Top Chef - Warning May Contain Spoilers - Read only if you want to who was voted off

[turkygurl]

Maybe I'm more of conspiracy theorist, but it almost seemed like Richard was unnaturally upset at his performance. He was flustered and upset before he even started cooking. It makes me wonder if he was leaned on by producers to not do so well in order to get a female winner. I know the judges maintain that they don't fix the results, but that doesn't mean the producers don't meddle with things to get what they want. Ted Allen didn't look all that happy last night (and he has said many times that he is fair and wouldn't be a part of anything "fixed"). Seemed like Richard's comments about "bombing" and knowing he was better than the dishes he put out was almost not for the judges, but for other restaurateurs and chefs who might be watching.

I'm happy for Stephanie and I wanted either her or Richard to win, but not like this. I can't believe Lisa didn't get more of a slam for fixing only Asian food. If Hung had presented only Asian food last year they would have commented on it.

 

[rpmdfw]

Richard mentioned at one point that he had too many thoughts in his head.

I think this was his undoing. Usually he's very focused, but trying to be very creative, AND having to adapt to having no sous chef, coupled with the stress of the finaly challenge, I think caused him to crack.

On the other hand, Stephanie just kept soldiering on. Sure, she's her toughest critic, but she put her faith in her skills and her menu, and kept going. That's what won it for her, in my opinion.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I think Stephanie did a great job and produced a great meal from the looks of it (not just from the judges descriptions). She definately based on this challenge, deserved the win. She also took some risks and chances of mixing things not normally done.

Richard on the other hand took some risks, didn't execute all of them perfectly, but again, the risk was there.

Lisa, which besides the attitude, did what she did well, not really venturing much outside of what she knew.

In the end I would have died if Lisa won, she, much like Dale, knows how to cook one type of food and cook it well/great. Personally, I'd rather have someone who takes chances, and once in awhile makes a bad dish versus someone that always plays it safe. I'd love to eat at Richard's restaurant and not just take something off the menu, but have him make something off menu for some excitement. Sure it might not be the best but it's a risk and without risk and chance, a lot of the great food we eat would have never been created!

 

[Viki]

I'm thrilled that Stephanie won!!!