I want Stephanie to win, or maybe Antonia - she has really come into her own in the last few weeks. I can't believe Lisa is still there - my new name for her is the grouchy ladybug - every single time she is at judges table she looks soooooo defensive.

I was afraid someone was going to cut off a finger in the quickfire.
It was nice to see Tom working with them. Can't wait for the finale.

1. Stephanie looked so small compared to her chop rack. It didn't make me nervous till I saw them pushing on their knives with the other hand. That's how you slip and cut yourself.

2. All I could think of was YUM, watching them baste those steaks. The steak doesn't absorb much of the fat due to the sear on the outside. And Chef Tramanto did say that her crust was very nice.

3. Spike has got some butchering skills, certainly.

4. I'll try just about anything, and peanut butter mashed isn't so out there.

5. It was great to see the former winners. And Ilan in a T-shirt is the first thing we noticed as in "What a slob. The other guys look so professional, they have it together. Marcel was robbed."

6. I shouted with joy when Chef Tom said he was going to expo. Finally a good expediter, not all bluster like Chef Gordon.

7. It's not the first time Spike has dissed the panel (olives and grapes, anyone?) so I don't believe he didn't know where that came from. Chef Tramanto smacked that shot right back to him, too.

8. Hand-holding. Meh.

9. Stephanie probably had the second-favorite app and entree, but even though Richard and Antonia had a better app and a better entree, the other half of their food was not so good. The judges explained it well, Stephanie's food was the best when taken as a whole.

10. I was rooting for a double elimination (Spike/Lisa). It would have made my week. I'll be glad when I don't have to hear Lisa talk about how she does "high-end Asian cuisine" any more.

11. I have really developed a fondness for Richard. After his smoker gadget broke, his food has not been so contrived. Stephanie's food has been fairly consistent and good, and Antonia is sort of a sleeper. I'd be happy to see any one of those three win.

I honestly think they kept Lisa to stack a bunch of women against Richard. Or for her "personality". Certainly not because she was better than Spike. Both of them needed to go before Dale.

In the end, I think it will be a toss-up between Stephanie and Richard. They are the strongest two in the competition. Antonia is well-rounded, but I think she lacks the flair of the other two.

Richard's app reminds me very strongly of something I've had at a high-end Jap fusion restaurant. Nothing wrong with that. I was drooling when I saw his dish.

Oh and I have a total fangirl love for Harold, so it was awesome to see him back. If I ever visit NYC, I plan on going to Perilla.

I still don't think Ilan deserved his win and he added nothing insightful at the meal.

I wasn't so nervous about the quickfire, but for some reason last night was the first time I noticed Padma playing with knives in the commercial! That was scary. I really don't care who wins as long as it is not Lisa. Everyone else seems like they are great chefs and actually have a good personality, plus peanut butter mashed potatoes sounds disgusting. I was happy to see the winners, but I agree with verily that Ilan did not deserve to win. He was pretty much useless on the episode.

1. it did make me nervous especially since people ALWAYS hurt themselves on Hells Kitchen. i always think that the chefs on Top Chef will do the same.
2. I know that it's traditional to use butter w/ steak, but it's just not my thing to be honest. i guess it did help in cooking it nicely though.
3. they were VERY IMPRESSIVE. i'm upset about how the episode ended to be honest.
4. i've tried them before actually and i feel like the ones that i've had were over powering. i'm more of a classic mash or butter/garlic.
5. Ilan is always a rebel, but that's kind of how Sam was a few episodes ago. he didn't dress up either. i think that it's always nice for the old winners to come on the show.
6. i think that it was a nice change - and that sometimes it's nice to see tom as more than a judge, but perhaps as a coworker.
7. i think that he was sincere to a point, but he was also trying to save his ass i think. it's hard when you're on the line to get cut, and you know what did it for you. in a place that nice, they shoudln't have had frozen scallops anyway, and i wonder if it was a test.
8. oh yea, adorable
9. i think that stephanie and antonia are neck and neck at this point, and that she did deserve to win. she's won a lot of challenges this season and i can't wait to see the finale with her in it.
10. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO - i think that lisa should have gone home. yes spike's been on the chopping block more, but lisa just isn't a good chef and her temperment is soooo annoying.
11. it's a toss up for me. i would like stephanie to win, but i'd be happy if antonia did too.

1. Not at all. They are chefs. They mess with knives on a daily basis.
2. Smart of Antonia, very smart.
3. Impressive. He seems like the smart, arrogant, and lazy type. Always looking for the quickest way out. Then again, his speed impresses me.
4. Yes. I've eaten worse.
5. I love them all! Ilan is always looking, wow and Hung was the man I was rooting for from the get go.
6. I did too. Although I love when he's talking about their dishes together with the other judges. I like seeing him eat with his spoon/knife and fork.
7. Spike is an ass. And for all any one knew, they could've put the frozen scallops in there to see who the idiot really was.
8. At that point, not a competitive look for me.
9. Overall, I'm always siding with Richard but Stephanie had always been my favorite also, so yes.
10. I think Spike AND Lisa should've left before Dale. Dale should've been on the remaining four. Spike and Lisa made it through through technicality. Spike, being the smart ass that he is, did the front of the house thing because he KNEW he was on the weaker team. Dale should've just let his pride go aside and let Lisa take the executive chef roll. (Note to Dale: I'm so sad for you leaving )
11. RICHARD! It's not who I hope to win, it's who I KNOW who will win. Out of all the past seasons I've guessed the winner to a tee (along with Project Runway). I'm once again predicting the winner, thank you GOOOOOOO Richard!

WHY oh Why is Lisa still there??!! I think it definitely a ploy to get a bunch of women in the finals. At this point I don't really care who wins, I still think in the end it will come down to Richard and Stephanie. The episode definitely made me want steak, thats for sure.

I missed. glad that bravo will replay it 20 times before the next episode

i think lisa is some kind of disease that we just can't get rid of!!! it's horrible!! looooooved seeing harold! looking at hung pissed me off. and ilan... well... yeah. GREAT challenge!!! i think they should of just gotten rid of both lisa AND spike... it's not like either of them deserve to win anyway. i'm rooting for either stephanie or richard... but OMG!!! clips for next week!!!! ominous footage and quotes about someone cutting themselves with a cleaver or something!!!! i freaked out!!!

Lisa and that face she makes in judging absolutely crack me up. That is one scary scowl.

I want Stephanie to win and was glad to see her come up with the top spot last night. The fact that she has won a lot lately just shows how talented she really is. Plus, seriously I would like to see a woman win.... Not that I mind looking at the former man winners (especially Harold) ...

I don't know about the peanut butter mashed potatoes.... But I am not a huge peanut butter fan in the first place so that might be my problem.

Yes, the handholding was adorable -- and I do think that Spike just kind of let that comment fly. I don't really like him, but I felt like he felt the pressure and just said whatever came to mind first.
And why was Ilan in just a t-shirt?

1/3. With all the butchering involved, I was afraid someone would've sliced something. But, I was SO impressed by Spike's performance in the quickfire.
2. Antonia's steak looked delicious. I'm definitely going to have to try that sometime.
4. I'm intrigued. I'd definitely try it.
5. I haven't watched the other seasons, but the guy who won season 1 (I think), he was in the blue shirt and suit. Something about his eating manners just totally turned me off.
6. It was definitely cool to see them work with Chef Tom, seemed like a way better experience than just being judged.
7. Spike knew exactly where that comment came from. Please . . .
8. Hand-holding was so cute, although it looked like Stephanie was going to cry.
9. Stephanie totally deserved to win, since both her dishes were pretty strong.
10. I'm glad Spike left, BUT, I think he deserved to have left earlier. Like Chef Tom said, he's been in the bottom 7 times. Same with Lisa (5 times). I think Dale deserved to be in the final 4.
11. I definitely want Stephanie to win the whole thing, although Richard seems to have a really good chance.

Would love Stephanie to win. But I could handle Antonia or Richard winning. Lisa has no right to be in the finals. I actually am beginning to feel sorry for Lisa. You can tell she has many personal issues. If she were to get a life coach so she could work through her issues I think her career would really take off. Man, the vibe from her non-verbals is scary. I think it all comes from something unresolved from within herself.

IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THEY WANT A FEMALE TO WIN. I THINK ANTONIA MIGHT BE THE ONE.

I WANT TO KNOW WHERE LISA IS WORKING SO THAT I CAN MAKE SURE NEVER EVER TO GO TO THAT RESTAURANT. HER ATTITUDE AND CURSING IS DISGUSTING. I WOULD NEVER WANT SOMEONE LIKE HER TO COOK MY FOOD.

So rooting for Stephanie to win!! But I know it will be a tough fight between her or Richard. Although...I won't count out Antonia, she might bring it. Either way, I won't mind either of those three winning but I'm definitely hoping Steph walks away with it.

I love Lisa's face when she's at panel. hahaha. Cracks me up.

Lisa's always got such a sour puss! She's not a team player ... there's a reason why Stephanie, Blaze and Antonia were always together and always on the winning team when they were together ... they're team players that work well with others. Lisa's just a sour puss that blames everyone but herself for things that don't go right for her.
Based on the yum that came out of the kitchen in last night's episode, I can't wait to see the finale! Makes me hungry just thinking about it!
It's time for a grrl champ of top chef!!!

1. I was only slightly nervous -- I thought if anyone hacked off anything, it would have been hinted at in the preview. Thank God no one did!
2. Ummm...delicious??
3. I find Spike pretty impressive all the way around...
4. I wouldn't eat anything Lisa would make/create.
5. It was such a nice surprise! Although I thought that Ilan was a bit of a sour puss about almost everything.
6. I thought that was a long time coming!
7. I almost fell off the couch! I did believe that he didn't know where it had come from -- obviously, he was in a really stressful situation and already knew he had sort of screwed up, who knows what anyone would say in that situation?
8. SO cute.
9. I think Stephanie deserved this win. I really wanted to try Blaise's app.
10. Lisa should have left SO, SO LONG AGO. I can't wrap my mind around why she's still there. Spike is a better chef, more fun to watch, and exceedingly more gracious (seriously: do you ever notice how he shakes everyone's hand? Or how he holds the door open for everyone always?)
11. I want Blaise to win, and have from the start. I think Stephanie will, however. I like the Final Three (ahem, refuse to acknowledge Lisa), but do still think that Dale and Jen went home too early.

1. I am always nervous with knives, I have cut myself in the kitchen, only 5 stitches, but still. I know they are well trained but that thing was bigger than Stephanie!
2. It looked like a heart attack, but probably was so delicious, she knows her steak!
3. Spike must have butchering in his blood. It was very impressive, I think he should consider just being a butcher.
4.the peanut butter mash is kind of interesting but also kind of nasty... plus Lisa made it, I don't want it.
5. i really liked seeing the past winners, Harold is just so talented and intelligent. I liked seeing Hung more relaxed and Ilan is cute. It was nice.
6. it was really nice to see Tom in the kitchen was awesome.
7. Spike is a jerk. That was so disrespectful!
8. It shows the level of class coming from Richard, Stephanie, and Antonia, I think Spike and Lisa were forced to join in.
9. I thought Antonia really cooked for a S teack house, but Stephanie just showed amazing skill and calmness in the kitchen producing very strong, delicious food.
10. I really wanted a double elimination. really bad. I can't stand Lisa!!!! Thank God she cut her hair for the final, She won't be able to hold her own with those three.
11. My favorites from the beginning have been Richard and Stephanie and I will be happy with either of them. I like Antonia too, but I really think that Steph and Richard are just phenomenal and I really want to eat their food.

1. I was nervous with Stephanie. She did look tiny compared to that gigantic piece of meat.
2. Um, yum. I know what I'm having for dinner tonight...
3. VERY impressive! They were all even and beautiful. I think he definitely deserved to win the quickfire.
4. Absolutely! The judges seemed to like them.
5. Harold is hot. Period.
6. I loved how Chef Tom was laughing with them. They seemed to have a genuinely good time.
7. I knew he was going home the second he said that. You DO NOT insult a guest judge, especially someone as respected as he is. And I agree, I think they could have put the scallops in there to see who would use them. Spike should have known better.
8. Yes, except I don't believe that Lisa and Spike felt like a part of the "group." Stephanie, Antonia and Richard are a little "we're the normal people" clique.
9. Yes! Stephanie is so humble and cute. Love her.
10. Lisa did better than Spike this round. Although I like Spike better than Lisa, I think the move to cut Spike was right this time. I think Lisa should have been out of there a long time ago, but she did do better than Spike.
11. I love Richard, Antonia and Stephanie. I'll be happy if either wins, and sad when either goes home. I have a feeling Stephanie will take it. But now, it only depends on who makes a major mistake.

I really would like to see anyone win, but Lisa and her smug double chin/eye piercing, I see again in this episode she is whining "sabotage", I wanted her to go home.

It was good to see Hung, i love him and harold. I cant stand Ilan and him wearing a t-shirt just shows how unprofessional he is (marcel should have won that)

BTW I thought Gail looked radiant in this episode, glowing.

Did anyone notice that Lisa gets a serious haircut before PR??

^^ Yeah. Left me speechless for a good minute or two after I saw it. haha

^^I wonder if she saw how her hair looked on TV and thought it necessary for a change? As much as I don't like Lisa, I don't mean that in a mean way, just imagine if you totally thought your hair was fine and then you were on TV and realized it looked awful? Small bit of pity for Lisa...not.

WHY IS LISA STILL THERE! I AM SO MAD! I really think the producers want a woman to win, which is understandable, so they have insisted three women get to the final four. There is no other explanation for her still being there--everything about her, from her cooking to her personality, is terrible. Her one dish was under seasoned again--isn't that cooking 101?!?! Ugh!

And her hair looks better in the scenes (better then the greasy mess it is now) for next week but still bad.

Based on their comments, I really thought the judges were going to send home both Lisa and Spike. The other 3 are really way above them and I like the fact that they seem to get along with eachother and are genuinely friendly.

Lord I hate Lisa.

Spike was my favorite, i'm so sorry that the judges sent him home over Lisa. She is so negative and doesn't seem like a good chef.