1. Annoying
2. Too easy
3. I was disappointed and amused! I prefer they had professional chefs as sous chefs but was amused to see Blaise again.
4. Casey looked great, Richard looked older, and Marcel is a hot mess.
5. I think they all had ideas. . . I was sad that Carla didn't listen to her "inner voice" (similar mistake she made in the focus group episode).
6. Not a clue. I was impressed with Stefan's soup - I thought deep fried goodness of sort.
7. I think Casey inadvertently sabotaged her but ultimately it came down to Carla not listening to her inner voice and original plans.
8. I think a dessert is necessary. . . especially when they added the surprise appetizer element.
9. I think for the finale the entire history should play a part of the final decision-making process.
10. I was cheering for Carla and when I realized that she was out of the running I thought Stefan should have won. Hosea was constantly in the middle/bottom of the pack and I think his not attempting a dessert was a cop-out. As big an ego Stefan displayed during the course of the show (similar to Hung) - he at least understood the sense of teamwork and helped out people when they needed it (the holiday challenge and even shucking oysters for Carla). I was disappointed when they announced Hosea as the winner. Of five seasons, I think he is the weakest of the winners.

1. The battle of the bald? I thought both came off looking petulant and ridiculous, which is to say I enjoyed it.
2. I think chefs were given exactly enough rope to hang themselves. What the show is looking for is a top chef, not the top chef who works through awkwardly constructed parameters. That fantastic breadth of creativity can also mean chefs will get hosed if they get too creative.
3. I was really happy to see those guys. I was in the "love" camp for all three of them, and while Marcel has his detractors, I happen to love his passion. It's also fantastic to have chefs who have been there in your position to help out, instead of some professional who probably thinks he or she is slumming it.
4. I think Casey looked gorgeous as always, which is to say I had a nice fat crush on her during season 3. Richard, always, is full of whimsy. Marcel's face was attacked by some facial-hair monster. Not attractive.
5. I'm sure you walk into the final meal with a game plan. If you read the Bravotv blogs, Stefan clearly entered with a plan. But that unravelled: "Honestly when I walk in a kitchen and I see four-inch plates I'm f---ed off, lost my creativity. I was bored by Top Chef in the last episode." Whatever, sore loser.
6. No idea. I've never eaten it, and I've never cooked it. I'll say, however, that it did *not* look as I'd expected when Stefan hacked his way through the tail. It almost looked like a cross-section of a cocoa bean pod. Wow.
7. Casey is my princess in shining armor. She didn't sabotage anything, she just showed in a clear moment what I've been saying all season: Carla does not have what it takes to be Top Chef, which is a clearly articulated vision of what you want plus the intestinal fortitude to snipe at your sous-chef if you don't get it. Thank you, Casey.
8. If I'm going out for a three-course meal, I want the courses to be what the chef wants them to be, because if he or she isn't happy to go in either direction, it'll show on the plate. Seriously: if it's a 3-course chef's choice, the third course could be waffles for all I care conceptually. The question is how it tastes.
9. This was my one gripe. While I thought that Hosea had been stronger last night, Stefan really had been stronger throughout the competition. Hosea won two elimination challenges (not counting the finale) and was in the "high" group for two more while being in the low group 4 times. Stefan won 4 elimination challenges, was high twice more, and was low 3 times. That said, Stefan really lost some steam toward the end: his creativity suffered and he looked tired.
10. I really didn't want Carla to win and was split evenly between the two baldies, so I was fine. I think that voting came down to personality because each of them men had character traits that didn't fit with people's conception of "deserving" - Stefan was an ego-crazed cocky bastard while Hosea cheated on his girlfriend. I don't know what either of those has to do with food, so I really couldn't care less. Carla never exhibited the skills in my opinion, and that's different than disliking her for being crazy. I know people are upset (tlsgirl probably needs a new tv), but whatever. It's not a personality contest or a fidelity contest, and that night, Hosea rocked it out.

I was so upset that Carla listened to Casey like that. What was she thinking? I feel like it was her contest to lose. I am glad that Stefan didn't win the whole thing though.
And I remember Casey being prettier too.

i didnt watch it but i ran to bravos website and imagine my suprise that hosea won!!! maybe im biased, and i havent seen their challenges and maybe he did a phenomenal job, but im still upset.

I am upset about Hosea winning- I didn't think he deserved it.

Ugh, I thought it was Top Chef, not Top D**chebag. I literally sat there with my lip curled in disgust the last two minutes.

1. I think it made Hosea look like a giant tool when he was all "take that Stefan," flipping off the camera about the app protein.
2. I think for the final challenge it's just right.
3. I was happy to see those three actually. Marcel has sort of grown on me during the intervening seasons.
4. I thought they all looked mostly the same.
5. I can't imagine they didn't at least have some idea.
6. I don't, but several years back my Dad and brother made alligator soup. The house smelled like alligator for at least a week.
7. I don't know what that was about.
8. Not necessarily. I'm not much of a dessert person, but I wouldn't have wanted to end on a heavy note like venison either.
9. Nope. I know it's the way it is, but I don't like it.
10. See above re: Top DBag.

I didn't watch last nights yet (besides a few minutes here and there) and I liked Hosea (much more than stefan at least). So for me it was between him and Carla, I'm not upset he won. Again, anyone is better then Stefan.

Ugh. Carla so disappointed me last night. She let her nerves get in the way and let Casey influence her way to much. But Casey should have just kept her mouth shut and did what Carla told her to do instead of making all of those suggestions. If Carla had done her original plan I bet she would have won.

With that sad, I'm pissed Hosea won and not Stefan. Stefan has the skills and experience to really be a Top Chef. Even though he has a huge ego he has the experience to back it up. Hosea on the other hand can't even cook correctly what he is trained to do/has a restaurant for. Every time they had to cook fish he never did his right, even last night when he made the raw fish trio no one really liked it as much as Stefan and Carla's dishes in that course.

It is what it is, but season 5 winner not my favorite at all.

Alligator is tough to cook well. I've never cooked it personally but know the tail meat is extremely difficult to cook without becoming tough (you can easily overcook it) but braising, quick pan-frying or deep frying is the best.

Carla shot herself in the foot for listening to casey and doing soemthing she had NO idea how to do. If she was smart she would have collaborated on something she KNEW HOW TO DO. GRRRR... All three disappointed me last night and as much as it pains me to say it, the one who disappointed me the least was Hosea...

1. What do you think of the rivalry between Hosea and Stefan?
Well I think Hosea has a bigger problem with Stefan than Stefan does with Hosea. I think Hosea is intimidated by Stefan's talent and confidence. Also, I think Bravo edited the show to really focus on this so called "rivalry".
2. Is the make-whatever you want challenge too easy or too hard?
I think it's a bit harder and a bit boring.
3. Were you disappointed or happy to see the previous contestants as the sous chefs? I was disappointed! I thought to my self that Bravo must have budget cuts due to the economy and couldn't afford the Super Star Chefs and instead had to settle for past chef-testants. To answer the question, I was disappointed.
4. How did the old contestants look? I remembered Casey being prettier.
All I remember about Casey was her being annoying, other than that I didn't pay much attention to the past contestants.
5. Going into the finale, do you think the chefs had an idea of what they would make as their final meal? I'm sure they studies up on some recipes while at home to prepare themselves, but who knows.
6. Does anyone know the best way to cook alligator? Please enlighten us below!
Gawd No!
7. What on earth happened to Carla? Did Casey inadvertently sabotage her?
Casey didn't sabotage her, maybe tried to steal a little bit of Carla's "thunder", but I doubt sabotage. In a time of high stress and high pressure Carla broke and lost all confidence, she started to not trust her own ideas and instead trusted someone else's... which was a HUGE mistake.
8. When you have a three-course meal do you want one of the courses to be dessert?
For a three course I prefer: appetizer, seafood dish, meat dish. With four courses I prefer: appetizer, seafood, meat and then dessert.
9. Do you think it's fair the winner is selected based on this one meal and not the entire season? Ummmm, yes and no. I think the entire season should be looked at, especially if the chef has progressed and grown. Though I think ultimately the decision should be based on that final challenge.
10. Only 8% of you thought Hosea should win, so how did you feel when Padma named him Top Chef? Ugh. I knew it was going to happen and I hated every minute of it.

Source

Personally I didn't care for Hosea at all, not one bit!!! I was horribly disappointed that he won. I was rooting for Carla and Stefan, either of them would have made a tremendous Top Chef. Hosea is a punk.

1. They're both arrogant. It made sense that they clashed.
2. Hard. They have to showcase themselves and they can easily sabotage themselves.
3. I would have rather seen professional chefs again, but it was nice to see Richard again.
4. Looked the same to me.
5. Of course. Hasn't Top Chef done the "best meal of your lives" several times before?
6. Fry it, my friends, fry it. Little nuggets with a remoulade sauce.
7. Yes, Casey did inadvertently sabotage her. However, Carla was the executive chef here and it was her head on the chopping block and she should've known better than let the sous chef lead the decisions. If she hasn't done a sous-vide before, don't do a sous-vide!
8. Yes. As much as I hate Toby, I agree with him that a dessert completes a tasting menu.
9. I don't think the entire judging decision was based upon that last meal.
10. I wasn't surprised at that point.

1. i think a lot of it was probably manufactured
2. i think its good for them to finally have the freedom to cook what they want to, isn't that the whole point. plus then they really have to put thought into what dish they want to showcase them
3. annoying, except i liked seeing richard
4. i've only started watching the past couple seasons so again, i liked seeing richard- he looked the same
5. if they've ever watched the show they should have had an idea
6. no idea!
7. yes casey did inadvertently sabotage her but unfortunately carla let her do it- carla lost confidence in herself and wasn't true to her food.
8. well i am partial to dessert anyways so yes i would have wanted a menu with a dessert
9. i'm not sure what they took into account.
10. i was annoyed. i would have been happy with stefan or carla but i feel like hosea squeaked by way too many times to be top chef

I only caught the last few mns...bummer that Hosea won.

Before the episode started I said I would quit this show if Hosea wins. Guess it's time to say goodbye to Top Chef.

Hosea is a giant tool.

6. I've only seen alligator fried. But this is South.
8. I actually do like a dessert, if I'm getting a three course meal.
9/10. It sucks that Hosea won. Stefan may be an arrogant jerk, but he was overall the best chef of that group by far. I agree that each challenge should be based on that one meal and that one meal only. But I should think the honor of "Top Chef" should be a balance of that day's performance AND overall performance throughout the season. Stefan didn't outright bomb the final challenge - he should have won. I can't help but feel that Hosea's personality won, not his skills.

1. I liked Stefan more. He was indiscriminate with his nice-ness and rudeness. Hosea was obsessed with Stefan because he knows Stefan is technically better than him.
2. I think the last challenge is what Top Chef boils down to: Who can cook the best meal without the weird twists and parameters of the other challenges.
3. I thought bringing those previous runners-up was a little blah.
4. I wasn't really looking at the old contestants. I do really like Richard though.
5. I think they all did. Poor Carla didn't follow through with her what her heart told her.
6. I love fried alligator!
7. Carla just choked. She choked a lot at the beginning of the season.
8. I don't necessarily want dessert because I don't like sweets. I'll eat something mildly sweet. I want the progression that a well rounded meal has though. The end is the end.
9. No, I don't think that's fair. Why have them jump through those hoops if you're going to consider that? Isn't that what got them there?
10. I think the producers wanted Hosea to win. I wanted Stefan or Carla to win. I think Hosea needs the title of Top Chef more though. He lacks the confidence of a Top Chef and needs a title to boost him up. I think he made allright food throughout the season. I'd eat it.

I can see how the pressure can get to people, but I wish Carla stuck to her original plan. She knows the chefs love her cheese tarts and she shouldn't try new untested techniques at the end. She still has a restaurant and loving family to go back to. She tried something new and went through an unique experience. Carla will always be Top Chef in my book!!!

No. No no no! Hosea cannot win! Tell me it was just a nightmare! I almost wish I hadn't watched the entire season leading up to that point. Ugh.

even though carla didnt win, she got a super hot car. so i dont feel too bad for her. its stefan who was cheated out of it. ugh and im with molly, goodbye top chef!

I'm with Molly, I was really disappointed that Hosea won. He is a jerk, cheated on his girlfriend, and can't cook seafood half the time despite owning a seafood restaurant.

1. Understandable, but still a little over the top
2. People like rules but it does allow the contestants to show off what they are best at
3. I liked it. I always love seeing old contestants
4. Pretty much the way I remember them--Marcel's hair is darker now though
5. No
6. Deep friend. YUM!!!
7. Carla lost confidence in herself and listened to Casey when she shouldn't have. I wish Casey had just been a sous chef and not changed what Carla had planned.
8. YES!
9. Yes. Whatever you make on that night is what is being judged--they don't eliminate based on what happened the week before and they don't award winner based on what happened the week before.
10. Disappointed. I wanted Carla to win but she did have a meltdown. Stefan proved he was a GREAT chef and even did the most terrifying: a desert course. He should have won over Hosea.

i am really sad hosea won. and i know stefan is really cocky and everything, but he does actually seem like he can be a nice guy. he was the one that went to carla when she was crying, and like someone else mentioned he has been willing to help others. though i do think hosea did the best job last night, i think they should consider the season as a whole when deciding who wins. there were a bunch of times leading up to this that i thought hosea should have left, and i'm still disappointed that fabio wasnt in the top three...overall, i'm bitter.

1. boys will be boys - that's about all that i can say
2. well - i think that it's a bit easier since you are more in your comfort zone, but of course we know that they all want to impress the judges and don't always do what they are good at
3. i liked the way that last year was done - it's nice to have someone that's really up there in the industry as your co-worker. makes you step up your game.
4. yea..she kind of reminded me of cat cora last night (not that it's a bad thing necessarily)
5. i'm sure they did. how can you not go into it with a menu or selection of dishes to make
6. in florida i remember seeing it at a lot of places, although i would NEVER eat it myself
7. i don't think that casey meant to, but i think that carla should have stood her ground more. casey just wanted her chance again at the finals i think.
8. When you have a three-course meal do you want one of the courses to be dessert?
9. well - i think that it's always been done challenge by challenge, but on all other reality shows, it's a composite of the season, so that's what they should have done. (although that prob would have meant that stephan would have won and i would have been sad)
10. eh..i'm just happy that it wasn't stephan once carla was knocked out of the running.

Stefan certainly was jerky at times, but it is interesting reading some of the comments about him from his fellow cheftestants. For example, Jamie said he's a great guy and they're still friends. Also, I was really touched by how sweet he was to Carla when she was breaking down at the final judges' table round. I think he may have been slightly trying to cover his own emotions, but he was still very sweet to her. I was shocked, and it made me like him a little more.

1. I didn't think about this until someone mentioned Hosea's obsession with Stefan. I don't know if it's editing or what, but Hosea can't go through an episode without making a dozen comments about Stefan. So weird and by the finale, it was annoying.
2. I always think the make whatever you want challenge will be easier but the chefs manage to goof it up. Maybe structure is better.
3.. I liked how in the past season (or was it before) when the professional chefs were the sous chefs.
4. Marcel looked cute with facial hair. Richard and Casey looked the same to me.
5. I'm sure they did.
6. No Idea
7. I've never liked Casey. UGH. She was so damn annoying when she was a contestant and as a sous chef she should have kept her mouth shut. Carla was vulnerable and unsure and so she took Casey's suggestions to heart. Casey should have kept her mouth shut.
8. I've been to a lot of restaurants where they're a 3 (or whatever) course meal and then the dessert is separate.
9. It has to be that way. They evaluated Richard and Stephanie the same way last season. It's sad though because Hosea shouldn't have made it to top 3. I think Jeff deserved it more.
10. I felt super bitter when Padma named him Top Chef. I'm not watching this show anymore. Stefan and Carla deserved it more.

As an aside I just want to mention that I've never really liked Stefan, but I thought it was very sweet of him to console Carla when she was crying. And he shucked oysters for her when she was running out of time. He kind of redeemed himself.

I don't think Casey sabotaged Carla intentionally, but remember how Casey was totally the Black Widow of her season? Anyone who gets too close to her gets eliminated! I also got a laugh out of her suggesting that Carla do her steak sous vide, because isn't that basically what Hung did every challenge in Casey's season?

Carla should have listened to her own voice, and she knew it.

I think the most disappointing thing to me is that it really does come down to how you perform in one challenge — the judges really didn't take the season into account at all. I understand that, but it makes me wonder why I watch the whole season!

And it does bug me that Hosea doesn't seem to be great at preparing fish, which is supposedly his specialty. He's fine at other things, but the judges always seemed to pick apart his fish work. If he opens a seafood place, I doubt I'd eat there.

If I was making the best meal of my life, I would not throw together a plate of raw fish. Everything else Hosea made looked great, but that one dish....meh. Wish Carla had been stronger and fought for her food instead of letting Casey influence her.

And I agree with Buzz, why wasn't Hosea better with fish when he works in a seafood restaurant?

1. I think it was more Hosea hating/being terrified of Stefan than the other way around. And Hosea flipping the camera off at the end? How low class, that's "Real Housewife" behavior, not "Top Chef" behavior.
2. I can see how it would be difficult, but it is Top Chef.
3. I liked seeing them. Season 2's the only season I haven't really seen so I don't know about Marcel, but I liked seeing Richard and Casey.
4. Richard looked older but hasn't he had a baby since last season? Maybe he's just tired haha.
5. I would hope so
6. I have no idea about how to cook alligator!
7. I think Carla let her nerves get the best of her a bit, but I also think Casey kind of inadvertantly steam-rolled her. Casey already had her chance at the finals, and considering how she crashed and burned at her own, she should have just done whatever Carla asked her to. I liked her from her season but that totally changed my opinion of her unfortunately.
8. Yes, I think a three-course meal should end with a dessert. I'm so tired of hearing these chefs say "I don't do desserts." Umm, you're supposed to be a chef, you should be able to cook all courses.
9. I don't know, I've never had a problem with the judging only being on the last meal before, but this season I thought it should have taken into consideration the entire season. Stefan was the best chef overall, he should have won.
10. I was pissed when Hosea won. He seems really immature and it seems he has been in the bottom more than he was in the top. I kind of hoped Carla would be the dark horse and take it all, but I def. thought Stefan was the best of the entire bunch and should have taken it. I hope Hosea goes back to his place in Colorado and stays there.

1. I don't really get it. I think it's just for the sake of having a rivalry.
2. I don't think it's either, it's a perfect final challenge. It showcases what the chefs are really capable of.
3. I was cool with it. I mean, former contestants would know how to do it...
4. Not too different, in my opinion...
5. I'm not sure. It didn't really seem like they were TOO prepared, but not totally thrown off guard either.
6. Haha, oh sure! We make it all the time! Mmm, gator nuggets!
7. I think it was a genuine mishap. And it made me sad for her, because she's such a nice person and I wanted her to win.
8. HELL YES!
9. Not at all, it really bothered me :/
10. I honestly didn't even think he'd be around past like half the season, so I would have been suprised, but going by how everything was turning out, I wasn't. I did think Stefan would have won over Hosea, though.

I felt like I was watching the finale of America's Next Top Model where a completely useless and talentless contestant somehow skates through to the top three and the Judges inexplicably choose them as the winner. Although maybe Hosea was actually a talented chef and I was too distracted all season by his cheating on his gf and being all over Leah every episode.

So I went to Bravo's website, they have blogs from judges Toby and Gail and an interview with Stefan. Check them out here:

Interview with Stefan: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/blogs/burning-questions/stefan-no-regret...

Toby's Blog: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/blogs/toby-young/in-defense-of-stefan

Gail's Blog: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/blogs/gail-simmons/the-fifth-tough-decis...

1. I think Stefan kind of picked on Hosea. Throughout the season he was under Hosea's skin, so I kind of understand Hosea having a grudge against him. I'm sure the editing spiced it up a little.
2. I would say too hard, because you don't know what you're up against with the other chefs. But then again, before they came to New Orleans I'm sure they studied and planned these dishes, just in case they had to make them. Recreating one of your best dishes isn't exactly a challenge.
3. I liked the pros much, much better. Plus, they have real advice. There's a reason those people didn't win.
4. Eh. I only really liked Richard.
5. Of course.
6. I've seen it fried. It's a southern meat, and that's what they do to meat! My fiance's family is from the south and EVERYTHING they make is fried!
7. I don't think Casey sabotaged her on purpose, but Carla really should not have listened. As soon as Casey suggested they sous vie the meat I knew Carla was out. People get sent home on challenges where they do unfamiliar things! I understand challenging yourself, but come on, Carla! You know better! That's what bugged me. Carla was SO MUCH BETTER than that.
8. I don't need it, but I also don't mind.
9. I think it should be a little of both column A and B. Take the season into account if you're stuck deciding between two meals. If that was the case, I think Stefan would have won.
10. Well, being from Colorado, I'm excited one of our own chefs won. But he's also a chef at a chain. Well there's two Jax fish houses, but the company owns many other restaurants in Colorado. Is that considered a chain? I've eaten at the Jax in Denver and it was okay. It wasn't great. Oh well, good for Hosea.

I have been to Hosea's restaurant many times and the food there is amazing. I come from the Caribbean and this restaurant still has the best fish I've ever had. So needless to say I'm really happy Hosea won and I hope he stays around Boulder! Oh, and I hope Jax doesn't raise its prices too much...

1. What do you think of the rivalry between Hosea and Stefan?
They are friends in real life. It is just with the competition they get competitive.

2. Is the make-whatever you want challenge too easy or too hard?
It is a perfect challenge. I think the other challenges also prove how good you are. Fabio couldn't really cook anything without incorporating Italian flavors into the mix. Hosea can't bake. He should have tried, but it was time to win and it was optional. If he had tried, he would have lost.

3. Were you disappointed or happy to see the previous contestants as the sous chefs? I was disappointed! I liked it when they had professional chefs as sous chefs.
Yeah, this challenge was easier because they had the chefs helping them for both days. Didn't last season only allow them to have the chef for one day? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

4. How did the old contestants look? I remembered Casey being prettier.
I never liked Casey. I liked Marcel and Richard looked the same.

5. Going into the finale, do you think the chefs had an idea of what they would make as their final meal?
Nope.

6. Does anyone know the best way to cook alligator? Please enlighten us below!
I believe the Hosea said (or Stefan) to just fry it like chicken.

7. What on earth happened to Carla? Did Casey inadvertently sabotage her?
I think that Carla and Casey messed up. Casey could throw out a few suggestions, but she should have mostly shut up. Carla also needs to learn to stand her ground.

8. When you have a three-course meal do you want one of the courses to be dessert?
YES!!!!!!!!!!

9. Do you think it's fair the winner is selected based on this one meal and not the entire season?
Don't they always do that? I never remember. I think that if they did do it on the entire season then Stefan would have won. Honestly, it really depends on the last challenge in my opinion.

10. Only 8% of you thought Hosea should win, so how did you feel when Padma named him Top Chef?
I was angry. He definitely didn't deserve it.

Also, I wanted to say that Stefan is really cute and I never really hated him. He is a big sweetheart!!!

1. There always has to be a rivalry, and I think the boys definitely did have something there, but it was one of respect.
2. Too easy. You knew Hosea was going to go to seafood since he's SUCH a specialist there.
3. I didn't really care either way. I think it was amusing to see Marcel and Stefan though, haha.
4. Marcel's still got the hair...and yes, I agree about Casey looking different. The boyfriend looked at me and said "did she have work done...bad work?"
5. They all should have had an idea. I think they probably did.
6. I've always eaten it fried, but soup sounds delicious!
7. I don't think Casey sabotaged, she's just the kiss of death. Carla just freaked out and lost some confidence, so she relied too heavily on Casey.
8. Yes, I do like to have a "beginning, middle, end" unless I'm super full...but they're not serving big portions there.
9. I understand that it should be based on the one meal, but it doesn't seem fair.
10. I was actually kind of pissed. I wanted anyone but Hosea to win. I don't think he deserved it. He was so middle of the pack for most of the season, and didn't really shine, in my opinion.

I was shocked that Carla blindly followed Casey's suggestions. There is a reason Casey didn't win her season of Top Chef.

Ugh. I'm so dissapointed Hosea won! I hated him all season, he really didn't deserve it. He was always in by the skin of his teeth and there was nothing more annoying than watching him and Leah together!

Stefan (no matter how cocky) really earned the title- no matter how evil Hosea constantly tried to concince us he was. I wanted it to be Carla, though.

2. I'm sick of the "make whatever you want" challenge. It typically ends badly.

8. I would definitely want dessert.

9. SOOO not fair!

Ugh, Hosea and his chiclet teeth

I am in a state of shock.... didn't get to watch the show but will definitely watch a rerun.

Did anyone else have an instant change of heart about stefan when they saw how bummed he got when he saw carla upset by her imminent loss? he seemed truly to want to comfort her. he seemed to sincere, i was touched.

and vomit. hands down the worst finale of any season of top chef. hosea, the most untalented, mediocre, undeserving of any winner.

that was such a bad season. i am really disappointed with bravo. in the end carla really hit her stride, so that was kind of exciting. too bad she listened to casey, remember carla, casey was the loser. should not have her let her lead you.
i can't get over my disappointment, that season was so bad, and bravo is putting out more chef contest shows out there. errr...i hope the product gets better or else they best pack their knives and go!

Ultress - my opinion of Stefan definitely softened when I saw that too. He was almost crying himself!

1. I thought it made Hosea sound like a whiny, insecure twit. Stefan this, Stefan that.
2. I don't think it's too easy or is it particularly hard. But you still have to provide a well cooked, flavorful dish and a cohesive menu all the while impressing the judges.
3. They always bring back contestants from previous seasons, not shocker there.
4. I wasn't really paying attention to them, but I recognized Richard right away. I like him during his season.
5. No, because they didn't know what the challenge was going to be ahead of time. But every seasoned chef has an arsenal of recipes that they can always turn to and a few things that cook exceptionally well.
6. I do not, probably fried, or in a soup as Stefan prepared it.
7. I believe she just cracked under the pressure.
8. Maybe it's just the way we are programmed, but I think a desert is a nice compliment at the end of a meal.
9. I think for the finale they should look at your performance over the whole season, unless you totally prepare a sh$%astic meal, but if you are in the final three that is probably not going to happen.
10. It should have been Stefan, I liked Carla and she was a strong competitor towards the end, but Stefan was consistent the whole season and to me proved that he was the best in this competition. I honestly believe that Colichio didn't like him and that's why they gave it to the whiny baby Hosea. Who totally didn't deserve it.

1. it wasn't even played up much except by dumb hosea.
2. i think it is a good final challenge.
3. it was annoying because not all of them were equally strong.
4. the same
5. probably
6. no stefan totally got shafted
7. yes casey sabotaged her that was so unfair.
8. yes dessert is good.
9. not at all.
10. f***ing cop out. i'm so mad. hosea couldn't even COOK! he deserved to go WAY earlier but somehow he cruised to the finale because the judges liked the interaction btwn him & leah; it made for good TV in their opinions. but he sucked. i would have been fine with EITHER of the other two.

Hosea should have never made it to the finale in the first place. I really couldn't understand that. Stefan should have won and that is undeniable. I agree with others that show history should factor into the final decision. I remember being upset Marcel lost his finale because afterward the judges distinctly said/implied he would ultimately become a better chef than Elan. So why the hell did they give Elan the title? Anyway, I'm glad Hung won his finale! Back to this season: I really could have cared less about Carla's soul theory throughout the show... her food was so unimaginative and basic. That seems like taking the safe road, too. I thought she should have gone home earlier as well. It's a shame Jeff wasn't able to win a second chance. Stefan has nothing to worry about, his caliber is laid out in "black and white" and it's clear who was the better chef between him and Hosea. Very disappointing end. Can't wait until next season!!!