Top Chef (plus Masters, Just Desserts)

Lordy, they really were trying to kill the cheftestants with those biathlon challenges, weren't they? Whatever. Paul made the cut, so that's all that matters to me!

Thank GOD Paul made it to the finals. I got really nervous at the end there.

Likewise, I was worried for a moment there, mostly because the other two get on m nerves so much.

I'd have preferred Lindsay in the finale if only because she annoys me slightly less than Sara does. I totally thought Paul would be sent packing, so the last few minutes were very nerve-wracking!

Woo! Paul wins!

My wife is bouncing.

This last weekend we did tour of his trailers, East Side Kings. Oh my god, SO GOOD. Do it if you are in Austin and have the opportunity.

Whew!!! I was really worried they were setting up a Sarah comes from behind win.

Aw man, I forgot tonight was the finale and clicked here and spoiled myself. But yay! So very Team Paul over Sarah.

I didn't watch it, and I'm relieved/happy Paul won, but at the same time I never could fathom any other ending all season long, he was that much better, or at least more consistent than everyone else. Oh and also nicer. I think a big failure of a competition show is to not successfully convince me there is an actual competition.

This season was poorly cast and planned, and the most exciting element took place entirely on the web.

I was concerned that Sarah would win, but, fortunately, Paul did.

Like blixie said, it's not a surprise. He was the most consistent of the bunch this time.

I love how they pick sous chefs for the finale and think that should happen always, especially when it leads to famous chef hilariously not being picked, and the also-rans being embarrassingly non-selected as well. If Sarah hadn't overthought Tyler's plate, maybe all of them would have ended up standing there looking embarrassed. (Go with your gut, woman, that guy's plate looked quite a bit like cat yack.)

If Sarah hadn't overthought Tyler's plate, maybe all of them would have ended up standing there looking embarrassed.

Though what seemed so weird to me was that it was like scallops with caramel and raisins, not exactly some common combo! But I agree she should have just gone with dishes that she liked and looked good and not over think it.

I am so very pleased that Paul won!

So relieved that Paul one because they really had me fooled. With his first course being overcooked for the second round of judges and there being a clear division over his dessert, I actually thought Sara was going to win. So I shrieked in pure astonished glee when he won. Love Paul. And now I desperately want to visit Austin.

The season was good but not great. I loved Paul from start to finish, but it just seemed like a weak group of competitors, overall, and the first few challenges were kinda boring.

If TiVo hadn't recorded Masters this week I would have had no idea the show was back on. But hooray more show!

The buffet genre twist was so mean, but they were so dumb for not going to the store to get Indian spices.

How on earth did Missy injure herself that bad? Ouch.

Yay! Top Chef!

Boo! Annoying Aussie host!

The buffet twist was mean, and I agree... why on Earth did the Indian buffet people not go shopping for Indian spices?

Darn you, Bravo! Why don't you put full episodes of Top Chef on your website?

Darn you, Bravo! Why don't you put full episodes of Top Chef on your website?

Bravo is terrible about putting full shows on their website. Do you have On Demand from your cable company? It's probably available that way.

Ok, Art Smith can go home at any time now. Hey, does anyone know if he's ever cooked for any famous or important people? He's so shy about mentioning it.

I like both Chris and Patricia. I love that Chris calls out Art on his bullshit but still was the first person who offered to help with the cake. And Patricia is just a badass chef.

I like both Chris and Patricia.

Me too! I loved Chris's pork belly relay to get it to the checkout in time.

The pork belly relay was hilarious. I like this season so far, except for Art.

Part of me wants to like Art... there seem to be flashes of someone likable there but, yeah, he needs to adjust his attitude.

I do give him this: doing a wedding cake in that small a time frame is gutsy.

I don't get why there weren't any dowels in that thing. Put dowels in that thing!!

The pork belly relay was hilarious.

Chris used to host a show on FN where he and Aron Sanchez would take on two local chefs in their home cities in a scavenger hunt. Chris always had a scheme to shave a few minutes of time and he had a huge knowledge of food. He'll make it far in the competition because he gives good TV and is savvy about how to play the game. I hope is food is good as well because I really like him.

Poor Art. I really liked him last time he was on but I think he lost his sense of humor with all the weight he lost.

I hope is food is good as well because I really like him.

It is. I have eaten at his restaurant a number of times and his Tasty Salted Pig Parts are delicious. Plus, there has been three challenges so far and he has won one by himself, one another with Patricia and was in the top of the other other challenge.

I don't get why there weren't any dowels in that thing. Put dowels in that thing!!

That was the weirdest thing is because Art specifically mentions putting in enough structural posts to make up for the soft frosting but then it didn't appear that he used any.

I am such a terrible person because I rolled my eyes hard when Art won last night and gave his tearful "It's all for the children" speech. Yeah, I'm going to hell.