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Maybe it's the editing, but you judges didn't seem to enjoy Hosea's dishes as you mentioned in your blog. However, I think Fabio's admission that Hosea's menu was better than Stephen's menu speaks volumes.

People pretty much are bashing the whole dessert vs. no dessert controversy, but the real downfall to Stephen was probably his first course. If he nails it, then I don't think we're having this Hosea bashing.

Clearly, the chefs this season do not have the same depth of flavor profiles as the chefs in the past two seasons. So they seemed to be not as good as the others, but I would like to see the top five this season go up against the top five in other seasons. I think it would be interesting.

I am appalled at some of the disrespectful comments. Colicchio has given us a great show, and it's because of his comments and expertise that the show has become so well-respected in the chef community - why do you think we get such amazing guest judges as Eric Ripert and Jacques Pepin?

It's fine to disagree with Colicchio's decision - it was a tough call - but please, stop the bashing, or I'm afraid we won't get another season of Top Chef!

I admired the fact that the finale was fair, honest, and given to the obvious winner of the challenge. It would have been far too easy to hand the prize over to the over-confident chef who felt he had it in the bag because of the number of his previous wins. It would not only have been far too easy, it would have fed into his mean-spirited sense of entitlement and his own personal laziness and egotism. I'm really glad that the team of judges was almost unanymously in agreement as to the winner of the challenge, so that it was even more understandable to viewers.

I say, well done, and may the winner of the challenge go on to greater things, and may the runner-up learn some lessons about egotism, overconfidence, self-esteem, playing fair, getting along with competitors, and focussing on one's self instead of what competitors are doing.

No, Tom, YOU blew it. Big Time. You showed your true colors by denying Stefan the title and the viewers are smart enough to see through you. We won't be patronizing your restaurants anymore. New York fans are embarrassed by you now. It is a shame, you used to make us proud. (SIGH).

Tom, your title should be changed from Head Judge to Head Case. A bigger bag of BS I have not heard for a long time. Stefan won it fair and square. Bravo needs to step up and redeem themselves.

Hosea and Leah should have been gone LONG AGO. The producers mistakenly thought we were interested in their "relationship". We weren't. Even less interested in their cooking and whiney personalities.

Tom, I suspect you bully the other judges and they cave to your "expertise". You need to step down, maybe go see some football games. As for the ladies that let themselves be bullied, they need to go too. Only Toby showed himself to be his own man.

I vote for new permanent judges!

Tom, as head judge, you don't appear to enjoy yourself on this show. Do you even want to be involved?

Padma and Gail are not chefs and are too influenced by YOUR opinion.

Put some Chefs in the judge seats! Ones who have backbone and stand by their palate, not easily fold to Tom's opinions/decisions.

Have a clear criteria for judging and make it known to the viewers.

Tom, This is not your show this is the audiances show,this is not the superbowl,The viewers are the stars they get caught up the contestants, this year your attidude stinks,maybe its from your bad publicity you had about your Resturant,I hope you pull your head out of your butt for next seasons show,Oh by the way Stefan is Top Chef!

Tom - Thanks for the blog. I think your Super Bowl analogy is very apt. And for the record, this is not the first time that the chef I personally thought was the strongest and most inventive failed to win - Sam would have won Season 3 and Richard Season 4 (sorry Steph - I like you a lot too, but Richard was "WOW" the whole season). I love the show any way (or maybe because of that), it gives the show more drama and intrigue. After all, if we went into the finale knowing the chef with the best record would win, what's the reason to watch.

Likely most of the Hosea haters are reacting to Leah-gate more than his cooking ability. I expect most of the rock throwers live in glass houses themselves.

Tom, Tom, dear Tom

What is a "top chef" exactly? It would be very nice if the Top Chef program told us at the beginning of season 6 what their definition of a "top chef" so that everyone is crystal clear about it.

Does a top chef have to have one little desert that they can make, do they have to excel in the front of house or merely have a vague idea as to how to run it and just hire someone to do that part? Do they have to understand how to decorate a restaurant and understand colour or can they just call a decorator? What makes a top chef just that, a top chef?

People keep claiming it's not a popularity contest and yet we keep seeing the cracks that it is. It's been vague, contradictory and it needs to be more concrete what a top chef is supposed to be.

I agree with your idea about a better finale in future, but I don't agree it should change if there are three or two competitors, why should one win it on three courses one year and five the next? It's a finale, make it a longer two hour episode, a special if you will, it's not like the top chef fans will walk away if it's longer than an hour.

First up next season after the definition of what a top chef is, the producers need to step off and let the judges do the deciding without any flack, if they're not on camera tasting the food and giving input the fans can see then clam up and let reality unfold. It's annoying knowing that the judge's do not have complete say and have to tow the line if the producer's decide otherwise, it's down right irritating. Yes we know they like to think they know how to make so called "good TV", but I don't believe that for a moment, more realistically they're interested what's putting money in their pockets at that moment and if it fails then on to another project. I haven't sensed any real viewer loyalty interest in ages, more the attitude of we don't care if you watch because others will and that needs to go, especially with direct competition for Top Chef coming out.

Lastly, bile doesn't taste good when it's you're own, it certainly taste's even worse when it's someone else's. Your disdain this season was over obvious and we couldn't get away from it unless we changed the channel, these behaviours need to be beneath you Tom, you're the head judge, not one of the judges, the head judge, you're a figure to be looked up at and held as an example. We can't taste the food and we rely on your honesty as to how it tastes, not who gets under you're skin.

I'm afraid by the blog comments that's what the viewers see a top chef as too. Sure we all have our problems and flaws, but the people who are the "top" are often able to rise above it, the very cream of the crop.

Hello Mr. Colicchio:

I am viewer from Toronto Canada and enjoy the program immensely --- Season 5 was great! In my opinion, Fabio and Carla made this Season very successful with their cooking talents and just fantastic personalities.

I do have an comment/observation, I would like to share with you regarding Stefan's character/personality. Up until the final episode -- I did not like Stefan's attitude, even though he is extremely talented and I thought he would win. However, for someone who has been described as aloof/arrogant/unpersonable, etc., etc., Stefan had the compassion and decency to go over to console a tearful Carla (when she was asked by the Judges why she should be Top Chef). Hosea who was standing right by her side did nothing -- what's wrong with him!! Also, while the 3 chefs were waiting for the final verdict, Stefan continued to console Carla.

Stefan and Carla are definitely Top Chefs as they are very professional and cook with passion, heart, and soul.

Thank you

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS SEEM SO DISGRUNTLED (caps intentional). Every season you seem more pissed off and less into being a part of this show. If you cant improve your attitude then please do us all a favor and find a new host or just cancel the show. Also, as a lifelong NY resident, I felt this season failed in a big way to show what NY had to offer. Really disappointed because we were all very excited for this season. And you couldve had so much more fun with New Orleans. Failures across the board this time around. Come back bigger and stronger or dont come back at all.

You can spin all the sports and music analogies you want, it does not twist the logic in your favor. We all know Stefan won, even the vocal Carla-loving fans concede it. You blew it big time. Your patronizing attitude is disheartening to legions of your former fans. You have proved yourself disingenuous.

I love Top chef.. But lately with the past two seasons, I don't really understand the judges descisions..

To all those who whine, and threaten to not watch next year, or that Chef Colicchio was biased in his judging....use your head! I guess you are the experts, not the judging panel. Does Stefan make the "prettiest" dishes? In earlier episodes, yes. Did he constantly create very good tasting dishes? Yes. More than Hosea? Yes. But, as Tom likened it to a football game, how about a boxing match? Did Leon Spinks belong in the ring with Muhammad Ali? No! Spinks had a record as a boxer just over 50%. He had no business winning, but he beat the Champ, most probably because Ali was over confidant, and lazy. And Spinks had a better day. Well, Hosea had a better day, and Stefan made mistakes. And lost, as he should have. As has been said, this isn't "who cooked the best dish five weeks ago", or who has more experience. And by the way, if you had a bad dish at Hosea's restaurant, I'm sure he'd be embarrassed and would apologize immediately, another quality of a top chef. If you received a bad meal from Stefan, I believe he'd utter profanities in the kitchen about him being the chef, and you being just a customer who doesn't know food. Good decision judges.

Seriously Tom, you expect us to believe that Stefan's dessert could have been that much of a disaster??? How bad can homemade ice cream be? It's just not credible. Basically, you didn't like the way he plated it. Basically, you looked for a reason to criticize him and you found it. Nice work. You got the result you wanted, problem is, it was a terrible result. Hosea and his food are about as appealing as eating two courses of fish followed by venison . . . which is to say, not at all.

Tom - your answers make sense to me, even if I may not necessarily like them. Next season, can we have more blind taste test sessions? Lets make this thing as objective as possible. Have more challenges where you don't know who made the dishes. Have a challenge where you don't know who made the dessert. The only challenges that shouldn't be anonymous are the restaurant wars and the one's where personal presentation is necessary, like for the Today Show. It should be as much purely about the food as possible.

Tom, the Superbowl analogy is indeed apt, but you forget that the best regular season performers in the NFL do get an advantage in the playoffs. The Patriots got a bye week and homefield advantage, while the Giants were forced to play an extra game and beat teams on the road.

Stefan never got any advantage for doing so well. In fact he barely won anything. Carla got a car, Superbowl tickets and has a good shot at fan favorite. Hosea got the 100 grand and all the other perks. Stefan does the best for 12 weeks and gets...nothing?

Stefan won by far the most contests this season. Why not let him, instead of Hosea, choose his sous chef first and who had to cook with what? That makes more sense then drawing knives to me.

Please Tom. It was obvious you were holding Stefan to a higher standard and that you in fact talked Padma and Gail into voting for Hosea. The sad part is this is not going to help Hosea's career except perhaps temporarily because he was not just not the best chef this season, he was not even in the top five and appeared to be mediocre throughout the season. You have done a lot of damage to the Top Chef title with this decision, rationalize it all you want, it's obvious that Hosea did not deserve to win.

I was hoping Carla would win, but thought Stefan, if he did his best, would most likely win. I found it a bit sad that Stefan's overconfidence helped him to self-destruct a bit, and Carla's lack of confidence helped her blow it. I was turned off by Hosea's lack of backbone in the farm challenge (and letting Ariane crash and burn on purpose) -from then on I was not thrilled with him. At least Stefan is outwardly opinionated about everybody, and on the opposite side, Carla is nice about stuff. Though it was Carla's decision in the finale, I still think Casey could have worked with Carla better. I didn't like that Casey almost had an evil smile on her face when Carla said she blew the souffle's, and every shot I saw Casey in she had food in her mouth and was chomping away. Was Casey more interested in getting fed and confusing Carla with her own stupid, lame opinions? Yes Carla, you need that confidence - don't listen to some dork like Casey. (I used to like Casey until now)

Tom Colicchio is now shilling for a diet soda in TV ads, and Padma Lakshmi is doing the same for a burger chain. These are the palates we are supposed to have confidence in when judging Top Chef?

Just didn't feel I watched a top "chef" all season - kept thinking the "cooks" were fixing items most people could have whipped up with little problem (uh, maybe not the eels!) In past seasons I was amazed at the skill and creativity of at least half the group ... The past seasons gave us some real "wow" which has been watered down quite a bit this year. Still watched to the bitter end!

Top Chef is a series of challenges and at the end of each episode the contestants are judged and someone is elinimated. There is no point total. Each challenge is for the sole purpose of eliminating contestants to obtain the final 3.

Stephan lost because his food was "produced" to meet a requirement. The judges could not "Taste the Love". His cooking is robotic.

Hosea won because he had a plan and took each ingredient and made it better. He cooked with his soul.

Carla was my choice going into the finale. She lost it because she lost her vision and didn't cook her food.

Carla & Stephan both have their own catering companies. Hosea is a working chef. I'm glad he won the competition.

Tom

To avoid all this sorrowfull and sad viewers,
please
change the competition to
top meal,
definetelly it fits better the way you have manages the show.

Personally I think Stefan should have won the competition.
When you know a little more about European culture is when you can understand the way stefan acted, many Europeans culture are broad open and not very hipocrital, they say it as they see it. At the end Stefan proved to have within a golden sensitive heart. cookiness or not , arrogant or not, within is a sensitive man.

Bindra

I think your bias skewed your scoring, and your influence over the other judges robbed Stefan of the win. That's a $100,000.00 mistake. Evaluating the contest between Hosea and Stefan only, the "surprise" course was Stefan's win. It should have been a win with bonus points that would break a tie on close dishes, because he did it with the most difficult food provided. The fish dishes were a draw. If Stefan's success with the Alligator had been given the credit it was due, that would throw this tie to Stefan, otherwise it is a draw. So far it is Stefan one to Hosea nothing. Stefan's squab won that match up with Hosea. I am surprised that your revisionist history now finds it a mostly equal result. When you were evaluating it at the time, Stefan's squab was the clear winner. This now makes it Stefan two to Hosea's one. Even if you give the Venison dish the victory over dessert, it is two to two. Tie should have gone to the best chef you have ever had on the show -- Stefan.

Although I didn't want Hosea to win, I am smart enough to realize I have very limited knowledge of what really happened through the entire season. How can anyone intelligently claim to know who should have won when all they see is what Bravo decides to air and they can't taste the food! I accept the decision of the judges.

I have watched all five seasons and I would not accuse Tom of showing any personal bias towards a chef. He may have a bias in regards to food, but that is something different. (I was not happy when Tom faulted Sam for not "cooking" and eliminated him in season 2)

I like three final contestants, but I did not like when eliminated chefs were given a chance to return. I would LOVE to see a show where the 5 top chefs compete against each other.

Tom:
For next season. I agree. Two finalists in head-to-head competition. Allow them to plan part of the menu ahead of time and then have them react in real time with ingredients of your choice for the rest of the menu.

As for the helpers/sous chefs. I don't like the idea of past contestants. I prefer the outside professionals. But what I think would be even better is to allow each finalist to bring one of their own staff from their home restaurant/business. And if they are doing 5 courses, bring two staff members.

Also, the concept of immunity should go out the window. Immunity is especially unfair when there is a team elimination challenge. Find another reward for winning the quickfire.

And never bring back contestants from previous seasons to compete against the current season... that was the worst episode of the entire 5 seasons (Super Bowl challenge).

As for the winner this season... I would have preferred Jamie, Jeff or Carla... but that isn't the way the competition played out. I still love the show and can't wait til next season.

Picking Hosea was an insult to the audiences intelligence. We KNOW the winner is Stefan, and you let your threatened ego do the judging. I used to respect you. No longer. So it is "irrelevant" if Stefan was the better chef? YOU ARE DELUDED. The harsh television lights must be melting your brain. Guess what? We now recognize Toby Young as Head Judge. Please pack up your ego and go.

I am so dissappointed in this season TC5 finale. Hosea is not the Top Chef, not even close at all! He should have been voted out in the Farm's challenge. I think some people are turned off by Stefan's self confidence, which many of the successfully people have the same attitude. I like Tom, and Tom also has some of that attitude. Stefan was definitely robbed off the TC title. Hosea may have win the title, but in my book, he is no Top Chef. He displayed such an unprofessional and childish behavior toward Stefan the entire season.

Stefan was clearly the most experienced chef. The winner should have been chosen by taking all the foods prepared throughout the whole season, and determining strong/weak points. Stefan would have won, hands down. Carla was definitely runner-up. Sorry, Hosea just deosn't cut it for me.

Tom: please pack your knives and go.

I can understand the reasoning behind the decision, and in general I believe there is no other way that it could have gone. But one area that most strongly influence the viewers, in my opinion, is the off-hours behavior of the cheftestants. Although Stefan seemed overly endowed with an inflated opinion of himself, Hosea made it clear the entire season that he considered himself to be gunning for Stefan only. This culminated with his on-camera one-finger salute (only partially electronically fuzzed), which was completely out of place. If personality were a factor in deciding the outcome, he would have been down the line a fair amount. Although Hosea received the check, I think that Carla's effervescent personality and Stefan's compassion for Carla's agony-of-defeat moment will work better for them in the long run than will the short-term prize for Hosea.

I can no longer watch Top Chef. Tom, you turned out to be a major disappointment. I used to have tremendous respect for you, but those days are gone. Stefan was robbed, and you know it. So does Gail, Padma and Toby. Do you feel better now? Your bias affected the outcome. We all know that Stefan is Top Chef, not the wimpy, cheater, lover-boy Hosea. I'm done with this show, thanks for nothing.

Tom - I understand that judging is tough, subjective and that no matter what you do, someone will disagree with you. I must say that this season, and for the first time ever, I am disappointed in you. In your lack of consistent judging and letting the "behind the scenes" action color your decision making. Stephan taking a smoke break when you visited the kitchen - you commented on that and his seeming lack of soul, heart, etc. as if that is criteria for choosing a winner. It is not... at least according to your "rules" and past commentary about it "only being about the food".

This season's finale made me think of Top Chef Season One - the finale between Harold and Tiffany in which you and the other judges took offence at Tiffany passing Dave's dessert off as her own. She had nothing to do with the dessert and it was obvious by the comments and looks on the judges faces that because the dessert wasn't her's, she lost points... and the win.

So we have Hosea, a mediocre chef throughout the competition, who lucks out by having Richard Blais in his kitchen. Did any of the judges ask for a break down of responsibility - who really cooked/executed each dish? That seemed important in past seasons. Was Hosea's increadible appetizer his own creation or did Richard add elements to push that appetizer, and his othr dishes to a new level? Based on Hosea's performance during the season, I have to think that without Richard, he would not have won.

And I'm not going to spead too much time on Carla and Casey. Very sad. The moment I saw that Casey was assigned to Carla my heart sank. I knew Casey would find a way to screw it up for Carla.

I must say that after reading Toby Young's blog, I have the distinct feeling that the brit and "new guy" at Judge's Table was frozen out and that personality not food won the day. Sad commentary for a reality show that I really enjoyed... used to enjoy.

TOM

I hope you read this.
And whats more, I´d love you to answer it.

I just wanted to let you know you´ve lost a lot of respect with this decision. Hosea is an unappealing derivitive fish cook while you eliminated the clearly talented Jeff, punished a one bad performance from Carla (whilst NOT previous Hosea screw-ups) and unforgivably let a clearly talented chef lose despite clear praise from real top chefs such as Hubert Keller.

So, u.s. football analogies aside, you just didn´t like Stefans cockiness? We both know, that he and Carla could cook Hosea crying into a corner.

Finally, I´d like to say, in the following series, please eliminate the need to provide Sous Chefs, or at least make it optional.

TOM

I hope you read this.
And whats more, I´d love you to answer it.

I just wanted to let you know you´ve lost a lot of respect with this decision. Hosea is an unappealing derivitive fish cook while you eliminated the clearly talented Jeff, punished a one bad performance from Carla (whilst NOT previous Hosea screw-ups) and unforgivably let a clearly talented chef lose despite clear praise from real top chefs such as Hubert Keller.

So, u.s. football analogies aside, you just didn´t like Stefans cockiness? We both know, that he and Carla could cook Hosea crying into a corner.

Finally, I´d like to say, in the following series, please eliminate the need to provide Sous Chefs, or at least make it optional.

I've watched every single show since the beginning of Top Chef. This season has jumped the shark. Hosea was a mediocre chef most of the challenges and he he is the Top Chef? No. He wasn't.

bull spit. the analogy is flawed - in football you don't get to stay in the competition without winning like you do in top chef. if this WAS football, Stefan would of won, Tom. you made a mistake, Hosea will embarrass you with his career for giving him the top chef title. just admit it already. it was a tie on the final meal and instead of looking back at previous victories or at who gave the best dish of all chef's that night, you chose to criticize a desert that other judges liked. you blow.

First, thank you for your blogs and thank you for a fairly great season.
Second, your Super Bowl metaphor is good but in this case it doesn't make sense. For this is Top Chef not Top Foodball (I meant football). For ones who barely made thru the season and barely edgeout the finally meal (the third course of a final meal) is Top Chef is rather unusal, dont you think?

For me, I love Carla, Hosea, and Stefen, yes even Stefan. As for the winner, anyone of the three final chefs deserves to win. But as the Top Chef for season 5, only one. And from the tone of your last blog, you knew too which one.

It is, you are right, a great exposer for all Chefstants. The reward itself is being part of the show. And the title is just an icing on the cake. I do hope all chefs would go on and do great things in their career.

As for me, I have a hard time explaining to my sons, Allen and David, that be a Top Student they must be consistently on Top of their classes throughout the school year, and not just barely edgeout their classmate on the final.

Until Season 6

Tom now pay attention. Have you seen Toby's blog? His defense of Stefan as the clear winner was half as long as yours. Your commentary has 5 comments. Enough said!

Tom makes a good case. The show format specifically says the winner of the final, is the winner. The Superbowl analogy is apt.

I'll be back, the show had highs and lows, in my mind not the best season. But it is always fun

Tom, I believe very little you say at this point. I especially love how it went from being close between Stefan and Hosea to a blowout win for Hosea. You specifically said on the finale that Stefan's squab was the best thing you had all night. Now, it's arguable. Top Chef is dead to me, and not just because of the ridiculous finale, but because of all the bs that's gone on all season.

When you need three pages to defend you position and keeps ranting about the non-winner,it tells me you did NOT judge according to actual merits.. How unappealing. Enough said.

All I can say is as a regular viewer of this show, this aeason was weak and the winner seemed undeserving. Nothing Hosea cooked appeared at all inspired or appetizing. I guess it's easy to be an arm-chair judge but Top Chef's viewers ARE the ultimate judges. We are the reason the show exists. Hopefully the producers are paying attention to some of the comments on these blogs and will step up the game for next time. Otherwise there will be less judges in the future, at least this one.

I agree with everything Tom said, but I prefer Toby's opinion (what!!?) because he would have given the title to Stefan. Hosea's day was blessed with luck-- from the knife block that gave him firsr crack at Richard Blais, to the king cake that cursed Stefan with alligator, to Carla's meltdown. Hosea should have the title of LUCKY CHEF, but Stefan, IMO still reigns on TOP.

Tom, I lost a great deal of respect for you and your decision. The fact you did not like Stefan should not have influenced the quality of his food. He asked you, "did it taste good?" You did not reply. Your non-food prejudices got in the way of honest judging. I will watch future episodes of Top Chef but I definitely see you in a different light.

Ok, so I was rooting for Carla. My husband and I saw right away that she took the challenge as a team effort between her and Casey and not as a chef and her employee (in a sense). I never liked Stefan from the start tho I could see that he impressed the judges. Congrats to Hosea for the win.

And Tom... I loved your Superbowl analogy. It made perfect sense. I'm anxious for season 6!

As always Tom, you nailed it. I so wanted Carla to upset those guys. When she didn't say no thank you to Casey's ideas I groaned aloud. She should have stood firm. Hosea deserved the win. It is not the judges fault that the finale was underwhelming, just the (bad) luck of the draw.

Sorry Tom, you gave "Red Lobster" the win.

Tom,

I appreciate your explanations but to be honest you sound defensive, not confident in your decision. To the viewing audience, the final competition between Hosea and Stephan seemed closer than it did to you. Also people are naturally concerned that the sous chefs are having an impact. Did Richard assist in elevating Hosea's offerings?

I can't imagine wanting to end a meal with venison after an appetizer and two other courses. Too heavy even if it was good. Gail wants a meal that progresses to a heavy note? Doesn't compute.

The remarks on Stephan's desserts came across as heavy handed. Both you and Gail came across as not respectful of the other guests' opinions. Maybe that was editing, but maybe not.

New Orleans is a great city worthy of its own Top Chef season. But I was perplexed and not certain how it tied to NY. The NY tie in for the season was weak. The whole season seemed a little off, from bad equipment early on to cranky judging. And your remarks over the years leave viewers confused as the judging just seems inconsistent. You owe the biggest apology to Radika for kicking her off for bad leadership and being a bad hostess. Serving uncooked fish that should be cooked is not reason enough for a team to lose?

Having so said, I love the show and it would not be Top Chef without you. Why else would I blog? Regards

Hi Tom,

Thanks for another fine season of Top Chef! Part of the fun of a show like this is advocating for our favorites and doing Monday-morning quarterbacking while complaining about the officials. Don't let it phase you. It was tough watching Carla choke, and tougher watching Hosea who's mostly been portrayed as an immature jerk and only "above-average" chef win the title.

As a viewer, I think you're spot-on about the two person finale. Much more suspense, but more importantly it also allows the episode to showcase more detail about each chef's dishes, and their decision-making. It's a richer, more personal experience. Three finalists is too "busy" as a viewer. And the notion of combining some planned and improv courses along with a dessert is great!

Super season (despite Toby, who really added no value)! I can't wait for TC6! Hats off to you especially, but also Gail and Padma and the cast of guest chef judges. Part of the great fun of the show is now having a whole new list of restaurants to visit while traveling - both the cheftestants' and the judges'!

I think this was just a disappointing season and thus a disappointing finale. Hosea proved himself to be in the middle of the pack, and his mediocrity saved him from being eliminated, but also had him winning the least of the challenges from any of the three finalists.

I understand Tom's comparison of the superbowl but that is in the context of sports. Let's correlate TopChef to a restaurant seeking a Michelin rating. Would a chef who 15 out of 16 tries offers less that superb food get a Michelin ranking just because finally one (last) meal is slightly better than another restaurant's/chef's? I understand the nature of the competition ... it just blows.

And one suggestion regarding Immunity next year. The immunity rules should be revised: if you have hands down the worst meal of the elimination round, immunity does not save you. If you are in the bottom 3 and the other two cheftestants performance was as low or close to yours, then immunity saves you. This would avoid people checking out if they have immunity.

The judging is not consistent. if you watch all of the episodes the process of elimination is not consistent. Sometimes past performances are taken into consideration and I believe that it should be this is TOP CHEF> Not TOP MEAL OF THE DAY> Hosea is not a Top Chef. Really poor choice. I am an avid fan and I am so disappointed.

I loved Carla. I wish she had stuck to her guns and cooked her food. I think she would have been the winner had she not added Casey's influence into her dishes. She was quite entertaining to me. I hope to see her again on television somewhere. If i'm ever in

I was hoping Carla was going to take the Top Chef prize.
She did great flavors and food. I wish she had stuck to her guns and did what got her to the finals. It is good to have some input from your sous chef, but you are the one going for the big prize. She definitely would have been in the running had she stuck with her ideas for the second course and her dessert. Anyway, I am a fan of hers and I hope to see her again on tv. I think she is very entertaining and funny. I hope she gets picked for favorite fan's chef.

I am very disappointed in the judging this year. I think for the first time that Tom allowed personality to color his judgement. There iks no way that Hosea deserved to win. I wondered during the last several weeks how he had even gotten that far.

I found Stephan very annoying but there is not a doubt in my mind that he was clearly the best chef.

Tom, I have long admired you but you really disappointed me this time.

Tom,

While I understand your likening the competition to the Super Bowl, and how the best team all season may not necessarily be the victor in the end, I do not think this rationale should apply to Top Chef. I mean, why on earth would anyone want to watch a show where it IS possible to maintain only the highest level of cooking all season long, but that isn't the case because of faulty rules?

True, that is how the show has been done year after year. And true, Hosea did meet this mark and win Top Chef fairly, based on this setup. But is this really the goal of this show? To allow chefs to potentially muddle through each competition and win the last round (sometimes just because other chefs "blew it"), thus earning a title that s/he didn't truly deserve?

This show is called TOP Chef. I really think everyone in a decision making capacity on this show should sit down and re-evaluate. I think it's time that the show finally take previous elimination challenges (not Quickfires) into consideration. Because then everything would be at stake and on the line each time, causing every chef to work harder, and you would end up with only the BEST, most worthy chefs at the end, who would hopefully cook a truly stellar meal, and not win because other better chefs blew it.

This is the only way that I think it is fair and correct -- and this is the only way that you will sustain viewers who care about who the Top Chef is in the first place. I have to admit that this is the first season where I literally didn't care about watching, and only watched if nothing else was on. People want to see great FOOD, period. Producers of the show should take every measure possible to make this happen -- to rest on outdated rules when change could be so much better is just lazy. Continue on the current path, allowing chefs who may be talented but not extraordinary to win this title, and the title will mean nothing at all very soon.

I agree with the judges' decision given the current system in place, but think that the results of this season should give TC producers pause. Should the final use more cumulative criteria? I hope this is revisited when deciding what to do for next season (hey, you kids going to Australia? Snake and kangaroo? Really?)

I am saddened at how Carla shot herself in the foot with her lack of confidence in her own vision. The fact of the matter is that after seeing the cheftestants work this season, I have no desire to eat Hosea's food... but would travel across the country to eat a meal prepared by Carla. It's disappointing.

hey,

Whe are you guys coming to Boston? Is it time for us New Englanders to show all their GREAT culinary secrets!

I absolutely love this show....I have noticed that a couple of others ( chopping block)similiar shows are starting to crop up....but they can never replace the original cooking competition reality show.

Just curious Tom: Are you giving Branford Marsalis so many props here because he was not introduced (or his introduction did not make the final edit) on the show? Not even a chyron. . . Tsk.

What offends people about the finale is the disconnect between the presentation of the of the chefs and the result. It would appear that the producers thought that Stefan was "the villian" and tried to create a narrative of Hosea slaying him. Stefan however seemed like a great chef with a cocky attitude and Hosea appeared whiney and desperate. You portray Hosea as a slam dunk winner at the finale but Toby Young's blog clearly states that isn't so. Perhaps Hosea was the best that day, but it was not a satisfying result and everyone at the show should realize that if they want the show to continue. That's what makes the viewers sad.

Why do I read viewers comments? I just get hacked.

Tom's Super Bowl analogy explains PERFECTLY, and I mean perfectly, how this show works.

And yet another season of the "I can't believe it..." comments.

Oh, and since there seems to be a lack of it, I'm saying it:
GOOD JOB HOSEA. CONGRATULATIONS.

I, for one, am not upset at the judges for Hosea's win. I am disappointed in both Stephan and Carla for (to use Blais's word) 'choking' in the finale, but that doesn't detract from Hosea.

My irritation is with the editors, who, knowing that Hosea was going to win, STILL set him up throughout the season as a chef who would be more remembered for a single indiscretion on camera than for his food.

Despite his obvious talent, my opinion of him is based (incorrectly, I'd imagine) on the number of times he referred to wanting to beat Stephan just to beat him. BTW, did the editors include EVERY such instance? Upon second thought, he doesn't really seem like the aggressive, over-competitive type.

So, Congratulations, Hosea! And I wish you great success in the future!

--Angelia

Yeah Tom, wonderful reflection on the finale. With you all the way. My biggest wish was that Carla had just done her food; my heart broke for her as she would have made the finale even more interesting if her best food went out. Carla taught me a lot this season and I am trying to "put the love" into my own cooking (and BELIEVE me when I say I am no great shakes in the kitchen!). What made this season hard is that the cast was so appealing this season: you wanted to see ALL of them win. It was a thrilling finale in a great city. Can't wait for next season!

I think the judges did the only thing they could do - give TC to Hosea. Personally I don't care for him - character is every bit as important as cooking and he showed his in the scene with Leah. IMO, she should have been gone long before that episode, if you base it on cooking skills.

My girl Carla! It could have been yours I think, if you had gone with your own program. Seems to me that Casey's final effort during her season was a failure as well. I wish you had become TC, but I hope you won't let this keep you down. In as much as the judges say they only base decisions on cooking and food, c'mon y'all. Don't tell me character and personality doesn't have a little influence in the final decision. See first paragraph.

As to Stefan, sorry buddy - I never liked your cockiness and attitude and crude language. Looks like you can cook most anyone out of the kitchen, but where's the heart and soul of it all?

I did enjoy this season though and hope the producers of TC will give some thought to Tom's suggestions - they are good ones!

I am SO disappointed by you Tom, and I have no more intention to watch Top Chef. I hope the producers are going to take some steps because there is too many people who disagree about your judging....

carla should have been runner up

Change the show title to "Top Meal". Why have a 3 month series of episodes if the final meal outweighs everything that transpired before. Big boob Gail was noot around for most of the challenges and suddenly her vote determines the winner? A big joke. Stefan was, by far the best, like him or not.

I agree whole heartedly with you recent Blog. I literally fell out of my chair when Carla made the ill-fated decision with the beef dish. I called my wife and we both shared our concern, but the fault was with Carla, not Casey. We both look forward to trying Carla's food when we travel out her way. I hope she has her green eggs n' ham!

We made the oyster stew last night......what a smash success!!! Thanks Carla!

Looking forward to next season.

Dave

First of all, Tom, thanks again for another exciting season of TC. I can't get enough. Your Super Bowl analogy is right on. Hosea was arguably an also ran all season long. Never displaying prowess of being among the best, never dwelling in the bottom. Sure he had his moments but basically he was a middle of the packer until the finale. Watching the finale he seemed to be the only cheftestant that truly was satisfied with what he plated for the judges. Stefan says he was but his body language said different. Congrats to Hosea. I, along with most of America was pulling for Carla's meteoric rise to the top to be rewarded but she reverted back to that unsure chef of the first few episodes and just like then, she wasn't good enough.
YES, YES, YES! 2 contestants at the finale, five course meal, and 2 of those perfected at home. That sounds like the best possible finale we could hope for.

I agree with your anology of the play off, and that Carla needed to assert herself when the need arise, in competetion the need is always there. I'm hoping to be the first jamaican born top chef contestant in season six. Then I and America will see how Island boy staks up to the competition. As we say Nuff Respect

Mr. Colicchio, to push your Super Bowl analogy to its logical conclusion...do teams that have only won one game in the season make the Super Bowl? No. Do the teams that ALMOST lose outright but continue to post a losing record get continuous second chances to advance? Again, taking into account the rules of the NFL, a fair person would have to say no. The teams competing in the Super Bowl are, without exception, those who have won more games ON THE WAY to the Big Game. Carla and Stefan fit that model. Hosea did not. Therefore, if we're comparing Top Chef to American football, he should not have been in the finale in the first place. It should have been, as you suggest, a two-person battle, played between the only two who posted records sufficient to earn them a place in New Orleans.

But that's where your football analogy breaks down, because the Top Chef model is nothing like the advancement necessary to make the Super Bowl. Why? Because there are no teams...only 15 to 17 individuals, one (or two) of which is eliminated each week. There's no regular season...it's one long playoff. And it's structured so that people who are consistently JUST HIGHER than rock bottom can advance much further than they ever would if their overall record was taken into account. It's a structural flaw, therefore, that allows someone who does JUST WELL ENOUGH to survive each week to come in and happen to cook the best meal on the last show, and win everything. (And this is not an attack on Hosea, simply questioning the logic of the progression model on your show.)

Perhaps a better arrangement that would better reward exceptional food and better punish mediocre/awful food would be to eliminate ALL THOSE on the bottom in each episode, not simply the absolute worst. Set a standard that any who do not meet will be sent home. Granted, this would significantly shorten the season, unless you added more contestants at the beginning. But it would also mean that the chefs who really did something special would be properly rewarded, and it would ensure that only those who could consistently prepare exceptional food would stay on...and isn't that what the show is all about?

Yes, it's true Hosea won the last challenge, and yes, it's true that he won fair and square according to the rules. Hooray! Hosea wins the now pusillanimous title of "Top Chef"!

Maybe it's time to rethink the show. Hosea won a surrealistic game show called "Top Chef", but clearly he is no top chef. Defend your decision as much as you like, but as a viewer watching a show that ostensibly showcases spectacular undiscovered culinary talent, Top Chef Season 5 was an unmitigated failure.

I think Tom protests too much. I agree with Toby's assessment of the finale and think Stefan had the edge over Hosea. But Tom liked Hosea better. It's clear that Tom thought Stefan was arrogant, underachieved (although better than the rest) and not deserving. Hosea, on the other hand, overachieved and I think Tom wanted to rewarded that. But everyone who saw this season knows that Stefan was the superior chef. The result this season is a case of the show honoring the winner rather than the winner honoring the show. The latter case gives the show credibility. Stefan took risks. Stefan was more creative. Stefan is a more complete chef. Hosea's dishes were predictable and obvious, and he stayed in his comfort zone. Tom used the analogy of the superbowl with the patriots and the giants to make his case. But Hosea did not win. As Toby observed, Hosea and Stefan tied. And Tom decided to change the rules at the judges table to give Hosea the edge. This is not the superbowl, Tom. It's more like the figure skating controversy a few olympics ago against the russians and canadians. It ultimately resulted in the canadians getting a gold as well, and undermining the credibilty of the international figure skating federation.

p.s. I bet toby will not be asked back next season. those judges are so clicky.

Well, I guess you make a compelling arguement for having chosen Hosea as the winner based on this one meal; however, it's just mind boggling to have seen Hosea squeak by and fail on so many challenges and get to the finale while Stefan won episode after episode (did he win more quick fires and elmination challenges than any other contestent on TC history?) but then not get the title of Top Chef. Hosea's win comes across as odd, puzzling and confusing even more when we were shown the other exceptional but non-voting chefs enjoying Stefan's food and disagreeing with you on your criticism of some of his dishes. The bloggers are right - you should put "Top Meal" on Hosea's award; in my mind there is no doubt who was the "Top Chef" this season with Carla as a close second.

Has is it occurred to you that you could be a better judge if you weren't such a bully? What kind of coach tells his team, by way of encouragement before a big showdown "Please, just don't embarrass me out there"? And before you tell me, totally in character as yourself, "Oh, sweetheart, if you can't take a bruising, you shouldn't be in this business," why don't you stop and consider, you ridiculous egomaniac, if you or any of the judges really deserve to take yourselves as seriously as you do? And if there is ever the tiniest possibility that YOU, rather than millions of Americans, might have made a poor judgement call? And, really, at the end of the day, what worthwhile contribution have you made to an industry or to the world that makes it a better place to be? If you haven't considered how Top Chef might accomplish that very goal than you are a navel-gazing retarded Narcissus. (Not sure the education that left you so smugly inarticulate will extend to cover that particular allusion, but what the heck, would it hurt an egomaniac to have to look something up? Don't get a papercut, sweetheart.) With all of your self-anointed expertise, do you really believe that, currently, you are accomplishing anything other than turning the restaurant biz into a water cooler joke- "dancing with America's next top chef idol?"

Thank you for thoughtfully explaining the finale from your perspective. As a huge fan of the show, the only thing I have difficulty with is the fact that in previous seasons (e.g., Season 4), it seemed like the judges did indeed base the final decision on overall performance throughout the season, and not just on the final meal.

I am left feeling very disappointed in the finale - I would have been happy for both Stefan and Carla, but I felt that Hosea had one good night and one excellent sous chef that helped elevate him from predominantly mediocre performances.

It doesn't help much when u were so against Stefan to win,and I so disagree that Hosea was the winner,I rather have dessert then another heavy dish. And he should of been gone never been in the finals. Toby thought Stefan dishes equals Hosea,it was you who did not,and u who pushed for Hosea,and not taking in affect any of the other wins thats Stefan had,and I do think that should of mattered. Sorry I for one think Stefan was robbed!

Tom, I for one have enjoyed the blog format and appreciate reading the additional tidbits of juicy information. I teach culinary arts and share this info with my students and encourage them to read your blog.
I am in agreement with returning to the final duel. Bring back the five course meal. I would like to suggest that you tell all the cheftestants to create a first course and a dessert at the first challenge, but tell them they will not get to prepare it until later in the season. I would also like to suggest that the final two compete in an open kitchen so the judges can observe their overall performance. I tell my commis' that being a chef isn't just cooking, it's also being a professional and respecting the culinary arts. Red Beans and Ricely yours, Chef JDB

"DOWN ON THE FARM".... Baby Lamb??? Why don"t we all just start eating PUPPIES????

I would love to see the powers that be accept your idea. I like it when it is narrowed down to two and the five courses; I think it would really show what they can do.

I think it fitting that renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis was one of your esteemed guests at your Elimination Challenge dinner. He has nothing to do with food, and your decision had very little to do with food. Sorry, I always liked and respected you, but you appeared petty in your ridiculous decision to choose Hosea as TC. Had Stefan had to make something with alligator and had he attempted a dessert (remembering that the last TC made pound cake, far more pedestrian than Stefan’s) I have no doubt you would have chosen him. Maybe you needed Stefan to plead for it more, or something. Doesn’t matter. Either way, he comes off as the best and the audience loses respect for you and Gail, which probably isn’t the outcome you desired. And Toby, a judge who might have seemed silly at first, looks like the fairest and most sensible of the team.

Tom,
Loved this season!! It was a treat from beginning to end.

After 5 seasons, it's kind of sad that you have to (yet again) defend who won the finale.

The only viewers I'll cut slack for whining about Hosea winning are newbie viewers. The rest of us know how the show works by now. Whoever made the best meal in the finale wins. Period.

Hosea can cook...and with no classic training. Sorry, but I'm impressed.

Yes, fellow viewers, we loved Carla, we loved Fabio, and yes, we thought Stephan was a huge talent. If TC history repeats itself, they'll do just fine. They didn't win but now the whole country knows their names.

As for personalities....editing people, editing. Read Casey Thompson's interview on SideDish.com.

Congrats and best wishes to all who competed. Loved "meeting" the TC 5 group. Thanks for a great season to the cast, crew and judges.

I was surprised, but, understand the final decisions of the judges. People must understand that they have rules and deliberate for many hours before they come to a final vote/decision and we don't taste the food.. I was hoping for Carla to be the underdog, but, she made some choices that were not in her heart and I am sure that she regrets them...I also hated that Casey took such offense and wrote such a mean article trashing Carla.. but, Carla is and will always be a Winner..She did not respond negatively to Casey and she is a very talented classy lady.... Carla has class, grace, hearts of America that love her, and her soulful cooking. And, like Richard, she did win the car!! She will fare well.. Stefan just squeaked by the win with one tiny flaw in a desert.. BUT... HE has earned the respect of so many world Top Chefs and will work with Eric Ripert and go to the food and wine fest. and he will always be in demand/respected for his skills and talent.. He and Carla are like Richard once said in a blog, the winner gets the "egg" (the money..which Hosea will use to open a restaurant/take care of his ill parent), Carla and Stefan won the "chicken".... which, lays eggs? They will do well and have just as many opportunities to succeed and make money/eggs... So, rather than be negative about the final decisions, lets support all of them and wish them well in their futures..

Top Chef has jumped the shark.

You are the head judge of this competition. If the rules are not what they should be (and I don't think you will argue that they were), it's your responsibility to effect some change. By not making your true opinions known during the broadcast, you made yourself appear complicit in what many viewers considered a travesty.

As an aside, Hosea's win was marred by his own misconduct and general mediocrity throughout the competition. Most would say he is not as talented as Stefan or even Carla. His victory bordered on a technicality and you should not be proud to call him Top Chef.

Thanks Tom for your excellent judging. I consistently admire your evenhandedness and wonderfully seasoned perspective as a judge. I have to say I would like to see a 2-person finale as well. That would be far more fascinating to me. I've watched the last 2 seasons, and it makes a lot more sense to have 1 vs 1. As a friend of a classically trained French chef, I would also appreciate seeing your idea of 2 previously designed dishes implemented into the next season's finale. Or could you perhaps do that also at the beginning, for the first dish that the contestants have to do? I think that would be an intriguing way to get an idea about the chefs from the get-go.

Anyhow, thanks for your efforts and I look forward to next season!

Judge Colicchio. The best three course meal doesn't have a dessert? Please...I am a big fan of yours, but that's just bogus. Personally, I wouldn't end my dish with venison. I'd get dessert. Thanks for taking out one of the integral parts of a meal. Also, please explain why Padma is a judge. She's a good host, but I don't get the idea that she could cook cup ramen. Thanks!

Your so right, Tom. I've read so many comments about it's Casey being the reason why Carla loss. You help explained it better. The fault lies with Carla. A top chef should have the confidence to cook his/her food and the leadership to take command of the kitchen.

And you take no responsibility for infusing your plans on her? So What were your instructions to Casey, how much was she to screw up? We all heard your commits, how do you explain you way out of the cheating Tom?

Am I the only one who's see Arianne on Iron Chef America?

Tom, thank you for your insight to the finale. And I understand that this is a competition. But I was disappointed that Hosea won (like a lot of your viewer). He played it safe all season and what did he do at the finale, played it safe again. I understand Carla and Stefan committed mistakes to give Hosea the win, that I get. Did you hate Stefan? I know most of it is editing, but the editor sure didn't do you any favor.
I love your suggestion of a heads up battle and cooking a 5 course meal for next year's finale.