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I thought this season's Top Chef was excellent and really enjoyed the reunion show. I am going to miss seeing it every Wednesday. Tom, thanks for being who you are. The fact that you are not as arrogant as some chefs makes the show great. I also really liked Toby being added this year. It was a nice addition.

Top Chef was my favorite show but I completely agree with Toby that Stefan should have won. I was also pretty disgusted with the reunion show, usually it's a lot of fun but this show was pretty rude! You dismissed Stefan when he thought he might have a chance at fan favorite and did not show his winning any challenges, and tried to prop up Hosea (the audience is not stupid, you know!). Also, what was the reason to embarrass poor Jeff (re: people mag comments that he thought YOUR food was boring!) So what? He is entitled to his opinions. I'm sure he cringed when the subject was brought up. This season has been totalling disgusting (even more than season 2!) I'm not sure I will watch next season unless the judging is changed.

Chef Tom - you're the man! You know Andrew Zimmern-get him to be a guest judge. He's funny as hell and knows food. The challenge could also deal with some bizarre foods. You are friends with him and I know he would do it! Thanks for Season 5-it was fun!

Tom did Hosea butcher the vension? Otherwise whats he doing here!!!

Message for Kay: I know about getting agents and publishers for books/cookbooks. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts -- even if Chef Tom were to recommend names to you (and even if he knew you personally and loved your work and were to call them for you), you'd still have to go through the same steps we all do -- query letters, sample chapters, etc., etc...there are several books that outline exactly what to do to get an agent, and that also list the agents and their contact info. I recommend you go to Barnes and Noble and spend a little time in the book publishing section -- you'll quickly figure out which one or two books to take home with you. Also then go to the cookbooks section and see which publishers are the ones publishing the kind of book you yourself wish to write (I'm assuming it's a cookbook -- if it's some other kind of book, go to THAT section) -- they're probably the ones you'll be targeting when you pitch your book, so you'll want to look at what they do, and figure out the format and angle of your book and the pitch that will work specifically for them. Go get 'em! Good luck!

All these comments just go to show that you can't please everyone. While I think past performances should count for something, it should not be everything, or Stefan would have been the winner midway through the season, and there would not have been any suspense at the finale.
And while it is true that what seems to be "weaker" chefs go on till the end, sometimes that turns around----great instance is Carla, who at the beginning seemed very weak and in fact would have gone home for her disastrous desserts in Restaurant Wars.
LOVE the show; LOVE Tom and Padma and Gail and Toby. Also love all the guest judges.
I think TOM is the BEST.

Dear Tom,
First of all, let me commend you on a wonderful show. I truly look forward to seeing it every week, and enjoy watching the reruns in-between. You, and the other judges, had quite a decision to make with Stefan, Hosea, and Carla being the final contestants. All three of them are truly Top Chefs in their own right, and I felt Fabio or Carla had the personality to win the most popular. I love hearing you speak about the different presentations and tastes that each of the chefs create; plus, I enjoy your wit and carefully chosen words when you critique a plate that does not meet expectations. I look forward to seeing that twinkle in your eyes next season. Also, I want to praise you for knowing how to perform the Heimlich manuever on the diner that you saw was in need of help. I was surprised last night when many of the chefs admitted not knowing the procedure. Again, congratulations on your show.

I agree 100% with you Tom on the finale outcome. This is not rocket science. I also like your ideas about bringing a more level playing field to the competition. I've always thought there needed to be a way to showcase both the "improv" chefs and the "planning, testing, tweeking" chefs; and to find balance between the two.

Hi, Chef:
I love the show and faithfully watch it all season...however, I have to agree with the majority of blogs here that you all should seriously revise the judging criteria - across the board. I like the following ideas from "Lon" "1. Make some of the middle challenges double eliminations; 2. Use a points system on some challenges so contestants get better feedback; 3. do more winner/loser challenges with winners getting an immediate reward like a night off from the next challenge or a visit to a special place; 4. Extend the challenges across more than one show; 5. Do more head to head challenges with losers getting strong consequences." I like these ideas a lot and I think the show and the contestants would benefit greatly. Also, when are you all going to start up TOP PASTRY CHEF! I would want to compete and could probably kick butt pretty good seeing as I am a professional and all...
Anyway, great show...don't stop being who you are. Luv ya.

Tom,

I personally am disappointed by Hosea's win. But as much as I hate sports and sports analogies, I understand what you wrote about the Super Bowl. In the finale, Carla choked, and Stefan didn't seem to be giving 100%.

I really think that the cheftestants in the finale should be required to make a dessert. If I was served a meal with courses, I would certainly expect one. Hosea may have won because he didn't make a dessert, but I think he took the coward's way out.

I also think that if sous chefs are provided, there should be a rule that they are to keep their mouths shut and cook. I know that it's Carla's fault for allowing Casey to have too much influence over her menu, but Carla might have won if Casey wasn't there to interfere. Likewise, I can't help wondering how much of Hosea's win was because his sous was Richard Blais. The chefs should win or lose on their own merits, not because they had bad luck or good luck with the sous chef they got.

I know this has nothing to do with the food, but I am among the many people who were disgusted by the Holeah shenanigans. It was the network's choice to air that, so it's the network's fault that Hosea's win is even further tainted in my eyes.

Thank you so much for blogging the show. Your blog is the one I look for first. I know you're a busy guy, and I appreciate the time you take to give us your thoughts.

I am amazed at the virulence of the reaction to the finale! Hey guys, I'll let you in on a little secret. Shhh, don't tell anybody, but it's just a show. I love Top Chef too, but since I DON'T TASTE THE FOOD, I don't try to out guess the judges! I am looking forward to next season.

I waited for last night's reunion show just to see if you were going to talk about the travesty that was the final decision. Not even one mention on the number of wins Stephan had throughout the season.

So please... please... please rename the show.

Call it:

Top Chef - Right Now
Top Chef for this Meal
Top Chef of the Night

Or whatever the hell you want to call it. But a season of work building to a moment where someone is Top Chef... and you decided Josea is that person? It's a joke.

And here I thought you guys got it right when you brought back Jamie and Jeff for one more shot. I thought that was the answer for booting Jaime (who had been consistently good) over Leah (who had been consistently bad). That at least was fair.

The final judging. Not fair. I will seek out Stephan and I will eat his squab and I will tell him what he already knows... he is TOP CHEF.

Pack your knives and go Tom. It is pretty apparent that you no longer want to be at the judges table and picking Hosea as Top Chef was just a slap in the face to everyone who bothered watching the whole season.
I really think you owe Stefan an apology- it was brutal watching the whole fiasco. Stefan has been the bigger person about the whole mess, again, a testament to the fact that you clearly picked the wrong contestant for top chef.

Tom - The posters are certainly getting into a cage fight over this. Hosea will only be able to get a job with Mrs. Paul's if this keeps up. And people are ready to congratulate Richard on finally winning the TC toque sub-rosa.

It's clear the viewers by a VAST number have overwhelmingly given the popular vote to Stefan as Top Chef while the Bravo Politboro gave the decision to Hosea. Clearly we love the show or we would not be so upset with what we feel is a lack of judgement and bias on the part of judges. If, as you said people cornered you on the Ariane question don't be surprised if Craft if picketed with Viva Stefan signs! Reality TV can be a rough ride....

I just reread your last blog. I agree with allowing contestants to plan their last meal(s) at home. Project Runway does that. (I know making clothes is more complicated than cooking a meal.) But that would allow those who aren't "jazz musicians" as chefs to have a better chance.

I have two suggestions for future shows. Address the issue of chefs playing it safe in the middle shows; and lessen or remove the "twists" in the finales.

Since I believe any complaint should have suggested remedies as well, here are a few ideas: 1. Make some of the middle challenges double eliminations; 2. Use a points system on some challenges so contestants get better feedback; 3. do more winner/loser challenges with winners getting an immediate reward like a night off from the next challenge or a visit to a special place; 4. Extend the challenges across more than one show; 5. Do more head to head challenges with losers getting strong consequences.

By the time the finale rolls around, I just want to see the chefs do their best work. If it means double elimination in the first route of the finale, so only two chefs remain in the last show, so be it. That way they can be tasked with more courses and tested more strongly.

I think there should be some blind tasting of prepared foods.

I am so pissed about this season. I believe that at judging previous performance should be in consideration. I am tired of seeing weak chefs in the top. Leah was a poor and lazy chef and the same for Lisa last season. I think Stefan should have won. I wanted Carla to win, but was very disappointed when she did not stick to her original plan. Also, Tom, I am from South Louisiana and Emeril may be a New Orleans chef, but he is definitely NOT a cajun chef. Also, Ms. Lucy a local cajun cook on PBS, was calling onions, celery and bell pepper, the holy trinity, long before Emeril.

Tom, I think season 5 was the best. Although my favorite was Jeff I wish all the young chefs well.

Since your the BMOC,could you direct me to where you begin to look for a book agent? No names unless you are willing. I just would like more of a start than the yellow pages. So far that isn't working Thanks!

If this were Top Judge, Toby Young would have kicked your ass. It's too bad that after five seasons, your integrity and taste are obviously questionable.

If you stand behind your pic, then why is Fabio the first picture on the Brave home web page? And the 2nd picture Fabio & Stefan? And 3rd Make Me a Supermodel? Forth picture down is Hoesa. Why not use your influence to get this situation change. because this is wrong! A picture says a thousand words much better than any blog!

My dissatisfaction with this season came early on when judges cared more about appearance then the final product. PLEASE bring back the judging philosophy, used in previous seasons, that if you are server raw meat that contestant needs to leave! Because if I were servers raw meat in a restaurant that is exactly what I would do.

Did the best person win this season, NO!!!

Save he bull, Tom...NO ONE is buying it. You screwed up bad by giving the title to a MUCH lesser chef because you didn't like the TOP one. STEFAN is Top Chef. Period. Saying that Hosea is, doesn't make it so. Give it up.

When the montage of Hosea's "achievement" were shown on the reunion show last night, it underlined how hollow a victory it really is. Hosea really was so unremarkable throughout the show, there just was little substance to him or his food.
I still don't see a Top Chef there.

The main focus on his activities was his silly romance with fellow cook Leah. That pair should open a whine bar and call it "Slackers R US".

The reunion show last night was fun.. Great to see and hear everyone laugh and get together. Congratulations to Fabio!! It was nice to realize that all 4 final chefs got a prize.. Hosea got the $$ as Top Chef, Carla got the Car and Superbowl tickets, Stefan got the trip to the food and wine fest. and the chance to work with and travel with, Eric Ripert, and Fabio got the $$ for Fan Favorite. They are ALL winners and have earned a lot of fame and exposure from the show. The last several challenges and guest judges really spiced up the season. Ala in all the season which was originally dubbed as "boring", turned out to be a good season with some good challenges and interesting cheftestants. Looking forward to next season.

You know after thinking about it, I've changed my mind about a previous elimination challenge. The challenge of reproducing Eric's restaurant fish dishes: Even though Jamie's celery was overly salty, Leah's error to me was worse: adding butter that wasn't even in the original instead of working out correctly what ingredients should be there and in what amounts (this is laziness and backing away from the challenge due to a lack of self confidence?). If Leah had gone home that night, then Jamie would have been in the next challenge and who knows how that would have changed everything... As I said before, I think Jamie is a terrific chef, but maybe by her nature she would just never be a terrific TV contestant, i.e. she loves to cook her own food of her own inspiration but is not really interested in conjuring up someone else's ideas that don't appeal to her. It was fun watching the reunion show. Actually reading Gail's blog convinces me the correct final outcome was made, if the final deciding factor was comparing Hosea's final meat course to Stefan's dessert, then that gave Hosea the win. One last salute to Carla - she has the skill, heart and imagination - one more little thimblefull of awareness at just the right moment (ignoring Casey's suggestions) and I think she would have gone all the way. Anyway, thanks for another fun season of Top Chef - I'll definitely be watching next time (if my husband can put up with my obsession...)

Tom, it is time for you to go.

To all of you sheep bleeting the old standard "the people complaining weren't there and didn't taste the food" line, Toby Young, Hubert Keller, and Rocco DiSpirito were there.

Toby and Keller had no problems with Stephan's salad, Rocco felt Hosea's fois gras scallop was uninspired (and he was rudely dismissed by Gail and Branford Marsalis, both non-chefs). All but Gail and Tom enjoyed Stefan's dessert.

The dessert itself wasn't judged by taste, but by presentation. Gail thought it looked like it was from 1982. Tom thought it was just there. No one complained about the taste, and Hosea was munching on a banana lollipop while they waited, so it doesn't take Jaques Pepin to tell you that the dessert was fine.

We didn't have to be there or taste the food to see what happened. Stefan was robbed, and the judges should be ashamed of themselves for what they did.

Tom,

I won't say that I was happy with this outcome, because I wasn't, and that hasn't abated. My dissatisfaction with this ending was that Hosea was never a chef that dazzled me; his big win for the 12 Days of Christmas came because his teammates helped him out considerably, and his complete botching of seafood dishes throughout the competition was inexcusable given that he is a seafood chef. I would also argue that his food never seemed to inspire me from looking at it on the plate--as a food blogger, I have seen great examples of food photography and plating from many home cooks that would put Hosea's food to shame, and to me, all of these objections combined should prevent him from being a Top Chef. He clearly didn't choke on a night when two other talented chefs did, and given your judging rules, he should have won, but I feel, like many who have posted here, that perhaps the judging requirements are flawed in order to determine the true Top Chef--the sum of the meals presented, at least at the final judging, SHOULD in my mind play a role. While they are two different shows, judging the final collections of Project Runway should bear a resemblance to judging the final meal of Top Chef--who is the chef who has given the judges the best case to get a serious amount of money in order to pursue his or her culinary aspirations? I want to see the chef who has the best chance of doing something amazing with the prize (in this case, I feel it would have been Stefan) than a ponce who got lucky at the last minute with his last meal. Of course, that would have likely changed the whole competition, but it's something to mull over as season 6 transpires.

Under the current judging guidelines, though, your argument clearly carries weight--based on that criteria, Hosea did win. But while we don't taste the food, keep in mind that we as the audience knows what good food looks like versus sub-par food.

At every final there are distinguished guests, superstars in the culinary world but they don't get a vote. Why have them there if they provided their opinion but no one listens. From the excerpts, it appeared that many of the guest judges loved Stefan's food and thought he served a complete meal of an alligator soup, fish carpaccio, squab and dessert. Yet at judges table, it was the usual four that made the final call. We know that making a dessert is a throw-away dish because Tom doesn’t like dessert. What the heck, if I had a final meal without dessert, it wouldn’t be all satisfying. Why not have a category for the superstar judges like, “Who would you hire?” and have that count as a vote? I think Stefan got ripped off – here he wins more challenges than all the other Chefs and that counts for nothing – something should be done to change that so we can have a show called Top Chef rather than Best Meal.

I did like the fact that several of the eliminated chefs were able to compete with a chance to get back in. I thought that was a great addition.

Hello Chef,

I've enjoyed watching your program since it began, but I have some concerns about this season that I must address. Despite various upsets with some exceptional chef's being eliminated over the years such as Sam and Trey, my husband and I have remained loyal viewers. But this year, awarding Hosea the title of Top Chef was an all-time low. Though I agree with everything you say in your blog about where Carla and Stefan went wrong during the finale, I cannot get past that judging does not take each chef's track record into account; especially during the finale. Top Chef material isn't someone who's performed poorly more often than not and demonstrated an overall lack of creativity. Every season, judges acknowledge when chef's are creative and consistent and it seems that these observations play a part in the decision making some of the time. Then of course, the opposite occurs as well; some eliminations have made no apparent sense whatsoever.

Why Hosea and Leah were able to advance as far as they did seemed to be nothing more than an attempt to create drama. Both merited being eliminated early on; so did some others. Any seafood chef that doesn't know better than to use canned crab has no business remaining a contestant to the finish. Jeff, Jamie, and Fabio, the obvious talents this season(besides Stefan and Carla), should have been among the finalists; not Hosea.

Going forward, I hope you will consider making it a rule to not allow contestants to pursue one another romantically during filming. It's an unnecessary distraction for everyone (viewers and all the contestants).

This evening, my husband had decided not to watch the Top Chef reunion because he questions the shows integrity.

As for next season, don't know if we'll be watching at this point. Others I know feel the same way. I just hope that the Bravo TV powers that be start paying more attention to what viewers want.

We've already lost Project Runway on Bravo. Now with what happened on Top Chef this season... it's a shame. My two favorite shows on TV are going down the tubes!

Great season. Even with the messed up ending I still really enjoyed this season. The show has managed to acually get a little better. Please keep it about the food and the proffession. And resist the urge to turn it into another bastard child of something out of MTV or something.thanks

Tom - I have long admired you and would love to eat in your restaurants and spend an evening talking with you about food.

Nevertheless, I have to agree with Toby on this one. You guys screwed it up. I get your Super Bowl analogy, but I don't like it. I also don't care for football, perhaps that is why.

But it is clear to me that the show is missing something crucial - and your judging needs to be fixed to explain how Leah and Hosea (who are portrayed as average at best, and at worst as having been awful but just squeaking by each week)make it to the end.

I distinctly recall you saying during season 1 that one of the big factors in the choice of Harold over Tiffany was that Harold had performed better overall in the competition and that he had more of the qualities that make a Top Chef. Well - I feel that *should* be part of the competition at the end. Not all of it - or as you say it would be pointless to hold it - but a piece of it. Because otherwise, just call it Top Meal of the Night and let us stop pretending that choosing a top chef is the goal.

It is a travesty, imo, that Hosea was the winner.

And if you are getting such extreme backlash, perhaps you should examine why. If you truly, truly believe that your judging is not at fault, then clearly the editing is because we are not given an accurate representation or explanation of your judging. Either way - something needs to be corrected if you hope to retain any legitimacy for this show.

New England won 18 straight Tom.. Stick to cooking!

so based on the whole judging based on each individual challenge idea, then why not have one show and let them all have one chance to cook their best meal. who ever does the best is crowned top chef. why do i even need to invest my time in watching week after week and seeing a mediocre chef sneak by and beat the best chef of the whole season?

this isnt top chef. its "who ever got lucky this week."

sorry tom, your damn ego and your sense of duty to uphold the "judging on individual challenges" got in the way. i could see it throughout the whole season. only one that kept it real with the judging was Toby.

When 86% of the viewers disagree with the winner of Top Chef, it's time to rethink the criteria.
My suggestion: set up a point system to use for weekly challenges and award points to each chef based on the quality of the meal. For the finale, the accumulated points will count say, 40% and the actual meal will account for the other 60%. This way a chef's overall cooking ability throughout the season is taken into consideration. Secondly, chefs will be less likely to 'coast' week-to-week if they know these points will be counted for the finale.
Regardless, something has to change before viewers change their minds about watching.

Tom nailed it on the head...the format of this finale was not level. Adding the appetizer challenge with a knife draw to determine main ingredient is definitely not level. I think the sous chef choice also makes it unsteady. Of course Blaise aided Hosea. Blaise could have easily won this season or any other so how could that not be an advantage. I get that they need a sous chef for practicality but perhaps go with local sous chefs of high quality. They'd play the role better and ultimately more fair. Not saying Hosea didnt win outright, just saying it seemed less fair and diminished the pleasure of watching the final. Tom is right. The 2 person, 5 course meal is a better show.

I personally love the 'playoffs' and disagree with those that think there shouldn't have been a finale and that Stefan should have been crowned based on his performance prior to the last three challenges.
I like the suggestions regarding improving the show, including more of a focus on the food and what the judges think makes it good/bad. And seeing Carla 'choke' in the big game, similar to Richard last season, make me think of changes for the final that would REALLY add to the suspense. Three 'final' challenges. Each one debated by the judges. Then the secret ballot out a set of points. After the last challenge and points, they get tallied and the winner crowned. Tom could even vote more points than everyone else to increase his influence. In the end, it's just a game, and a very subjective one at that. Have fun with it!

so good to see pattyh that you know exactly what those chefs think and want and would choose. (rolls eyes).

Ok I'm outta here these people are ridiculous and I don't want to be in their company any longer.

see ya next season and please no more arrogant european SOBs isn't one stefan enough? I'd take a million lovely warm european fabios though :)

Well Tom,
I too am with the legions of fans who disagree with you. You do sound mighty defensive in your defense of the JT decision.

AND to all of you people who say "You didn't taste the food, how can you judge?" DUH - You "judge" by listening to what all the judges say about the food and its taste & presentation.
This type of argument is silly - it's like after a trial, when people say, "You weren't there, how do you know he's guilty?"
Anyway, I do love the show and look forward to tonight's recap.

I loved Carla thinks she has a wonderful personality. HOWEVER she is not a leader and couldn't run a kitchen full of stefan's for example. Souv vied even though she never had and then seared it afterwards? Souffle was a good idea jeez how many freaking crusty tarts can one make in a season without being ridiculed (i.e. marcel and his foam). A classically trained french chef who can't cook a souffle? that was all her fault.

I saw caseys' rant and it obviously was not intended for public consumption. However if she cooked Carlas well liked 2nd dish she should be given some credit instead of just being given all the fault for the things that went wrong. After Stefan actually said Hosea didn't have the balls to be top chef (that is not even about the food!) for anyone to be offended by casey and then turn around and support stefan is hypocritical. either it is about what happens in the kitchen or it isn't. take your pick.

As for Stefan nobody even wanted to work with him except Fabio - that is no leader plain ans simple.

Nobody disliked hosea except his rival stefan so that gives him a one up in that area. Also, Hosea won the palate challenge. That is a big advantage.

That desert Stefan made -- looked like it was for a kiddie party... and raw/frozen slushy fish? ew

NO WAY Stefan won the last challenge. Are you people high?

Tom, I appreciate your comments, and, given the premise and rules of the show, your logic is irrefutable. And yet…and yet… the bottom line is that if you had to chose a chef to cater your last meal, whether you would chose Carla or Stefan is probably a matter of personal taste, but NOBODY --neither you nor anybody else in America -- would chose the mediocre hack, Hosea. Therefore, for him to have won, logic dictates that there must be something wrong with the premise and the rules.

The Super Bowl analogy only goes so far. Yes, of the 2 teams in a Super Bowl, either could win or lose irrespective of past performance, but they almost certainly would not have made it to the Super Bowl if they had not racked up plenty of winning points and impressive wins during the season. And the playoffs are a series of games to make sure no mediocre team stumbles into the Super Bowl –or gets eliminated – by accident. Plus, the Super Bowl finalists do not get inflicted with players from losing teams assigned to “help” them.

If we applied Super Bowl logic and organization to Top Chef, Jamie would not have been eliminated on the basis of one mistake, and Hosea would never have been in contention after a lackluster season noticeable more for its mishaps than its accomplishments.

This show needs to be revamped. Period. Fans have been suggesting every season that some sort of Olympic-style point system be adopted to reward truly deserving chefs –not merely those who flew under the radar long enough to benefit from the top 2 contenders self-destructing. Once a chef makes it to the finale, he/she would start with a clean slate. There would still be suspense and surprise without the travesties we have seen week after week this season, e.g., Ariane being sabotaged by the lovebirds; a great chef, Jamie, going home for one mistake; the simpering simpleton Leah being kept in the game for reasons having nothing to do with food; and a less than stellar chef making it to the Finale.

Also, the Finale should be judged on each chef's own merits. Rather than giving them sous chefs, give them more prep time.

This season’s outcome will forever be tainted by the questions, “Did Casey really lose it for Carla? Did Richard Blais really win it for Hosea?” If it were me, I know I would want to stand or fall on my own.

Please, use your influence. You are great. This show used to be great. Bring back its credibility

I read your comment on people.com which said you stand by your decision. Of course you defend it. We would really like to know the favorite of the distinguished diners at the finale dinner service. But we know what the result would be.

You, the magazine girl, the hot model and the food critic are judges. Toby stood up for what was right and I really respect him for it. And John Besh, Tory McPhail, Ti Martin, Hubert Keller would easily choose Stefan.

Chef Colicchio: awesome.

I love reading your comments. You are the best thing about Top Chef and a huge reason why it's a popular show that also has integrity.

Great, great, great comments. Thank you! And I love your idea for future finals, I have always wanted to see what the contestants would do if they had the appropriate amount of time to create a dish.

I would love to comment on who became Top Chef, but every time I saw Padma, your program lost credibility with me. I switched to another channel. I agree when it was said she is on the wrong show. It would be very interesting to see Padma paired with Tyra! That I might watch.

If it is all about cooking and the end result - best dishes, then why DO you include all the drama (ie. Hosea & Leah cheating on their significant others) and Hosea's dumb@ss comments? I agree with the poster before me - keep it to cooking if that's what the show is about and if that is your defense for your pick for Top Chef this season.

Sorry Tom, but I'm piling on too! Hosea served up mediocre dishes, behaved poorly throughout the season, (extreme lack of character to humiliate his "girlfriend" on national tv the way he did, no excuses for this, shame on Top Chef for putting it in). His lack of honor towards the other chefs (ie Arianne, Stefan etal) showed what a truly classless oaf he made himself out to be. Hosea's ability to create appealing dishes was lacking compared to the other chefs and I do believe desserts should be expected out of a Top Chef. The football analogy doesn't cut it otherwise Lisa would have won last year. I do believe most of us who tune in really want to see creative "cooking" and honest competition, (we can always go to the food channel for the other crap). Bravo to Stefan for his ability and to Karla for being such a class act!

Doctor J

Thank you very much for your opinion. And, yes, our opinion counts!

Congrats to Hosea and Bravo TV for another great season of Top Chef. Although I'm sad that Carla let Casey influence her. I think if Carla would have cooked her own food, she would be top chef. I hope Gail comes back to judge next season. I didn't care for Toby Young. His analogies were ridiculous and I thought he was quite mean spirited in his criticisms. Top Chef deserves better.

pit master:

The show is called top chef, and therefore is not standing for what it is called,

The way you describe it, fits the name: top meal.

Probably the worst thing you could've done to Hosea is crown him Top Chef. Now EVERYBODY hates his guts.

Tom--

Kudos for this informative blog post. Many viewers overlook the fact that you're judging the chefs on each individual challenge, not their overall performance, and that you don't see any of behind-the-scenes antics until the season is over. It may not seem fair, but them's the rules.

Keep up the good work.

Tom, Gail, Padma,

What football analogy? Your show is named "TOP Chef"!!! What is a Chef? A professional cook or head cook or for me...the best cook in any given situation.

Your pick does not know how to skin an eel, afraid to do an alligator, did not help his teammate (Arianne) when he saw that she could not butcher a lamb, did not know how to cook a monkfish (ooop Hosea is a sea food exec chef) panicked when his and Rhadika's food ended up rotten with Rhadika, cannot make one dessert and barely won any challenge (ohh the challenge he won was made possible when his teammates helped him)!!!

On the other hand, there was a chef who can skin an eel, turn an alligator to a great soup, helped his teammates win the restaurant challenge with his extraordinary dessert, able to equal a staple food of Chef Eric Ripert, jumped in to help Hosea (!!!) present the winning dish, won most of the challenges...and WORST OF ALL, HAD THE BEST DISH IN THE FINALE!!!

This is what a TOP CHEF is about! Able to stand up to any challenge without whinning or squirming and consistently deliver the best!!!

This is STefan!!! Carla can even fall in this definition!!! But definitely NOT your pick!!! HOSEA is NOT top chef!!!

You should all be recruited by the Food Network to just judge their copy cat shows.

What injustice to the rightful winner...Stefan!!!

Tom wrote a blog and this is where we leave comments. The majority disagree with him. Yet some people are upset that we would express ANY negativity toward Tom. Grow up. Get your heads out of Tom's butt and inhale the sweet fresh air.

To Lynda S

If were were to use last year's Super Bowl with your beloved Patriots as a framework for TC, all of the chefs would cheat. The Patriot organization has no sense of fair play.

Go Steelers !!!

my goodness you are so defensive!

although hosea may have cooked up the best of the three meals during the finale, his win leaves so many of us feeling truly dissatisfied. his mediocrity throughout the competition was evident. his grade-school level mindset of wanting to deflate another clearly superior chef was utterly irritating.

but tom, if you're hawking the show's focus on food alone, then it should CUT THE EDITING THAT WAY for goodness sake. the whole season is allowed to include all of the drama of a soap opera. it diminishes the credibility of the show's alleged intent.

but, sadly, as you mention, the season 2 finale had the largest viewing audience. that's the season that was happy to broadcast the brutish and bullying cast front and center and for the finale pinned two of the most HATED chefs against one another. it bestowed the 'top COOK' title (not 'top chef' originally) on frigging ilan, the unoriginal, copy-cat and assault-prone contestant. despicable. so i suppose leaving out the drama will never happen.

too bad too........it's a wonderful concept of a show and doesn't need to do that.

toby = good---he's earnest.

Tom,

Emotions a part (is 6 days after the final) , you deliver a most "talk about" ,controversial show on Bravo .Congratulations!!
I maybe do not agree with your verdict,but I have to say : Season 5 was a perfect reality show to watch.
Is it that all what counts?

Dear "Cold Blue Eyes",

Your comparison of Top Chef to last year's Super Bowl with my beloved Patriots (& football, in general) is insulting to the viewers' intelligence and sense of fair play.

(The rules of football don't change game to game or season to season.)

During any game, how many NFL players cry and beg to the referee when a call goes against them and prevail (such as the case of Melissa, Leah and yeah - Hosea)?

How many referees make a call against a player because they played with "no soul"? How many teams win because they "are nice guys" who play with love?

How many teams who have had okay performances yet only 1 game win get to PLAY in the Super Bowl based on their mediocre performance throughout their season?

If the TC final challenge was comparable to the Super Bowl, Hosea would not have made it there in the first place. He won 1 QF and 1 Elim (with the help of his competitors)!

C'mon, Tom. It appears that you are now back peddling by saying Stefan's squab wasn't that good in order to pump up Hosea's win. But it doesn't hold water. You did not proclaim that any contestant prepared a dish that "was a triumph" (as in S-3). Just because Stefan wasn't whining for dollars and begging your pardon; you eliminated him to advance the guy that cried through most challenges.

btw: Hosea had an odd fixation on Stefan throughout the season. Perhaps he was jealous of Stefan's obvious skills.

Dear "Cold Blue Eyes",

Your comparison of Top Chef to last year's Super Bowl with my beloved Patriots (& football, in general) is insulting to the viewers' intelligence and sense of fair play.

(The rules of football don't change game to game or season to season.)

During any game, how many NFL players cry and beg to the referee when a call goes against them and prevail (such as the case of Melissa, Leah and yeah - Hosea)?

How many referees make a call against a player because they played with "no soul"? How many teams win because they "are nice guys" who play with love?

How many teams who have had okay performances yet only 1 game win get to PLAY in the Super Bowl based on their mediocre performance throughout their season?

If the TC final challenge was comparable to the Super Bowl, Hosea would not have made it there in the first place. He won 1 QF and 1 Elim (with the help of his competitors)!

C'mon, Tom. It appears that you are now back peddling by saying Stefan's squab wasn't that good in order to pump up Hosea's win. But it doesn't hold water. You did not proclaim that any contestant prepared a dish that "was a triumph" (as in S-3). Just because Stefan wasn't whining for dollars and begging your pardon; you eliminated him to advance the guy that cried through most challenges.

btw: Hosea had an odd fixation on Stefan throughout the season. Perhaps he was jealous of Stefan's obvious skills.

Tom,

I was probably one of the many who disagreed with the results of the finals. However, when I read your explanation of the judging, I can agree with what you say. The same holds true for the previous week when Fabio was eliminated.

I think it would be advantageous to your viewing audience if you would devote 3 - 5 minutes at the end of each show to explain the judges findings. It truly is insightful. I don't expect that everyone will still agree with those findings, but at least we would know how you and the other judges came to your decisions.

I look forward to the next season of competition. This is truly a great show.

And, as always, Padma looks marvelous!

I was upset with Hosea winning and thought that Stefan was the best chef this season, I still do actuall. But after reading Tom's superbowl analogy, I see his point and the reason that Hosea won. Im not happy about it, but I understand it.

Tom, I think the judging was done fairly and accurately. I didn't care much for Hosea (the farm challenge showed his immaturity and lack of leadership) but felt his winning was as it had to be. Carla: real talent and pure class. When Casey suggested her ideas I actually yelled out "No Carla, don't do it - stick to your own inner muse, do what you've done and you can win!" but her very generosity of spirit is probably what clouded her judgement when she went with Casey's ideas. I do think Carla would have won if she'd cooked her own food. I wondered if Stefan (who cooked a lot of very good food per his challenge wins) was influenced by the character of his fellow contestants (Jamie and Carla). At one point in the season he said something like "I don't care about any of these people," but by the finale it was truly touching when he twice went to comfort Carla. As Carla stated, her intention was to compete with love (not power or arrogance) and this she did gloriously, which was every bit as impressive as her cooking skills. Good season with interesting challenges. Jamie was initially my favorite and may be one of the best chefs, but being a good chef is not necessarily being a good contestent on a TV show. After Jamie left I was really rooting for Carla to win it. Looking forward to the rehash on the reunion show Wed. night...

Why is everyone so mean? Complain to the station to change the rules.. The judges followed the rules. if you all keep threatening not to watch because you want to pick the winner yourself ..even though you only see editing and never taste the food.. then, this great show ill go the way of "Project Runway" and leave the network/ or altogether. It's still a great, fun show. The final 3 were all winners in some way and will get rewarded for their hard work/efforts in their future. It's over.. You can't change the outcome with your insults/complaints.. and if you don't want to watch next season, don't. But, don't whine so much that they take this great show off the air. Most reality TV shows are so much worse..and fake. This is still a fun show to watch and learn from.

Once again I got swept up into Bravo TV's Top Chef.
It happens with me and some shows, even though I tell everyone, I don't cook, it's not because I can't cook. It's because cooking for one person is like borderline ridiculous.
Anyway, since the finale aired for season 5 a week ago, I have read several different reviews and blogs about it. (Blame too many hours sitting in front of a computer)
I wanted to give my take on the outcome, and what better place than MySpace.
So as my mother and I were watching, we both liked Carla. Maybe it's because we both grew up in the South (Mississippi and Louisiana respectively), or maybe because she is kooky and strange (no comments!)
Anyway, no matter editing or whatever, we weren't fans of Stephan. I'm sorry, over-confidence is a huge turn-off. People always have something to learn, and a person who thinks they know everything already? Why is he even there?
Hosea was one I didn't see coming. He was like a wild-card, since he has had some big hits, and big blunders, with a lot of middle road in between.
So it starts with them having breakfast on a paddle boat, and moving on to a knife pull for people the sous chefs. (Which by the way, I liked it when they had the all-star professional chef sous chefs, and then as the judges, not the 2nd runners-up).
Richard, I think, is by far the best choice. He was a little edgy in his season, but he knows how to tone it down and just cook. He worked the best in team of all three choices.
Marcel, grew on me when I recently rewatched season 2. He paired well with Stephan I think because Stephan had the commanding personality to not let him override anything he wanted.
Casey, oh Casey. I remember, was usually easy going, but did hat she wanted. As we have seen on previous episodes, Carla is just so nice, that she doesn't really stick up for herself. (Remember the bridal shower episode when she let someone else add something to her dish and not say anything, or present and idea she didn't like from the beginning. Or... the restaurant wars episode where she didn't ask for help because she didn't want to trouble anyone?) Being nice and gracious only gets you so far, you have to have a firm footing for your on ideas. More on this later.
So I loved loved loved the cheftestants having to eat King Cake and find the baby for the lead. I love King Cake. (PS for anyone, and I did read some, that commented on the baby being made of metal, it's plastic, with gold spray paint, inserted after the cake is baked.)
I think Hosea chose wisely. He wanted something he knew how to cook. He knew Stephan wasn't at all familiar at all with alligator, and gave it to him because, he saw him as his biggest competitor.
For those who don't know, Alligator really does taste like chicken, but if you over cook it, even a little, it tastes like rubber chicken. So I applaud whole heartedly Stephan for never using the ingredient before and making a spectacular soup.
I think the first round goes for him because of that fact.
First Course.
I admit right now, I'm insanely picky about fish. I don't particularly care for it, so the way it is prepared, really sways me. So I would have been upset by someone freezing a fresh product for the sake of cutting it very thin. And under seasoning it.
At this point my mother and I put all our money on Carla, thinking the other two had shot themselves in the foot.
Second Course
Firstly, I don't know what the hell Carla was thinking, using a technique she didn't even know how to do in the finale. That was just plain poor planning. Preparing "the meal of your life" you go with your blockbuster hits that you know like the back of your hand! I think she just got so nervous she accepted the help of someone else. No I don't blame Casey. She gave suggestions (like all the sous chefs did), but Carla didn't stick to her original game plan. And PS Casey, shame on you for coming out and bad mouthing Carla after the episode aired. I had much more respect for you before i read about that. That was just spiteful and you saving face. $20 you'll jump at the chance to do something with TC again.
Anyway, the sous-vide flopped. Carla's fault for not sticking to her original game plan.
Stephan and the squab. Firstly, I don't like Squab. It's too heavy and kind of greasy for me. But again, prepared correctly, it can taste amazing. His looked like it! (PS, when they invent smell-o-vision or taste-o-vision I'm sooooo the first to invest!!!!!)
Hosea's course
Last course.
Why, when given a rule that says, you don't have to do a desert are so many people in an uproar.
I don't eat desert as a rule. (unless they have an amazing cheesecake because it's my weakness) I don't handle really sweet foods very well. So i liked that they didn't have to worry with one.
I can understand why Carla wanted to do one, she is good at them! (When she does her own stuff)
Stephan. He won with his deserts in restaurant wars, but he basically recreated that dish on one plate this time. I think if he would have gone with a savory dish, he would have taken the whole thing.
Hosea. Absolutely a great plan. the last dish is what they remember. Make it something awesome they can't forget.
Oh Carla, poor Carla. She should have made both. Her tart, and the souffle. Then when one tastes better or actually works, they pick the best. Shame on her for not sticking to her plan, it was her own downfall.
It was insanely hard to watch the final judges table.
First off, I loved the judges. With the excpetion of Fabio. He was a great chef, but that was clearly a plug for something that is coming up for him, TV show, cookbook, what-ev. Otherwise, I loved them.
Judges Table (the interview)
How sorry did everyone feel for Carla when she knew she failed in her last two dishes. She knew she was out of the running, and it was sad.
Judges Table (the debate)
I would love, love, love to watch all of the tapes of them debating. This wasn't an easy choice.
Ending
I think, in general, they picked the right chef. I think that they picked a chef with innovation. I liked Stephan, but he really had very little creativity.
I firmly believe that Carla would have taken it, if she had more confidence.
Hosea shows a lot of creativity, that doesn't always work out, but when it does, he is spectacular.
Over All
Carla, when ever I actually get married, you are my caterer. I'll pay for you to travel.
Stephan, you get the rehearsal dinner
Hosea, you get a new restaurant customer for life!! many times over..

There's some good news from all the criticism, Tom. You now know how seriously your fans take the title Top Chef. We're all hoping to witness the discovery the next Jacques Pepin, Eric Ripert, Thomas Keller or Tom Colicchio. Instead, we were disappointed to learn that you don't have to be extraordinarily talented to be Top Chef.

Tom's argument doesn't hold water.
Great comment from "BONNIE"
She destroys Tom's lengthly defense in a few short lines.
She is exactly right. See below:

BONNIE:
"One last comment from me --
the football analogy is flawed.
The winners of the last football
game of the regular season are crowned
the Superbowl champs, not the "Top Team."
Your show is called Top Chef, not "The Last
Challenge Winner." Stefan was ripped off to
the tune of $100k."

Dear Tom

I think you have seen how many people have protested and it is time that you do something about it. It is not to late to acknowledge Stefan's achievement. As well as, to save the show.

This show has become a sham of its intended purpose. The judges are not themselves "top chefs". Tom's restaurants are known to serve mediocre, uninspired food and he is certainly not in the same league of chefs as Hubert Keller, Jacques Pepin, and others. Padma is neither an accomplished chef, nor even an accomplished model. It is absurd how much of the advertising for the show features Padma either boogying or posing as if she were introducing Top Model. It's ridiculous having her cavorting around in her "fashionista" clothes when this is a show about great and impassioned cooking. Perhaps Gail is a fine cook, but it doesn't necessarily follow that she is, based on her being an editor of Food & Wine magazine.

I agree with an earlier post that the guest chefs' opinions should carry more weight than those of the mediocre and overhyped "core" judges.

I have to say that this season is really just not that compelling. The contestants as a whole were pretty weak. The problem I have with Hosea is that I just don't see him in the final 4. Never mind final 1. Of course I can't eat the food via TV but from judges' comments there were stronger candidates.

It's true that the outcome shouldn't be predictable. But then if you want to build your franchise you would want the Top Chefs to do well. I fear Hosea is going to be another Ian. I guess if Jennifer Hudson can be more famous not winning American Idol than maybe Stephan can be more successful not winning Top Chef. At least he won't have all sorts of contractual obligations I am sure that are associated with winning Top Chef.

I for one look forward to Stephan's new (I predict) restaurant in the LA area. I very much enjoyed Craft a few years back and hoping to see the same consistency in a few weeks.

I think the show was good this season. The finale was not as big or exciting as the past seasons. I also agree that Hosea should've won. I want to point out Stefan has "taken" (or whatever u want to call it) food that was prepared by Hosea to begin with. He didn't ask for the items he just demanded that he get a portion of what Hosea had. That alone I think was wrong. Congratulations Hosea. I look forward to a more exciting finale next season.

I just saw the reunion clip and : Again a petty remark from you. Stefan, no chance of him being the fan favorite? Why not? He was great. So what if he liked to joke around and tease people a bit.When it really mattered and somebody needed help, he was always there for them. So,in my eyes he was the best, in so many ways.... My fav for season 5.

Disliked this finale more than any other. contestants should be required to make a dessert, or perhaps the twist could be drawing knives (or eating cake with things inside) and the winner decides dessert or no dessert for all the finalists. regardless, it should be resolved beforehand because it's comparing apples and oranges for the third course and nobody feels good with the final decision.

Doctor J said it brilliantly and I agree, Stefan should have won the title of Top Chef. Hosea and Leah were shady characters throughout the competition and mediocre. I mean it was so EVIDENT that my eight year old knew that even Jamie and Jeff were far better chefs that the likes of them two. I am so tired of Tom and Gail, let them go and Toby move in.

Aside from the fact that you don't need great cooking skills to be Top Chef, you obviously don't need any dignity either. It cracks me up that people have the nerve to talk s#!t about Stefan's arrogance, especially when Hosea gives the finger to the camera, whines and bitches about what Stefan is up to, and most of all, makes out with some two-bit cook before millions of viewers while his girlfriend is at home supporting him, and probably praying for his victory.

Tom,

I agree with your football analogy. Last season, I thought Richard was better overall than Stephanie but Stephanie won the last challenge fair and square. Stefan may have been better overall but Hosea won the last challenge. Many sports are like that. You may have the best record in basketball and loose in the championship. Thats the way it is. Great job with the show. My family loves it!

Stefan was clearly the favorite to become Top Chef. Carla was also a strong performer that was becoming stronger as the finale approached. Hosea was nondescript and appeared to scheme more than cook. After 5 seasons of Top Chef, true fans have high expectations of the show. Stefan was robbed. If the finale wasn't fixed then it was extremely subjective. It looked more like Olympics figure skating or women's gymnastics rather than the Super Bowl. They are constantly trying to make their competitions more objective and Top Chef should do the same.

To make the next season more meaningful, how about assigning a weighting system where the finalists are weighted according to the number of challenges that they won. The finale could be a combination of the final best meal augmented by their wins during the season. This would give more meaning to the challenges during the season and make the finals more objective.

Go Top Chef!

We can't taste the stuff, so I'm fine with the judges ajudicating the winner - come on people, embrace the obvious!

I know Carla, I've eaten her food for the last 6 years. LOVE, love, love her - Bravo / Food Network GIVE HER A SHOW - she's real, and as beautiful a person as she seems, even though early editing made her look like a flake. CARLA ROCKS!

And come on folks, Fabio and Stephan's blustering was just that, male bravado stoked by testosterone. I was touched when Stephan was visibly upset when Carla began to cry. Good Season! GREAT head judge!

Dear Tom,
While your Super Bowl analogy seems fitting for the show’s rules, I have to question whether the show lives and dies by this same rule.

Let’s go back to last season’s finale where we encounter a similar situation: a chef that proved herself during the competition (Stephanie) and a somewhat undeserving finalist that managed to get there by means of laying low and being fortunate enough to have someone else screw up more than she did in several occasions (Lisa) Unfortunately the very talented Richard who in my opinion was the Top Chef, did not have a good day. From the comments we heard from the judges and the guests, we the viewers were left under the impression that Lisa actually managed to cook a slightly better meal than Stephanie (at least I and several of my friends thought so) When it came down to announce the winner you had the good sense of picking Stephanie over Lisa but I do believe this decision was highly influenced by past performance. I applauded the decision because had Lisa won I would have shot my TV on the spot and the show would have lost all credibility. Good decision back then but where does your Super Bowl analogy fit in?

Back to this season, lets remember some of Hosea’s “stellar” moments:
Challenge at Craft: You placed him on the bottom three for a dish (seafood by the way) he actually thought should have been in the top three.

The butchered lamb: Sure Ariane had the skills to cook it but Hosea was supposed to be the skillful butcher of the group. Did he step up or lay low? You tell me.

The seafood master: In comes the eel and he has to look at Stefan to see how its done, reminded me of someone looking over a classmate’s shoulder to see what he or she put in question 5. And how can we forget him at the bottom three for his so called specialty – no comments.

No Dessert: Not that we would expect a pastry chef quality dessert but if he can’t do dessert should he be considered a well rounded or “Top” chef?

Finally: He won how many challenges?

No offense to Hosea (he seems like a decent guy) but several of his peers were more talented than him: Stefan, Carla, Fabio, Jamie, Lea, Jeff. I believe its going to take Oscar caliber performances for him to answer “Yes” to the “Did you deserve to win?” question and keep a straight face. Finally I have to agree with most of the comments here in that it was pretty apparent that Gail and you weren't planning on going for beers with Stefan any time soon.

As you can see I don’t agree with your point of view on this one however I do think you are a great chef and a cool guy.
Cheers

Good thing Hosea won $100K, because I'm sure that is the most money he will see in his lifetime. He lacks the personality or originality to make it in the restaurant business. Very disappointing finish to a disappointing season.

Also, could you have picked a more ungracious winner??

Tom,

I've always loved you, but really? This reminds me of season 2 when Ilan won Top Chef when Marcel clearly should have been.

And sure, Stefan is a bit cocky, but I thought you said the best chefs had to be?

Also, this whole European v. the American thing was played out, Bravo.

I definitely agree there should be a point system! So sad when clearly better chefs are eliminated so chefs who are not as talented can win...

This show makes me sad.

So Top Chef is chosen on the basis of the final meal, with no thought as to what went on during the season? Here's a little from Tom's blog regarding Harold's win in season !:

At the end of the day, Harold won because here was the moment that Gail, Katie and I were asked to take the overall competition into consideration, starting at day one, and to weigh it against the evening's outcome. And overall, Harold had consistently embodied the qualities of a top chef. Over the weeks of competition, Harold pulled off round after round of arduous, high-stakes (and occasionally ridiculous) tasks, and managed to make friends in the process. He demonstrated creativity and spontaneity, and never lost his cool. At times I wish Harold hadn't played it so safe, but as he matures I think he'll find the confidence to take more risks. Tiffani showed talent and even growth, but Harold was also able to inspire a team, and at the end of the day a successful kitchen is a team. Harold truly is a Top Chef.

interesting ...

I was very disappointed in the finale, Tom, not because of the fact that the totality of the competition should have come into play, but because the judging clearly seemed to exhibit some sort of weird bias that not even the editing managed to gloss over. As pattyh said:

"...Tom and Gail were the only ones who criticized Stefan’s food, at least in the editing. Hubert Keller really liked his carpaccio and appreciated the craftsmanship. Ti Martin said Hosea’a raw fish was disappointing. Everyone loved Stefan’s squab and John Besh said very few American chefs can cook a game bird this well. Tory McPhail praised Stefan’s dessert as the best dish (not a train wreck), and that the series was a perfect progression. Keller said that as top chef, Hosea should have the skills to turn out a dessert."

This is what I saw. I saw Hosea produce yet ANOTHER iteration of scallops and foie gras, while Stefan got no extra points for turning the alligator into a superb dish but got blasted for doing a dessert that apparently tasted good to other people at the table. I saw a chef end a four course meal with...venison, and although this chef was ALLOWED to do so, some discussion should have been had about why he would WANT to. I saw you making faces at Stefan's responses to your questions at JT. I saw Stefan express his frustration that Hosea was even still around ( a clear ratings ploy) and you deciding to take him down a notch.

So all of your explanations in this blog post come off as rationalizations. I don't believe that Hosea's dishes and progression were so much better than Stefan's that Hosea should deserve the title of Top Chef -- and that's your fault for the terribly inconsistent judging, the pissy faces and the gimmicky production that has been in evidence all season.

Challenge to Tom: Day 2 without a response

============================================

There is of course a way to salvage the 5th season: you could go mano-a-mano against Stefan in a challenge like the one that took place at "La Bernadin". Both you and Stefan cook the same 4 dishes for a neutral panel of judges based on the cooking style of someone like Eric Ripert. If Stefan wins, you grant him the title of "Master Top Chef" and the $100,000 he deserves.

============================================

What about it Tom -- do you dare to take on Master Chef Stefan? I can understand feelings of trepidation, but if you actually can beat him in a challenge, it might help restore your image to pre-season 5 levels.

Sincerely,

Doctor J (and yes, my opinion counts!)

If Tom or any of the other judges were comfortable and confident in their decision to give Top Chef Honors to Hosea - why are they defending their positions on their blogs?

Why? Because they know and since they can all read, they have read the OVERWHELMING response from the viewers that Hosea is clearly not a Top Chef.

Stefan was the clear front runner and clear winner. Hopefully he will read the blogs and message boards and take some comfort in knowing that he was the favored chef - hands down.

Tom, Gail, Padma - Either dine out more, get more culinary education or stop sitting at the judges table.

Enough of your mediocre nominations

Jeeze people, get over yourselves. Hosea cooked many great fish dishes and was at Judge's Table in the top three much more frequently than he was threatened with elimination. Stefan made a point of coming to the finals cocky, not caring if his roux was traditional, not making his own sausage. He very well could have been eliminated instead of Fabio and I assure you THAT would have been better for ratings. To assert that Tom or any of the other judges are out with a personal vendetta is so close-minded, petty and annoying. The show is better off without viewers like you,go back to your soaps and let us enjoy shows where the judges really do work hard at being impartial, even when it means send home audience favorites.

This is a TV show, you numbskulls, and if the final is going to be suspenseful it has to be for all the marbles. Why in the world would you give someone like Stefan an opportunity to lay back and cook a safe but inferior meal and still win? I'm sorry,but his desert was simple, and did look very pedestrian. That is exactly the word I thought of when I saw it. I think that Carla's meal structure would have been best, but tough steak and curdled souffle would never be in a "best" meal. Hosea knew that he only had three courses to prove himself, and he knew that the last plate was his last chance to make a great impression. Stefan chose a dessert that I could have made (which is odd considering his much more challenging and appreciated desserts for RW) while Hosea (who I assure can cook a dessert, just not as well as he can cook venison) chose to make each course something distinctive. I don't see how there is any question about this. Stefan dropped the ball when it mattered most, he skated close to elimination the last couple episodes, and obviously had more in his head than his heart for the entire season.

I would appreciate it a lot if the show went to a two chef, five-course finale, I think it would give the chefs a lot more chance to showcase their talent across a variety of techniques and put together a really coherent progression. I know that this only makes the judging more difficult, but... With so many people sure of how food tastes without having any chance to even smell it, the more time you have to showcase the dialog at judges table the better.

Congrats Hosea, and congrats Top Chef. Not the best season, but a great show that I will always watch.

Every year the show is decided by the same thing, who wins the final competition. And maybe bloggers complain then too, but I agree with Tom's SuperBowl analogy. Each week of each season of Top Chef, the winner is determined by who did the best "THIS" week. And the looser determined by who did the worse, regardless of whether not that person won the previous challenges. Ariane did great for a stretch, but when she did the worse that week, it was over for her. This isn't NASCAR and a point system. It's a tournament styled competition, always has been and should always be.

Hey Tom,
Just wanted to drop by and say, while I understand why Hosea was named Top Chef after this finale, I wish that your blog didn't seem so condescending and defensive. So what if people disagree with you? If you are sure about your decision - there's no need to act as though you don't give a darn what the Top Chef viewing audience thinks. And if you don't, then just blog about the experience of judging and move on. No, we can’t taste the food, but if no one can have an opinion if they didn’t taste the food – then why would anyone bother watching at all?

But I do have to say that although some of the producers decisions have been questionable this season (i.e. showing the Hosea/Leah kiss-thing) - no one is ruining these chefs reputations. Carla and Stefan have seen a jump in business, Fabio is about to become a star, Jamie and Jeff are very much respected, Ariane is loved, and Hosea will be fine because the people who have been to his restaurant seem to enjoy it very much.

The only person that I can think of that will suffer from this would be Casey and not because of anything that the producers did. She did that herself quite nicely by running down one of the most gracious, kind, reality show participants ever, instead of directing her vitriol at her true issue - the producers. The fans of this show all agreed that while Casey made the disastrous suggestions, it was Carla's responsibility to say no and Carla has gone out of her way to make it known that this failure was completely her fault - even going so far as to say that she was sorry for not showing Casey off. WTF? Meanwhile Casey goes off and spews some really spiteful things to make herself look better. The fans of Top Chef were not suggesting that Casey was not a good chef (maybe too interested in making herself look good), only that Carla should have done her own thing. Casey did that damage to herself.

Tom, Its time for you to go. I have watched (and loved) Top Chef, except for your cruel remarks to the compeitors. You come off as very arrogant and boared. In truth I think you are boaring. Stefan was so consistent and should have won the competition. Stefan was confident. You are arrogant!

I hope to enjoy the next Top Chef with someone in your place, some one who encourages and appreciates people for the gifts they bring to the competition.

You people are all nuts. It's all about the food - and you didn't taste it! So-stop picking apart the football analogy and ranting at the producers. It's a game show - get lives!!

Stefan was clearly the best chef from the beginning. I just do not understand how his record win of 8 challenges played no part in the end decision. If you add up Stefan's successfull dishes throughtout the show vs. Hosea's, Stefan blew him out of the water. Regardless of when the flaws happened, it doesnt add up! Also seems to me you critized Stefan dishes much more in your arguement for why he lost than you did during the final judges table. Hmmm my personal opinion is you had some personal dislike for Stefan just because of his personality...but its not a personality, so you as the top judge should find a way to look beyond that!