'Top Chef' heads toward the final four
I've been watching Top Chef this season, but I haven't really had time to blog about it, unfortunately -- until now.
It's been an interesting season with such a mix of weirdos and unpleasant personalities and bizarre hairdos and also some seemingly good people, too.
I'm pretty surprised to see Dale out before the final four, but I understand why he was sent home, too. (See his exit interview above.) I enjoyed last week's restaurant wars episode and was glad to see a team finally pull off a successful opening. I hate when the challenges seem like they are being set up to fail.
Anyway, here's my take on who is left:
* Antonia: She's level-headed, creative, takes no guff and has been pretty consistent throughout the season.
* Lisa: Highly unpleasant -- not to mention, how many times has she claimed a dish to be super-hot or really spicy and then the judges or her teammates find it to be totally bland? I'm ready for her to go.
* Richard: Pretty nutty, but one of those people who's like, "Hey, look how unconventional I am! See? See?" That has worn thin pretty fast. But he gets credit for being into gastronomy but not serving everything with some kind of foam or another.
* Spike: He's a little goofy, but granted, not as goofy as his best bud Andrew, who had to pack his knives and go a couple of episodes ago. He seems to be working defensively in the group challenges, doing at least one thing to protect himself if they end up in elimination, instead of working his hardest to keep them out of elimination in the first place, which is annoying.
* Stephanie: See Antonia, in terms of level-headedness and creativity. She's had a couple of rough moments, but generally, her work has been among the most-praised. I think a final two of her and Antonia could be great, even if it's not as punchline filled as it would be if Richard or Spike stuck around. I'd rather see great cooking anyway.
What are your thoughts on the final five? Predictions for the finale? Thoughts on the season overall?
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Comments
Richard is my pick. He's by far the best chef, and the other contestants know it. I could see Antonia taking it, though I think Stephanie has made too many small goofs to pull it off through as many challenges are left.
Spike needs to go, and soon. Same with Lisa. Ick.
Posted by: mary | May 28, 2008 6:04 PM
These people make me wish Marcel was back. It appeared despite his foams that he had an eye to creativity. Thank goodness Dale is gone. He won a lot of the quick fires, but was ANNOYING EXTRAORDINARE. As a whole this group has not been presented as being as talented or as inventive as as other groups. Also, they need to scrub their mouths with the pots. Grow up. None of them are Marco Pierre White.
Posted by: mdlrvrmuncher | May 28, 2008 7:14 PM
i definitely think Antonia and Steph should be the final 2. i can think of a much stronger word for Lisa then "unpleasant"...Spike just seems to skate by-frequently in the bottom 3, but does just enough NOT to get booted...and Richard has already been a contestant on Iron Chef America. to me, this should be won by a chef that hasn't really been discovered yet.
Posted by: Rob | May 28, 2008 7:23 PM
I agree with your assessment. I've already seen who goes home, but I'll save writing that here in case you haven't. However, I will say that Stephanie and Richard seem to be rising above the rest -- with Antonia a close third. I'd be shocked if those three aren't the last ones standing. As for the winner, it's gotta be Steph or Richard.
Can't wait for the last two episodes!
Posted by: Rob | May 29, 2008 9:17 AM
My prediction is that Lisa will be booted next...and should have been booted a long time ago. I think it will be Stephanie and Richard in the final two, and Stephanie will win. Stephanie and Richard both seem to produce interesting food, are skilled at what they do, and are actually pretty nice, as opposed to getting into the whining, back-biting, and bickering.
Posted by: Baltofoodie | May 29, 2008 2:43 PM