Tom is the Top Chef "Fat Lady." As soon as he said Tiffany's dish was "too sweet" (for him) I knew it was all over, as honestly it should have been. I am rooting so hard for Antonia because I have become oh, so tired of the arrogant BS of Mike (which I expected) and RIchard (which I did not). Gail Simmons' blog suggested that Richard could use some therapy and I wholeheartedly agree; it's totally dysfunctional to want to "help" all ofyour competitors and then act like a horse's behind when they win and you lose. Mike and Richard's reaction to the quickfire win of the girls was disgusting -- Richard doesn't want to "look" petty but he sure doesn't mind being petty! I hate a poor sport and Richard has done a lot to hurt his image this year; look, I think his stuff looks amazing but the whole tortured auteur role is really grating. So sorry to see Carla go home, so hoping that Antonia shakes off her own demons and brings it home. And, please, Tom, no more McGyver cooking challenges. Give these chefs proper tools and equipment and let them cook!

I still love Tiffany! She's classy and sweet. Unfortunately, she was outmatched in All Stars, but kudos to her for making it this far, with grace. Among the 3 left, I am rooting for Antonia. She's clearly talented and I can't stand Mike Isabella. So obnoxious - why does he always have to talk smack about everyone else? Richard is OK but so much of a whiner that I just can't stomach him... so GO ANTONIA!

I feel very sad to see Richard's disintigration as he loses confidence in himself and his dishes. I realize that it must be stressful because he came sooo close last time and feels his choking gave away a competition that should have been his. This thought is expressed in every show. IAnd his wife is ready to deliver, he said, when he arrived in teh Bahamas. And being an achiever and a serious soul and deep thinker, he has alot of stress. But I feel bad that he is so unhappy at all times. He just can't seem to come out of himself. He needs a sports pscyhologist to give him some coaching to help him over these hurdles. I hope he gets his game together. I still think he is the best of these chefs.

I also am proud to see how hard Mike Isabella is working to refine and hone his skills. He has come a long way since the last series, where he did show talent but not inspired talent. His dish on this show illustrates a sense of care and thought and preparation that marks a winner. I remember when Hosea came to the finals with that level of preparation too.

This show illustrates the best of Top Chef. You have talented competitors who play a fair game, are good sports, are kind to each other, and are hard working. It is just a good competition. I realize that 200K is alot of money for any show. It is teriffic television, too. I love this show and proudly say I am an addict.

First time I'm commenting... just really hope Antonia does well. She's come in 2nd so many times and would have won that quickfire if not for plating only one dish. I think she gets less credit than she deserves. They guys always feel they are the favorites and that of course, they will win against any girl.

Big fan of Top Chef but I was a little disappointed that Tiffany had to go home. Tom you picked a uncooked dish over a sweet dish? uncooked dish is worst than a sweet dish 100%

Hmm, my first comment ever doesn't seem to be showing up... oh well... basically just saying it's annoying that the guys just assume superiority over the girls all the time. I'm pulling for Antonia. She's come in the top several times and almost won a lot more... with quickfires too. I like Richard, but I'm sure if Antonia wins, he'll say he should have, but yet, you're right... he thinks he should have won and should win all the while hating his dishes.

I once again loose all faith in the top chef judges and believe that there will never be an African American Top Chef. These judges think that their pallets are worldly, however, they fail to ever appreciate or even recognize the flavor concepts of blacks, people of African decent, around the world. For the second week Tiffany's dishes have been critiqued for being too sweet, however, if you look at their location, the people that they are cooking for, sweetness is necessary and desired in a dish. Futhermore, throughout the season chef's have been kicked off time and time again for not executing and cooking consistently. Antonia clearly over cooked one dish and under cooked they other, but she is still in the competition. To Top Chef programers and judges, you need to be more consistent and learn to appreciate other cultures other then asian fusion, Italian, on white american.

I can *totally* appreciate how an outstanding professional (Richard) would hate his work product but still recognize that it's superior. I'm the same way...and I've pretty much run the table in my own career.

So Typical! I figured you would let Tiffany go !

Interesting evening under difficult conditions. Glad that Tiffany was the one to leave. I wish her the best but I don't think she was the same caliber as the other chefs.

I was so impressed that Mike had done research before the trip. He came prepared!

Trying to decide between the remaining three will be very hard but right now I am leaning toward Mike.

richard is an artist- as an artist I constantly am doubting the work that I do- sometimes to my detriment- but ultimately it is this drive that keeps an artist /chef fresh and growing no matter what level they are at. Some people get too comfortable, and choose to recreate best hits. There is no one on the show that is as unique as Richard- The fact that he allows his dishes to teeter between failure and success- (turnip canneloni/potato pasta- these could easily fail) speaks to his courage and pride. Only a simpleton would take what he says/ overstates at face value and think- oh he hates himself, thus he doesn't deserve to win.

Doubt is what makes culture inventive. Please dont tell me you picked Mikey as top chef- , if so, your blog (and Gail's blog) have foreshadowed a bit too much.

Why no vegetarian challenges this season? That lack has been a real disappointment to me this season. I'm a vegetarian and I'm a foodie (and I'm in the fine wine business), and that just doesn't seem to compute with the Top Chef mentality. It should. There have been seasons where there has been a vegetarian challenge (which often seems to trip up the cheftestants). I would have expected Top Chef All Stars to challenge the chefs in this manner as well. Not every meal needs to be centered around a dead animal; even Bourdain will eat veg as long as it's Indian. So why not? I really enjoy your post mortems on why the losing cheftestant goes home. It's not always obvious at Judge's Table.

almost had a heart attack. thought The Proffessor was going to be sent home :p

I would not be surprised to one day see Richard cut of his ear right there in chefs’ kitchen. I absolutely love to watch him cook, but the show editing has not fared well for my palate. His self loathing and frequent criticism of simplicity of others dishes has been exhausting this season. Mike’s dish appeared delicious, and I was captivated by Richard’s sweet potato pasta. Tiffany made a good run; I live in Dallas and look forward to visiting her restaurant. Good luck Tiffany!

If I had to choose between a chef who was overly confident versus one who was always pushing himself to be more creative and then wondering if it came out as good as he hoped, then I would choose the later every time.

Mike is full of bravado (no pun intended) and Richard is full of creativity; they have two different types of personalities as does Antonia - she's someone whose more comfortable under her own skin and isn't about the big personality, just her big, home style, food.

This is coming down to a battle of wills, and abilities under pressure. At the moment, it seems as though Mike is handling things better than the other two; maybe because he's normally a bit cockier than they are or they're just more nervous, or perhaps he actually came in more prepared.

It appears this season the chefs are being pared down to a final two next week, and and at this point, it seems like any small mistake could be the difference between making it to the finals and packing your knives and going home; the chefs are that close. Bad food isn't the only thing that can makes one's stomach so upset that you need antacid...I'm sure that cooking a great meal and still being sent home can make one sick to one's stomach, and I have no doubt that's about to happen next episode.

I had conch once in the Bahamas. It was alive until they cut it up and served it to you, just as you describe, a minute later. It was delicious. I'm glad you said that about Richard and his self-deprecation. I like him, but he always seems to think everything he makes is better than everyone else's, and if he says one more time that he "lost" Season 4, as opposed to Stephanie winning, I'm going to throw something at the tv. I'm rooting for Antonia. She's been my favorite since Season 4. Thanks for a great season.

Wow..... Tiffany should have went home along time ago. Specifically, restaurant wars, don't know how she got away with a bad dish and bad service. Yes Marcel is a prick, and had a bad dish, but two bads are worse than one bad, right? I will never understand how that was fair at all.

I think you're absolutely right about Richard. Why should anyone else enjoy his dish, if he doesn't! And, I think Mike is really in Richard's head. In the end, that is going to drive Richard to defeat himself.

The entire episode last night was made even more enjoyable by getting a few seconds of Padma in a bikini !!!! Wow!!!!

I really hate to see this season come to an end. It's been so enjoyable and the quality of cooking has been great. You guys have done a great job in coming up with ideas for challenges. I hope you continue to have "Masters" seasons in the future.

The Richard-bashing by the judges is beginning to strike me as way too partisan. Judges are supposed to be impartial, are they not? Judge him on his food, not his personality, which frankly is the personality of a highly intelligent, artistic person. I for one, hope he wins. He deserves to.

I might add that even Mike questioned his own dish after Judges table last evening; saying he started to realize why Richard felt the way he did after each competition...Perhaps if we had so much on the line we, too, would be a bit nervous.

Tom is already a renowned chef, with several successful restaurants across the US, and already has his own TV series. These young chefs are fighting for a chance to earn more money than they would normally make in years, and earn the respect, and a prominent place, in their chosen field. This is where they want to be, not where they've come from.

It can't be easy cooking under the pressure of the cameras, but under the conditions they've been working with (on the beach after diving for their own conchs?), and then winding down the competition for $200,000 at the same time; are you kidding me?

Finding fault with the way any of the cheftestants are currently handling themselves at this point is petty. They're all winners in my book.

I hope Richard goes next. He thinks he's above everyone but he's up against some real talent here. Go Antonia!

Tom, Your commentary is usually so insightful &, more importantly, honest, & thusly, I am disappointed that you did not share your thoughts on the guest judge (although I appreciate that doing so may put you in a difficult position with the brass as it were). It seemed to this viewer that she was foisted upon you as some sort of cross-promotion for NBC's show, "America's Next Great Restaurant" (a misnomer to say the least). Not only did she seem unprepared for the task, both intellectually as well as culinarily, but her bias toward the female contestants was blatant to say the least. Her torpedoing Richard's dish by her claim of purported undercooked lobster seemed suspect indeed. I am not claiming that Richard should have won per se (not having been there & not seeing the unedited judge’s table), but his chances were severely lessened by this seemingly agenda-driven assertion. Please stand up for the show's integrity & fight for judges that are qualified to do just that: judge, in an expert & unbiased manner. Chefs, critics, writers, restaurateurs & other folks in the field who are actually involved in the creative process are those that can share valid opinions from places of experience & authenticity; those who simply invest monies in what they think will be the next big thing obviously know very little about the aesthetics involved therein. Thanks for many great seasons (& many more to come); my lovely bride & I really enjoy the show & feel you are certainly the foundation of & principal reason behind said enjoyment.

You're messing with me, Tom, by having posted so early.

I nearly tweeted @ you last night, but figured you were at the New York Dolls thing. I've got to admit, I was profoundly uncomfortable with the elimination challenge last night--not because of seeing the contestants (even Isabella) in their swim togs, but by the Whitey McWhiterson composition of the guest list at the beach.

I get that the producers of the show don't determine the social circle at the yacht club (and I certainly recall that the elimination previously featured an all black "royal family.") but if Padma is the only non-white, it seems that you are tacitly condoning the racial exclusivity of that group. I'm usually a lot more mellow about these things, but in this case it really offended me. "Native" Bahamanians, my keister. It was offensive.

Hi Tom,

We're big fans in our household and have watched since season 1. However, honestly, you seem so grumpy, sour and out of sorts this season that I can't help asking if you need a break, or a season off.

Please know I mean this lovingly, but the constant stankface really detracts from our enjoyment, and it paints you in a negative light. It doesn't make you look judgier, it makes you look impossible to please. Bourdain, Gail and Ripert are certainly critical in their ways, but they at least look happy with what they receive. You almost never do, and this is a new development that began last year, and ever since, you just look angry, grumpy, unhappy, and barely able to take part in a civil manner.

I understand being tough and critical on contestants. But when you put them through laughably difficult challenges (and equipment that is simply not dependable, and which should necessitate a do-over, as with Antonia and Carla's malfunctioning hotplates), and then complain about things that (9 times out of 10) are beyond their control, you start looking like a villain, not a judge.

Just my 2 cents. Best wishes, and thanks for a great show.

Ang

The worst guest judge ever. She was insufferable and obviously playing to the cameras and going against what the other judges said to show what an expert she was. Richard and Mike had obvious disdain for her with good reason. I bet there is thousands of feet of Tom rolling his eyes at what she said on the cutting room floor. I'll happily give her show a miss.

I just want to say how much I have enjoyed the Top Chef: All Stars. The only thing bad is that it has been hard to see each chef go. I really hope that Richard is named "Top Chef." All of his dishes are so interesting; I just wish I could taste them!

While I do not disagree that it was Tiffany's time to go, the blatant sexism that is displayed on Top Chef is getting ridiculous. Richard and Mike's disdain towards the women was obvious - like they were unfit to work in the same kitchen. And your comments during the elimination challenge doomed one of the women. When the guests were gushing over Antonia's food, and really loving it, you immediately jumped in and told everybody how flawed it was. When Tiffany's soup was cold, you stated that you doubted it was ever hot. Yet the golden boys could do no wrong. This will be yet another season where accomplished female chefs will be denied the title because we can't spoil the boys' club.

When in constant competition and with ever-changing new judges, it is only natural to second-guess oneself, as in Richard's case...Unless of course you're Mike Isabella and you just sponged a clever recipe from a trusting friend! He should be the new spokesman for STAPLES: HEY! THAT WAS EASY!

I just want to say how much I have enjoyed this season of Top Chef All Stars. The only thing bad is that it's been so hard to see each chef go home! I hope that Richard gets the title; his dishes look so interesting. I just wish that I could taste them!

It would have been nice to see Mike go. He's such a jerk, or at least edited to be portrayed as such. If he wins it all, it will have been a depressing season. I hope that Bravo would have offered him better editing if he were the eventual winner. However, maybe the simply had nothing to work with and he is that big of a jerk. So many of the past contestants that weren't likeable did a nice job of seeming more likeable and relate-able on All-Stars. Not Mike, though. It's too bad that talent doesn't limit itself to inhabit only those who are decent.

It seems many of us(including me) were wrong about Mike I. He did OK in season 6, which seems to be the strongest "original" season, with Michael V, Bryan V, Eli, Jennifer and Kevin. And you can certainly improve alot since "your season". This could be the case with Mike? With that said, I don´t think he´s the nicest of the bunch, but all political correctness aside, he´s one of the more entertaining in this docusoap. And apparently a very good chef....who knew? Still Team Blais for me though.

It would have been nice to see Mike go. He's such a jerk, or at least edited to be portrayed as such. If he wins it all, it will have been a depressing season. I hope that Bravo would have offered him better editing if he were the eventual winner. However, maybe the simply had nothing to work with and he is that big of a jerk. So many of the past contestants that weren't likeable did a nice job of seeming more likeable and relate-able on All-Stars. Not Mike, though. It's too bad that talent doesn't limit itself to inhabit only those who are decent.

Unless I missed something I believe it was Mike who spoke of prepping with Conch prior to coming down to the finale. Mike was also the only one who didn't have an issue getting the mollusk out of the shell.

FINALLY she is gone! I thought it never would come to pass.

Go Richard!

Here's to an amazing "dark horse" and surprise to everyone--Mike. The challenges this season tested so much more than just cooking. There were tests of social skills, good judgment, and even one's sense of equity. Things I never heard coming out of his mouth were, "I don't do . . . whatever." What I did hear was, "During the break, I worked with several chefs; I practiced." Smart career move.

I know TC is a "game show" and entertainment and all that, but I wish the challenges were more cooking and less game. Especially as we come to the end I would love to see them cook without the survivior element. Let them cook with real equipment, etc. now that we are down to the final four. I know it must be difficult to come up with interesting challenges that involve the various locations and that you have certain things you want or need to highlight, but some of the best episodes ever where REAL cooking challenges. The chicken, potato, and onion EC comes to mind-- or the Bocuse D'or. Also loved the ones where they had to shop local only and cook. this is the classiest competition show on TV-- it doesn't need to dumb down to survivior mode.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A GREASY DISH FROM ISABELLA WON OVER RICHARDS CREATIVE DISH OF SWEET POTATOE NOODLES. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT AT THIS POINT, I THINK THE JUDGES GO BY PERSONALITY AND NOT THE FOOD. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT LISTEN TO THE GUEST AND THEIR OPINIONS !!

We love this show but we are tiring of the the ridiculous "workouts" the chefs have to do to prepare for their meals. We to see them prepare great, artful meals. We do not want see them hunt and do stuiped tricks and practicly have heart attacks and be short on time (ie the Target episode, getting their own Conch etc.) They are chefs not circus clowns. Don't make this show a circus of riduclous meals. We want to see intelligent meals. This is down to the last three chefs and you have them acting doing stuiped stuff other than cooking. Very disappointed.

I don't feel sorry of Tiffany. Her simple meals irked me no end. She decided to make a soup for the finale. And she thought that would wow the judges. Wow! She went further than she should have based on the mediocrity of her dishes. The winner of gasbag Mike seemed fair. His dish appeared to be the only one that hit all the right notes. However, I still find him abrasive and annoying - especially when he gloats. Poor Richard. His "sad-sack" routine is getting old and doesn't help elevate his troublesome fare. Seriously, he undercooked his lobster. That could have sent him packing.

I'm enjoying this season of Top Chef tremendously!! I have watched every season. Some were great and some were awful. I was horrified by how Marcel was treated during his season, turns out he was a bit of a sh*8 but not deserving of the way he was treated by the other contestants. I thought season 5 was the best, the finalists were the best because they put out great food! Everyone thought Richard would win his season, including himself, but he choked at the last minute. Will he pull it together for the finale?? I'll have to wait and see!!

I didn't understand your comments and actions in this episode Tom.

First you seemed cranky. You really did! I get cranky too, but luckily I am not judging the fate of the contestant.

Second, why do you invite lots of people/island natives to dinner and then disregard most of their comments? The seemed to love Antonias and be "eh" about Mike's dish. It seems you have jumped on the "it must be fancy and and never before seen to be considered a dish worthwhile of winning" crowd but it doesn't give you the right to beat up on a Antonia's dish she has always been straightforward about her cooking style. Its not like Carla went home because of her simple down-home methods. I was really disappointed in you.

What is the judgment based on anyway Taste? Innovation? There is nothing innovative about grilled pineapple or fish wrapped in banana leaves (even Mike acknowledges he has NO originality there) but the sweet potato 'pasta' was pure genius! If it tasted as good as it seemed "woe is me" richard should have won and hopefully it would have eased his debbie downer habits too.

You say that you like conch marinated in "peppers, onion, scotch bonnets and sour orange" (those are some STRONG Flavors) but then say you can't taste the conch in antonias dish because they are too small? Huh? Her flavors were nowhere near as strong as the ones listed above.

Very strange, inconsistent episode.

Also, this is the finales so why why why are you making them cook over a wood fire on the beach?

As such, I think its time to change the name of the show from Top Chef to Survivor Chef. If they aren't given the opportunity to showcase their best food until the very end (and down to the last 2 or 3 survivors), you really can't call them the Top Chef.

Tom,

Your commentary is usually so insightful &, more importantly, honest, & thusly, I am disappointed that you did not share your thoughts on the guest judge (although I appreciate that doing so may put you in a difficult position with the brass as it were). It seemed to this viewer that she was foisted upon you as some sort of cross-promotion for NBC's show, "America's Next Great Restaurant" (a misnomer to say the least). Not only did she seem unprepared for the task, both intellectually as well as culinarily, but her bias toward the female contestants was blatant to say the least. Her torpedoing Richard's dish by her claim of purported undercooked lobster seemed suspect indeed. I am not claiming that Richard should have won per se (not having been there & not seeing the unedited judge’s table), but his chances were severely lessened by this seemingly agenda-driven assertion.

Please stand up for the show's integrity & fight for judges that are qualified to do just that: judge, in an expert & unbiased manner. Chefs, critics, writers, restaurateurs & other folks in the field who are actually involved in the creative process are those that can share valid opinions from places of experience & authenticity; those who simply invest monies in what they think will be the next big thing obviously know very little about the aesthetics involved therein.

Thanks for many great seasons (& many more to come); my lovely bride & I really enjoy the show & feel you are certainly the foundation of & principal reason behind said enjoyment.

"but if Richard hates all of his dishes, why does he always think he should have won with a dish that he hated? Just asking…"

excellent question ! I personally think he is sneakily fishing for compliments. The same way a lot of women say "oh my hairs a mess" fully expecting their hubby to reassure them and tell them its gorgeous hahaha.

Im so sick of Blais and will be sick if he wins this. Infact I am fed up seeing, Blais , Fabio, Marcel and all the others they keep bringing back for the "specials". Roll on Season 9 and some deserving new blood.

Dont mess with the judges line up though, except to give us more of Anthony Bourdain of course.

Wow, you criticized Richard for a change (very mildly of course). I'm sure he's a talented chef (at least you keep telling us so) but he is just exhausting to watch. Does he have no self-awareness? Does he not realize how he comes across in the confessionals? I am sick and tired of him belittling the skills of his competitors. I am sick and tired of his constant fishing for compliments about his dishes from those same competitors (loved Antonia's verbal smackdown of him for doing that). And, most of all, I am sick and tired of his enormous sense of entitlement. It's one thing to have the confidence to believe that you can win, but Richard believes he is the ONLY one who SHOULD win. I'm hoping for an Antonia win; I'll reluctantly take a Mike win; but I fear it will be a Richard win.

Was I watching the same show Tom Colicchio was judging...hmmm. It is definitely something fishy going on. Last episode was interesting. Watching the show I was a bit surprised Tiffany was eliminated. Did I hear the same comments that everyone else did? I mean clearly they have their favorite. I'm sorry Tiffany was not outcooked..but I assume out masking ingredients is the way to go. So watch out Richard and Mike before you are out masked next. For the judges let your comments match your decisions. Clearly you forgot your comments at the table while you are at the judges table. For Tiffany great job of course they couldn't let a "young, not strong resume, or a lot of experience" out cook anyone. How dare she??

I was annoyed that the show took a turn for the worse forcing the chef's to swim for their supper. C'mon, this is a cooking show, not Survivor. How embarrassing for them. Go ahead and put Padma in a bikini, we get it, she is beautiful.

This was the stupidest episode of all time. It's the finals -- we don't want to see the finalists in swimsuits diving for conch. We want to see them cooking! And didn't anyone think that the entire challenge -- cooking for a bunch of colonialist white yacht club members, while being served by the "locals" -- had more than a twinge of racism? GET BACK TO THE FOOD! THESE CHALLENGES ARE RIDICULOUS!

Hi Tom, As an avid Top Chef fan since the first season, I have to say I was extremely disappointed with this episode. I don't mind that Conch was the featured ingredient of this episode, but I felt that it was highly irresponsible for the producers to leave out any mention whatsoever of the fact that while conch fisheries in the Bahamas are relatively stable at the moment, conch itself is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Commercial conch fishing in the US collapsed in the 1970's due to over harvesting and has never recovered. The same has happened in most of the caribbean.

As you mention in your blog post, conch are herbivores. They are an essential part of coral reef ecosystems in that they eat algae, and are essentially "cleaners". In reef systems where conch populations have suffered, reefs are dying by being literally smothered to death with algae. While conch do play a major role in the culture and history of the Bahamas (and the rest of the Caribbean), lifestyles have to change with a changing environment (sea turtle meat and eggs were also a major part of Caribbean life once upon a time).

Furthermore the two fish that were highlighted this episode were red snapper and grouper--both of which have highly stressed populations due to overfishing. For a show that spent so much time talking about sustainability and eating responsibly, how could you guys not bring up any of these issues?? It was a perfect opportunity to explain to your viewers the considerations one has to take when eating different seafoods, especially on vacation. What may be well managed in the Bahamas is critically endangered in other parts of the Caribbean, but your viewers won't know that when they order conch, red snapper or grouper on another island.