Fabio said arrivederci, leaving Carla, Hosea, and Stefan enter the final cook-off.
Recap:
We’re in New Orleans, baby! The finalists get to eat breakfast on a ferry. Carla is confident that she can win. Hosea says he worked his ass off (that and his cheating lips) to get here. Stephan is still upset that his European lover has left, but he smack talks enough for both himself and the eliminated Fabio.
They greet Padma and Tom, who present the final challenge: a three course meal, dessert optional. They will be cooking at the Commander’s Palace. Sous chefs arrive. In walk past season finalists who didn’t win: Marcel (Season 2 asshole), Casey (who screwed up in Season 3), and Richard (from Season 4. Oh, Richard my love! How good your non-frosted hair looks!). The finalists pick knives to pick sous chefs. Hosea selects Richard. Stefan picks Marcel. Carla gets Casey.
Into the kitchen! Hosea and Stefan fight over foie gras. Richard is as good-natured as ever, fully putting his all into Hosea’s food. Carla wants to make some meat and potatoes, but Casey wants to make the steak sous vide, which Carla is hesitant about, but is pushed-over into making. Marcel, surprisingly, hasn’t said anything ass-hole-ish, put that’s probably because they haven’t shown him in any one-on-one interviews. As they leave the kitchen for the night, Richard and Hosea fist bump.
A voodoo tarot card reader comes in to entertain the finalists at the hotel. Stefan asks if he has a girlfriend in his future, specifically someone named Jamie (Really, Stefan. How have you not figured out she’s a lesbian yet?). He also mentions how he wants voodoo dolls named Carla and Hosea to poke.
Tom greets them in the kitchen with alligator, blue crab, and red fish. Carla’s eyes pop out of her head. They each get a slice of King Cake. Whoever gets the piece with the baby in it will pick the protein for everyone else. Hosea finds the tiny plastic baby. Hosea takes the fish, gives Carla the crab, and slaps the alligator onto his nemesis Stefan.
Stefan has never cooked alligator before, but figures that the tail is probably the most edible part. Carla gets clipped by a live crab.
Hosea is making blackened red fish on corn cake with creole roumelade; a sashimi trio of black bass, tuna, and hamachi; seared scallop with foie gras on pain perou, apple preserves, and foie gras foam; and pan-roasted venison with chestnut and celery root puree, wild mushrooms, and carbonated blackberries.
Stefan is making alligator soup with celeraic and puff pastry; smoked salmon and halibut carpaccio with microgreens; pan-seared squab with braised cabbage, schupfnudeln, foie gras, and grape jus; and stracciatella ice cream, chocolate mousse, and banana lollipop in vanilla syrup.
Carla is making sisho soup with blue crab; seared snapper with saffron aioli, braised fennel, and grilled clam; sous vide NY strip steak with seared potato rod in Merlot sauce; and an apple tart coin, walnut crumble, micro greens, and marmalade. She is focusing on a French meal. Casey suggests making a bleu cheese souffle, and Carla agrees to make it.
It’s Party Time! The chefs plate as the guests (mostly executive chefs at New Orleans restuarants) arrive. English Toby is one of the them, but I hope he doesn’t talk. I’m not in the mood for him comparing alligator to Penelope Cruz’s acceptance speech.
Appetizers Ahoy! Hosea’s red fish appetizer goes over well. Stefan’s alligator soup actually turns out well. Carla’s crab soup also does well. I guess the chefs are really bringing it.
First Course! Carla’s was great, but Hosea’s didn’t pop. Stefan’s dish has mixed reviews.
Second Course! Carla’s steak is too tough. Stefan’s squab was delicious. Hosea’s was well-done. Rocco DiSpirito complains that foie gras is overdone/passé, and Gail rolls her eyes (my reaction to most of what Rocco says as well).
Third Course! Carla curdles her souffles, so she doesn’t plate them (although she tells the judges she messed up). Stefan’s desert is good, but dated. Hosea’s venison is well-done, but they question his decision not to make a dessert. Fabio votes for Hosea, which seals the deal for me that Hosea is going to win. If Team Europe is voting against Stefan, it’s a done deal.
As the kitchen closes, Carla laments her poor meal. Hosea and Stefan finally put away the rivalry and hope for the best.
Judge’s Table! The judges call Carla out on letting Casey control too much of the menu. Hosea admits that it was fun to stick it to Stefan with the alligator. Toby calls Hosea out on not doing a dessert, which Hosea defends against well, stating that he would rather present the best dishes he can, especially if there are only three dishes required. Stefan’s squab is called the strongest meal of the night, although his first course is still panned.
Carla tries to wax poetic with tears to win over the judges. Stefan shows a heart and tries to hug her. When they return to the hotel holding room, Stefan wipes away her tears in a really sweet gesture. Too bad she has a husband, Stefan!
Stefan’s meal was structurally sound, but the carpaccio was weak and the dessert was mundane. Toby dislikes Hosea’s dinner, but Gail and Tom say that Hosea showed a good progression.
Tom praises the contestants: Carla’s heart, Hosea’s consistency, and Stefan’s highs, despite the lows. Padma, as usual, draws out the name of the winner. Hosea is named the winner of Top Chef.
Stefan is disappointed, but he looks to the future. Eliminated contestants come out. We get lots of shots of Jeff and his bangs. Carla breaks down, saying how she wanted to teach people how to cook with love. Hosea is gleeful about kicking Stefan’s ass and winning. As a form of congratulations, Leah kisses Hosea on the lips (guess her boyfriend broke up with her due to her cheating ways).
Next Week:
Are Hosea and Leah dating? Find out on the Reunion Special!
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