<p>Agreed, Donna. I think Stefan’s time is up. He’s been in the bottom at least three times now (beaten in the Superbowl challenge by the woman who got kicked off early in Season 1, then last week and now this week). His staying in still makes for good television, which is why I think he’s there. But I doubt that they’ll give him the title.</p>
<p>I was happy to see Jeff back, and the judges really liked his food, but I was really happy to see that they didn’t wimp out and give him the win (and the car!) just to keep him there.</p>
<p>And isn’t it interesting that for the past two weeks, the person they show as being in the weeds ends up winning (Fabio with his injured hand, Carla & her oysters)?</p>
<p>Yay for Carla…I hope she takes it all in the end.
Sad to see Fabio go I love his big personality.
Interesting twist bringing Jeff back…I wonder why they did it.
Stefan sure is cocky but youare right, the judges seem to hate that attitude but like it at the same time (maybe b/c they are all the same way?)
Emeril sure was a nice ,complimentary judge.So nice to see the British guy gone and Gail back for the finale.</p>
<p>Ciao Fabio! So sorry to see him go, but not suprised to see both Euros get slammed for a disregard for classic American cuisine. Hey Stefan—you dont DESERVE good gumbo! And if ya have time for a smoke and not enough time to stir your roux--------clear out!</p>
<p>“it’s always perplexed me that so many chefs smoke when they are reliant on their palate and tastebuds.”</p>
<p>If you have ever “worked the line”, as I have, you know that the stress in the kitchen is staggering. Lots of drug use and alchoholism in those kitchens as well.</p>
<p>When I worked the line and also worked as a sous chef in the “olden days” I was the only woman in the kitchen. I never hung out in the alley with the “boys club” and that may be one of the reasons I didnt pick up any nasty habits. But honestly, I dont remember EVER taking a break during, before or after service. Thats why Stefans little smoke break threw me for a loop.</p>
<p>Stefan’s just coasting right now - he knows the judges want to eat whatever he prepares for the finals. He may have attitude, but I’d still eat his food.</p>
<p>i might become a hosea fan. he seems like a genuine guy and he seems to take his craft seriously. i like carla as well, so i’d be happy to see either one of them named top chef!</p>
<p>I’ve never been a Stefan fan. Loved Fabio from the start, and Carla too. Always thought she had just the right amount of “quirk” to make a good chef. Also, she started her career late in life and is classically trained. </p>
<p>I thought the “bring the 3 back” and finally adding Jeff into the mix was a bit odd. Not sure what the point was. Maybe Emril wanted to taste his work? He was certainly charming and didn’t upstage anyone. I’ve never seen him so laid back. </p>
<p>LOVE that the cranky Brit is gone. He would curdle milk. I wonder if him being gone so soon was planned, I don’t think so. I recall Padma saying he’d be with us to the finale.</p>
<p>Crap I missed it. I was a Fabio fan, but mainly b/c of his story …the fact that he has only been in the US for 2 1/2 yrs is amazing.</p>
<p>I am not a Stefan fan, I just think about him being just a mean boss in the kitchen…I would bet if you now put him on Hell’s Kitchen he and Ramsey would go at it and Stefan would believe he was better!</p>
<p>I like Carla, and she seems to be hitting her stride, but I think Hosea has better control in the kitchen…he seems to think quicker on his feet than she does.</p>
I think Padma meant until the finale (or perhaps just didn’t want the contestants to know Gail was coming back). I don’t ahve any doubt that Gail’s return was planned; it simply had to coordinate with her wedding/honeymoon schedule.</p>
<p>Did you notice how great Gail looked? Either it was a soft lens or marriage is agreeing with her, she looked much better than I recall her looking in the past.</p>