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PS - Stefan's arrogance was laced with humor and self-depreciation, and balanced by his compassion, charm and humility. Contrast Stefan's attitude with Michael V's in Season 6, who is full-of-himself and cut-throat.

Not that personality should have swayed the judges decision! It was the technique, skills, flavours, etc. that should have been judged.

Thank you for your honest critique and fair judging. I truly wish your decision had prevailed over the American judges, and that you will return with regularity to keep the other judges on their toes.

I also hope that Stefan receives some award/accolate/opportunity from the Top Chef program that he has not already received in appreciation for his outstanding skills and performance on Season 5.

Good on you mate.
Judges with clear mind like you are the reason why I always like british cooking shows than american ones. At least you don't see a model sit there and judge a professional chef's work.

And, Hosea, please do not use canned scallopes in a fine meal again, please.

Thank you so much for your refreshing and honest take on the food! Stefan was fantastic, he should have won.

I was sure Stefan was going to win it. I really didn't expect hosea to make it so far, or win for that matter. I wanted to break my television. Wrong choice. >:(

I've loved Stefan from the very first. Once again confidence is mistaken (purposefully?) for ooh arrogance-that dreaded word which could probably describe most of the Top Chefs in the World. I thought Stefan's attitude was fine. Refreshing, humorous and gee, is it arrogant when a person can shrug off mistakes & get it up for the next challenge? Tom should admit that he personally wanted to take Stefan down a notch or two. I think Stefan doesn't need anyone to tell him he's good-he knows it. American men could learn a thing or two from European men
& not only in the kitchen. I shall truly miss Stefan; he
should have his own show. Better yet, can you get him to replace Tom? Ha!Just kidding, Tom. But you need to get over yourself. We all know that our Finnish lad has that ability so who is the truly "arrogant"one?

The next head judge of top chief, Toby Young

I also want to add that I hope you return to Top Chef next season Toby. The other judges are too wishy washy and it feels good to hear the truth about what the chefs have cooked! Although after this season, I think Bravo should change the name of the show to Top Cook for the obvious reasons!!!!! *lmao*

Thanks Toby, I can't believe Stephan did win!! Don't the judges consider the past wins and this clearly belong to Stephan. Hosea was always in the middle and bottom.ugh Watch Leah come back to the 100 thousand dollars oops I mean Hosea, yea right..they deserve each other. Come back next season.

Stefan cooked a dessert that Hosea could not have done. Hosea won with sliced venison on a puree. Everyone generally agreed that the blackberry sauce was quite bad. A sauce can both save and ruin a dish. If the sauce was bad, quite simply the dish was bad.

Stefan somehow lost points for the "eighties" presentation of his dessert. But no one commented on Hosea's stack from 1992? How about that blackened fish on toast? Very Red Lobster.

I understand the rules. Each competition is a standalone elimination. But using some basic common sense, I think on the last episode it is appropriate to examine history and strengths. Could Stefan have prepared everything Hosea prepared, and possibly better? Absolutely. Could Hosea have prepared Stefan's menu? Hell no. He would have stumbled on the alligator and never gotten up.

The finale also came down to The Rules which permitted Hosea to: 1) horde the foie gras, 2) avoid dessert, and 3) choose the superior sous chef.

So basically Stefan could not make what he wanted. His foie gras dish was off the menu. He also had to come up with an alligator concoction.

Hosea was basically able to skate on his pre-planned menu while Stefan had to scramble.

That being said, I'm looking forward to season 6 where I'm sure I'll see more BS eggs on toast with bacon.

Maybe the show should be renamed Chef of the Day?

absolutely, even considering the last meal in and of itself, Stefan should have been given the title.

i'm so disappointed in the judges table.

the guest chefs at the dinner expressed appreciation for Stefan's work that did not seem to be considered at all by Tom, Gail, or Padma.

It is apparent to me that the judges lacked professionalism in this
case in that they did not judge based on food, but on their preference of personalities.

what's more, i think beneath his rough exterior, Stefan has a great big heart. he knows he's good, and he was never intimidated.
dare i say the core three judges simply didn't like that attitude?

Hosea clearly has some talent, but if it was indeed personality preference that called this..
i don't understand why a guy who cheated on his girl, stole all the good stuff out of the walk-in, and reveled so fiendishly over nailing Stefan with alligator was a better guy in these judges opinion.

i love this show, but this really threw me.

Stefan, you made a delicious crocodile soup despite all, and i have no doubt that we will see more of you.

(you too, fabio!!)

m

Agree. Agree. Agree. Stefan is Top Chef.

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)!!!

Mr. Young,

Diogenes may extinguish his lamp, we've found an honest man! Your defense of Stefan was spot on -- he won the finale despite being literally thrown to the alligators!

Thank you for turning the 5th season around. The season really became a competition when you arrived.

I'll tune in to season 6 if:
A) you come back
B) Tom puts his ego in check
C) Tom admits that he had made up his mind about Stefan losing weeks before the finale

or
C) Tom faces Stefan in a 3 hour mano-a-mano cooking challenge special for the title of "Master Top Chef"

Oh yeah, you must be a judge for that challenge.

Cheers,

Doctor J

Finally someone that knows what they are talking about. I agree that Stefan should of been crowned 'Top Chef', I think it was clear to most of us. And the title should no doubt be based on the overall performance throughout the season, which Stefan won a record 8 challenges. It was a no brainer, but somehow Tom missed the obvious!

Toby you only entered the judging mid-season so you can only judge past performance from that moment on.

However, I do think Stefan is a great chef - robochef is what I called him - but his personality was a turn-off and his food seemed to lack warmth. However as I am not from a european background such german 'comfort dishes' as cooked cabbage didn't look all that appetizing to me.

I do wish you had not used the ascerbic tone for the first few competitions you judged - you seemed much nicer and more of a human later in the competition, but your earlier comments stuck.

TEAM TOBY!!!

Well all i have to say is this, Toby you better be returning to top chef and replacing Gail Simmons for good!!!!!!

Toby, Thank you for joining TC this season. You proved that you were always happy to praise and encourage people as much as you might criticize them. Thank God you were there to defend Stefan, and reward such a great chef with the praise he deserved. Obviously, Stefan IS Top Chef, and there has been a great travesty here.

There was, in fact, a real villain who was arrogant, hateful, and spiteful, but it was Tom, and NOT Stefan. Tom's repeated comments about Stefan being cocky, or arrogant were ridiculous, and completely out of place.

Hung was unbelievably arrogant, condescending, and snotty, but he became Top Chef. His constant sneer was so nauseating, that I could not stand to see his face on TV.

Spike was vicious and hateful. He repeatedly insulted the judges when he made mistakes himself, and made an A-- of himself. If Stefan screwed up, he was very humble, quiet, and just said, "I'm sorry".

Andrew is emotionally disturbed, suffers from some Manic Disorder, and is probably on drugs most of the time. I found him terrifying, and the kind of person who shows up in the kitchen with an AK-47, and mows down the whole staff. Last year, he threatened Tom and the other judges with physical violence. He said that if they tried to eliminate him, they would have to call Security, and remove him by force, because he would fight them rather than go peacefully. Legally, I think that is called "Assault".

Tom did not say a word to him about that or discipline him in any way. I would have called a Swat Team, put him in a straight jacket, and had him carried away like a trussed up turkey. I cannot believe that Tom or the Producers allowed that to go by.

For Tom to tolerate all of this and more, and then criticize Stefan for being too cool and confident under pressure, is simply insane. Tom was also violating one of his own rules, which is that the judging is based on the quality of the dishes served, and NOT personality traits.

I don't give a damn if Stefan smoked a dozen cigarettes per hour, as long as his food was superior, which it was. Stefan was often very cocky in the interviews, but he was also a very complex person. He was funny, thoughtful, kind, considerate, fair, and helpful to his other chefs.

On at least two occasions, we saw Stefan try to comfort Carla when she cried, as Hosea just stood there staring straight ahead like some insensitive clod. Stefan could have been self-absorbed in his own problems, in losing Top Chef, but he felt Carla's pain, and tried to help her. SUCH A MAN IS NOT AN EVIL VILLAIN!!! Hosea is a selfish, thoughtless jerk!!

Tom needs serious psychological counseling, and to be replaced as soon as possible. There is no question that he bullies the other female judges like the brute he is, and demands that everyone agrees with him. In Tom's case, "Absolute power has corrupted him absolutely." Like the Roman Emperors, he has become drunk with his own power, and lost all objectivity! Is there some reason that he hates Germans or Finns?? There is some serious bigotry and hatred going on here!

Top Chef is, or was, a great show. I hope that you, Toby, are back next year, and that Tom is retired permanently!!! Some aspects of the judging rules may also have to be changed, to avoid another travesty like this season.

Stefan is TOP CHEF!!

Toby is TOP JUDGE!!

Toby, I have share the same point of view as you.

It's obvious that Tom has something against Stefan. Padma is rather useless in having no opinion and being uneducated about food. How can she call Stefan's desserts "pedestrian?" Anyway, I feel the final decision was controversial. in the past seasons, it was very obvious who made the best dishes but this year was something different. Tom got egotistical at the end and his ego got the best of him and he probably made the wrong decision.

I'm so glad someone stuck up for stephan. Although i would have liked carla to win, it's obvious stephan was the strongest chef

Toby,
Thanks for your comments and thoughts about Stefan, who was clearly the winner of the title of Top Chef. What happeneds? I dont understand why the decison was made in that way. So disappointed, but I'm sure that Stefan will shine and be more about it. Go STEFAN! you were my favorite since the beginning and you showed up your skills and your experience. I think the rules of how to determine who's going to be the Top Chef, it must be changed or analyzed overall the whole competition and winnings on the quick and elmination challenges.

Stefan was clearly better over the course of the season. But Hosea beat him in the semi-final, and then in the eyes of 3 of the 4 judges, beat him again in the final. Stefan had his chance to win, but didn't deliver a great meal, except for his squab, in either episode.

Seems to me that Stefan choked a bit in New Orleans and allowed Hosea to edge him out.

Brethren.... easy on the cockney. though you've been right on with your criticism, the American lot can't handle another Ramsey. Hope you are one of the full time judge if Island bowy is a cheftant on season six. Keep being honest just be a little less brutal
Cheers Mon
Island bowy

TEAM TOBY!!!

Thank you, Toby. Your blog made me feel sane again. Hope you replace Tom next season.

"NOT SINCE ILAN"

Toby...
This was a win for mediocrity. I'm glad to hear that you fought for Stefan.
I don't know what has happened to Tom this season. He has gone from being a fair and easily accessible head judge to an arrogant and spoiled child. I've noticed the "it's all about me" attitude more and more this season. Last night I could tell where he was going immediately. It's almost as if he wanted to "discipline" Stefan and this was his moment.
I don't care if Stefan was full of himself. He holds the record for the most wins in any season and that has got to mean something. I feel like I wasted 15 weeks of TV viewing.
What was Tom's attitude about that dessert? It was a simple, lovely and most probably delicious chocolate dessert. It was not a disaster and it completed and complemented the meal. His casual disregard for it and his arrogant demeanor spoke volumes about his manipulation of the final decision.
This is the 2nd time this has happened. You weren't around for the Ilan fiasco...Stephen should have won that season hands down...and of course Tom eliminated him...why? Because of the dessert... I see a pattern here.
Last night's show left a bad taste in my mouth...not an ideal ending for a food show.
Thanks,
Alex

Toby, I so hope you come back next season. After I got past your first couple of episodes, you started growing on me. And I LOVE your cocky, witty smile!

Carla Eff'd Up, Stefan Got Screwed -- that's my headline.

pretty clear to me that Bravo mgmt stacked the deck for a Hosea win of "NY Top Chef". dessert NOT required in the finale -- what's up with that? choosing a top chef who is woefully inadequate in a major category of cooking?

it was clear to me that the continental judges recognized this (thanks Toby) but the Euros were doomed to lose -- ratings and 'the home town call' won out over skill.

oh well, that's TV for ya.

Get over it, bloggers. They ALL won.. whether it be the money, the car, the trip with Eric Ripert to the food and wine fest., and they ALL won our hearts and will do very well in their futures.. Let's look forward to a new season of Top Chef. it's still one of the best shows on Bravo... All of the complaints will not help keep it on. Look at Project Runway... All of the moaning took it off.

WORST TOP CHEF FINALE SINCE SAM WAS KICKED OFF FOR MARCEL.
HOSEA SHOWED THE LEAST QUALITIES OF A TOP CHEF THAN ANYONE.TOP CHEFS DO NOT HAVE AFFAIRS ON NATIONAL TV AND THROW THEIR FELLOW TEAM MATES UNDER THE BUS JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GO HOME.AND COULD I HAVE A DOLLAR FOR EVERYTIME HE SAID HE WAS A SEAFOOD COOK AND YET HE COULDN'T COOK FISH ON THE SHOW.I AGREE THE NAME OF THE SHOW SHOULD BE TOP MEAL IF YOU DON'T GET ON TOM'S BAD SIDE.(I DON'T THINK HE LIKED SAM EITHER).BEST OF LUCK TO CARLA AND STEFAN. ANYONE THAT WATCHED THE COMPLETE SEASON KNOWS WHO THE REAL TOP CHEFS WERE. HOSEA YOU ARE TOP JERK.

I can't believe it! I have been rooting for Stefan since the beginning, as I too am from Finland. Over the entire season he has clearly been the top chef. I am very dissapointed in the outcome of this season and applaude you Toby for speaking your mind.

Honestly if Tom C. had to invest his own money in one of the two chefs Hosea or Stefan, we all know that Stefan will be much more successful.

This is a travesty! We probably will not watch next season due to this season's bitter dissapointment.

It's a good series, I'll say that much. But it's a shame that the head judge (the only chef) over-ruled the new judge (the only critic) and the model (not really a SUPER model) and the editor of a magazine on how to cook photogenic food (which she can't do herself) sided with the aforementioned head judge. Subjective is one thing, but adapting the rules to assure the outcome you're looking for is something entirely of a different nature. You're a bigger man than I am, Toby. I hope Hosea gets sued for serving undercooked fish and then Leah dumps him for Rocco Despirito, only to be dumped by him for the WABC weather man.

It's a good series, I'll say that much. But it's a shame that the head judge (the only chef) over-ruled the new judge (the only critic) and the model (not really a SUPER model, just some skinny gal with a weird scar) and the editor of a magazine on how to cook photogenic food (which she can't do herself) sided with the aforementioned head judge. Subjective is one thing, but adapting the rules to assure the outcome you're looking for is something entirely of a different nature. You're a bigger man than I am, Toby. I hope Hosea gets sued for serving undercooked fish and then Leah dumps him for Rocco Despirito, only to be dumped by him for the WABC weather man.

Amanda

with all due respect to antony B. and his opinions, but just because he thinks Tom C. is the fairest of them all it does not mean it is the truth, obviously he is not fair and lets his feelings and emotions get in the way of judging.

(W)hosea? Who's that? I will remember Stefan!

This unfair loss has increased Stefan's fan base and will actually help him.

Eric Ripert Hubert Keller and now, Toby Young, are not bad people to have in your corner!

Stefan, you were sexy before, but you're even sexier now!

Amen, Toby! How sad that we must praise basic common sense, but it seems in short supply at the judges table.

Not sure that I'll be watching again unless they replace Tom with you.

PS STEFAN IS OUR WINNER!!!

Stefan is TOP CHEF. He is a great chef and should have been awarded the winner. I think that Tom allowed some personal issues to get involved here. Stefan was consistent in everything! Hosea has a lot to learn. Not my choice as Top Chef!

Thank you Toby. I think Stefan won hands down. Hosea supposedly works in a seafood place. Yet his seafood never was praised. Did anyone notice Hosea was eating one of Stefan's lollipops in the final scenes. Shame on Tom it appears his opinion is the only one that counts!

This says it all..

Why...WHY even have other chefs besides the main judges comment on the dishes when they are clearly not being listened to!?!? Also, Wtf is Gail doing there on the most important night!!!!!!!! Didnt she LEAVE and that's the reason why you were brought in Toby???

Toby,
Thanks for being on the show. Tom's comments about you on MSNBC were very flattering and, I suspect, deserved. You strike me as someone who'd be great, great fun to be around.

I have to say, reading your blog, I feel sort of bad for you. I hear the same kind of passionate opinion viewers have had in years past (and present) having to watch a chef who seemed ultimately deserving and capable loose out in the finale. Trust me, it's happened before.

The good news is that even the chefs who did not win still end up "winning" an awful lot. Exposure, offers, a certain "celebrity" and, in some cases over the seasons, a spot in the heart of American viewers. And I'll tell you, even the "villains" (a term I take issue with) like Tiffany Faison, Stephan Richter and Marcel are three chefs who's restaurants I'd patronize any day of the week. Amazing, amazing talents.

It's sometimes hard to watch TC. Hard to see that one meal, and not past wins, decides the outcome. But that is the premise of the show.

In closing, I want to say that it was clear to me early on that you had a slightly different take on cuisine being British. I thought it was interesting and eye opening. And although you are noted for your acerbic wit, it was appreciated that you treated "our" contestants (yes, we can be protective of them), with care.

Take care and best wishes. Hope to see you again.

Bravo Toby. I am so disappointed with Tom. One is for sure, I am not going to spend any minute more watching his arrogant face on the screen, Top Chef is done ....

I was screaming at Tom with you, Toby. It took guts to stand up to him, since you're "the new guy," but you were right, and that counts for something.

everyone is defending Steffan. However, the judges have to ignore everything else in previous episodes, and the finale is all that counts. The finale is where the contestants truly get to show their best. In the best vs. best, Hosea came out on top. Steffan may be more adaptable, able to cope with challenges, but when allowed to truly cook, Hosea is better. That's why he won. Case and point

Toby, I hope Top Chef keeps you around for the next season. I think you bring a different perspective that this show needs in the judging department. I like Tom, Padma, Gail, and Ted a lot, but they seem to have developed similar tastes because they have been together for so long. It might be a time for a few different judges in the next season. Food is always subjective so it's nice to see some different opinions on food.

Anyway, in this Top Chef season, the judges seemed to be a little inconsistent in their verdicts. How does Hung win with a pedestrian dessert against Dale's homerun of a poached lamb? Meanwhile, Stephan loses to Hosea whose venison was good, but not great, how does that work?

Like you, I became a Carla fan. I felt bad for her too. I think Casey is a very strong chef too, but in the end, Carla's sweetness and passiveness doomed her.

I like the "The best team doesn't always win" analogy, I think a lot people don't realize that this is more like a sporting season, where just because a team has the world's best players, and the best stats, we don't just give them the championship without having them play. They have to win the games.
This is not a report card on how well a chef has done throughout the season, it's a competition where sometimes people sabotage themselves, have poor days, and sometimes the unexpected will happen, which is exciting.
Maybe if the show made that clearer at the beginning of the final episode, and reminded viewers again later during the judging, there would be far less bitterness.
Also, even Toby said "Hosea cooked a marginally better meal than Stefan"
Should we change the rules at the last minute when someone who was expected to win isn't winning? No, that's ridiculous.

Thank you, Toby, for your unbiased opinions and making your decisions based solely on the food. The other judges can learn from you. I hope you're there next season. Maybe you could teach them how to judge.

Toby it is time for you to take the realm of Top Judge for the show. Clearly the show is mistitled-"Top Chef". Only a single meal decides one's fate.Hosea was mediocre at best.I like to see Stephan hosting a show, as well as Carla. Sunny Anderson can be taken off and replaced with Carla. I think that Tom did not want Stephan from the get go because he rubbed him the wrong way. Who is Padtma, anyway-eye candy?

Stephan was robbed,maybe become he's not American????
Hosea was the weakest and if he gonna discuss manners and class he's just buttoms!!!!
Stephan,you were the superior chef!!!!
Toby,right on!!!!!

Toby,Your'e a breath of fresh air,not like the hot wind of Tom.Time for him to retire and have the show get back to the business of cooking. The look he gave you when you said "If we're judging on who cooked with soul then we should give it to Carla" spoke volumes...hope you make it back next season. Looks like its Tom's way or the highway. Now as for Carla,it does look like Casey was a ringer,never understood how she made it as far as she did.Guess if you're intimate with a fellow chef,which makes for drama then you win Top Chef.The show no longer goes by abilities but on controversy If we wanted to watch the soaps we'd do it during the day when that kind of behavior is expected.Next season hope you can find REAL chefs who would appreciate the honor of becoming TOP CHEF and stop playing the games.Need all new judges,maybe then the show can become what it should be about...cooking.

Sorry your homeboy didn't win. I thought Hosea was the correct choice. Whatever your bias toward Stefan, it's the meal in front of you that should be judged. The rules were clear - dessert not required. If Stefan was going to serve a dessert, that one was not worthy of Top Chef.

Kudos for this blog post.

I discovered Top Chef at the start of Season 4 quite accidently, and became a huge fan of it almost instantly.

Editing and clip arrangement questioning aside, you can tell that Mr. Tom was more adament on Stefan losing then on Hosea winning.

I can only imagine what the edited judges-table extended cuts were. Every other Chef was given longer reviews of their final dishes, while Stefan's best dish had 2 seconds of airtime. Something wasn't Right.

Even at the 12-top, the other chefs definitively stated that Stefan's meal was the best.

Examples of FUBAR and questionable activity, as viewed from the VERY edited/arranged clips:

1) Padma (or was it Tom?) directly asked Fabio a question which they didn't ask the other judges. Fabio's slamming of Stefan while directly looking at Tom shamefaced and no one else: "I don't want to say this.. but..". It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read his body language and the obvious fubarness that occured.

2) Dessert vs Venison. C'mon. Who sits down in a restaurant and eats two appetizers and two main courses? Stefan's dessert was visually appealing and showed technique AND thoughtfulness to the flavours offered in the whole meal. Hosea's was a big lump of heavy meat, that was cooked right.

3) Richard Richard Richard. I like the irony and reasoning of Hosea winning was due to technique and the way the dishes were so utterly harmonious. Hosea's food, all season, showcased little to no technique, both visually and palate-wise; yet the final meal had it all, including foie gras foam and other 'tricks' that were obviously not his. It should have been Top Sous Chef.

4) Just go and read Tom's blog about the Finale. The focus of the writing is definitively on how Stefan failed to win... with a small excerpt about why Hosea won. Fair judging my butt. It seems Tom has scallop sand in his vagina.

Sad to say, but I might just stick with Hell's Kitchen as 'the cooking drama show to watch'. At least with that show you get blatent (judging) honesty.

Toby, I couldn't agree with you more-- I was totally disappointed with this season's decision of Hosea as Top Chef. A top chef would be confident in making a dessert course, and Hosea didn't do dessert because he lacks confidence with his own skills. I doubt that Hosea would've done a better hors d'ouerve if he was given the alligator and Stefan was able to make a wonderful dish out of it- yet still this wasn't enough credit to Stefan for a win for the other judges. I've never been this disappointed with Top Chef. For the past few seasons, even though dessert was not required in the finale, they have always given more credit to the chef who made desserts. Take for instance Hung- his dessert wasn't phenomenal- it was safe, but he got extra points because of it.

SandyB-

You did not watch all the episodes. I can't believe you think Hosea deserved the title. Crazy. Stefan deserved to be Top Chef!

Thank you Toby! I did not like you at first, I must admit, but warmed to you as the season went on. In the end you were the only judge with integrity. I hope we see more of you on this side of the pond.

Toby,

Thank you for your honesty - in all likelihood, you are too good for top chef.

Tom and Gail strong armed the judging to give Hosea the win.

I like Stephan, no matter how the editing in the show would like to cast him as the "villian". He has a dry sense of humor and that might translate as cocky but he has a sweet side that the viewers can clearly see. Hosea on the other hand looks like a jerk masking as the sweet all American guy. Well the viewers can't be fooled.

But besides all of this talk of personalities and behaviours, I think Stephan should win because he has consistenly made good food that wins most challenges. So thanks Toby Young for defending the Top Chef that should have won.

Thank you Toby.

You are the only bright spot in an otherwise bland, forgetable and completely disappointing season.

Mr Toby, I love you for the person that you are. I apprecaited your words of judgement and now your words of clear insight are lovable as well.
May the makers of Top Chef keep you on as one of the judges whos words will make,break or wake up a chef. Toby, I senced Your judgement from a true place of plain honest to goodness truth based on what you tasted and seen on the plate alone. Not to merely destroy someones good result or deem good something that was cleary not good. to deceive one into thinking that was a good result you were honest.
I have found that most(not all) good head Chefs are arrogant and convinced in their craft (from watching tc) and at this time it should be at this point a anticapated trait and not rousing. liken unto the massive kicthen busy hour during lunch hour at a popular resturant where the food is good due to the chef. However The Head chef,sous chef,prep cook,salad maker and wait staff we all just brace,anticapant and pace ourselves and get the food prepared and hand it over to the wait staff to serve it hot. Why because that par for the course like the trait of some head chefs. And you know what its a rush that we in the food industry all know is coming and we deal with it and look for it and embrace it until the last lunch order is prepared an sent out hot to the table. Than we clean up go home and do it again until the next anticapated lunch or dinner rush the next day brings.
So I judge the arrogant,take over and convinced Stephan as TOP CHEF!no matter where your cooking in the world. I truly adore you Stephan. You are the "Top Chef." I dealt with it. p.s some resturants not all have this rush due to poor business due to the Head Chef.

I totally agree with you Toby! Hosea was never a strong chef, Stefan should have won. I have never understood how this show doesn't take into consideration a chef's overall cooking for the season in the finale. The past winners for the last few seasons were there only because they floated in the middle all season, and didn't get eliminated somehow. Very disappointing again, it seems the better chefs don't win--is this on purpose? It's looking that way.
And I never liked Casey she was inconsistent and annoying, after reading her remarks I hope she fades away never to be heard from again.

WHAT HAPPENED? not only did stefan have the most wins of the season, id be willing to bet he had the most wins EVER fron any top chef season. how many other chefs won as many challenges as he? quick fire OR elimination.... NONE., i dont get it... stephanie and her pound cake hung and his molten cake? come OOOOOOOOONNNNNNN.. RIP OFF. hosea will ger HIS JUST DESSERTS....bad pun but approiate

WHAT DID I MISS.. did i see the same episode that everyone else did ? poor ARINNE? she was the one that was all pissy about being with the LOVE BIRDS. right from the start she had attitude. and saying "i dont care" about what to do is no way to win a challenge.. she gave up before she even started. besides that lamb should have NEVER been cut off the bone. shame on you ARINNE and shame on you all for joining her PITY PARTY...

i am so SICK of hearing about POOR ARINNE... IWATCHED THAT EPISODE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.. seems to me that it was arinne that doomed herself she was all pissy about being with leah and hosea suck it up ND DO YOUR BEST she totally gave up before she started. i dont care is not how you win a challenge.. besides that lamb shoul never have been cut off the bone.. shame on you

I agree with you 100% Toby. Stefan should have been named the winner. I do feel personality came into play here, because he had been called out by Tom many times throughout the season on his arrogance. Whereas, he has told other contestants they need to have more confidence in their food. This is Top Chef, not Who Is Not An Arrogant Ba$tard. Saying his food has no heart and then saying the squab was the best dish of the night? You can not have it both ways a weak argument at best.

Some of Casey's comments about Carla might have been true, but she has no class, tact, and is clueless. Casey is the one that is not classically trained, not Carla. She was so critical of when Hung was using sous-vide, yet she is so quick to try to use it. Casey made it to the finals like the way Hosea did, other people did worse, they did not stand out in any way and settled for mediocrity.

Toby,

I think you should step down as a guest judge in the future of TC because lately whenever you made a comment, Tom would either rolled his eyes or ridiculed you. Tom is dominating the decision making process and this is so hard to watch, same reason I don't watch Hell's Kitchen.

Toby was a good judge and critic. Padma on the other hand has no idea what she's talking about. That comment at the end about the food being "good for pedestrians", I mean, what is she talking about? Did she mean, good for street people like ourselves? They should ditch her!

Toby,
I could easily say that because of the atrocious results of this season's finale, I will never watch Top Chef again. However, if you come back for the next season, it would make it much easier for me to continue watching. At least there would be one person from whom I can hear honest comments and unbiased opinions. Thanks for your honesty and enlightening defense of Stefan.
I'm so glad that you were part of season 5.

Amen Toby!!! You are a pinch of sanity in a nonsensical stew. Stefan IS Top Chef. Maybe it is time for our beloved Tom to take a break from judging and be replaced by you.

Thanks Toby for some insights about why the final decision went the way that it did. Can someone share some insights about why Casey was even there? The sous chefs were presented as 'those who came close...' Casey did not come close to winning in her finale, and she blew it for Carla. Dale should have been there if they were going for the first runner up thing with the sous chefs. But a few good things did happen this season...Carla won a car, we saw Stefan's compassion at the end, Jeff got another chance and we got to see that Marcel is still working hard at being cool.

Stefan is the winner in my book. He has been consistent all throughout the season. Hosea was just blending in, luckily winning a few quickfires and challenges.
I could not bear to watch the finale. It was heart breaking. I loved the way how Stefan handled the Carla situation-shows he is a true European gentleman.
Hope to see u more on TV Stefan. Wish i could sample your food but since u have a catering business, might now happen at all. But anyways goodluck to you.

Thank you for being the lone voice of reason in the season finale Toby. In an earlier episode you 'found the weapons of mass destruction' in a bowl of soup.

I think the loyal viewers also found the weapons of mass destruction. They were sitting in the other three judges' chairs.

Toby-- time for Charm School

You bring up great points, and to be honest, overall there's no question Stefan was the "Top Chef". But each week is a clean slate, and people don't get to the final by winning a lottery...Hosea earned his spot, and he made the best overall meal, so I can't argue his winning it.

Thank YOU for being a part of this season and for taking the time to blog, I really love what you added to the show and I really hope you'll be back next season!!

Toby, though judging food is subjective, I say you were the most objective of the judges during the finale. Stephan has shown his broad knowledge and skills as a chef the whole season. I totally believe he is a much better chef than Hosea.

Toby, that still doesn't qualify you to be a judge.

Well, it's over and they ALL are winners.. Hosea can now open his restaurant.. Carla won the hearts of America and the car... Stefan will be called upon by many top chefs in the world to work with him due to his talent and gets to work with Eric Ripert and attend the food and wine fest. with him.. They all win.. Hosea won the egg and Carla and Stefan won the chicken, as Richard said when he came in second.. and chickens make eggs... it's over..stop complaining and blaming the judges... They did what they had to do based on that night/challenge... Be happy for the winners...

I definitely agree with Toby. Hosea was very lucky to even make it this far. He is not even on par with the previous winners.

I have definitely now lost respect for the rest of the judges.

Toby, you were the best addition to the show. Thank you for all your comments. And yes, I believe the show is a FRAUD! Hosea winning, really?

I would have still been sad at Carla's loss but I could have accepted Stefan. Instead the results were a complete and utter travesty. Hosea is one of the worse winners ever in this reality show's history.

Thank you for at least acknowledging that Stefan has clearly dominated the season and deserved the win for that. And Hosea came off as a complete and utter jerk.

Thank you for your honesty, Toby. Stefan should have won, his soup trumped everything else at the finale.

Where is Tom's blog? After the fire storm of comments back and forth regarding the Casey/Carla debacle and Hosea's win ... I'd like to hear from Tom.

I'm just curious why there is no Producers blog here, because that might shed some more light over this decision.

This was terrible. I can't believe they were so tough on that at least perfectly executed desert.

You made some great points at the finale and here. Thank you for standing up for what you believed. Unfortunately, Tom & Gail's reasons to deny Stefan the title seemed disingenuous. They state he has no soul, & made a dessert for the last course. Funny, but his squab showed them who he really was (wasn't that soul?). His RW desserts saved his floundering team and gave him the elim win.

I am surprised that they decided to award the title to someone other than Stefan. The other two competitors never showed any leadership during the season. The other two produced inedible food at times and had never done something before. Stefan had been the strongest and most proud. For that he was labeled cocky! I think Tom & Gail misunderstood Stefan's personality all along. He didn't piss and moan, he rose to the challenge after challenge. At the end he showed his softer side when trying to comfort Carla in her moment of misery. To me, THAT is a Top Chef. Hosea may have won the money and fame, but Stefan won many more fans who feel he truly was at the top of the game.

I just read Casey's very mean/negative comments on a link that someone posted to an article Casey wrote. I was appalled at her trashing of Carla. Carla may have made some poor decisions and let Casey influence her choices, ran out of time, whatever.. but, Casey could have explained/complained about her take on things or her disappointment in the editing to Bravo, not by trashing Carla in the media. That was so distasteful and childish. I have lost all respect for Casey and hope that she IS finished with Top Chef/Bravo, as she states in her article. I would not want to see her on TV again. Very mean/ugly...

It took a few episodes for me to warm up to your style of judging, but you have shown that you are fair and are not afraid to speak your mind - even if it's not the "popular opinion." Thank you for your defense of Stefan. I think he clearly proved throughout the season that he is "Top Chef" above the others, and I feel he was treated unfairly by the other judges.

Hosea will never be "Top Chef" in my mind, not at all. He may have the title and he may have won the battle, but he will not win the war. Unless he spends his winnings on some serious culinary education, he will forever be a hack with luck on his side while the others will excel with their proven skills. Clearly the most disappointing season finalé and winner ever!

In my opinion Tom and/or the producers had it out for Stephan. No matter how arrogant Stephan was, it shouldn't effect professional judges. His performance this season was the strongest by far. Hosea didn't even have a dessert on the menu and even if they were close, past performances should count.

Great argument, Toby. I can certainly see both sides. I hope we see more of you on future TC seasons. What I don't understand is the reaction of these viewers. HOSEA IS A VERY WORTHY CHAMPION! GET OFF HIS BACK! This is a game and according to the rules of the game, Hosea won and Stefan lost - fair and square. It happens every season that very talented contenders get voted off because of one bad meal, regardless of how well they did in other challenges. That's how the competition works. Even if you look at the season as a whole, Stefan was losing his momentum in the last few challenges before the finale. Tom C even noted that his cockiness was his downfall. He was overconfident, often obnoxiously so, and he was slipping because of it. Meanwhile, Hosea was a consistently good contender who finished brilliantly and WON. Tough call, extremely close, but Hosea won and deservedly so.

Yeah TOBY! While I certainly did not taste the food, I think Tom's EGO got in the way and he wanted to knock Stefan down a peg. There's not enough room for both his and Stefan's ego and Tom wanted to prove who is ultimately top dog. No way do I belief Hosea was better. Did he suddenly develop mad skills? Stefan has been on top the entire time and for Hosea to suddenly pull it out at the end is just plain unbelievable. Tom has been obnoxious the entire season, but when he fools with the results, that's just plain wrong.

Totally agree!!!

Good perspective on Carla. Was it Casey's fault? No, I found it odd that someone could so easily be influenced to cook in a style that was unfamiliar to them. If you didn't see the show, you'd think Casey was in charge.

COMPLETELY agree with your reasoning between Hosea and Stephan. I'm surprised Tom disagreed with the logic. In the past, chefs are "rewarded" for doing a dessert because it shows versatility. (The very words "you don't HAVE to do a dessert" implies that doing a dessert should receive some benefit if done well.) I should also note it seemed in the past that having the best dish of the night also garnered special "bonus points".

In the end, I am surprised Hosea is the top chef. He just doesn't seem on par with the winning chefs of past seasons.

Hope you are a permanent fixture on Top Chef from now on!

I forgot to mention that I really appreciated this post "in defense of Stefan". I have to say that seeing Hosea really stung. You always want justice to prevail or at least the good guy to win. Hosea was neither. Stephan was the best, Carla had the soul & refinement. Please please please come back. You are the voice of the people, Toby! "Vote for Change" haha