View All PostsTom Colicchio
On Picking the “Top Chef”
Tom Colicchio defends Hosea's win and make a suggestion for future finales.
February 27, 2009I think it fitting that renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis was one of the esteemed guests at our Elimination Challenge dinner for this, our season finale, the meal that would decide who became Top Chef. Gathered were some of the most respected chefs not only in New Orleans but in the country: Ti Martin, owner of Commander’s Palace; the aptly named Susan Spicer, executive chef/owner of Bayona; John Besh, executive chef of Restaurant August, who has been a great spokesman for New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina; celebrity chef and author Rocco DiSpirito, and Hubert Keller, chef/owner of Fleur de Lis in San Francisco, as well as our usual band of judges and this season’s Fabio Viviani. And Branford, who is also a foodie and, like John Besh, an ambassador for and real force in the rebuilding efforts of New Orleans. I will come back later to why I find it fitting that Branford participated in our season finale.
But first, let’s examine this season’s finale. The twist of throwing in a last-minute appetizer, while distracting, should not have been that much of a problem. The finalists had an extra set of hands. And, in fact, while it may have rattled them, it didn’t seem to throw them too much off of their game. Stefan made the right choice to downplay the alligator in his, making it a minor ingredient in a very satisfying soup. It was a smart decision. All three apps were very good.
Although it would be easy to blame Casey for Carla’s loss, I’m afraid the blame lies squarely with Carla, for abdicating the decision-making and control. She may have wanted to be collaborative with Casey and respectful of her input, but at the end of the day, Carla needed to assert her vision, and the two times that she didn’t proved calamitous and put her out of the running for the title. Casey was right to make suggestions, particularly when Carla was as vague as she was (“I want to make meat and potatoes.” Um …yeah … could you be more specific? No? OK, I’ll start riffing, then). Richard and Marcel put out ideas as well, and you even saw Stefan reject one of Marcel’s outright; it just didn’t comport with what he wanted to accomplish. Come to think of it, Carla’s other spectacular loss, earlier in the season, was for similar reasons, when she let Eugene and Daniel run roughshod over their team meal, with disastrous results. Both times, Carla displayed a lack of confidence. If I can give her one piece of professional advice, it would be to stick to her guns.
Stefan went in very confident and, for the most part, he did nice food, but while his squab course was terrific, his other two fell short. And at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether the squab was the best course of the night (which is arguable, anyway). The challenge was to create the best overall three-course meal.
I didn’t love Stefan’s first course. The idea of taking fresh fish and freezing it to create an effect was a bad decision from the get-go. OK — Chef Stefan sees salmon, he sees halibut, he decides to put them together with microgreens and a vinaigrette. Fine. But when you freeze fresh fish and defrost it, you create cell damage. Water will seep out of the fish. As a result, the fish will be less hydrated (and, thus, lesser than it would have been), while everything else on the plate will be watered down with fishy water. How unappealing. Stefan did it for effect, and the food itself suffered for it.
I just watched this episode again and wanted to read Tom's BLOG to see what he had to say about it. Saying he hated Stefan and Americans hate to see Europeans win is ridiculous. This type of competition is prevalent all over the place. Tom already made the analogy of the Super Bowl. How about the National Spelling Bee? Does the best speller necessarily always win? No. If they make a mistake on that particular day, someone else might win. Their previous victories allow them to get to the finals. But, in order to get the trophy, they must win that last contest. Does the best swimmer always win in the Olympics? No! If they have a bad day someone else gets the title. Even on something like Jeopardy. I have often seen someone dominate the whole game, but get the final jeopardy question wrong and end up losing. Should Alex Trebek say, "Well, Final Jeopardy really isn't that important anyway!"? It's the nature of competition. I love the show but, sometimes, don't like who wins either. But I don't blame the judges! I think they try to make the best decision they can, to the point that they often take hours to deliberate. We only see a few minutes of that. Tom always has them break down the courses one by one to try to make the fairest decision possible. Remember, it's a marathon. And marathons are lost in the last leg all the time.
It seems that side-by-side Stefan and Hosea's dishes (for the finale) were fairly close ... so, with the track record of Stefan it would have made sense for Stefan to win. A similar situation occurred with Richard Blais. He should have won hands down. Richard and Stefan were the two superbly talented guys that -should- have won their season, but didn't.
Now, with the All Stars event over (April 2011), viewers may feel that one 'wrong' has been 'righted': Richard Blais won !! Will we see an opportunity for Stefan to obtain 'redress' ? I certainly hope so. It certainly is in Bravo's best interest to 'insist' or make it worth his while to come back and compete.... just so that we get a sense that there may be some justice after all... Thanks for listening Bravo. Keep up the fun and good work!
the name of the show is TOP CHEF. Stefan was clearly the top chef! If I would have to decide which restaurant to go to I would go to Stefan's Catering. no doubt. I think the problem is that hosea was american. american's cant lose and they hate when an european wins .. and this reminds me of Miss Universe, why is there always an american finalist no matter how ugly she is ?? .. simple.
I’m disappointed about the whole show, this is the only reality show I watched because I thought it was about cooking not getting liked…
Stefan was not the judge’s favorite, mainly because of his over confident attitude, but, that has nothing to do with the way he cooks, he was great and it seems that you did not wanted him to win, it was clear in each of your comments. He was the strongest one in the whole competition, the guest judges acknowledge that, I do not know, why you decided to give the win to Hosea, he did not cook that great (all his dishes were in the middle the whole competition)… it seems that the lesson is to be mediocre like Hosea and just be in the middle, do not stand out or be confident because the judges like people that look out to them instead of looking for someone that is really a Top Chef.
So... be confident about yourself is the worst... I mean, I guess that... because that is your logical... come on Tom, all the world realized that you hated Stefan... I could, maybe told you, that you was jealous...
You know I've read allmost all these comments and I tell you just enjoy the show and the food they make !!!!! quit complaning and just let the judges do their jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom, I understand your reasoning. It is a very good defense to a POINT!!! But this is TOP CHEF!!!!!!!! TOP CHEF!!! I am tired of "It was the right decision for THAT NIGHT!" So many talented, talented people were eliminated for 1 BAD DISH!! Antonia, Tre, Jamie, Fabio, ETC! And you keep Hosea?? Lisa? Spike? You need to consider that you eliminate Talented, Talented chefs over mediocre chefs!! You REALLY need to consider their past work!!! I don't get it!!! People ARE SAYING "I'm not watching this anymore" and you still don't get it!! MAKE BETTER DECISIONS WHEN YOU ELIMINATE PEOPLE! With that being said, I'm happy Michael won season 6.
It is really sad, the clearly best cook did not win, because the judgest desided to be at that evening "that moment" objetive (why then Lisa did not win in season 4 based on her final meals?). That is not fair!
Stefan is the best!
The season 5 is now showing in Finland. Knowing the winner I must congratulate all the finalits. As much as I was hoping that the chef from my country winn, I must agree with the judges. You can win every contest in the season and get you self in to finals, but if you are not able to winn the finale you are simply not the winner.
Good luck to all the chefs of this season. I was enjoued to see you making the fine food.
Stefan got jipped....I feel so bad for him....he was only confident because he knew he was that good. He should have one...and you, Tom, let your bias get in the way. If Hosea was so good, why did he never win any challenges?
Stefan we love you! If I had a 100k, I would give it to you!
Season 5 winner Hosea won,because he´s American.I don´t talk about Carla at all.Stefan should win but no no and why?Americans hate to see Europeans win!!!
tom: you clearly disliked stefan and stiffed him on the final challenge. stop trying to justify it and owe up to it.
I agree with most of the other comments - we shouldn't have to read Tom's blog to understand how the judge's came to the final decision! Maybe the judge's need to be involved in some of the editing, or approve it before air time. Then they woulnd't have to feel the need to explain themselves. Leave the drama and suspense for the stupid wives shows. I love Top Chef and would like to be able to keep watching, but hope they consider some of the suggestions already stated.
I LIKE YOUR EYES TOM COLICCHIO .ONE KISS . I LIVE IN SPANISH .
I am late too with this.
I disagree with the last reviewer. I think the decision came down to the food made that night - so much so - that they had to go dish by dish to make a call. It was clear when they were eating, that the Venison was their overwhelming favorite dish at the table.
It saddened me- as I didn't care personally for Hosea (cooking or behavior). But
the call was just. Flavor depth wise - Carla should have won - but she blew it.
Technically Stefan was the strongest chef there- but he blew it.
On a different night - with the winds blowing in a different direction- there may have been a different outcome -most likely there would be.
But - ON THIS NIGHT. WITH THAT FOOD. AND THOSE WINDS . . .
THE BEST TASTING FOOD WAS COOKED BY HOSEA.
I know I'm weighing in very late on this topic, but after reading the many other comments in support of Stefan last season, I felt compelled to write my own.
Although I understand that the selection of TOP CHEF is not based on the cumulative performance of a cheftestant throughout the season (the experience of Season 5 makes me wonder if it should be), like others have said, there is no question Stefan was the best chef in the group. His food was much more interesting, creative, and refined than that of any other cheftestant, including Hosea. Given the judges comments throughout the season, it seems Stefan's food tasted the best as well. It certainly looked amazing.
So what if the guy is a little cocky? At least he coats his pride in a bit of charm. Clearly, he was popular with viewers. I agree with others who say that you (Tom) let your personal feelings get in the way of your judging here. Your dislike of Stefan was rather obvious at times. Even if you did want to stick it to Toby (and I can understand why!), you shouldn't have let Stefan pay the price.
Sure, your justification for selecting Hosea is solid. The guy cooked well, but he chose the easy way out most of the time and didn't exhibit much flair. Also, his frequent attempts to stymie Stefan were rather immature and really unprofessional (and largely unsuccessful). Look at how the TOP CHEF MASTERS treated each other. With one exception that I can recall, they always supported each other as much as possible. That's what a TOP CHEF does.
I hope personal views will not get in the way of the judging this season.
I love Top Chef!!!! Season 5 was my 1st season but I've been through all the old season's reruns and love them all, but season 5 is definitely the best. I even named a puppy Fabio!
This is the first "reality show" that I actually like. This is also the first show that both my husband and I actually enjoy watching together. We actually look forward to it.
Tom and Padma rock!!!!Gail is cool and Toby is too. Fabio and Stefan stole the show though.
Let's see if season 6 can top season 5. See ya in the kitchen!!!
hi tom
iam a top chef fan
i am looking forward to watching season 6
i wanted ask how will it look for season 6?
tim rice
Hi Tom-
I had an idea for a challenge.
Since the chef's all comment that the food would be better if they had more time, then let's give it to them. Have them cook a roast, ham, loin, whatever, the exact way they want to. Then throw them the twist. Have them place it in the refer and store it over night. Then the real challenge would be to create a new dish from the left-over meat.
My guess is that it really will cause them a world of hurt and grief. After all, how often would they normally cook with leftovers?
Love the show!
Keep up the fine TV.
Steve
Dear Tom,
I have watched Top Chef since session 1. I have learn so much
about fine dining. My husband and I are going to Rome for the first time in June 2010. I want the special dining experience
in Rome. If you would please recommend a restaurant that will us that once in a life time thrill, we would greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Ruth Ann
HEY TOM - HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR YOU!
Why don't you have a "Joes vs. Pros" challenge.
We average Joes/Josephines do try to go beyond and make gourmet meals for our busy families on the run. It would be so fun to have to make the pros serve up an "eat and run meal" gourmet style - head to head against some regular moms/dads serving up their own amazing creations. I bet you would be surprised at the results. It would be fun to watch the pros sweat it out at the table with the regular judges plus the toughest judges of all the KIDS! Kids really do appreciate good food too and what better way to get them interested in the creativity and art of cooking!
I must have watched each epeisode of each season 20 times. I love to interplay between the contestants. I also love seeing Padma, Let's face it she is hot. I thought Tom and Toby had a personality conflict and everyone was glad to see Gail return. I also believe that Hung has been the best chef yet, but did not have the best presentation on the final stage... I believe that belonged to Dale and Casey just flat out choked. For the Masters Show, I would like to see them cook realistic dishes, not Stuff from a candy machine, let's see their true talent. Also is Chopped with Tim Allen a blatent rip off and are their hard feelings or is is that the more cooking competition, the better. Best chef Not to win...SAM . Most hated of all show Marcel, would never hire him. Keep up the good work this is the best show on TV
Not really a comment on Top Chef but the "Masters".
Hope they go back to Top Chef version. Watched one show of Masters and did not like and have watched no more but still watch all the reruns of Top Chef regardless of how many times seen them before.
New show sucks. Sorry.
I was a real fan of the show until I heard Tom say "We don't care what goes on in the kitchen, we just judge your food". If they don't care about the character of the chef or if he cheats to win or if he has no respect for the other people in the kitchen then its nothing more than a crummy cooking show.
I been watching this show from day one it's great but it's the time to take 3 people from all seasons and bring them back and give them one more chance to win like david tiffey and steven and Sam and the guy with the weired hair and Betty bring back dale richard and lisa and bring back The other Dale and The blonde girl at the end of the show sorry can't recall all of there names and on the last show,Bring back the two guys from the other country and the women who does the weired call for her husband.Now that would be a great show to have them all back.That would be a hell of of a show that everyone one would love to watch.Please think about this that would be one great show
I'm definitely not a chef, more of a bad cook. Love to eat though. I never miss Top Chef. I think it would be cool to have the chefs prepare all wild game and the guest judge to be Ted Nugent. He can definitely prepare wild game. Have the competition take place in Michigan at Nugent's compound. It would really spice up the show.
I want you and Padma on Top Chef Masters. I already miss both of you especially you.
I just have a question. What happened to Padma and where are you on Top Chef Masters??
what happen to my top chef idk if i will b watching it this year i know master chefs can cook im just a cook like all the other people that was on your show thats what maid it so good
Hi Tom,
I see that you're coming to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on June 4. I work at Frontier Natural Products Co-op and would like to know if you use organic herbs & spices for seasonings?
Hello Tom
I have a question I would like to ask?
Please could you advise my daughter and I on how were able to locate a cultery school for 10 year olds. We live in Orlando.
Let me tell you begin by telling you the story. My daughter (Lauryn) as been watching Food Network since she was 5. Lauryn wants to cook, when she arrives home from school every day Lauryn will do her homework, pratice piano, pratice flute and then watch Food Network locates a recipe she would like to make and gathers all the ingredients and continues with her own cooking lesson until she gets it spot on.
This is truely true Lauryn just wants to cook all the time, she as a wonderful flare for food and great taste, Lauryn will tell you want seasonings you;ve used to season your meats or vegetables. Really Tom she truely is remarkable and as a gift. I just need for someone to point Lauryn and I in the direction for her to pursue this gift. I would appreciate any help. Thank you Sharon
I don't think you need to defend your decision at all. It's not about who was the Top Chef all season, but for that one meal, and obviously, if someone didn't perform at their best for this last challenge, then they shouldn't have won. I think you absolutely picked the right person. I've enjoyed top chef from season one, but as a person with food allergies I'd like to see you throw some tougher challenges to the new group of chefs. Try no wheat, no dairy, substitutions only. That's how I have to cook everyday and not everything adapts well. Now that's a challenge!
tom, I was fortunate enough to get to meet you at the Vegas Uncorked events this weekend and it's nice to know you are the exact same person on tv that you are in person. I am very much looking forward to seeing the new Las Vegas season. I look forward to seeing the damage they do in Robuchon's kitchen. Oh and the brunch at Craftsteak was perfection! I still stand by what I said about Hosea though :) Lets hope the new season candidates aren't as douchey.
Tom
we are not interested in your personal feelings about the contestants. This show is about top chef. Hosea is not a top chef. I am not going to watch this show ever again.
You're correct, this is a competition. And as far as defending your judgment goes, you blew it.
so what city is top chef going to next? i hope its seattle, there is so much great food in the northwest, and having pike's place market its everything the show is about! and speaking of the show, is top chef available on dvd and if not when will it be?
What is it about Tom that is so incredibly sexy? Can't decide if it's his beat on the ever-discriminating palate, his command of each culinary challenge (cut-baby cut), or the strength of his stature? I'm a big fan of the show; even bigger fan of Tom. Keep it up! Yummmy.
Hosea did not deserve to win..... He had the most negative attitude. He got by on hoping the other chefs would fail in order for him to look good, what an absolute disgrace. He even smiled when the others failed, pathetic. Stefan was obviously the better cook and should have blitzed by a country mile!!!!!!!!
Hosea should have been eliminated way earlier.
However, I really enjoy the show and will continue to watch.
I think Hosea won fair and square....
Indian Handicrafts
hosea was not the top chef - yes he won the superbowl but he should have never made it to the semi finals! the only reason he or leah made it as far as they did was the stupid 'sexual tension' between them. neither could hold a candle to jamie, stephan, jeff, carla, fabio, or even ariana -- i was glad to see her on iron chef america! i was very disappointed in this year's show -- though it was better than the previous season. i thought the judges were great as usual and were having a lot more fun this year! i am looking forward to a new season despite the lackluster groups of the last two shows.
I ate again today at Craft Dallas, and had sand in my scallops. Tom, as they say in Texas," cut bait or stay home "( which would be the Top Chef version of saying "pack your knives") There were perhaps ten other people in the dining room, and the lunches were way overpriced. I told my people that it would be THE dining experience of their lives. It was not. Not mine either, because of the sand. I brought them home (THE VISITORS)and made them Maque Choux, which they pronounced was better than "the fancy food at lunch". Tom, I know this is not "fancy food", but the daily pasta was gummy and for sure, my scallops (at your restaurant)had sand (I put a big piece on the side of my plate). Anyway, I am a Bankruptcy Lawyer who has learned to cook and eat and your place got a -0. Lots of more reasons, but I was ashamed to have recommeded it. You need to go there and revitilize it or close it. There were only 10 people there for lunch.
TOP CHEF is just that a top chef show.Tom with great respect i watch the show. Doing a show in hawaii I know how hard it is to do a culinary show. You have been a great influance to me thank you, you run the show like a true pro and it takes one to know one you are tops!hope to see the show in person one day.Thanks for the show! P.S.ITS THE ONLY CHEF SHOW I WATCH
Tom, why don't you guys have a kids top chef challenge? It would be fun for kids and you can see our potential. Think about for the next Top chef episodes. I enjoy the show and, as a chef-to-be, I want to be on the show.
I find season 5 lacks originality. No genuine surprises in the dishes. Jeff should have made it to the finale. Carla deserved to win the elimination challenge but it's dissapointing to watch the finale without the 2nd best chef from that semi final episode. I agree that Josea didn't deserved to win the top chef title based on one challenge only. What is the point of us watching all those other great chefs who wins so many challenges, got eliminated by one dish & lost the title to this 'play safe'& lucky chef ? So unfair. There should be a scoring system that will ensure great chef will compete in the finale, not lucky chef. If this show keeps current system, you should really consider renaming it to 'survivor chef' rather than 'top chef'.
roy
Hi Tom,
I am a big fan of Top Chef. Dont laugh but years ago I tried the Galloping Gourmay books. Ha Ha Ha. I didnt do so well on my own. I get tired of all the criticism I thought Hosea did well in many competitions and he seemed not so cocky that he couldnt learn. Of course Stefan was good and had years of experience but he was locked into his thinking also. Regardless the program is fun and interesting. Love listening to the judges' thoughts. Cant wait for a new season.
Hi Tom,
You need to branch out into an additional career. You look great in your clothes on the program. My son the detective shaves his head and the other, a pilot, does the same. They need some expert help dressing well and I think you are the candidate to do that. Yes we know you know the chef world and have done well, so go for another.
charlotte mccoy
Tom - I am writing this on behalf of my Fiance, as she is so perplexed at the choice of victor.
She has been a fan since season 1 and I from this season........I was a bit cynical about her comments on your bias towards Stefan, but as the weeks progressed it became very evident that you seem to get personal and are somewhat void of impartially.
The idea of being a culinary judge is to look, smell & taste the food.
Its the chef job to marry all of this through their psychomotor ability and technical skills.
Being an executive chef, have judged international salons I agree with my Fiance that STEFAN was shafted.
Even though Stefan's arrogance was more evident in the final weeks, surly this cannot be held against his food, remember - YOUR ATTITUDE IS ON THE PLATE
PS
My Fiance decided not to write this as I think she would use more colorful prose - she's so MAD
This was written with smile & we still love the show - IMPARTIAL, NO :>)
What kind of confident 'top chef' would take all the foie gras in a competition?
What kind of professional 'top chef' would use canned scallopes in a finale meal?
What kind of top chef would use the flawed rules and avoid making a dessert?
And what kind of judges ignored and allowed it?
And why those judges like you have the rights to judge a title like 'Top Chef'?
And how am I going to watch this show anymore?
OK, so American cooking shows are not as good as the British ones, but look at iron chef america, at least the contestants have the same secret ingredients to work on!
It may be hard perhaps to admit the incomparability, solidness and consistency of fine European culinary technique that has shaped American cuisine, but I suppose it’s hard to admit it by letting the title go to a foreigner like Stefan, nonetheless it feels from the viewers standpoint that this was an unfair judging and ruling…like Toby Young said if the title had to go for cooking from the heart it should’ve gone to Carla (congrats to her…great food, great personality and better yet great entertainment value), on overall performance and execution Stefan wins hands down….and that’s a lot more than what I can come up for Hosea. Hope next season, if there is one…personality issues don’t strip the most talented chefs from what’s rightfully theirs. Like a good artist once said to me…”it’s hard to judge another talented artist without being biased” and to me that’s what happened here…it’s easier for a talent and ego like Tom’s to let it go to the underdog rather than the real talent that Stefan proved throughout the whole competition.
. Stefan presented what the guest chefs agreed was a beautifully executed, well balanced meal from beginning to end and that Hosea not wanting to leave his comfort zone didn’t make a dessert and instead prepared a venison dish that, though good from the opinions, lacked originality and was not deserving of a Top Chef final. I was also surprised why Hosea didn’t get sent back home earlier on in the season especially when being a fish chef he missed out miserably on both fish challenges. I understand Chef Colicchio’s explanation that like in the Super Bowl the team with the best performance wins….however I doubt from the images we saw on TV that Hosea’s was the best performance, he even seemed surprised himself to have won over such a strong chef as Stefan, and overall the presentation of his dishes, flavor combinations and creativity were weak and seemed unappetizing from beginning to end. I have come to appreciate this series as one of the best in American television but sadly I feel Stefan was robbed from the title on account of personality issues.
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