Tomorrow night is the second-to-last episode of Bravo's Top Chef. Only three of the final four contestants will be chosen to compete in the Las Vegas finals in the season finale. Here's a rundown of the final four and what their chances of winning are:
Tiffani Faisson - Tiffani, 28, is a Boston native who has spent the past few years living in Las Vegas, where she worked as chef de partie at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie in the Wynn Hotel. She also worked the front of the house, as a server at the Venetian, before moving back east to return to the kitchen. She's a talented chef with high ideals, ideals that she refuses to compromise. As it was first pointed out to her in Episode 3, cooking is a service industry and often you have to serve what the customers want, not just what you want to give them. She is also too controlling. She loves to micromanage, but being a Top Chef is about leadership and you can't lead people without letting them walk on their own two feet. In fact, Tiffani doesn't lead people at all. If she's not getting her way, she's saying "I knew that would fail and I let them do it anyway." The judges hate it because it is indicative of the fact that Tiffani does not work well as part of a team.
Harold Dieterle - Harold, 28, started cooking to meet girls, but decided that he actually enjoyed it and continued cooking as a career. He most recently worked as Sous Chef at The Harrison Restaurant in New York City, rising quickly through the ranks based on determination and skill. Harold is a very nice guy and all of the other chefs enjoy working with him. His biggest problem, though his dishes have consistently been good (with the exception of anything with seared tuna that he keeps making and the judges don't care for), they have not been the best. Other competitors come out on top every time. To have a chance in the finals, he has to pull his showstoppers out - as long as they don't involve more seared tuna.
Dave Martin - Dave, 40, has his own catering company and worked as Executive Chef at XO Wine Bistro in Manhattan Beach, CA, having started cooking as a second career that he was passionate about. Dave is easily the friendliest contestant, but doesn't have the cutthroat competitve edge that some of the other chefs had, leading to some misunderstandings and hurt feelings early in the competition when the other competitors didn't give Dave the credit he deserves as an intelligent, capable cook and businessman. Dave almost didn't make it to the final four because he didn't force himself to stand out and take risks early in the competition, something that led him into the elimination round more than once. Dave can really "wow" customers with his personality and his ability to pick out dishes that are simple, delicious and memorable, but it might not be enough to "wow" the judges when his cuisine is stacked up against his competition.
LeeAnne Wong - LeeAnne, also 28, is the executive chef of event operations for The French Culinary Institute in New York City and, unlike most of the other contestants, she has a lot of leadership experience because she teaches hundreds of students. Working at a school means that she has to be up-to-date with current cooking techniques, but able to demonstrate flawless technique with just about every dish - which she does. LeeAnne can do home-style cooking, like Tiffani and Dave, as well as high concept foods, like Stephen. Her only faults came through in the last episode, where she seemed to put more on her plate than she could handle and didn't take direct command of the other chefs.
Personally, I think that Dave is great, but the judges seem to be looking for someone with a "concept" that they cook, something a bit trendier than what Dave has so far shown, though he clearly has the right ingredients to be popular with customers and other chefs. Harold needs to step up and shine at this point if he hopes to have a chance of winning. Tiffiani has the skill and the cutthroat drive to win, but she has to show the judges she knows being a Top Chef isn't something you can do alone. In my opinion, at this point, it looks like LeeAnne has the right combination of talent, leadership and experience that should give her a good shot at becoming the Top Chef.
If you want to relive the episodes you might have missed, check out our recaps:
Episode 1 recap
Episode 2 recap
Episode 3 recap
Episode 4 recap
Episode 5 recap
Episode 6 recap
Episode 7 recap
Episode 8 recap
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-03-2006 @ 7:05AM
Colin said...
I don't care who makes it now. I'm just happy Stephen is gone!
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5-03-2006 @ 8:53AM
Starr said...
I tend to agree that LeeAnne has the best combination to win Top Chef. However, as I have seen in other "reality" competitions, that doesn't mean that she will prevail. I do find it interesting that on the first quickfire challenge to work the line in the resturant, the only three chefs to finish the full thirty minutes are in the final four.
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5-03-2006 @ 10:41AM
janine said...
I'm rooting for Harold.
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5-03-2006 @ 10:52AM
nika said...
I find Tiffani as obnoxious as Stephen. I do NOT think she should win. If she does, I will not watch another reality TV show again, period. Ok, I have been sucked into the orange county wives and I hate myself for it! Thats off topic :-)
LeeAnn has so much going for her, I agree but, considering her current position in the industry I have expected a whole lot more from her and have been surprised at how she has NOT come through in some respects.
I reallllly like Harold because he is a decent person who has stood up for what is right many times and he also has the chops.
I like Dave too but he makes me nervous as the editing makes it look like he is about to have a substantial mental collapse at any moment! That is NOT reality, I am sure, and I think he would be a great Top Chef (with a support group in need be).
In my book, the winner should be either Dave or Harold. But then, I was also of the opinion that Reggie was MUCH more deserving the Food Network win and it was obvious that others thought so too during that last silly episode.
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5-03-2006 @ 1:17PM
Andrew said...
If the show is "Top Chef," then I fail to see how someone whose dishes aspire to be on the menu at Bennigan's (Dave) can possibly be in the finals (or the top 4, for that matter).
When asked to make his own dishes, Dave has come up with the following: enchilidas in episode 1, Lasagna in episode 4, and grilled chicken with honey mustard sauce in episode 7. Seriously, people, how can you root for mediocrity like that??
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5-03-2006 @ 2:23PM
nika said...
Andrew: I dont know. Its something I have picked from watching the episodes. We could also talk about Tiffani's cake mixes too. I am not impressed by chef-chauvanism re: "baking". The reason I do like Dave is that he has alot of practical experience and he is a team player. He is a supportive person who has been there for other underdogs in the contest. Those are things you cant see by looking at the site and reciting a list of what he has made throughout the competition.
Like I said, I am split between Dave and Harold. Harold has similar human qualities.
The person I most dislike behind Stephen and Tiffani has got to the the walking wooden barbie doll, whats her name Mrs. Joel. Yikes, I cant think of anything nice to say about that person. I feel she adds nothing to the show and due to her blackhole of a personality other members of the show seem to need to sparkle a bit more to make up for her complete lack of albedo.
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5-03-2006 @ 5:59PM
tanvi said...
Hey Nic,
You've done a great job recapping the show! I've been reading faithfully (I've only seen 2 actual episodes since I dont get that channel at my place).
I love Harold but I agree the LeeAnne will win or at least I hope will win over Tiffani, who has just as good a shot but who I dislike I think that Harold has enough talent to make it on his own, apart from the financial issue. Dave won't win because like you said, he isnt a cooking with a concept.
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5-03-2006 @ 8:09PM
Nicole Weston said...
Thanks, Tanvi! I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the recaps.
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5-03-2006 @ 9:07PM
Min Chang said...
Go Harold!
The comments about Dave ring true, it almost seems like his food is more geared towards the regular joe rather than fancy restaurant food which will lead to his downfall. It seems chefs are a picky bunch and they tend to extoll the french way of cooking which makes me think that either LeAnn or Tifanny (not my favorites) will win. That is unless Harold makes an awesome seafood dish of some sort, poor guy always gets stuck with the fish.
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5-03-2006 @ 9:07PM
Min Chang said...
Go Harold!
The comments about Dave ring true, it almost seems like his food is more geared towards the regular joe rather than fancy restaurant food which will lead to his downfall. It seems chefs are a picky bunch and they tend to extoll the french way of cooking which makes me think that either LeAnn or Tifanny (not my favorites) will win. That is unless Harold makes an awesome seafood dish of some sort, poor guy always gets stuck with the fish.
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5-06-2006 @ 4:39PM
MsAmy said...
I feel that Harold should win. Not only is he a great cook but he is way sexy. I would love to have him make me dinner and let me have him for dessert! :)
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5-06-2006 @ 9:51PM
KaSee said...
Dave's got too much emotional stuff spilling out for others to deal with and it's not something that can be ignored. I don't think people need to hear what is going on in your head (all of it - the good & bad.) If there is some way to shield diners (& hopefully other cooks/people) from Dave's emotional overflow then great. Make him Top Chef. But please I don't need to eat my food with a side of crazy.
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5-06-2006 @ 9:56PM
KaSee said...
What to say about Tiffani. She has creativity with the chops to back it up. In the ego department she has quite a bit of that too. She seems to feel someone else has to fail for her to win and that's not appetizing. The one thing this competition has shown is that working together makes a greater whole. Humility backed with the skill to make it happen and a whole lot of respect & compassion for others works. Harold to win...
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5-10-2006 @ 6:09PM
Tia said...
Out of them all, I believe that Harold should win. He's got the personality, the face, the skills, and deffinently talent. My vote goes for Harold.
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5-14-2006 @ 7:38AM
Tyler Merchant said...
I am extremely dissappointed in a show portrays a competition about culinary skills and excellence, but concentrates on personalities, gossip, and dramatics above all. The type of questions posed by Gail during the reunion segment were clearly aimed at provoking confrontation,...to the point of offending the character of Tiffani and accusing her of tampering with other contestants cooking in the kitchen, all in front of a nation of viewers. This caused her to break down and leave the set. Is this what this series is about ? ALso, it created almost a fist fight between Steve and the sauce finger guy. I think Tiffani is the most talented. I think Dave is an amateur and should have been dismissed long before Leaanne, Steven or Miguel. Bravo's alternate role in capitalizing on disturbed emotions, character bashing and the like is inexcuseable. This is all about drama not cooking. Gail, - YOU are the obnoxious one !
Tyler
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5-17-2006 @ 11:32PM
Ginger Rex said...
Tiffany has been throughout almost all of this competition, but I felt that between Tif and Leanne, Tif should have gone home. I felt this again tonight when Dave was sent home. I understand that he did not complete a third dish but he was strong all three times even without his third dish. Now I feel that the competition is a bit fixed. Now on Tif. I think the reunion was unfair to her and I personally do not think she would alter oven temps. She is so driven and consumed by her work ethic that I cannot see her doing this and someone did no doubt for drama, but I do not see her doing this. I relate to Tiffany's personality and this being said can also relate to being misunderstood when in drive or when being focused. Best of luck to every chef that made to this competition as I think they are all great and have something to offer to the public at large and I really enjoyed seeing the different personalities. I think the multi-facitted personalities is what spices up life and keeps things interesting~!!~
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5-18-2006 @ 8:17AM
Cat said...
Dave's ouster was totally fixed. Colicchio hates him because Dave isn't pretentious or conceited enough. There were (barely) veiled snide remarks about Dave from the judges all night. Yet the customers loved his food. Tiffani can't cook her way out of a paper bag--except maybe for a masochistic audience who loves being told what they should like.
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5-18-2006 @ 6:58PM
Judy Smith said...
I just want to express how disappointed I am that Dave was eliminated from the last 3 candidates. How can Harold win 2 and Dave win 1 with this leaving Tiffany to be in the final 2?? I am very disappointed and I think this was done wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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5-20-2006 @ 11:13PM
Rich Sandalwood said...
Tiffany is by far the most talented, she can cook, she has a sence of boldness and can run a kitchen - remember it was her concept for the restaurant and she ran that kitchen like a pro. Harold was in the background letting her lead. Dave made a great waiter but could never take the presure in a top notch, fast paced kitchen.
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5-23-2006 @ 3:59AM
tj said...
now that it is down to harold or tiff, i believe harold is going to take it. he gets along with everyone and they are going to work hard to help him win!!! tiff doesn't have the real respect from the other chefs and they are going to be her team in the final episode. but thay gat to choose who thay want to be sided with. i think tiff is going to feel very awful about what she said and how she treated some of them..but thats just my op...go harold tj
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