Spoilers!

It's been a long 14 episodes, and last night we finally learned who has been crowned the new Top Chef. Lisa, Richard and Stephanie duked it out for the title in Puerto Rico, creating what was supposed to be the "the most important meal of their lives." I don't know what caused me to salivate more -- the food or the drama. Read on!

It was interesting to hear the chef's opening remarks as they entered the final episode -- each had a reason for wanting to win that really matched their performance this season. Richard said that he has everything to lose, and I think that's true. There's no question that he competed well from the start, and that the title was always his to give up. Lisa's commented that she made it this far by the skin of her teeth, but it doesn't matter now, because she's "about to beat you." As always, she doesn't really have anything to show, but is aggressive and confident anyway. Stephanie spoke about the journey, and how she really wants to be the first female winner of Top Chef. Even from the very episode when she spoke about her nerves, Stephanie has seemed to want to prove her skills to herself, and to confirm that she is a strong chef.

With no Quickfire Challenge, the chefs met Padma and Tom to hear the details of their final challenge. No surprises: The chefs were asked to create a progressive four-course meal (fish, poultry, meat, dessert) to exhibit their culinary strengths and styles. Three incredible chefs -- Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin, April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig, and Dan Barber of Bluehill -- were standing there as well, ready to assume positions as the cheftestant's sous chefs. Each offered different proteins that the chefs could use for their meals. Since Richard and Stephanie both won four Elimination Challenges, they drew knives to determine who would select their sous chef first. Stephanie won and chose Ripert, Richard chose Barber, and Lisa paired up with Bloomfield. This prompted her to use the phrase "girl power," which I literally haven't heard since 1998.

With three hours one day and four the next day to prepare, the chefs worked quickly to come up with the concepts for their menus, which all of us could have probably predicted in our sleep. Need I say Lisa went Asian, Stephanie went simple and flavorful, and Richard went simple with a touch of molecular gastronomy? It surprised me, however, that while the chefs seemed to have clear ideas about the types of flavors they wanted to include, they didn't appear to pay that close attention to each specific dish itself. Richard and Stephanie in particular seemed a bit lost about exactly what they'd be putting on their plates. They were definitely more flustered, whereas Lisa was chipper and chatty with Chef Bloomfield. It's strange how she always seems so out of touch with the rest of the group. If everyone's getting along, she's throwing a fit. When they're stressed, she's cool as anything.

A particularly awesome moment occurred when Richard whipped out his liquid nitrogen, and all of the sous chefs gaped. He mentioned that less than a dozen chefs in the country work with it, and he seemed so proud to have taught Chef Ripert something. Ripert similarly seemed thrilled to learn. It was, for lack of better words, cute.

The chefs returned for their second day of preparation to find themselves sous chef-less, and I think that's the moment that kicked Stephanie into gear. She started talking about how now she had to get organized and moving. When Tom came in to check on the chefs, she seemed okay with everything except for the dessert, which she later tasted and admitted she didn't like. Richard seemed a bit all over the place, and Lisa (again) was totally relaxed and happy. Immediately before the meal, the cheftestants came out to meet the judges, who included both Gail and Ted (who do you guys prefer, by the way?), the sous chefs from the previous day, Puerto Rican Chef Alfredo Ayala, and Tim Zagat of MenuPages. Haha, just kidding. Of Zagat Survey.

For the first course, Lisa served prawns with chili basil sauce, crab, and homemade potato chefs. Stephanie served red snapper with truffled white asparagus and clam sauce. Richard served grilled scallop with mango and pineapple vinegar. The judges enjoyed Stephanie's and Lisa's dishes, though remarked that Lisa's had a very powerfully hot flavor. During the second course, the judges loved Lisa's Tom Kha Soup dumplings -- which totally made me drool. Richard's guinea hen and Stephanie's quail breast received mixed reviews. The most raved about dish of the night was Stephanie's roasted lamb medallions with braised pistachios, which the judges thought were incredibly original and tasty. For dessert course, her ricotta pound cake fell short, whereas Lisa's black rice pudding and Richard's banana scallop with liquid nitrogen bacon ice cream were greatly enjoyed. I was disappointed to see Richard do another banana scallop, but bacon ice cream? Wow.

Now to something juicy: Immediately before judges table, Lisa remarked in front of both Stephanie and Richard that she thought Stephanie nailed dishes 1 and 3, whereas she nailed dishes 2 and 4. I feel as though that was especially mean to do to Richard after he outperformed her so many times that season, and said nothing like that. After the judges questioned the contestants at judges table, though, Richard took the final opportunity to speak up to actually admit that he "choked" during the challenge by over-thinking his dishes. It was true. Lisa and Stephanie both made remarks about how they think they would be great winners.

So though the show was cut to make it seem like Lisa might pull through, Stephanie took the prize in the end. I'm so pleased that one of my favorite competitors won, and Stephanie definitely deserved it for her performance throughout the season, and because she out-cooked Richard in the final challenge. I always thought that her dishes looked amazing. I think that Tom always loved Richard and probably wanted to give it to him, but it would have been embarrassing for the show if he won after even he admitted that he choked. Ted Allen seemed disappointed too, in his blog post about it. As for Lisa, I'm just relieved, though I'll admit she wasn't as aggravating to watch this episode.

So I'm devastated that the show is over, but there's always next season. Final thoughts or vents? Last chance! And thanks so much for watching with me and commenting on these recaps, you're the best!