<p>Oh well…</p>
<p>If it makes anyone feel any better, Nick’s new restaurant in Philly is getting wildly positive comments on Yelp and apparently a very positive review in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer (described here: <a href=“http://philly.eater.com/tags/nick-elmi”>http://philly.eater.com/tags/nick-elmi</a>). And here’s an interview that humanizes Nick quite a bit: <a href=“Nick Elmi, Winner of Top Chef New Orleans, Talks Kitchen Spats, Seasoning Issues, and Winning It All - Eater Philly”>http://philly.eater.com/archives/2014/02/06/nick-elmi-winner-of-top-chef-new-orleans-talks-kitchen-spats-seasoning-issues-and-winning-it-all.php</a></p>
<p>I wish Shirley had survived to take it all. I hope she comes back on an All-Star show.</p>
<p>I wanted Nina or Shirley to win. I felt Nick lost it too often. I hope Nina gets picked up for a TV show. Had Nina only made a good dessert! She counted on the ice cream prioe to seeing the kitchen, and cooked 2 extra dishes that could not be counted.</p>
<p>I’m very disappointed in the ending. It seems that Tom was pulling for Nick and managed to sway enough of the others over to his side. Inedible duck given to Emeril and you still win? Ugh. I think this is when one of those “the decisions are partly made by the producers” must have kicked in. </p>
<p>Does anyone doubt that Nina and Shirley are better chefs?</p>
<p>Far nicer people. Emeril seemed to have a crush on Shirley throughout.</p>
<p>Well I adored Nick - from the beginning. I did expect Nina to take it and would have been fine with that - she excelled all season. I think Nina did exactly what she often said was Nicks downfall in a way - she did too much (6 dishes) perhaps to the result of a couple of the main ones not measuring up.</p>
<p>I originally liked Shirley but grew to NOT like her the last 5 episodes or so. I think emeril had a chef crush on her - he seemed to really favor the girls I felt. Not a fan of him either!!</p>
<p>I’ll bet Nina comes back in an allstars. I hope so. </p>
<p>Wow Gail was REALLY pregnant! And wow, not afraid to show her pregnant goods!!! Haha</p>
<p>Love this show and wish it would be on more often .</p>
<p>Oh and how unnecessary was it for us to see Padma walking dripping wet into the room to bring on the final challenge!! I like her but that was so… 8-| </p>
<p>I just was never all that into Nick. Too moody, up and down all season, unpleasant at times. But I know the food was main criteria, not the personality. Put another way, I’d work for Nina, but never for Nick.</p>
<p>I really liked Nick, from the beginning. I always thought his temper was pretty obviously insecurity/nerves and less annoying than Nina’s perpetual smug smile. Or Bryan’s dude attitude. Or Carlos’ “my mom made this once”. </p>
<p>But I would have preferred Shirley to win – she had the most growth, and the fewest mistakes. Tom pretty strongly preferred Nick, who Padma just as clearly couldn’t stand. It did seem like the challenges were less fun, and the talent less profound. There’s always next year! and I expect Shirley to be fan favorite :)</p>
<p>^ Nina was fan favorite. I guess not everyone saw her smile as smug! </p>
<p>BTW, my avatar is a shot I took from St. Lucia! </p>
<p>Jk!</p>
<p>rats! but it’s a nice consolation for her. and if I were from St Lucia, I’d probably tell everyone, too. No harm in pride</p>