Live Blogging: Top Chef Chicago Finale - SPOILERS

By L. Stolpman in Food on Jun 12, 2008 2:59AM

Welcome to the Top Chef Chicago Finale which we shall be live blogging.

Because there are spoilers, you need to go behind the cut to see the action up front.

9:00 Quick re-hash of everyone saying, "One little mistake and you're gone..."

9:08 Back in Puerto Rico. Wow, Blaise says he can't believe Lisa is here. First challenge up: The contestants are met by 3 chefs:April Bloomfield, Dan Barber, Eric Ripert - each serving as the contestants sous chef and each with their own set of proteins. The chefs must make a four course meal: Fish, Poultry, Red Meat, and a Dessert. Stephanie gets Ripert, Richard gets Barber, Lisa gets Bloomfield.

9:16 - The chefs discuss their menus and get going on prep work. Stephanie helicopter moms over Ripert's fish prep work. Richard brought liquid nitrogen! Tabasco ice cream, says Richard. Lisa says, "Richard and I are different." DUH. Ripert watches Richard in fascination as Richard uses the liquid nitrogen. Lisa says, "If you're happy, your food is going to taste good." Let's hope, Lisa, let's hope, you crabby lady.

9:23 - Curveball time. The sous chefs are now gone. The chefs only got three hours with them yesterday and thought they would have the extra help today. The contestants take it pretty well, especially Richard who didn't do much with his sous chef the day before.

Lisa's menu: Grilled prawns, Tom Kha Gai soup and dumplings, Wagyu Beef, and Thai Rice Pudding.

Richard's menu: Scallops, Guinea hen with foie gras and eggs, pork belly, banana "scallop" and bacon ice cream. THIRD TIME FOR THOSE SCALLOPS, Blaise! Then again...if it ain't broke...

Stephanie's menu: Seared red snapper, quail with lobster ravioli and quail egg, lamb medallions, ricotta poundcake.

9:25 Stephanie stresses while making her dessert. Lisa reassures her by saying, "Shut up." Lisa, however, doesn't doubt herself at all.

9:37 Zagat is there. Alfredo Ayala, at the table along with the usual gang.

First Course: Richard's scallop - too complex. Lisa - chile sauce too strong. Stephanie - probably best of three.

Second Course: Richard - complexity good this time but not great technique. But good freshness. Lisa's soup - delicious and well balanced says Gail. Stephanie - good seasoning. Leeks suck - not fully cooked.

Third Course: Richard - not well seasoned. Good radish on it. Lisa - beef isn't tender. Gail likes cucumber salad. Stephanie - liked the green olive. It was a surprise that they liked it. Rupert says it's the first time people said, "I love..."

Fourth Course: Lisa - Crunch in the dessert. Richard - Liked the playfulness. Stephanie's dessert - not dead on, slightly heavy.

Padma in red. Oooh la la.

9:48 Judges' table! Richard's first dish unseasoned. Lisa's first course was very bold - hot/spicy. Stephanie's first is beautifully presented, judges dig it.

Second course review for Richard - each component not distinct. Lisa's soup wowed them. Stephanie's quail was perfectly cooked. The leeks, though, killed it.

Third Course - Richard's pork belly not crispy enough for the judges. Lisa's beef was too tough and was chewy. Stephanie's lamb wins kudos for originality.

Dessert Course - Not much to say about Richard's dessert. They really liked Lisa's - dug the texture. Stephanie's cake was okay but the banana cream missed.

The chefs give some final words: Blaise says that he thinks he choked. WHOA. We get choked up watching his eyes well up a bit.

9:57 - In front of the judges. Sudo chimes in via text message: "Richard did choke. Lisa may pull this out."

The judges say they chose the meal they'd like to have again: WINNER IS: STEPHANIE!!! And Chicago goes wild!

Congratulations to Top Chef Chicago's winner: Chef Stephanie Izard!