Top Chef Finale
You know when you’re watching the Final Four and you feel like you’re going to vomit? With fifteen seconds to go your team–the one you’ve been rooting for all season–is up two points but the opponent has control of the ball, and they’re driving slowly down court hoping to hit a three at the precise moment that leaves your team unable to respond.
For five minutes Wednesday night that’s how I felt.
I thought I was going to puke. My stomach was in a knot and those wily bastards at Bravo had edited their silly show in a way that left me concerned for the fate of my television. Ellie and I were on edge. We were ready to throw things.
Lisa was looking good. My boy Richard was down. Could Stephanie hang on for the win?
Of course before all that there were 50 minutes to precede my nausea and they were filled with the highlights and hilarity that keep us foodie-reality TV dorks coming back for more. Like, say, Dan Barber!
I knew it was him the minute I saw the back of his head. And of course that’s the way it should be. He is after all my culinary-man-crush. As strange as he looks (and Ellie confirmed he looks strange), he didn’t look so bad next to Eric Ripert and his wide-legged male-in-a-hot-kitchen-with-an-irritated-crotch-itch stance. Somebody needs to buy that guy some Gold Bond.
It was nice to see Eric Ripert excited about the liquid nitrogen stuff. His humbleness about the ability to continue learning even at his stage in the game should not be overlooked. Plus it is “cool” though Richard is diluded if he thinks less than a dozen people (or whatever he said) do those sorts of things. In fact you can see it locally at Niche because they possess a tank of their own.
And Lisa, sweet Lisa. How did you get so far, and what was all that mumbo jumbo you said about cooking happy making the food taste better? Hopefully you’ll sit down and watch the whole series over to see what you really taste like. Which reminds me, if anyone ever gets the opportunity to meet Lisa, please ask her a question for me. She said the traits of her personality come through in her food and I just have to know what bitchy tastes like.
In the end it was a bittersweet finale. It’s no secret I’d been rooting for Richard all along. It was his to lose and to watch him choke so hard was grueling. Funny how they edited that last little bit making it seem as if he was going to take a stab at someone. They had we worried because he’d seemed super professional throughout the season. And he stayed that way as he pointed out himself that what he put up wasn’t going to cut it. Outside of Harold he seems like the one person that’s been on Top Chef that will capitalize on the exposure most.
I hope, however, that I’m wrong. Stephanie was an awesome cook too. She was consistent all season, even if she did a lot of second guessing. I’d even made some comment to Ellie in the first couple episodes that she needed to settle down. Obviously it worked out for her though, and for those of us in St. Louis, it’s time to cross your fingers that she opens a restaurant. Chicago is close and we can get there in no time.
stlbites.com play of the game: When Stephanie tasted her cake she did so with a Gray Kunz Spoon proving I did not simply pull that out of my ass when I posted about it.
Till next time, it’s Project Runway time!
11 Responses to “Top Chef Finale”
Deluded.
By Orrin on Jun 13, 2008
I couldn’t help but begin to scream at the tele when they were singing her praises….then I began to chant Stephanie’s name while watching a recorded show…in a cosmic effort to ensure her victory…i’m glad she won.
and as for my beloved PR….this may be the last Bravo season they show….Lifetime bought the show….no need to discuss how bad it will be after they get their claws in it.
By Annie on Jun 13, 2008
nice catch Orrin…thanks…this is what happens when you proofread yourself.
By Bill Burge on Jun 13, 2008
Lifetime bought the show?!?!
(Insert every Dale reaction here.)
By Dan D. on Jun 13, 2008
Lifetime bought Project Runway…not Top Chef!
By Annie on Jun 13, 2008
I will powder Eric Ripert down.
By Sara on Jun 13, 2008
Oh, thank the baby Jesus.
By Dan D. on Jun 13, 2008
really, sara? He reminds me of the eagle from the muppets…a french muppet eagle.
By Annie on Jun 13, 2008
When Lisa was describing her personality/food traits, I was talking over the tv and said “bitchy…bitchy” too. I felt bad for Richard when he said, “I’ll say it. I choked.” The look on his face, like he was so angry with himself and sad, made me feel so bad for him.
By Michelle on Jun 13, 2008
I was thinking “no, no, no, no, no” the last few minutes. I was rooting for Richard, with Stephanie in second. I think it was a close call this challenge between Lisa and Stephanie. Fortunately, someone HAD to have been like “okay, this chef is tied for the most elimintion wins and this one has um, none.”
Which brings up the point that at least Richard won a car. A car that he can throw his other crappy prizes into the trunk of. Stephanie win some cool stuff, too. Lisa got a trip to Puerto Rico.
By Finchy on Jun 14, 2008