Last night was the finale of the finale of “Top Chef Las Vegas” on Bravo, and the three remaining chefs–Kevin, Michael and Bryan–had a lot of creative leeway this time around. The final challenge of the season would be to make a 3-course meal at Cyrus Restaurant in Napa Valley. The first course would be using specific ingredients in a box–and all three chefs had the same items. The second course was anything they wanted to make based on what was on hand, and the third was a dessert, also using what was on hand in the kitchen.

But first the other 14 contestants from this season were brought back, and each finalist would draw two knives to find out who their sous chefs would be. Kevin drew Preeti and Ash; Bryan picked Jen and Ashley (Ben Folds); and Michael drew Jesse and Eli. Then as they were working on their ideas back in their suite, the chefs had a surprise visit–from their moms. After hanging with them and getting pep talks, the chefs made their way to Cyrus, where they were greeted by head judge Tom Colicchio. Tom informed them that they would be making one additional dish to start out–a dish inspired by their moms or something that brought to mind their childhood memories.

Here is what they each decided to make, keeping in mind I did not write these dishes down word for word, and most of them were much more complex than this. Oh, and in the box was some sort of fish, crab, and mushrooms.

Bryan–Tuna casserole inspired sardines with bread crumbs; fish cooked sous vide style; venison with vegetables; and a cheesecake made with sheep’s milk.

Michael-Broccoli “re-invented;” fish poached in butter; fennel scented squab; and a chocolate coulant with caramel.

Kevin–Chicken and “fixins;” fish cooked in duck fat; pork belly with vegetables; and roasted banana with chocolate and bacon.

The judges had good things and bad things to say about each dish, so it was near impossible to get a read on who they might choose as the winner. They had each chef state his case as to why they should be chosen as Top Chef.

Now, all along, Kevin has appeared to be the frontrunner. He makes simple Southern-inspired food but with bold flavors and just enough creativity. The brothers also won a bunch of challenges and are phenomenal cooks, but I’m pretty sure that besides anyone named Voltaggio, most of America was pulling for Kevin.

After hearing all of the judge’s remarks, it was clear that Kevin might not win. He did not have his best showing, and he picked a bad time for that. Judge Toby Young was trying hard to stick up for Kevin, though–as the other three talked about a rubbery mushroom, Toby said something like “well, we didn’t have to eat the mushroom.” Go Toby!

So finally, the three of them were standing in front of the judges. This was it. Host and judge Padma Lakshmi told Kevin that he was not Top Chef. Damn! I’m sorry, but if they based this on his body of work through the season, dude was robbed. And it’s not like they all hated what he made last night.

So it was down to the brothers Voltaggio. Based on the comments last night, Mrs. Mike and I were fully expecting Bryan to be the winner. In fact, I’m pretty sure they had something negative to say about every one of Michael’s dishes. But as the air hung heavy and we all were anticipating Bryan’s name to be called…Padma uttered this…..”Michael, you are Top Chef.”

Um, say what? So this cocky dude who sometimes is creative to a fault beat out his much less cocky brother and another guy who could do more with less maybe better than anyone the show has ever seen? Okay…..I don’t agree with it, but okay.

Congrats Michael, and congrats to Kevin and Bryan as well for battling and making it that far. Next time I’m in Atlanta, I’m going to find Kevin’s restaurant.

I’m curious what you all think….did you agree with the judges? Are you slightly bitter as I am?

Let me know, and thanks for reading this season!

Last night on Bravo’s “Top Chef: Las Vegas,” the scene shifted to the Napa Valley in California, and some of the cast had physically changed. That’s because there was a decided time lag between when the final four left Las Vegas to when they re-convened in Napa…we’re not sure how much time, but enough for host Padma Lakshmi to have her pregnant belly start showing. Also, Kevin’s hair was different (and there was less of it)and Jen looked like she had gotten some sleep. The brothers Voltaggio pretty much looked and acted exactly the same.

So Padma announced that for part one of the finale, there would be a quick fire challenge to start, and she introduced guest judge and Top Chef Master Michael Chiarello, a Napa Valley restauranteur himself. For the challenge, they would have to cook Padma and Michael a dish in 30 minutes using Napa grapes and whatever else was in a pantry on the Napa Valley train….and of course, they would all have to share the train’s kitchen. This was a high stakes challenge, too…the winner would win a third generation 2010 Toyota Prius. Wow, these sponsors are really ponying up!

For the challenge, Kevin made some sort of honey and cheese dish with white grapes; Michael created a stuffed grape leaf with scallops, and incorporated a piece of grape vine for posterity and visual enhancement; Bryan made a roasted hen with bacon, scallops and concord grapes…impressive for 30 minutes; and Jennifer made chicken livers with clams and cabernet grapes. The winner was Michael, as Chiarello pointed out that his use of the vine was what put him over the top.

For the elimination challenge (yes, there would be one more of those), the final four were asked to cater a season ending “crush party,” a ritual in the Napa Valley when the grapes are all harvested for the last time. This would be at the Rutherford Hills Winery, and each chef would create two dishes–one vegetarian and one with a local protein–for 150 people. They had five hours to shop and cook, and all of their produce had to be locally grown as well.

Kevin made a beef brisket with pumpkin polenta, and a carrot and beet puree dish with some sort of cheese.

Jen made a goat cheese mousse, and a duck breast confit.

Bryan went with goat cheese ravioli; and then braised short ribs with a fig glaze.

Michael made foie gras with a turnip/pear soup; and a vegetable pistou with a slow cooked egg.

Keep in mind that these four chefs have been dominating the competition this season, and that now the judges would have to send one of them home for good. Those judges were the regulars Padma, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, as well as Chiarello.

They found something they didn’t like about at least one of each of their dishes–Kevin’s beef was a bit tough but they loved his veggie dish; Jen’s mousse was too salty and they thought the duck would have been better grilled, but she had a problem with the wood burning grill; Brian’s short ribs didn’t have enough fig flavor and also lacked salt; and Michael’s eggs were inconsistently cooked. The diners attending the party were all mixed on what their favorite dishes were a well.

But they had to choose a winner for the challenge…..that person was….Bryan! Mainly, Bryan’s goat cheese ravioli was the favorite dish across the board, so he was the first to reach the grand finale. So either Jen, Michael or Kevin would be going home. Certainly it couldn’t be Kevin, who has been rock solid in this thing for weeks. Or would it?
In the end, it was Jen that they sent home….a great chef and competitor, but perhaps they docked her for not paying enough attention to the wood fire grill….or maybe as a whole for the season, she was just slightly below the other three in terms of winning challenges.

So your final three are Kevin, Bryan and Michael. Those guys will duke it out next Wednesday for the title of Top Chef. I’m still pulling for Kevin, and I think that while those brothers can cook their asses off, Kevin has got to be considered the frontrunner. We’ll see…..and see you guys next week…

You don’t realize how long the season is of any reality show until they roll the intro showing all of the contestants, including the ones who were eliminated in the first few episodes. Then you think to yourself, “Self, this has been going on forever!” And so it is with Bravo’s “Top Chef: Las Vegas,” which is essentially the sixth season of the extremely popular show. It’s also, at this stage, maybe the most competitive yet.

Last night they began with host Padma Lakshmi and Gavin Kaysen, who competed in a global cooking competition known as Bocuse d’Or, which they say is the Olympics of the culinary world. Kaysen made something for his entry in the competition called a “ballantine,” which was in essence putting a protein inside of a protein inside of a protein. So Padma asked them all to make their own version of a ballantine for the quick fire challenge. Jen joked that she was going to make a turducken…but the thing is, that’s sort of exactly what they had to do…the catch was, they only had 90 minutes to do it.

Eli made a scotch egg with bacon; Michael a poultry terrine; Jen a combo of calamari, steak and scallops; Bryan lamb and sausage; and Kevin catfish, scallop and shrimp. Kaysen would be the judge for this one and his least favorite, surprisingly, was Kevin’s. That dude never winds up on the bottom, and he made it clear that he disagreed with Kaysen’s reasons. Meanwhile, the winner of the challenge was Jen, and Padma even said to her, “Welcome back” after tasting her dish…mostly because Jen has really struggled lately. Jen would have an advantage for the elimination challenge.

That challenge was to compete in a mini Bocuse d’Or, with superstar chef Thomas Keller being one of the judges, as well as the regular contingent of Padma, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and a few other esteemed Bocuse D’or judges. In other words….some heavy hitters with sophisticated palates and discerning tastes. They would have the choice to make lamb or salmon the centerpiece of their meal, along with two sides/garnishes. The winner would be guaranteed a spot in the final four, and also take home $30,000. Damn, that’s a huge prize.

In some of the banter as the chefs were preparing their ideas, Michael mentioned that Kevin’s food is so simple…in fact, it’s the type of stuff he cooks at home. This was an unnecessary and cocky statement, especially considering that Kevin has come so far based on the quality and flavor of his food, no matter how simple it might appear to everyone else.

So Kevin presented to the judges first, and his creation was a lamb loin, and asparagus with sunchoke cream. The judges loved the flavors but, as Michael may have suggested, it was a bit too simple, especially considering the 4-hour time frame they had to prepare the dishes.

Michael went next and made a Mediterranean salmon platter with a loin of salmon and champagne sauce. The judges felt a lack of “harmony” on the plate, and Colicchio gave him a hard time because salmon is not typically a Mediterranean fish, and overlooking that in a Bocuse d’Or competition is not smart. Plus, one of the judges pulled a bone from the fish. Ouch.

Bryan wen with a crusted loin of lamb, a caponata, and an orzo mac & cheese with garlic chips. His lamb was not quite cooked enough but the judges liked his concept maybe best of all of them

Eli was next and made a lamb sausage, carrot puree, and tomato/pepper marmalade. There was a big problem with his lamb, because it was undercooked and therefore had big chunks of undercooked and gristly fat.

Jen was last, and she made a salmon and caviar dish over celery root and mushrooms, and a shrimp flan with snap peas. She also had 30 minutes extra to cook because she had won the quick fire challenge, and while the judges mostly liked Jen’s dish, some of them had undercooked salmon.

The snooty Bocuse d’Or judges were extremely critical of all of the chefs, but that’s how they are in these competitions. But someone had to win, and someone had to go home. Then they announced that not only would the winner take home $30K, but also would be awarded a spot in the 2011 Bocuse D’or to represent our country.

Padma announced that the judges wanted to see all of the chefs in the elimination room. And the winner was…..Kevin! You could feel Michael seething….and despite Kevin’s simplicity, what it came down to was execution and his dish tasting the best. Dude was blown away and admitted that he might crap his pants having to compete in the Bocuse d’Or.

So it was between the brothers Voltaggio, Jen and Eli to go home. Mrs. Mike thought for sure it would be Michael….but it was….Eli! I think the judges really struggled with Eli’s fatty lamb sausage and that’s what was his ticket home.

Our final four….just like we predicted weeks ago….is Jen, Kevin, Michael and Bryan. The finals shift to Napa Valley next week and it appears the chefs will have to cook for a huge party that will no doubt have a wine theme. I still think Kevin is going to win it all, and that will inevitably piss off both brothers. Bring it on!

Last night on Bravo’s “Top Chef: Las Vegas,” the six remaining contestants were greeted in the kitchen of the Venetian Hotel with a phone call from host Padma Lakshmi. Padma was hanging out in a hotel room with cookbook author and TV personality Nigella Lawson, and the quick fire challenge was to cook and deliver to them breakfast in bed.

Robin went first (how is she still here?) and made blintzes with goat cheese and pineapple. I don’t like goat cheese, but either way, that sounds disgusting. Eli made a reuben benedict with thousand island hollandaise sauce. Since they were staggered in groups of two, next was Mike and Kevin. Mike made a huevos Cubana with banana puree, and Kevin made steak and eggs. Then it was Jen and Bryan–Jen went with creamed chipped beef and Bryan made a 4-minute egg over corn polenta.

Nigella’s least favorite dishes were Robin and Bryan, and her favorites were Kevin and Eli. But she had to choose one winner, and that person was Eli. Since immunity is no longer issued, Eli’s prize was also quite cool…to have his recipe featured in the Top Chef Quick Fire Cookbook.

For the main challenge, the chefs had to draw knives, with each one representing a popular Vegas hotel. They would then have to create a dish based on the theme of that hotel for 175 guests, including the judging panel. The judges would be the regulars Tom Colicchio and Padma, as well as Toby Young and Nigella.

Mike drew New York, New York and he made boneless Buffalo chicken wings with a blue cheese dipping sauce. Jen had Excalibur and her idea was a medieval themed meat…so she made a New York strip with beets and red wine. Bryan had Mandalay Bay and made a halibut with a bouillabaise consomme.

Robin had the Bellagio and went with a panna cotta, which is like an Italian custard, but she also tried to make stained glass panels out of sugar and it all fell apart. Kevin had the Mirage and he made a wild sockeye salmon with compressed vegetables and a tomato broth. Finally, Eli had Circus Circus and took the biggest gamble by making a caramel apple and peanut soup with pulverized popcorn. Say what?

At this point, we’re all thinking Robin has hung around long enough….but for whatever reason, she’s been lucky because someone else in the field has performed worse each week. Well, let’s see what happens….

The favorites were Kevin, Mike and Bryan….and the winner was…Mike. You might think making boneless Buffalo wings was almost a copout, but he won based on execution, as Toby Young mentioned how perfectly crispy the chicken was. I’m getting hungry. Mike’s prize was a bottle of Terrato wine and a trip for two to the Terrato vinyards in Napa Valley.

The least favorites were (well who is left, right?) Eli, Jen and Robin. The judges mentioned that Jen’s steak was tough and that she has been floundering the last few weeks after getting off to a great start. Eli’s soup was pretty much a disaster, and Colicchio mentioned that it “texturally failed.” Yikes. And Robin’s panna cotta just didn’t work. She went on an on about how she bit off more than she could chew with the stained glass, saying, “I”m such a jerk.” Okay, that’s a bit harsh, but Colicchio then asked Robin if she was being influenced by the other judges. Meaning, was she trying to overcompesate for being less talented and trying to wow the judges instead? Good point, and last night that is what sent Robin home…or perhaps it was her body of work this season, because clearly she is not in the same class as Mike, Bryan, Kevin, Eli and Jen.

So FINALLY Robin is off the show and we can focus on these five really talented chefs heading into the final rounds. I think Jen or Eli is next, and this is going to come down to Kevin and the brothers Voltaggio. It has to, right?

Thanks for reading and see you all next week…

Last night’s “Top Chef: Las Vegas” on Bravo featured the remaining seven chefs facing more and more pressure. Some would respond while others would start to wilt, and we’re almost to final four territory (just where has this season gone??).

We began with a quick fire challenge as host Padma Lakshmi introduced Italian chef Paul Bartolotta, who has an Italian restaurant in Las Vegas and is known as one of the best in the cuisine. But oddly, their quick fire was not Italian-oriented. Instead, they each had to create a “TV dinner” style dish based on a popular show, drawing knives to determine who would be representing which show.

Kris Kringle (Kevin) drew first and had “The Sopranos,” and he made a meatball dish with polenta and roasted cauliflower. Eli had “Gilligan’s Island” and made a macadamia and cashew crusted shrimp with tropical fruit salad. Mike Isabella had “Seinfeld” but admitted to never having watched it. Yikes. He made a sausage and pepper dish, though I’m not sure how that fit the show. Mike V. had “Cheers” and made bar food–chicken tender parmesan with swiss chard. Robin pulled “Sesame Street” and made a burger with egg, some sort of cookie and braised kale. Kale? For a kid? Brian had “M*A*S*H” and did a 50’s inspired dish of meat loaf, mashed potatoes and apple pie. Finally, Jennifer had “The Flintstones” and made a chicken roulade with peaches and a pea salad. Not sure about that one either. No bronto-burgers, Jen?

Chef Bartolotta chose Robin and Jen’s as his least favorites, and his top choices were Brian and Kris Kringle. Okay, from here on out, we’re going to refer to Kris as his real name, Kevin…you all know he looks like Kris Kringle, and he’s too much of a contender! Kevin won the challenge and his prize was to have his dish featured in a new line of Top Chef frozen dinners with Schwan’s.

For the main challenge, the chefs were whisked off to head judge Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak restaurant, where they would be serving dinner to the judges and some guests. After looking at all the great steaks that were back in the kitchen and trying to determine what they would be making, a curveball came in. That curveball was actress Natalie Portman, who would be the guest of honor. However, Natalie is a vegetarian. Yikes….you could hear the collective groan and awkward comments (Robin: “They are people too!”).

Robin made a stuffed squash with fresh garbanzo beans and a beet carpaccio. All of that sounded good on the surface, but apparently her head was so scattered that she was not focused on one particular aspect of the dish.

Eli made a confit of eggplant, with lentils and radish garnish. This went over fairly well.

Mike V. made a few types of asparagus, with a tomato sashimi and banana polenta. The polenta was brave considering chef Bartolotta was a judge, but he pulled it off and he got the reaction out of Portman he wanted (“I’m not sure why, but I love this…”)

Jennifer made a charred eggplant with fennel and was nervously saucing each plate when describing the dish. For whatever reason, they didn’t like her dish and she was going to be in trouble again.

Mike I. made leeks with a carrot puree and roasted fingerling potatoes. A good idea, as he wanted the leeks to resemble scallops, but they kind of fell apart as he cooked them. Not good and they let him know it.

Brian did an artichoke dish with shallots and a fennel puree. I think they liked his dish but didn’t love it.

And finally Kevin made a mushroom duo with smoked kale and turnips. The judges loved his dish and thought that the mushrooms were a nice protein replacement.

As the judges discussed what they liked and didn’t like, at one point Natalie Portman made an adolescent type crack about something Padma said about a “prick” in her mouth, and all of them started snickering like they were watching “Beavis & Butthead” together. It was pretty funny.

So they called in the three chefs whose dishes they liked the most–Kevin, Michael V. and Eli. They loved the textures but more importantly the flavors Kevin created, the creativity of Michael’s and how pretty Eli’s dish looked in addition to tasting great. The winner? Kevin again. Michael was pissed because he said he could have made Kevin’s dish in his sleep. Yikes….easy, dude! Kevin’s prize was a kitchen full of appliances and this guy just keeps racking up those prizes!

The least favorites were Jennifer, Robin and Mike I. Jennifer’s was considered to be a plateful of garnishes and they questioned why that was when she had 2 hours. Robin’s dish was all over the map and not focused enough. And Mike not only failed with his leek experiment, but he was cocky and thought the rest of his dish was great…Colicchio disagreed wholeheartedly. So while we were all holding our collective breath, waiting for Padma to say Robin’s name…she didn’t, instead going with Mike Isabella. Dude was too cocky for his own good, though it’s hard to believe he is a better chef than Robin. Really hard to believe.

So we are now down to six–Robin, Jennifer, the brothers Voltaggio, Kevin and Eli. I’m still pulling for and picking Kevin as my frontrunner. What do you all think? Will the brothers implode soon? Will they cancel each other out? Tune in next week!