Handicapping 'Top Chef' Season 5 Finale
Tomorrow night is the night. A new winner will get to put Top Chef on his or her resume. Brush up on our Top Chef coverage, and see if you agree with our predictions.
Stefan: 2-to-1 Odds
As the only contestant with 23 years of experience under his belt, Stefan seemed like a shoo-in. Then last week’s episode happened. The Creole cuisine theme tripped him up, which isn't good, since tomorrow's episode will also be in New Orleans. His creations were the least soulful of the bunch, yet he acted so entitled, daring the judges to send him packin'. Not that attractive.
But back to the 23 years thing. He can skin an eel, identify turmeric in a blind tasting, and still humor the judges with grilled cheese and Spam sandwiches. He clearly knows he's good, and at times, borders on jerkdom. But this arrogant quality seems to go hand in hand with his unfailing belief in himself, his designs, and his palate—pretty important earmarks of a Top Chef.
Carla: 3-to-1
Oh, Carla. We really want you. Really. If the two bald guys continue to be preoccupied with out-machoing each other in the kitchen, it really could be all you, girl. A goofball sometimes, yes, but you've really proven yourself in consistently winning Quickfire and Elimination Challenges—and after a while, it's not luck. Just because you say "hootie hoo" doesn't mean you can't cookie cook. You can, and you put your heart into it.
Hosea: 5-to-1
Hosea loves to overthink his dishes and give off a hotshot glow. But on the fish-themed episode, he flunked at filleting arctic char (and he hails from a seafood restaurant. Oops). Also, and this is off topic, but smooching Leah? Probably a bad judgment call. Hosea has remained quiet competition throughout the series, and last week, really proved his chops when he was ready to take on frontman Stefan.
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28 Comments:
I think it's between Carla and Stefan- I think Stefan may win but I'd prefer to Carla to knock it out of the park. Lately, Carla's dishes have been far superior to both of the men, so we'll have to wait and see tomorrow night- I can't wait!
TaylorShocks at 8:46PM on 02/24/09
If Stefan wins tomorrow I will not be suprised, but I will throw a tantrum on principle. I kind of hate that guy.
tiffdyer at 9:59PM on 02/24/09
Stefan remains the man to beat. And to be the man, you gotta beat the man.
DaleCruse at 10:08PM on 02/24/09
I am just not rooting for any of these three. It was so much more fun last season when I so completely wanted Stephanie to win I actually cried when she did.
Joy Manning at 10:34PM on 02/24/09
I agree with your odds on Stefan & Carla, but I'm crossing fingers, toes, knees, elbows, eyes and cross hairs for Carla to show up that arrogant snot. I might throw a party in her honor when she stomps him with her talent and heart. Hosea is a non-competitor, in my opinion. There would be mutiny if he were to win. Go Carla, Go Carla, Go Carla!
PerkyMac at 11:58PM on 02/24/09
GO STEFAN!... Carla finally showed up with a dish or two last week after having how many losses and being in the bottom how many times?! There are others I'd rather see in the final. But I like Stefan's arrogance, which I take to mean confidence. Well, that is to say, I'll take confidence over "Feeling the love", or "Sending the love out". Like the one judge said, "keep the love in the kitchen and send out good food"!
Pavlov at 5:31AM on 02/25/09
I called Carla a month ago. Particularly the last 3 weeks, Stefan has been consistently poor, while Carla has been consistently good. This seasons field has been unimpressive top to bottom. What the heck is Hosea still doing here? Third best of an average group? Stefan might have the attitude of a top chef, but does he have the chops? I would rather eat in Carla's restaurant.
derosa at 7:29AM on 02/25/09
Hosea is just a hack. I can't believe he has made it this far.
severn at 8:43AM on 02/25/09
Stefan will probably win, he has proven he has the chops, but he's also a total jerk, and he has to try and beat his massive ego if he hopes to win the day. I think Carla has a solid chance. He comes across as a bit loopy, but her wins in the last few challenges were real wins. She knew more than the others what needed to be done - kept it simple when it needed to be simple. I don't think her skills and her ability to bring it when it counts should be dismissed. I'll bet that most of her competitors dismissed her, and that cost them several important wins.
jason at 9:34AM on 02/25/09
None of us can taste the food, but I'd like to argue that even if Carla's dishes taste good - even if the dishes in the last couple competitions she's one taste better than Stefan's, that Stefan should win, hands down. Being a cook is about making things taste good. But this is Top Chef, and being a chef is something completely different. Carla's attitude is the kind that will get her respect on TV, but not in a real kitchen, which after all is where a "chef" is supposed to be.
Any cook who's worth a damn would rather work in the kitchen of an organized chef who knows what he wants and how he wants it and has the confidence to tell people exactly what he expects, even if that means he comes off as an arrogant jerk. As much "love" as Carla has, she's a mess. She works sloppy, doesn't think through or explain her dishes clearly - she doesn't even know how to open an f-in oyster!
Put her in charge of a real restaurant kitchen, and half her back of the house staff would walk out within the first week. A chef runs the kitchen, and a kitchen runs on discipline, control, precision, and technique - not such vacuous notions as "love."
Give Carla what she deserves - fan favorite. But give Stefan the win.
GoodEaterKenji at 9:48AM on 02/25/09
Carla's got it! I'm feeling the love people and I think the judges are too. GO CARLA!
_greenbean at 9:54AM on 02/25/09
stefan will win, but i'm rooting for carla. usually in the last episode there's not really that many restrictions, the chefs cook the "meal of their lives" so even though stefan bombed with creole, he won't have to avoid those types of pitfalls this week. he's simply too skilled and experienced to not win, unless his ego and overconfidence gets the better of him. go carla!
j at 10:24AM on 02/25/09
GO CARLA, GO CARLA, GO CARLA!
( is it bad that I am hoping for Stefan to be especially arrogant and piss off the judges?)
veggieout at 10:27AM on 02/25/09
Picking Stefan, rooting for Carla
jd7979 at 10:31AM on 02/25/09
@jd7979 - ditto. Can't wait for tonight!!!!!
hungrychristel at 10:59AM on 02/25/09
FABIO will return to take it!
rrakes at 11:42AM on 02/25/09
I cant stand stefan, I hope carla wins but based on the past, the rude personality usually wins. "Spell" out your thoughts on my blog for the 'eating your words' challenge.
http://savorthethyme.blogspot.com
savorthethyme at 12:10PM on 02/25/09
I dig Carla. She has all the makings of a chef, drive, personality, flavor, pulling a rabbit out of a hat. All of it. Stephan is who he is, a guy who makes bathrobes out of kitchen towels for stuffed animals. I bet he is real interesting aka creepy when you get to know him.
Hosea I could take or leave.
JerzeeTomato at 12:30PM on 02/25/09
Carla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
samedog at 12:30PM on 02/25/09
it's hosea -- listen to the commercial - it says something to the effect of -- if you think you know Top Chef you're wrong -- so if everyone is putting their money on Stefan or Carla -- I'm going with Hosea
radman123 at 12:48PM on 02/25/09
@GoodEaterKenji:
Very well said, and my sentiments exactly.
pemabuk at 1:01PM on 02/25/09
whoa whoa whoa... carla for fan favorite?? not if fabio has anything to say about that... and i really mean if he has ANYTHING to say. he's a sound byte waiting to happen.
it's basically like last year again. i think stefan and carla have an equal chance of winning it. stefan is susceptible to overconfidence and overvaluing his abilities. carla is prone to small mistakes and stress/timing related issues. both of them can cook, but i think stefan is a little more refined in his technique. i'd be pleased to see carla pull it out. i wouldn't mind stefan even though he's an ass. hosea winning would have the same effect that the possibility of lisa winning had on me last season.
mikeismora at 3:03PM on 02/25/09
Just because you say "hootie hoo" doesn't mean you can't cookie cook.
I just simultaneously groaned and laughed out loud.
I'm rooting for underdog Hosea but think Carla's got it.
CanadianFoodieGirl at 3:35PM on 02/25/09
It will be Stefan or Hosea but I wish it would be Carla.
annien at 3:52PM on 02/25/09
Carla did a nice Q&A with the washington post today:
http://tinyurl.com/d8r543
boobot at 6:28PM on 02/25/09
It should be obvious to anyone who knows cooking and is watching the show that the fix is in to make Carla look good because she is "likable" and Stephan is not. They have given her a free ride to the top and the turn happened in the last couple of episodes. You only have to listen to the judges comments and reactions to Carla's food compared to how it has been for everyone else throughout the entire season. Carla has lately been getting lots over the top praise without any culinary dissection as if "its all about the love" trumps true culinary expression.
efforting at 7:30PM on 02/25/09
Arrrrrrgh. How the hell did Hosea win?
wunami at 11:10PM on 02/25/09
@wunami: Thanks for spoiling.
WTF?
CanadianFoodieGirl at 11:44AM on 02/26/09