Disappointing Dessert Finishes Off Top Chef

Top Chef Season 5’s finale featured the trio of Stefan, Carla, and Hosea going head to head, simply creating their best meals for the panel of judges. Stefan dominated his way to the finals, Carla picked up serious momentum, and Hosea had been steady all season.

But to finish off this season of Top Chef, it came down to a disappointing dessert – not the ones Stefan and Carla created but Hosea’s victory. Yes, Hosea won the title of Top Chef, yet it feels anti-climatic. Going into the finals, it was Stefan’s title to lose, but Carla was definitely in her groove in New Orleans. It just never seemed like Hosea had a chance. But what’s that saying again? “That’s why you play the game.”

Carla was immediately out of the running as soon as her souffle fell apart. She didn’t stick to her cooking style of love and soul and let too much of her sous chef, Casey, influence her dishes. The judges immediately recognized the non-Carla-ness of her dishes.

Stefan was unflappable the entire season. Even getting stuck preparing a surprise alligator soup for the first time, he pulled it off. His dessert was welcomed but didn’t impress which is more or less telltale of Stefan. He executes to perfection, knows what to do, but his dishes are, well, too jaded. He’s been there, he’s done that. So he can kill all the elimination challenges, but when left to his own free choice and creativity, he admitted he has difficulty. As a well experienced, life-long chef, I think Stefan forgot his deep down passion for cooking.

Which is why Hosea won. He felt like he had something to prove. All finalists said that but Hosea (and Carla) really felt that. With Carla faltering and Stefan producing solid but not soulful enough dishes, Hosea managed to create a balanced menu showing off consistency along with his passion.

Congratulations are in order for Hosea, but I must admit that I am disappointed with this dessert.