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Team Top Chef

Oy! Ster!

Bravotv.com's Senior Editor's heart sank when the judges figured out what was wrong with Ed's dish.

Feb 8, 2012

Onto the Elimination! Into the kitchen, come the chefs' mentors! And suddenly, the cheftestants burst into tears! Even Paul, which only made him more adorable. The chefs' task was to make a dish to make their mentors proud. So, they got to cookin', except Sarah, who got to go out and enjoy her night with her mentor, Tony Montuano. A common sentiment in the kitchen was the desire to not disappoint one's mentors. Not only are the chefs putting their names on the line, they're putting their mentors' names on the line. I think that's honestly true of all chefs competing on Top Chef. I really think that the realization that not being able to cook in the Top Chef environment doesn't necessarily mean you're a bad chef is a hard one to come by. These chefs just put so much pressure on themselves. Fortunately, in this scenario, it really raised their dishes to a new level.

Lindsay made a seafood stew that looked pretty delicious, with the main complaints being about the use of cream, which she knew was a mistake, and dried herbs. Beverly made eight wok dishes essentially to-order, and although she wasn't happy with the plating, she knew her flavors were good. And although I couldn't taste it, Bev's dish just looked like a hearty one I would've loved to try. Then there's Paul. His dish was so delicate and -- as Tom lauded -- restrained. I thought Tom gave Paul one of the nicest compliments at Judges' Table by mentioning that it takes a truly mature chef to know when too much is too much. This characteristic of restraint is something that reminded me a lot of one of my other favorites, Bryan Voltaggio. 

Next:
Grayson Under Fire
Grayson Under Fire Paul may have won the challenge, but Grayson really won. By Monica A. Reyhani | February 8, 2012 Top Chef Season 9 / Episode 12 / Team Top Chef
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Wish Lindsay would have gone home. Sad to see Ed go go home.

Good job Bev! So proud of you! I hope you win. Winning is the best revenge!

I will miss Ed. He is by far my favorite.

Are you kidding? It's in the book that it will probably come down to Sara and Beverly..................if that happens, I swear not to ever watch this show again.......................Ed should've won the quickfire instead of Sara but NOOOOOOOOOOOO - they had to set up this finale!!!!!!!!! Doesn't matter that it ticks some long-time watchers off and questions the authenticity of the show.

I hope Sarah and Lindsay choke, Paul and Beverly are the top chefs. I will be happy if one of them wins. But the girls need to be taught a lesson and America needs to speak that bullying is not a good attribute even in the kitchen. The way to motivate people is to praise and encourage their work. Actually I want Bev to take it all and show up all the chefs. But Paul the steadfast will win.

From the comments made at JT about Lindsey's dish, I really thought she would get the boot (something I would not be upset about), but when they found out Ed used canned oysters, I just knew his time was up. Darn, I really really really wanted Ed in the finale especially if it meant that Lindsey would go home (or Sara but she took the easy way out). GO PAUL! WIN IT ALL!

In the spririt of true competition, I felt that Ed should have gotten another chance by competing with Beverly in a face off. To me it's not fair that the "true final four" only get one elimination and their done, after having outlsated all the other chefs in the main competition. Meanwhile Bev gets to the final four with an elimination on her record. In a way, a smart chef could game the system by potentially getting eliminated late in the main competition, face weaker chefs in last chance and take a round-about way to cook off into the final four. There should be a double elimination rule in effect.

I hope the final two are Paul and Bev.

Sarah -- need we say more. She is a bully with overconfidence. Her response to Bev was classic.

Lindsay wasn't much better. I think she is just self-absorbed.

And Ed -- well, buying canned oysters -- surely he didn't think this was going to secure him a position.

Bev had to fight her way back into the competition. I think she is well-positioned to pull it off.

Never forget that Bev and Paul were raised in the Asian culture. They have restraint and rarely act aggressive. It's hard to believe that others just didn't get this aspect of these two.

It's been hard to love anyone but the judges this season.

It is really depressing watching the junior high mean girls (Sarah and Lindsey) treat everyone else as inferiors. I may quit watching this program. For me it is about the food. If we are going to have this petty drama, it is not for me.

I see the point that either choice Sarah made would result in commentary. However. This is a cooking competition. Sarah has been slamming Bev at every opportunity and yet Bev had to COOK her way back in. Also...everyone should just shut p about Bev coming back as Bev didn't make the rules!!

I don't understand what the big deal was about Beverly returning as demonstrated by Sarah, Ed and Lindsay. It wasn't her fault that Top Chef had a separate competition in place, yet these three were so concerned that Bev would be the one returning - and they call themselves professionals? There's no question that Bev lacks some social skills, which she readily admits but I wouldn't hesitate telling them off.Paul is the only one carries himself well and I have a lot of respect for him. I realize that Sarah is a skilled chef. However, if I were chef Tony Mantuano, who I love, I'd be embarrassed towards her attitude/actions to another chef.

When Ed opened them in the store, I said out-loud, no Ed! I am sure someone else went home before on a different season for exactly the same thing. That is never a good idea on Top Chef. I have never seen it pulled off. These Chefs know dried herbs and canned stuff! I really like Ed but I think he was lucky to make this far. He could of gone home many times. I do not like Lindsay and I despise Sarah. She has been so rude and so immature the way she has treated Bev from the very beginning. I hope she crashes and burns on the finale. She has no class in her actions toward Bev. Really uncomfortable to watch Bev being bullied and dispirited. It was sad when Tom asked who thought Bev could win on one of those last chance kitchens and no one raised their hands for Bev. That was so mean.

Absolutely thrilled that Beverly made it to the finals but not at all surprised that Ed was eliminated. Shame to say but somehow I knew that the powers that be would not abide three Asians in the finals and the balance would be better perceived if it were one woman one man. My guess is that Ed also saw the handwriting on the wall prompting him to tell Lindsey "don't worry I know its me going home".

The "Cheftestant Scorecard" says Lindsey won this Elimination Challenge. Paul won, Lindsay almost went home.

It has interesting to watch. I really like Bev and I am glad she cooked her way back into the competition I don't care for Lyndsey she talks down to others and Sarah is just mean. I really like Paul and Bev.

I wonder how Heather, Sarah and Lyndsey feel now when the see their behavior shown on TV? Their bullying, talking down to others, being shown to everyone; I wonder if they cring or do they just write it off by blaming others?

With the remaining chefs, my hope is that Paul and Bev made the final. THAT might draw me back to actually watching the show, which I stopped doing a few weeks ago largely because of Sarah and Lindsey. I follow progress by reading the blogs and comments, from which it unfortunately appears that the " mean girls" are as unpleasant as ever. As for Sarah choosing immunity--very predictable. It's a calculating move in the gamesmanship that is pert of the competition, but in the end shows more cowardice than courage. If I'm not mistaken, other chefs in seasons past have been given the same chioice and opted to COOK their way through the competition.

Long time Top Chef fan. This season by far the weakest group. Seems TC each year has been more about the drama than the skill. This year especially. Don't know if planned, but never seen a bunch mean-spirited as this one. Heather was absolutely horrible and Sarah and Lindsey not much better. Of the final 4 I think Paul is the only one that that has close to talent to win other seasons. Will still be watching next season, but please get some stronger chefs who will cook- not back stab. Oh yeah it's Top CHEF, not Top CRYER!!

Of course Beverly made her dish utilizing a wok...that's all she ever does (Asian flair for about every dish!)

Reading the comments is interesting. I may be only one out here but I can't stand Bev. Now, I totally disliked Heather and was thrilled to see her go. I don't like Sarah but am kind of indifferent on Lindsay. I really, really liked Ed and was bummed he was eliminated. And then there's Paul! He seems to be consistently the best and I hope wins it all! Go Paul!!!

Tom Colicchio, You have always said, "Its about the food". I disagree, Most of the chefs on Top Chef are great cooks and I am sure I wouldn't throw a fit about one of their dishes. However I feel there is an ethical standard, a certain class anyone should strive for. I don't care how good Jennifer Carroll, Heather Terhune, Sarah Gruenberg or Lindsay Autry can cook, I would never eat where ever these classless, backstabbing bitches work. I think that a persons character should be factored in. If I owned a restaurant certainly a person ethics and character would be factored in. It would be a cold day in hell when I would hire any of the aforementioned chefs. Beverly should get a purple heart the way Heather, Lindsay and Sarah treated her.

I don't think Lindsey or Sarah deserve to win Top Chef...Come on Paul - we know you can pull this off. Lindsey and Sarah (and Heather) are bullies and very demeaning. Sarah says she deserves to be there. Why are you so special? Beverly beat you plenty of times. Obviously Sarah, your cooking is not that great. Lindsey, she just a sour person. I wonder what Beverly did to you ladies that think you could treat her the way you did. Even on the episode when Beverly went home, you see Lindsey with a sour and mean face and when beverly left - she lit up like a christmas tree. You all need to be humbled. Too bad you didn't have to go through Last Chance Kitchen to make it as far as Beverly did because i don't think you would have made it back into the game. Here's to Paul winning the title Top Chef Texas. I'll be disappointed if the two others are awarded the title because of their actions. Paul's been extremely nice and helpful to others. Go Paul!!!!

Everyone complained about Bev doing Asian, but Sarah kept making pasta and no one says anything. I see it's because shes German she can make pasta all she wants. Oh and Lindsey you went home for your fish dish, the way you cooked it still wasn't any better than your complaint about Bev cooking it. The judges say that the cooking was much better this season, I think this is the worse season I've watched. The food may have been better, but I hope you'll get the chefs back in the kitchen cooking. I don't care if they hack on blocks of ice to get their ingredients, or want to watch them shooting at targets. Come on Paul win it all. Hope you walk all over the biggest hater of seasons.

Wow, Lindsey went home for cooking the fish her way!! Beverly gets called out for making Asian but German Sarah makes pasta all the time and that's okay? This has been the worse season to watch. Get the chefs back in the kitchen and let them cook, I don't care if they can hack on a block of ice, ski or shoot for ingredients. Those 3 girls were haters, even the chefs in the second chance kitchen weren't rooting for Beverly. True no one is on the show to make best friends but those girl chefs were haters.

Paul deserved the title TOP CHEF! Congratulations...the best chef won!

I like Bev but Paul is a much better Top Chef, I am always amazed and in awe with his creations.

Glad Paul won but I wanted Beverly in the Finale, it would have been so interesting what she would have cooked and I really did not like Sara and Lindsey to be in the Finale. I will never eat anything these 2 chefs cooked, their food will be so full of negative vibes, I would not enjoy it even if it was delicious.

The whole season was like Cinderella and the 3 evil stepsisters (Heather, Sara and Lindsey). Enough said!