<p>^^ Wow. I did not realize Paul has won 6 Elimination Challenges and 2 Quickfires.</p>
<p>Wow, 8 wins for Paul! That’s close to 30% of the challenges! (14 weeks x2 challenges per week)</p>
<p>^ Remember the 1st two weeks, were challenges to get on the show, not the normal Qucikfire and Elimination Challenges. He has won 30%.</p>
<p>I hated the episode, too. You shouldn’t have to be an athlete to win Top Chef; I don’t care that it was in Whistler, BC. And what if one of them had been a hunter or an athlete? What kind of unfair advantage would that have been? Ridiculous.</p>
<p>“Hey Chef, we ran out of meat! What do we do?”</p>
<p>“Well, I saw some squirrels outside earlier, let me grab my rifle.”</p>
<p>I think Paul has also won a bit of cash.</p>
<p>This article says about $50,000</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/top-chef-texas-ep-14-fear-the-foursome/2012/02/08/gIQAXezZ0Q_blog.html[/url]”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/top-chef-texas-ep-14-fear-the-foursome/2012/02/08/gIQAXezZ0Q_blog.html</a></p>
<p>“The four remaining chefs are called before Judges’ Table. Tom tells Paul he had a lot of guts making a soup for this challenge, but that the restraint of the dish he served showed the talent of a chef with many more years’ experience than Paul actually has. Gail praised the flavor in every bite. Tom and Gail commend Beverly for the clear flavors in her dish and the execution in using a wok (or two). Padma tells Beverly and Paul that they served the judges’ two favorite dishes of the night, and they both move on to the finals with Sarah. Paul wins the Prius, and this has to cement some sort of record of the most winnings on “Top Chef.” What was he up to, $50,000 in cash? And now a car worth $30,000? Very nice. I hope he wins the whole competition.”</p>
<p>Another Paul fan here. Big fan. Sarah annoys me more than Bev, actually. And I don’t think she has presented many great dishes either. I’d like to see her go next. </p>
<p>I think if Paul doesn’t win, viewer reaction might rival the Mondo Outrage from Project Runway.</p>
<p>Paul deserves the win. He’s a great chef, he’s won so many challenges already and he seems like a nice humble guy! Sarah shouldn’t even be in the finals. She is not of the same caliber as the others and she is a b… So is Lindsey. I think it should have been Bev in the final and probably Nyesha too, if this is really about cooking.But it isn’t. And this season has been ridiculous, with all the NON-cooking.</p>
<p>Anybody think they gave Sarah the win with $20,000, so that Paul gets the top win?</p>
<p>They must know Paul is audiences’ favorite</p>
<p>Bookmark.</p>
<p>Watching last nights on On Demand. Can’t believe Sara has come this far. Next time I’m in Texas , I’m checking her out. I will probably be in Vancouver sooner.</p>
<p>So thrilled for Paul, but I can’t believe they gave the other spot to Sarah and not Lindsay! Seriously? Her dish looked terrible. The one part was hard as a rock! Not at all what she intended for it.<br>
It was almost an afterthought that Paul won - kind of forgot we needed a winner of the trip there at the end!
Go get her Paul !</p>
<p>I can understand having a favorite based on personality or behavior, but how can we judge who’s dishes are better? We aren’t tasting the food. I’m not a Sarah fan, but she made homemade pasta and I’m sure it was delicious. Seemed that the judges loved it, even with the frozen sformato. She and Linsday (restaurant wars) did bully Bev, but the judges have always said they don’t care what happens in the kitchen. They’re judging the food.</p>
<p>Shrinkwrap, I maybe wrong, but Sarah is originally from TX and now lives in Chicago, that is why you heard her talking about knowing Chris, and the other guy that works with Chris, because they are in Chicago.</p>
<p>My issue with Sarah, Bev and Lindsay is I feel they are a 1 note chef. Bev did Asian inspired dishes because that is her strength. Lindsay’s strength is seafood. Sarah’s is pasta. </p>
<p>Paul is the one that constantly mixes it up. I think he not only wants to win, but I believe he is using this for his long term career goals…his own restaurant.</p>
<p>When else would he ever have the chance to try new recipes out for the big players in his field? It is an opportunity of a lifetime. He not only can win, but can walk out with menu items that he never would have done if he was not in a challenge.</p>
<p>Sarah and Lindsay can’t say that, nor could Bev. I think that is why I also liked Ed. He too broaden his range.</p>
<p>If I cold go to any restaurant regardless of the winner, it would be Paul or Ed’s. </p>
<p>I wonder who will win fan favorite. I am betting Ed or maybe Lindsay.</p>
<p>We aren’t tasting the food correct. We do however hear the judges comments and sometimes SEE the flaws in the food. For instance in this last episode, Paul dish must have been quite spot on if all Tom could fault with it was the argula on top (which he did OVER AND OVER again - that was it!) Sarah’s dish last night LOOKED flawed and the execution failed - the melting of the formato (sp?) over the pasta. They said her drink would be perfect for a hot summer day but didn’t see the relevance of it to the challenge. Yet she goes through? </p>
<p>Clearly, it’s true, I also don’t like her personality. Sorry if I’ve been a little “strong” on my displeasure! 
Clearly, I love Paul’s personality and drive. And if the show includes a facet that is “fan favorite” I would say that personality and behavior plays a role. </p>
<p>I think Bullet hit it on the head above with comments re: chef strengths, going out of their comfort zone and their personal drive.</p>
<p>For fan favorite I like Grayson, Ed or Paul. The website has Chris C in the lead, but I don’t think he had much personality at all. He is good looking though. Wonder if that’s why he’s ahead.</p>
<p>Early on, I was a softie for Ritchie. :)</p>
<p>I am still favoring Nyesha, but had to cancel my res at Wilshire last weekend. But we did Colicchio’s Craft, in LA, for the fourth time. </p>
<p><a href=“http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/30/food/la-fo-review-craft-20100930[/url]”>http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/30/food/la-fo-review-craft-20100930</a></p>
<p>Still loving it. Took a picture of their risotto, cause he really has an opinion about risotto…</p>
<p>I’m also hoping for Paul and was surprised that Lindsay went home rather than Sarah. I am sure her home-made pasta was delicious but the dish did not work all together. Maybe Lindsay played it too safe… but I think she is the better chef.</p>
<p>I so want to go to South Beach today and watch some of these great chefs cook.</p>