I was surprised by the win too. I also thought they’d pick the other dish.
Also was sorry to see who was eliminated. But , not that surprised.
Yes, the editing led us to believe Bryan would win. I think the judges were impressed with how Melanie used a Asian dish so effectively, salami or not. It was surprising that 3 of 5 didn’t understand the nuances of using white truffles (I sure wouldn’t!). It’s always risky making fresh pasta but apparently Stephanie did that part perfectly. She was torn between leaving off an item that was on the menu and having to explain, or including it while downplaying it as much as possible. Kevin thought his time studying cooking in Italy would be an advantage but he couldn’t tell which meats were in the packages? And could he please stop making meatballs!
Melissa has won a lot lately. I would pick her or Brian to win, but I think Stephanie might surprise.
Stephanie does seem to be an underdog! My thoughts at this point-Bryan, Stephanie, Melissa, Kevin. The judges seem to like Melissa , even when salami enters into things, but Kevin and Melissa seem more predictable to me right now. But, what do I know. I’m certainly not a chef! I do enjoy Top Chef and am looking forward to the finale.
Sorry, I called Melissa Melanie.
Like when Richard Blais won Top Chef All Stars, I think this season is setting up for Bryan Voltaggio. He’s been in the finals every time he’s competed and lost. Even though he hasn’t won that many challenges, I think that when he can plan his own menu, it’s going to be spectacular.
I think the other chefs are in awe of Bryan. He’s the rock star of this season.
Melissa is my second choice, Stephanie is the dark horse.
I think that Geoffrey gets in his own head and the back spasms didn’t help.
I’m betting that all of the dishes now are spectacular and that it’s a very fine line between winning and being eliminated. I liked the Italian chefs who judged, they seemed very honest in their assessments.
I really liked Gregory but I thought he also started to be somewhat predictable. When he started getting his ingredients last time, I turned to my husband and said I’ll bet he’s going to make a stew!
They all enhance their profiles by just getting on the show and continuing to advance.
Melissa, Bryan, Stephanie. Wish all 3 could win
Bryan seems to get too fancy.
I’m rooting for Melissa. She always seems to do a good job of listening to what the challenge is, understanding it, but still being able to put her personal twist to it. And I just enjoy her as a person from all the clips she is in. But there’s no one left who I totally dislike so won’t be super upset with any result.
I voted for Melissa as fan favorite
Travesty tonight! (well, I watched tonight)
I thought Stephanie 100% should have gone. It’s like she won for the pasta itself - while at the same time telling her that she shouldn’t have made pasta in Italy and dissing her other ingredients! Gregory’s dish did not seem near as off as Stephanie’s.
And also a travesty on the win! I love Melissa but they did not mention any flaw in Bryan’s dish. It seemed on the money. They told Melissa she should have left out one of her main ingredients!
Disappointed in the judging. I told my daughter I would like a son in law similar to Bryan. Haha - I just love him.
I can’t remember - did Melissa make congee before in another episode before Italy? Throwing in the salami seemed odd, yet she still won. I do hope Bryan wins . I have two sons and have a soft spot for Bryan, hoping he joins his brother Michael as a winner. I also really like Frederick, Maryland, where he is from.
Melissa made congee for the Mom’s Brunch in the mountain camp. Someone on the other boards joked it was Top Chef, not Top Congee (Melissa) or Top Meatballs (Kevin).
^^^ Good point!
I’m rooting for Bryan or Melissa from here on out. Hope I didn’t jinx either of them. Kevin is definitely talented but personality wise there is some edge to him that I don’t care for. While she has had her moments, I just don’t think Stephanie deserves the win over these chefs unless she pulls some amazing skills out of her pocket at the end.
Do we know if we only have one more episode??
There are two more episodes, Parma this week and Finito! next week. That last episode could be a double one though; don’t know yet.
I thought tonight’s result was very predictable. I will not elaborate so as not to spoil anything for anybody.
I think we’ve established that you shouldn’t be reading the thread if you haven’t seen the latest episode. So spoilers are not an issue.
Hooray For Melissa and Stephanie! I am totally happy with the final three and won’t miss Kevin at all. It must have been very exciting for those chefs to be at the source of the ingredients, and to serve Michelin chefs.
Incidentally, I just looked up Stephanie’s background and although she’s currently a private chef, she has a lot of professional restaurant experience. She has also specialized in pasta.
The pairing of sous chefs in the previews for the finale looks intriguing.
I thought the little clips of the contestants talking gave it away. Any time a contestant says, “I deserve to make the finale,” it’s a sure sign that he won’t. The same is true for Chopped.
I am glad Bryan made it into the finale- I was a little worried for awhile it was not going to go his way. This was the second week in a row when Melissa won even though it seemed it could have gone the other way-last week Bryan, this week Stephanie.
Before they went in front of judges table I was convinced (and sad) that Bryan was going to leave. He sure took it personally (as he should) those comments that he didn’t have “heart and soul” in his dishes.
I actually thought maybe Stephanie was going to win this episode. Three in a row for Melissa is wow, a lot.