Top Chef Finale Preview

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 11, 2008 3:28PM

Tonight we'll find out if Stephanie Izard wins the title of "Top Chef" in part 2 of the season finale.

Filmed in Puerto Rico last month, Izard pits her skills against progressive cuisine acolyte/fauxhawk wearing Atlantan Richard Blais and the mopey, attitude-filled Lisa Fernandes of New York. Lisa won no one over last week when, after the shocking elimination of Antonia Lofaso, she looked at her peers and said, "I know you're disappointed to see Antonia go, but 'Congratulations' would be nice."

Lisa's inclusion in the final three is akin to a tone deaf singer winning "American Idol." Conventional wisdom says that it should come down to a common sense choice between Richard and Stephanie. At this late stage in the competition, however, the slightest mistake can ruin a chef and Lisa's been capitalizing on the mistakes of others for weeks. Let's hope the other two were at the top of their games during filming.