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Finalewatch: 'Top Chef: Chicago' picks a winner
The Triumphant Triumvirate have to make the meal of their lives tonight on Top Chef: Chicago, four courses of deliciousness from soup to nuts. Actually, it's a fish course, a poultry course, a red meat course and a dessert, but both soup and nuts come into play. So does arrogance, second-guessing, jitters, overthinking and the dreaded choke. Bon apetit!
This spoiler is happily digesting.
The final cheftestants are lucky enough to get culinary-star sous chefs for the final challenge -- but who will have first pick of the minions? That honor will go to the chef who has won the most elimination challenges. Richard and Stephanie are tied at four apiece (yet another way Lisa is just not in their league), and Richard graciously allowed Stephanie to draw the first knife. Stephanie wins the knife-pull (which sounds like some sort of horrible euphemisms, doesn't it?), and picks Eric Ripert as her sous chef. Richard chooses Dan Barber, which means April Bloomfield is stuck with Lisa. Sorry, April.
But chef Bloomfield actually seems fine with it, and Lisa is suddenly Shiny Happy Chef -- she LOVES April! She LOVES cheffery! She LOVES everything! If you're happy, your food is going to taste better," Lisa burbles. I suppose that explains why her dishes have sucked these last several weeks.
Richard brought liquid nitrogen as his special ingredient, and he starts experimenting with making frozen sauce pearls for one of his dishes. The culinary bigwigs gather 'round and watch Richard work. Lisa is unimpressed: "I cook simple food and I keep minimal ingredients instead of overthinking things," she sniffs. Cut to chef Ripert saying "The day you stop learning anymore is the day you're such an egomaniac you're blind." Thanks, editors!
Stephanie gets a little wiggy with her prep work, asking chef Ripert half-jokingly if he knew how to filet a fish, then hovering over him to see if he was doing it to her specs. She knows she's being a dork, but she's also determined to make sure everything is just what she wants. I think that's awesome.
The next day, the cheftestants return to the kitchen and find their sous chefs have disappeared. No more help! Richard starts to panic a bit. When Tom stops by to ask about his menu, Richard says "It's a little abstract..." and then nothing, because he's got nothing else to say. Ouch.
Lisa shows off how calm, cool and collected she is -- she's not tense! Anyone who is tense just isn't Top Chef material, she seems to say. Shut up, Lisa. Meanwhile, Stephanie is slightly freaked about her dessert, a ricotta cheesecake. She worries aloud, and Lisa tells her to have a little confidence in herself. Dammit, Lisa -- don't make me agree with you! It's very disconcerting!
Dinner is served! Joining the regular judges and the sous chefs are top Puerto Rican chef Alfredo Ayala and Tim Zagat of Zagat guides fame. I will now have to fight the urge to put "random phrases" in "seemingly superfluous" quotation marks. Oops.
Richard decides to get cutesy and whimsical with his dishes, naming them things like "Which came first" (the guinea hen or the... fois gras? I'm pretty sure they're unrelated, dude). His first dish is good, but a bit overcomplicated, according to Zagat. Things go downhill from there -- his second course is a study in falling in love with a technique to the detriment of the dish (did we really need that foam?), and the pork belly in his third course is underseasoned and not as crispy as it should be. His dessert uses the hauntingly familiar banana scallop, but at least he adds in bacon ice cream. (My inner Lisa assumes that he read my previous post where I requested it. Go me!)
Lisa... oh, crap. Lisa does well. I don't want Lisa to do well! I want her to go down in flames! But her second course, a Tom Kha Gai soup with chicken dumpling, has the judges slurping away blissfully, while her dessert, a black Thai rice pudding, also drew raves. Her first course is ok, but a bit too spicy for some, while her third course is "just pedestrian" according to Tom, and uses a sweeter version of the same sauce from her first course.
Stephanie apparently was right to be worried about her dessert -- it's nothing special, not terribly refined and a bit heavy, say the judges. Ouch. Fortunately, the other three courses go well. Her first course, sautéed red snapper, is lovely and tasty. Her second course, seared quail breast over lobster ravioli, is fine, but the leeks that accompany it are superfluous and (gulp!) completely undercooked. Fortunately, her third course, roasted lamb with mushrooms, braised pistachios, blackberry and olive tapenade, knocks people's socks off -- "It's the first time everyone at the table was using the word 'I love'," says Chef Ripert.
At the judges table, Lisa starts out confident -- no, arrogant -- and relaxed, but soon reverts to her defensive arms-crossed posture. Richard looks miserable -- I choked, he says. Tom agrees with him. Stephanie is her typical bundle of nerves, and she looks completely mortified when Tom tells her the leeks were nearly raw.
But in the end, the leeks don't matter, because Stephanie wins it all! Yay! She deserves it, and I really hope she opens another restaurant in Chicago soon. Go, Stephanie!
Highlights, thoughts and odds and ends:
- Lisa talks about how easy it is to work with chef Bloomfield -- "Our personalities are really, really similar." Bloomfield should contact her lawyer about a slander suit.
- Richard is slightly gobsmacked when everyone watches him play with his liquid nitrogen: "All of a sudden I'm doing a demonstration for the best chefs in the world.... I showed Eric Ripert something he's never seen before, and that felt great." I'm glad he got that experience, but I can't help but think that if he'd spent less time experimenting and more time coming up with a plan, he would have done better.
- Lisa says her food is "like my personality -- big, bold, spicy, sweet, salty, sour..." In my opinion, only the "sour" part applies.
- All the judges are dubious about Stephanie's third course -- braised pistachios? Combining blueberries and olives? -- but that makes the actual dish that much more impressive. She was able to surprise the judges even at this late date. Not bad.
- Richard started to lose hope when the judges pronounced his first dish, which was supposed to be "an explosion flavorwise and something that wakes up the palate," rather bland. By the time they got to his seemingly unseasoned pork belly, he knew he was sunk. He apologized at the judges table: "I feel like I choked a little bit. I think I overthought things too much. It wasn't my top performance that I've had so far." Poor guy. I do think he's got incredible talent, and I'd love to check out his place if I’m ever in Atlanta.
- Lisa's last words are typically snotty: She tells the judges she fully expects them to say "She deserves this win, she deserves to be top chef." And I've got to give it to Lisa -- in the right circumstances, she can apparently produce great food. I just can't believe anyone would want to work with her.
- Stephanie's performance at the judges table was interesting. She admits that she faltered on the dessert -- "The dish that I fell short on tonight was me second guessing myself" -- but knows when she's nailed it, giving herself a "whoo-hoo!" on the spectacular lamb dish. When Padma finally announces that she's won, Stephanie blushes bright red. It's adorable -- but even that isn't as cute as the little jig she does to celebrate her win. Hooray!
Richard did indeed choke. Though I knew he was toast when he said "Lisa shouldn't even be here" early in the ep. While that may have been true... OK while that WAS true... the "winner" wouldn't say that so I pretty much knew that was the set-up to his fall. Which I'm fine with because not only did the phrase "molecular gastronomy" make a come back tonight, but Richard has been seen wearing pink Crocs. *ugh*
And speaking of Lisa, if she had performed all season like she did tonight... well, I'd probably feel that maybe (just maybe) she actually earned her place in the top 3 rather than advancing not because she excelled but because others failed. Or I at least wouldn't have despised her as much as I did.
And YEAH! to Stephanie. Very happy she won. (Especially since it looked like it could've been Lisa.) I liked a lot of what she did this season. Even when something didn't work, she was at least being creative and taking some chances. But not creative to the point of insanity. I'm looking at you Richard. From the very first ep I'd picked her, Richard and Dale (2 out of 3 ain't bad) to get to the top 3.
CT | Jun 12, 2008 6:58:43 AM | #sarah, please keep writing your awesome recaps next season. anyhoo, mucho congrats to stephanie - this is what we've all been waiting for. my heart goes out to richard who, despite his subpar performance in the finale, is still way more talented than lisa. speaking of that vortex of unpleasantness, i would've been very upset if lisa had won. i wish someone could've knocked her down a few pegs like dave martin did with tiffany in season one when he nailed her with that classic line "i'm not your bitch, bitch!"
tc | Jun 12, 2008 7:05:49 AM | #What a great way to end the season! I don't know about you, but every time they said something good about her meals during service, I give a bit of a cheer.
I don't think we've ever seen a chef that's been so modest in their skills on this show before.
I'm just so happy for her.
Thanks for doing such awesome recaps this season!
I had never watched Top Chef before and swore I never would again if Lisa had won. I know reality shows need to keep people for tension but there were much better chefs who were just as horrible a person as Lisa was (Dale for one).
Doc | Jun 12, 2008 7:47:17 AM | #Richard had a place in Atlanta before and it was a bust. It was called Blaise. It was nice, but just did not take off.
Baby B | Jun 12, 2008 8:08:38 AM | #Baby B - Thanks for the heads-up. I thought Blaise was still going. Oh well, now I don't have to worry about visiting Atlanta.
TC, Brian -- Thanks! I will be back with Top Chef next time out.
Doc - I imagine the Dale vs Lisa ouster will be revisited in the reunion special. Ehhhhhhhhhhhxcellent.
CT - I agree - we finally saw that Lisa could produce good food. Too bad she didn't bother until the very last episode.
Sarah | Jun 12, 2008 9:46:24 AM | #Congrats to Stephanie! Her cooking and her demeanor were consistently good all throughout the show. I remember her back in the 1st episode saying how she sometimes let her nerves get the better of her so it is rewarding to see her overcome that and excel in the competition.
About Richard's Which Came First dish, I believe it also had a chicken egg in it so the combination of that and the guinea hen is most likely what drove the name.
And at the risk of inviting the wrath of many, I think that Lisa probably isn't as bad as they made her out to be on the show. Plus, she had a valid point at the end of last week's show when she called out Stephanie and Richard for not even offering her their congratulations for making it to the final 3. I understand that they were both shocked that their friend Antonia got sent home but it wasn't like the decision was unfair. Antonia deserved to go. It is only common courtesy to recognize a fellow competitor regardless of your personal feelings towards them.
Jenny | Jun 12, 2008 10:06:02 AM | #Congratulations to Stephanie.
Trupen | Jun 12, 2008 10:59:27 AM | #Jenny, You don't invite my wrath, but I do disagree with your opinion of Lisa.
Trupen | Jun 12, 2008 11:01:55 AM | #Don't despair, Sarah. If you ever do make it to Atlanta, Richard is currently cheffing at home Restaurant and Bar (www.heretoserverestaurants.com).
Beth | Jun 12, 2008 11:11:58 AM | #Like Brian, I cheered a little each time a good comment was made about one of Stephanie's dishes. I also would cringe over good comments about Lisa's dishes ... AND, worried along with Steph over the undercooked leeks.
It is SO rare that my favorite from the beginning of one of these shows actually goes all the way and wins. YIPPEE!!!
I comforted myself with the thought that all of the positive comments about Lisa were to create dramatic tension, so I wasn't too worried that she would win. I mean, kobe beef (have you ever priced it?) not properly cooked ?
Were I at a restaurant and had just had a wonderful soup (for which I paid an appropriate price), I'd be looking forward to money well-spent on my entree. And then to have it be tough, and have the chef not understand that it has to be cooked enough to render the fat? I'd be nastier than Lisa on her best day.
Unearned self-esteem and arrogance, missy - that's what you show and who you are. Grow up, and grow some humility while you are at it.
And to Jenny above: When did Lisa show common courtesy to anyone else? One reaps what one sows. And it seems to me that perfunctory congratulations would feel pretty empty to the recipient (not that Lisa would understand such subtleties).
Grr | Jun 12, 2008 11:55:01 AM | #I'm so glad Steph won also. I've wanted her to win since episode 1. Finally, someone I want to win a reality show actually wins. I got extremely nervous during judges table with all the good comments about Lisa. I seriously thought Padma was about to call her name as the winner, but was much happier when Steph won.
Aaron | Jun 12, 2008 1:01:59 PM | #WooHoo, Steph won. Like others here said, it is nice to see someone on a reality show that I and my family felt deserving of winning actually do it. We did feel bad for Richard though, he imploded just like last seasons third place finisher, I can't remember her name right this minute. We found ourselves cheering everytime the judges had something nice to say about Stephs dishes and feeling nervous when Lisa did well, but alas, editing being what it is, I seriously doubt that Lisa was going to win the title unless Both Steph and Richard absolutely collapsed, she wasn't strong enough throughout the show to deserve to win, and actually Dale should have been in the finals IMHO. Looking forward to the reunion show to see who wants to be nasty, and I much preferred the finally this year to last years "live reveal".
wilsonclan | Jun 12, 2008 1:59:32 PM | #I love it that Stephanie won. I think she showed tremendous grace under pressure and was more than a one-trick pony. She proved herself in my eyes when she whipped up that wedding cake without any prior experience.
As for Richard, I liked him as well but he was like previous winners to me, people who want to wow with overcomplicated food or stay in their comfort zones.
I know there is so much dislike for Lisa and just an overwhelming amount of downright hatred of her. But I want to bring two different perspectives about her. I'm not even going to talk about editing either, even though, I suspect editing is always a huge factor in any reality TV show.
This show thrives on competition and sometimes when you are competing, quite frankly, it brings out the worst in someone as well as the best. I noticed once the field cleared and Lisa returned to the cameras for the big showdown in Puerto Rico, something seemed somewhat lighter about her and it wasn't just her hair.
Perhaps time away was what she needed, after all, she did seem to do much better than Richard. I have to say that could only be due to the fact that she seemed a bit calmer and a teeny bit less aggressive.
Additionally, Lisa reminded me of Tiffani from season one who I couldn't stand. It was only after sometime that I realized perhaps she suffered from letting the compettiton get the best of her and also as a female chef, she had to be tough, driven, and downright assertive. If Lisa were a man (yes, I going to ask a question about gender) would criticism of her be so harsh?
I realize there were quite a few times that she was in the bottom three and I think if anything, it's better to say perhaps she didn't belong in the finale because of her food. But then again, none of us could taste her food, all we had to go on were the opinions of the experts on the panel.
E | Jun 12, 2008 2:39:54 PM | #I find it ironic that Richard was bitching about Lisa wanting congratulations for the bronze when he ends up getting bronze! hehehe
I predicted Lisa as a dark horse early on and boy was I right! She brought it home this episode.
That being said, Stephanie was still my fave and I'm glad she won. Congrats Steph!
Stacy | Jun 12, 2008 4:34:39 PM | #Yes, Stacy, it's ironic that Richard took the bronze, but at least he didn't bitch about no one congratulating him.
Eric | Jun 12, 2008 5:33:01 PM | #This is one of the better ranked finales of TOP CHEF and Stephanie well earned it. Lisa is not TOP CHEF material and for her to be a finalist, as we know, was a fluke - she's the John McCain of TOP CHEF competition: she shouldn't be in the top, but she is.
Richard is a winner in many ways (that new car from last week!) and teaching these Master Chefs a technique is almost - almost! - as a good as a win. He is a very talented and creative chef and he will do very, very well.
Samuel | Jun 12, 2008 7:01:45 PM | #"Lisa is not TOP CHEF material and for her to be a finalist, as we know, was a fluke - she's the John McCain of TOP CHEF competition: she shouldn't be in the top, but she is."
LOL!
Tonight's Iron Chef replay finally solved the issue I had all season with Richard: I knew I had seen him before but I couldn't figure out where.
He battled Mario in Battle Chick Pea in season three. (Lost, but had a very strong showing.)
Erik | Jun 12, 2008 11:30:23 PM | #grats to stephanie the best chef won without a doubt!
-Steve
Chef Uniforms | Jun 13, 2008 1:15:18 AM | #soooo glad stephanie won!!! woo hoo!!!
re:dale vs. lisa...a friend of mine went to see anthony bourdain live and the subject came up. he said the butterscotch scallops was probably THE most horendous tasting thing that he has ever put in his mouth. that is saying a lot.
s | Jun 16, 2008 3:26:49 PM | #Bourdain is overrrated just like Tom, but he is taller and has more hair. I was surprised that Lisa did not blow a gasket when she did not win. I know I was surprised lovely Stephanie won. I'm glad she won, but based on the final cooking it was a tossup between Stephanie and Lisa. If Lisa had won I would actually think that she deserved it. What it came down to was who the judges thought should win. I'm sure they wanted Richard to win, but after failing miserably in the final challenge there was no way they could give him the victory. I'm sure the judges were kicking themselves for getting rid of Dale and Antonia.
jake | Jun 17, 2008 6:08:05 PM | #
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