Heading into Wednesday's "Top Chef: Las Vegas" finale we had mixed emotions. On one hand we were delighted to see the three most deserving chefs (The Voltaggio Brothers, Michael and Bryan, and our fried and joy Southern Ginger Bear, Kevin) advance to the last episode. They were clearly the most dominant competitors over the duration of the season; Kevin was the points leader in Fantasy Top Chef and the Voltaggio's sibling rivalry provided some punch in an otherwise workmanlike albeit entertaining season. But on the other hand, there's something exciting about an underdog (Stephanie), undeserving (Carla) or unlikeable (Lisa) chef crashing the finale party.

Anyway, this season's finale opened back in Napa, not Las Vegas, with Kevin announcing that "the brothers are going to bring it." We imagined Michael overhearing this and shouting, "OH, it's already been BRUNG!"

For the Final Challenge, the three chefs received some predictable help from castoff soux chefs. Kevin drew Preeti and Ash, Bryan drew Jennifer and Ashley, and Michael drew Jesse and Eli. Obviously, Kevin got shafted in this draw while Bryan made out like a horse thief. We liked the shit-eating grin Michael proudly displayed when he drew Eli for his second soux. Likewise, Eli looked like a hack golfer who'd just won a golf outing with pre-scandal Tiger Woods. Nobody drew Robin, and for that we're all winners.

Each chef was responsible for a three-course meal. For the first course the chefs had to use the same assigned ingredients. The second course was chef's choice, and the third was the always dreaded dessert.

At Cyrus, the chefs found their mystery boxes of ingredients, which contained rock fish, crab, kabocha squash (what?), meyer lemon, anise (who doesn't love anise?), and Dice-K Matsuzaka mushrooms. Bryan seems to be the only chef embracing his soux chefs, which isn't at all surprising; Michael is a rogue of the Bill Belicheck mold and Kevin drew two goobers who had no business being in the competition to start with. Who'd trust Preeti to boil water?

After the first courses had been completed, the chefs' moms stopped by to provide some last-minute inspiration and encouragement. Apparently, it took mom's doting to make Michael realize he's competing against his brother. Kevin seemed to respond the best to this surprise, discovering he's got more fight than he gives himself credit for. With the arrival of the mothers, so came a twist: the three course-meal was now a four-course menu, with the extra course representing a childhood memory/dedication to mom. Loved that Bryan went with his bent on tuna casserole, using sardines in place of cured tuna. Michael used broccoli because, well, he hated it. This dish was an ode to Mom Voltaggio because she was a single mom who always made her boys eat what was good for them, even if they detested it. Coming from Michael, this seemed borderline sweet. Kevin made fried chicken because he's a fat kid who likes to eat Sunday Dinner-style comfort food that tastes good. No wonder we love Ginger Bear so freaking much. Oh, and he worked bacon into his dessert. Genius (maybe).

Besides the desserts, we were digging the chef's choice courses most because in reality, executive chefs and restaurateurs don't do anything they don't want to do (that's why they work their asses off to be the boss).While challenging tasks, they don't cook out of mystery boxes, they don't make sentimental dishes on the fly, and they certainly don't concoct desserts (they farm that shit out to BAKERS).

With the moms (and Toby, blach) sitting at the table, the finalists plated and served their competition-breaking dishes. Kevin's fried chicken over seasoned tomatoes seemed to go over well, Bryan's sardine casserole was universally panned and the decisions were split on Michael's freeze-dried broccoli and shrimp number.

(Side Note: While at first we thought bringing in the moms was a hokey time-filler, they were probably the highlight of the show.)

For the mystery box dishes, Kevin's dish was just OK, Bryan's curry fish was ho-hum, and Michael's was the clear-cut winner.

Third in points heading into the chef's choice round, Bryan needed to deliver and deliver he did with his venison saddle. Kevin's pork belly with roasted brussel sprouts wasn't an overwhelming winner or loser, but it passed. Michael, of course, went all fancy schmancy with a fennel-scented scuab and mushrooms that was much appreciated, but not hailed. One food heavy called it a "gimmick." Ouch.

For dessert, Kevin did roasted bananas with chocolate/banana mousse and bacon brittle, Bryan made a cheesecake with fig sorbet and basil, and Michael did a chocolate caramel coulant with candied pumpkin seeds and butternut ice cream. Seemed like Bryan won the dessert round, too, but it's so hard to tell with so many mouths at the table.

With three guys so evenly matched and nobody serving anything inedible for the final meal, we couldn't predict who'd win and the judges' table deliberations reaffirmed those feelings. There's just not anything bad to say about any of the three finalist. As often as we aired our distaste for the manufactured drama of the Voltaggio sibling rivalry we literally laughed out loud at Michael, when asked why he should be Top Chef answered, "I just don't want Bryan to be Top Chef." Classic. Michael came across far-less douchy this episode. Being a great chef is all he's ever wanted to do and it's all he's ever been good at. We can forgive him for being a bit much. 

The judges awarded the title and the $100K to Michael. Now, we could rant and rave about how Bravo overplayed the Voltaggio card all season but in the end, both those dudes cooked their balls off and Michael was justly awarded for his creativity and drive, both of which were off-the-charts.

As for the inaugural season of Fantasy Top Chef, Joe G. won the title by a five-point margin, which sucks since we're pretty sure Joe didn't watch a single episode after Episode 4. Even so, we'll do it again next year.

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Heck Yeah!

Why would I watch the show when I can read a word for word breakdown of the show on TFP????

My fantasy baseball and football season's were disasters, but at least I came out on top where it counts!

Joe G + Mike V , December 10, 2009

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I get the feeling the reunion will be more interesting

I feel like there was a lot that went uncovered during this season. I think the reunion show tonight will, quite possibly, be the most interesting reunion since season 1.

Dave MN , December 16, 2009

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Kevin's emotional turmoil???

So, did you see the Watch it Live or reunion thing where they revealed that Kevin's wifey left him mere days before he went to the finale taping?? Yikes, what a rub! I guess she'll be going after half the high-stakes wins and fan favorite money. Lame.

mineko , December 21, 2009

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