By Steve Rhodes
Well, that was a great finale. Let’s re-live the drama. Here’s how I saw it from the judges table.
First Course: Stephanie won. Lisa second. Richard third.
Second Course: Lisa won the second round. Stephanie and Richard tied for last. Richard has to know right now that he blew it. Stick a liquid nitrogen . . . thingie . . . in him, he’s done!
Third Course: Stephanie won this round. Lisa took a step back. Richard is totally losing.
Fourth Course: Richard did better here, but he did a variation of a dessert he’s done before in this competition. Lisa did well here. Stephanie not so much.
Oh my god, Lisa won.
No, Stephanie won two rounds. But she was last in two rounds.
Lisa was second twice and first twice. Did she sneak in? I’m scared.
Richard: “I feel like I choked a little bit.” And you just did again by saying that!
You have to count past performance for something, don’t you? It has to be Stephanie, but Lisa won this round!
It’s really a tie. But the lamb and the snapper. Stephanie.
Lisa’s right: She won the first and third, Stephanie won the second and fourth. There is consensus!
Wow! Suspense!
They have to give it to Stephanie, don’t they?
I think Lisa finally won a round, but there’s no way she’s the best. Is this just who won this round, or who has been the best over the course of the season?
God, I’m hungry. How should I prepare my ramen?
Worthless viewer poll: Only four percent choose Lisa. Stephanie gets 60 percent.
Padma: The decision comes down to who prepared the meal we want to go back and have again.
That’s Lisa’s soup! They all said so!
The winner: Stephanie! Wow! The nut thing?
Wow. Richard blew it, big-time! He has to live with it! Lisa really made a run for it. Stephanie was the steadiest of competitors, and while she almost choked it away, she was able to surprise the judge enough to become . . . Top Chef! From Bucktown! I never heard of that place!
I could really go for a Tomahawk Chop.
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Though Stephanie Izard and Scylla are new to me, they aren’t to foodies. Scroll down to the Chicago magazine spread of “Who’s Next: Eight people who will be Running Chicago’s top kitchens of the future ” from November 2006; Stephanie is No. 1.
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Inside the deliberations with Ted Allen.
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Q&A with Stephanie from the BravoTV people.
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They should put Kathy Griffin at the judge’s table. On every reality show.
Shamwow!
I mean, really. This guy is good.
You following me, cameraman?
No other towel’s gonna do that!
Celebrity Rehab
It’s coming back, and we couldn’t be more excited. Do it, Dennis, do it!
Oh wait, here’s the final cast. Rodney King?
Bonus: The Hills!
By the way, Lauren kicked Audrina out of the house.
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Posted on June 12, 2008