea and Stephan existed anywhere but in Hosea's imagination: he was so often somewhere in the middle with only occasional success while Stephan was clearly more consistently superior. And no, this episode didn't convince me that it was a real rivalry, just that the planets seemed to align in Hosea's favor for this particular meal.

Not that I was rooting for Stephan -- I became a Carla convert as the season progressed. The more she started to stand up for herself, the better her cooking became, and it was great to watch! It's such a shame that she wavered from that confidence in the finale, but she's made me respect the "putting the love in the food" mantra.

This decision was appalling.
It *did* seem like they were playing favorites, and it seems ridiculous that someone who was mediocre the entire time, had only one win with lots of help from his teammates, showed little character, and *needed* to win so desperately could get the title of Top Chef simply by making a decent meal one time.

It really, really took away from the legitimacy of the show for me.

Just change the name to Top Meal already.

All season Stefan was charming, kept his cool, tonight he made one of the best meals with a FREAKING ALLIGATOR, was warm and funny. Josea constantly bitched about Stefan, was practically psychologically disturbed in his competitiveness, and just generally showed little character or heart.

I'm so over this show- this is beyond ridicuous.

the fenale was staged and was a JOKE. Hosea? Give me a break

it is not FAIR!!

I knew Carla blew it when she listened to Casey, even before plates were served. I am trying to get over the frustration of knowing if only Carla had listened to herself and not Casey she probably would have won. The other two chefs had one disappointing course each, but the two faults of Carla were the very two ideas that Casey forced on her. I think Casey owes Carla $100K. Can Food network give Carla a show? On her own, she was the best chef, she realized her mistake in accepting Casey's ideas and knows she will never make that mistake again.

Someone just pointed me to a link where Casey describes her experience working as Carla's sous chef! ABsolutely dreadful. Read here:http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2009/02/26/casey-thompson-speaks-out-about-top-chef/ I guess I didn't know how much I didn't like her until I read this.

What a load of crap! Stefan, from everything I saw, was the winner. It was clear that Tom and Gail didn't want him to win, so they were hypercritical of his dishes.

A dessert is dated? Verses retro like Cherries Jubilee or Banana's Foster? Give me a break! Everything that has been done before is dated. It should be judged on its merit. If you say "It was a crappy desert and dated", that I can accept as a valid criticism, but when the judges say "It was well made, but dated", then you've gone into personal prejudice, not judging. That's where Tom and Gail were demonstrating.

I agree with the name change to Top Meal, they really don't seem to be taking into consideration performance during the season. If Hosea had blown Stefan's doors off at the finale, that would be one thing, but to ignore that Stefan had done far better than Hosea during the challenges and to justify his losing by a "somewhat generic" desert, it smacks of favorites, not performance.

It's not "hate" against Hosea, I don't think he should have lost or was bad in any way, it's just pretty clear to me, but what was being shown and said, the Stefan should have been the winner.

Couldn't agree with everyone more. Hosea was not the top chef this season. Stefan would have been a much more palatable choice, considering Carla screwed up her meal.

Tom is clearly biased against Europeans (he was happy at the end of "team Europe")
and Padma rides his coat tails and defers to him.

Stefan is the best chef and did a great job with the alligator; all three chefs should have had to make an appetizer with it. Hosea was afraid of it.

I would rather end my meal with an assortment of chocolates than with a heavy red meat

I am sorry for Stefan

I've enjoyed reading the Top Chef blogs and message boards, but have never felt compelled to make a comment until now.

I am so disappointed that the judges somehow saw fit to crown Hosea Top Chef of Season 5. This feeling trumps how annoyed I was last season when I honestly felt the judges gave it to Stefanie rather than Richard in order to crown the crown first female Top Chef (and, for the record, I am a woman). Come on...Stefan powered through every stage of the competition, attitude or not, he proved himself to be the superior chef. He had some less-than-stellar moments, but there's just no comparison between Ho-Hum Hosea and Stefan! Between his experience, consistency, and understated creativity, I really can't understand how the three of the four judges didn't think Stefan should win. Hosea's food, THROUGHOUT the competition, bored me half to death. I cannot remember one thing that he made...and I was paying attention. This was a great season, up until Padma uttered Hosea's name as winner.

Yo Mr. Editor - Did you actually watched your show?

First Page, 3rd paragraph, line 2 of your blog: "They drew knives to see who would use what protein"

The knives drawing was to choose the sous-chef not the 4th course... the little Golden King in the cake was used for that!

Overall I do agree that this was a very disappointing finish. I too was upset at the outcome but I was not there to taste the food...

This is no longer Top Chef, but Top Meal.

It's absurd that Hosea won. He was mediocre for the entire season and got lucky on his very last meal. Clearly, the judging system for this show doesn't work. The title "Top Chef" implies that one is a great chef, not a lucky chef.

They should numerically score each chef each week based on predetermined criteria (taste, presentation, originality, etc.) Each new contest each chef's new score is added to his running total. Each week the lowest overall scorer would be culled, and at the end of the season the three highest scorers compete. Chefs who were consistently excellent throughout the season will have a numerical advantage on the scoring at the finale. Each meal would give them a chance to significantly increase their scores and leap ahead of the pack, but consistent mediocrity would eventually lose.

i hope you give carla a show like you have given others before her. she has compassion about her food and is a fun person and makes me want to take culinary classes. the others are just too intense....so think about it she would be a great asset!!!

ERROR: Stefan ended up with the alligator because Hosea and the King's Cake, NOT because of the knife block. The knife block was for choosing sous chefs.

I was hoping Carla would win, but Hosea is good too. As long as it wasn't the egomaniacal Stefan... I didnt stay up last night but will watch the rebroadcast tonight. Does anyone know if another book is coming out?? The one I borrowed only has seasons 1-3.
Lee Ann in Ohio

I was hoping Carla would win, but Hosea is good too. As long as it wasn't the egomaniacal Stefan... I didnt stay up last night but will watch the rebroadcast tonight. Does anyone know if another book is coming out?? The one I borrowed only has seasons 1-3.
Lee Ann in Ohio

Josea should not have won, bottom line.
#1 - why didn't they just let Carla pick her sous chef, instead of picking a knife. Casey would have been my last pick
#2 Carla blew it by listening to Casey
#3 Josea got all the breaks, especially the protein. It was great seeing Stefan cut the tail off the alligator. Bravo
Josea barely won anything, he was close to elimination a few times.

When is Top chef going to keep score, and then let the chef who has won the most points for quickfires and competitions get the first choice. The head of a graduating class is chosen by the total GPA, not what they got on the final exam.

Get rid of Toby, and maybe have one episode where you have Joe the Plumber (example) be one of the judges.
As far as dessert goes, that has been the downfall for many chefs on this show. Josea should have been made to make a dessert, don't worry, Richard would have been there.
Also, when the chefs buy for themselves at the store they can get the supplies they need. Last night Josea grabbed all the prime ingredients and was not sharing.
So Top Chef, hmm, I think not.

First time top chef got it wrong!!!!! I hope the show can get back to picking a good chef next year!

Casey is evil. What she did to Carla is unforgivable. Casey was in the same position of Carla as a final participant. As a fellow chef and someone's sou-chef, why would you pressure someone into making a dish instead of going with the chef's individualistic ideas? Casey SMILED when Carla's soufflé failed. What a jerk. Carla is a great person and an amazing chef and has been taken advantage of. I hope she wins fan favorite because she made this season amazing.

i was really pulling for carla because she made a strong comeback in the last few episodes, but she crumbled. why would you change your ideas?! i was really sad for her.

stefan i think got robbed. he is clearly a better chef than hosea and i think that the winner being judge solely on the FINAL dish is a bit unfair. especially when it was neck and neck. i read toby's defense of stefan. he made good points. hosea probably NEEDS the win more than stefan but doesn't deserve it.

The last show was a big disappointment, Hosea really didn't do it for me through out the season.

I think that all of the negative comments are a result of fact that Top Chef got in the way of these very talented Chefs. With all of the 'twists' and ridiculous situations concocted to make 'good' TV, this resulted in Chefs really not being able to show their true talent. I do appreciate that this is a cooking 'contest' but I truly believe that the format of the show really does not produce a 'Top Chef.'

Image Julia Child or any very successful restauranteur going through some of these shenanigans?

Work on the format, get rid of the goofy and childish gimmicks (or use them sparingly), and develop situations where the food and talent of the individuals become more appreciated.

Carla wtf!!! As Tom always says "do the food that got you here". Carla reminded me of last years winner Stephanie, they both do great, soulful, simple food. Hosea just got lucky and that's it. Talent did not propel him to the Top Chef crown. If Carla had not of messed up I would have had all of my favorite chefs win the big prize. If only her soup weren't that good and my other favorite Jeff, might have been able to take the crown. Anyways, Hosea we all know you weren't the best or even good enough to be in the finale.

Another season where the best over-all chef lost. Ho hum. Much like Richard Blais loosing to boring Stephanie, this year again disappoints the fans.

I was fine with the result until I read Toby's blog and found out that the rules were you could consider previous performance if the two meals were close. They seemed very close, if you listened to all of the guests and the judges. By discounting all of Stephan's success, the decision becomes very lame. It came down to an average desert getting beat by a dude that was too afraid to do even try an prepare one.

Wow, what Casey did to Carla was unforgetable. I have watched TOP CHEF every season and have never seen an assistant take an entire menu a different direction. The nerve of Casey! What Casey should have done was kept her mouth shut and did what Carla told her to do, but nooooo, she just had to put her two cents in. However, this will make Carla stronger as a Chef, and as Carla said; she will never listen to anybody else. Carla is a very nice hearted wonderful individual who gives everyone the benefit of doubt. Carla just knows how to cook and cooks well with love, heart and soul. I look for good things to come from Carla and she has a very good future ahead of her. We'll keep track of Carla's success. Now, as for Casey; shame on you!!!!

This was one of the best Top Chef seasons ever. All of the participants were great. I hated to see Jeff go that early, he would have made the finale more closer...even though Hosea would have still won. Stefan did not deserve to make it to finale. The best chef won. As an aspiring chef myself, I would take comments from Hosea and every other chef to heart. And I hope to one day be a Top Chef myself. Great Job Hosea...

Stefan should had won hands down!

I am NEVER watching Top Chef again!!!! This has been the 2nd years in a row it has disappoint me on the chosen Top Chef.

This is lame......Stefan should have won, just like Richard should have won last year. Stefan has been the most consistent chef throughout the season, winning most of the challenges, and showing the most talent and team work. This show is surely not about the best over all chef! I will definitely not watch this show again, and I am sure many other will not either.

Stefan was clearly the most talented Chef this show has ever attracted. To not recognize that just diminishes the legitimacy of the show.

Uh! I have to chime in agreement with the first commenter here. Hosea's record pitted against Stefan's was meager at best. His single elim win was with much help from his competitors (when his food spoiled). Last night he may have been deemed the best for that particular meal. BUT, Stefan's record was stronger overall. His main course was the proclaimed the best. I am far from a Hosea hater, but he whined so much and served some inedible dishes and used poor judgement much of the time (the Leah thing); that I really don't see a Top Chef. Maybe, he'll get smarter now and wise up to reach the title. Whereas, Stefan consistently showed calm under fire, and last night, a much softer side when Carla broke down. Hopefully, we haven't seen the last of him. Go Stefan!

While I am happy for Hosea (he really deserved to win) I can't help wondering if Casey sabotaged Carla's food. The nerve of her! Carla should have ignored Casey's suggestions and just stuck with her original plan. I am sure we will be hearing from Carla in the near future. She cooks with LOVE and that is something Stefan just never got the entire season. His attitude made for great reality TV but it definitely was his downfall. If he had put all that attitude into his cooking maybe the TOP CHEF would have been Stefan.

I have come to accept the outcome of the season. I was rooting for Stephan from the get-go (Fabio too). I really didn't want Hosea in the final at all. But, if things are judged one challenge at a time, then he is the winner.

What makes it easier to accept is that I too have chosen wrong twice in row. Richard was my pick last season too. However, he has amazing things in the works now and I know that his career is just now starting to explode. And, he's not hemmed in to using the $100,000 for one particular thing. So, I'm seeing the same success for Stephan (and Fabio - that guy is TV gold). There is no way that people won't want to work with him on a variety of things.

What sets Stephan apart from Hosea is that Stephan was confident in himself with or without the win. Hosea seems to need the win or nothing will happen for him. So, good luck Hosea, but I'll watch Stephan's career more.

I guess we'll have to wait to see what happens when a fan favorite actually wins the competition. All due respect to the past winners...

I am so sorry that Carla didn't win, as we were rooting for her and still believe she is the best. I think what got her was listening to her assistant. She should have done her beef the way she wanted, and kept her tart instead of doing the souffle. It always seems that when the chef listens to others instead of following her/his own feelings, then things go wrong. If she had done her original plan, I bet she would have won for sure. Well, Carla, you are still Top Chef to many, many people! If you had a restaurant, I'd go to it! Good luck in all you do.

Wow.. What a surprising ending! I thought for sure that Stefan would and had won. I was hoping for Carla to pull out some great meal and blow the men away, but, I knew the minute Casey talked her into the sous vide beef that it would not wow the judges. Even Hung got into trouble when he did that a couple of times. Why Casey would suggest that was beyond me and Carla should have gone with her "heart" and said no. Hosea just seemed to have all of the luck last night from the knife pull, choosing Richard, getting the choice of protein, and even, in not doing a desert.

Taking your toys and going home eh? Way to throw a tantrum when your personal favorite doesn't win, lol.

The decision clearly came down to Stefan and Josea, with Carla eliminating herself. It was very clear from the judge's that Josea had the superior final dish. And even on the dish that Stefan won a round with, Josea was a very very close second. Josea edged Stefan on the fish course, and it was a draw on the apps.

Definitely seems clear cut on why they picked Josea. Stefan shot himself in the foot with that dessert, too simple and playful for the end to the biggest meal of your life. If you're going to do a dessert as the last course, GO BIG.

What a crock! This is top chef not top mediocrity. Stephan was clearly the best chef and to see Josea win top chef is just the final nail in the coffin. My wife and I watch the show religiously but this will be our last season. Sorry Bravo but we won't be returning as watching customers.

This was possibly the worst and most boring season of Top Chef. Top Scallop? How about Top Bore?

I want to see chefs cook amazing food, things that I could only dream of creating and tasting. Personalities are fine, but only as long as the *food* is the top priority. What I witnessed was mediocre cooking, whining, obvious editing, inappropriate behavior by immature men and women. Top Chef is no different from any of the other Bravo "reality" shows, and I think that's a shame.

As long as I'm on a roll here, I join the chorus of Bravo site followers who definitely misses Leanne's insightful blog.

I think this final challenge was ridiculous. This challenge was supposed to showcase the top chefs, not to pair them with past non-winners. i want a re-match and to give the contestants three more hours on their prep time as opposed to be given a sous chef. I only watched this season because my friends were so upset that I refused to watch this show...it is too much like being at work. I will once again be at the Aspen Food & Wine and I will not be happy with the person that is representing the show. When you decide to do a show with heart and conviction and showcase talent as opposed to getting ratings....I will watch the show again. I feel that my wishes will never be met and the same things will happen again and again. Good luck top chef...you will fade into obscurity like most other reality shows..too bad..you had the chance to get it right

It's too bad that the judges have something personal against Stefan because he was obviously top chef. In the final challenge Stefan won 2 out of 4 courses Hosea only won 1. Hosea has only produced one winning dish this entire season. I will no longer be watching top chef!

I was so disappointed in Caseys participation of the finale'. She still doesn't seem to get it, nor did she seem to care (from the short footage I saw).
Also, I was really rooting for Carla and wish that she would've listened to her own voice (instincts) in making choices in this ultimate challenge. Things may have turned out different for her.

Wow!! Who would have thunk it? Terrific season. Stefan, you were great and awful at the same time. Oddly, you'll be missed. Like the few Scandinavians whom I have known, the outside iciness is just a mask. Dude, I hate to break it to you, but you're likable. It's okay. Liv Ullman is a great actress, but she is not Sophia Loren ( I tip my hat to Fabio).......Casey, my former fav: You were supposed to have been a sous chef. Why so bossy? I wanted the delightful Carla to have won. You were there previously. Why?.... Hosea: I totally accept your victory. You were always, sort of, in the middle. That makes for the best final victor. Your love life may have suffered, but you'll make up for that. You will go far (I love that you were not formally trained) Everybody loves a winner. I'm sorry the show is over, Producers, keep up the good work.

Gail was right. They did not make the right decision. The fact that she is questioning it means she has buyers remorse. Tom made the decision because he did not think Stefan wanted it enough. Stefan was the better chef. Was Hosea chosen so they could have a surprise ending? Stefan cooked the best dish of the night and should have been made Top Chef.

I am NEVER watching Top Chef again!!!! This has been the 2nd years in a row it has disappoint me on the chosen Top Chef. This is lame......Stefan should have won, just like Richard should have won last year. Stefan has been the most consistent chef throughout the season, winning most of the challenges, and showing the most talent and team work. This show is surely not about the best over all chef! I will definitely not watch this show again, and I am sure many other will not either.

Carla you will always be TOP CHEF in my hearts and as you can see on must of the heart of the viewers. You are the kindness and loving person ever, your food probably taste the best because you cook w/ heart and soul and those are the best ingridients. Hope w/ see more of you in the future and GO CARLA GO.........VANESSA TEXAS

My biggest regret about this season is that the person who learned the most, had the biggest heart and supported everyone did not win. That was Carla. Why she allowed Casey to take her away from what she knew in her heart was the right meal plan is beyond me. I just have to wonder if Casey didn't purposely sabotage Carla in the end. People have their own agendas and Casey came close and didn't win, so perhaps she really didn't want Carla to win in the end. It was a fatal mistake for Carla to have to be stuck with Casey. As for Stephan and Hosea, they should only hope that they can be as gracious as Carla has been. The audience, including me, turned on them in the end. Sadly, this season's end leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I met Leah and Jamie on South Beach Sunday night, and they never gave it away. Congrats Hosea!! Carla I was rooting for you, sometimes we "ladies' give in too easily, when we should remember to stick to our guns. You are a gem!

Thank you for another enjoyable season of "Top Chef". I am, however, thoroughly confused about the choice. Basically about the judging for the entire season. To be criticized for ONE dish when your overall body of work doesn't even come into play is a joke. Why don't we just pick the chefs like they do on Food Network's "Chopped" and have 'em cook a three course meal and save us the pain of going through three months of a competition that apparently means nothing! Stefan should've won hands down. The judges made the wrong choice. This isn't the first season. Probably won't be the last.

Bleh... how come vcast viewers knew who won (and were blabbing about it) hours before it aired? Not fair to the tv audience at all...

I'm done with Top Chef. I will not be watching any more after this season finale. Stefan was consistently the best chef. Toby Young is the only one who knows what he's talking about.

Oh Carla...YOU ARE SO GREAT ON YOUR OWN...how could you let your soux chef talk you into bagging your meat and souffle....why??????????????????????????? Unbelievable..why???? ????????????? you could have won this competition..Sometimes,the judges get so excited about your food that I am compelled to jump into my plasma!!! I know you probably feel bad enough so I won't harp on it..but believe me you were neck in neck with Hosea and Stephan...I am looking forward to someday meeting you. You are truly an inspiring and great hearted person...and this world is a better place bc of you..You said that you wanted to complete in a peaceful way and you did..Next time stay confident no matter who you work with..go with your heart..no matter who..just follow your gut and your heart..you have good instincts.. AND this is only the beginning for you..I'm sure we (the viewers) will see a lot more of you.. GOD BLESS!!

As far as I am concerned, Stefan is the winner!!!!! In my mind, Stefan and Hosea were tied and based on that, the judges should have looked at their performances throughout the competition. Sure, Stefan was popular with the people but he wasn't there to win a popularity contest. He was there to win from the start and he said so. I only wish that I had half of his confidence!!!
As for Carla, she made me cry at the end. I felt so bad for her, I truly did.
As for the judges, they are far to comfortable and are never consistent with their decisions. I guess Top Chef is getting old for them too! I know at this point, I can take the next season or leave it! Who knows...at the rate the judges are going, Bozo the Clown can be Top Chef!!!!

The most devastating finale in Top Chef history. Carla, favored to win by fans by nearly 60% listened to bad advice from Casey and lost what was shaping up as her race. Stefan lost over watered down fish and "pedestrian" desert. And we were left with a mediocre chef who should have been axed back at the farm. Hosea and Leah should have left with Ariane. Hosea's food has been consistent as Tom said in the finale, consistently nothing to write home about. What a sad turn of events and just an awful end to a dramatic and engaging season. My kids announced, "well if Hosea is their Top Chef, and his food was so boring all the time and he let other chefs take the fall for his bad leadership and was kind of cheating in the walk in taking all the ingredients just to be mean, then we should just not watch this show anymore."

Just watched the finale. Totally disappointed. Hosea is a total jerk, who is so immature that he gave Stefan the finger AND cheated on his girlfriend ON CAMERA. And don't get me started on the whole Ariane thing.

I don't understand how the judges can think those qualities are the ones needed in a top chef. This is even worse than when Ilan won in Season Two.

And to pick the winner of Top Chef, it shouldn't just be about the food. Maybe the individual challenges should be, but not the finale. It should also be about character and Hosea was truly the wrong choice.

Wake up for next season.....maybe you should bring back Harold.....who really had the right stuff!

wow!! T.V really shows you what they want. I think Stefan is by far is the top chef.. Hosea won by one dish. In the end I feel like you, that they all will have a great career. Stefan with everything he won during the show he won as much as Hosea, without the crown. Fabio is by far second in the running. As for Carla you go girl!!

Carla, you are TOP CHEF. You know this and I know this. And the 65% of the audience that voted for you as Top Chef knows this. You out cooked everyone on the show. The title should have been yours!

I am so sorry that you did not win the money. What a HUGE disappointment. I hope that you gain comfort in knowing that you were the best, and that the only time you failed is when you took someone else's advice over your own intuition. It's so terrible that happened on the last show. I hope that you will keep smiling and keep putting the love in the food just knowing that the title was actually yours.

I made sure not to miss an episode all season. I have been a huge fan of this show from the beginning, but that has all changed now. The best chef did not win. Obviously, this is not Top Chef. It's Top Finale.

WOW! I can't believe it!!! Josea!!!! Are you kidding me! He was the worse chef of all! He never cooked any one good dish the entire series! Shame on you judges!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very , very disappointed this season.

Stefan , you are 100% top chef! Bravo!!!

Hosea's win completely discredited the show. Hosea was consistently weaker than Stefan throughout the season and he certainly did not go over and beyond with the dishes he cooked in the finale in order to overtake Stefan. Stefan is a better chef with a more refined technique and creative ideas - he should have won.

Stefan is the Real Top Chef. He performed much better overall than anybody else, but ... He didn't sweet talk the judges, so... Some of them couldn't handle that.

I think with this finale, top chef is over for good. How could anyone in good conscience let Hosea get the title? Can Padma and Tom truly say that they would consider Hose Top Chef before Stefan and Carla? I am very shocked and frankly done with top chef. I was beginning to think that the show was credible ... but this decision has ruined it for me.

Anyways, its over and that's that. I can't wait to eat Carla and Stefan's food!

Decent season, WORST ending. Hosea! are you kidding me? he did nothing throughout the season he is a joke and did not deserve to win. Carla deserved to win until she messed up. Stefan at least won some elimination challenges hosea won what one? thats pitiful terrible ending to a good show.

Stefan,
You're number 1 in my book!!!
: )