TOP Chef Finale: Marcel or Ilan?

[philosophie_en_rose]

Marcel and Ilan are on the Today show right now. They know who won, but won't say. They're demonstrating their dishes from last week. Marcel looks pretty happy. Ilan looks tired.

Who will win tonight?

[LynneSin]

1. Who will win and who should win are probably two different people

Ilan should win - he's definately a nicer guy than Marcel; however, I have a feeling that Marcel is gonna win it

:cry:

[philosophie_en_rose]

2. Marcel did look really, really happy.

But Ilan could be tired, because he's doing whatever the winners have to do.

[LynneSin]

16. But if he hasn't been announced as the winner what has he been doing

As far as I know they have to act clueless until after tonight's episode

[philosophie_en_rose]

17. Getting drunk and shaving people?

:shrug:

[Scarlett17]

3. Marcel is a complete tool.

I so hope Ilan wins.

[Crazy Dave]

4. Top Chef?

"How are my little crackers today?"

[philosophie_en_rose]

5. Note to Ilan: Do not put Liver in the Chocolate Salty Balls

:bounce:

[Critters2]

22. LOL!!! nt

[mtnester]

26. God, that brought a SNL memory to life

Schweaty Balls

[LostinVA]

6. The Food & Wine website accidentally leaked it about fifteen minutes

Then, the article was pulled. I know who won.

[philosophie_en_rose]

7. Spoiler?

[LostinVA]

9. *SPOILER* WINNER OF TONIGHT'S TOP CHEF FINALE

It is NOT Marcel!

Which kinda surprises me.

[philosophie_en_rose]

11. Food & Wine claims to have put up profiles of both as "winners"

They have articles on both Marcel and Ilan ready to go, and apparently posted them too soon or something.

Winner Marcel plans to travel and then open a restaurant on Bainbridge Island, WA.

Winner Ilan plans to open a Spanish-style tapas restaurant with Asian Influences.


I hope Ilan doesn't win.

[LostinVA]

13. SPOILER NUMBER TWO

I don't believe F&W. They screwed up. And, I has quit his job.

[philosophie_en_rose]

15. Sad.

I'm not a huge Marcel fan, but I do generally dislike everyone on the show. Last year's bunch were much more professional and creative than this year's sorry group, but I would have liked Marcel to win to stick it to he "Mean Chefs."

:shrug:

[LostinVA]

19. I agree

Marcel is an arrogant twit, but the bully mentality and actual assault against him have made me root for him. Ugh.

And, last year's bunch were WAY better. Even most of the "bad" chefs were at least decent technicians and good line cooks.

[philosophie_en_rose]

21. Too many immature people this season.

Stealing lychees? Assaulting people? Picking on the weird kid? Meh.

[LynneSin]

18. Reaction to LostinVA post - **spoiler**

Oh thank goodness there is a god and she is very kind!

[LostinVA]

20. This is what I've read in several different places

[bicentennial_baby]

8. and I'm still in shock...

I mean, I can't stand either of them, but... :o

[LostinVA]

10. Well, I have to say that

Marcel, as annoying as he is, is better than Ted Allen Jr. I'm quite surprised he didn't win. I think, this season, Elia was the best. However, compared to LAST season's cheftestants... this group kinda sucks overall.

[bicentennial_baby]

12. Hahahaha! I call him

"TedIlan" :D

I was rooting for Sam...Elia, imho, isn't mature enough yet to run a restaurant, what with her "I quit" meltdowns and such. But yes, I never thought I'd miss Tiffany or even Stephen Sommelier :P

[LostinVA]

14. I know, I loathed Tiffany, but she was at least a good chef

And even Stephen was acceptable, as long as he stayed in his comfort zone.

Haruka and I watched a chunk of the marathon Saturday night. I had missed a few shows, talking to her on the phone.

[smtpgirl]

23. read the spoiler article in F&W

I think it will be Ilan because Marcel is suck a smug prick.

[judaspriestess]

24. I'm going for Marcel

I just got so sick and tired of everyone complaining and whining. It was pathetic. If Ilan wins, thats ok too.

on edit: I honestly disliked this crew imensely. They sucked overall. Michael was the only spark, he was goofy and just down to earth. Betty was the worst of all time.

[mtnester]

25. Sam....oh wait

[judaspriestess]

27. here's a funny

Marcel gets knocked over the head:


http://www.bravotv.com/blog/thedish/2007/01/marcel_attacked.php

[xchrom]

28. well if food and wine did spill

and it's ilan --i'm not surprised.

i think if marcel had won -- there'd have been a riot.

people hated that guy so much.

it was ridiculous and unfounded.

[LostinVA]

29. EEEK! Edit your header!!!

[xchrom]

30. lol -- well it's in THE WHOLE THREAD!!

[LostinVA]

31. I put spoilers in my header

[philosophie_en_rose]

32. Kick for the East Coasters to Confirm/ Deny the Spoilers.

:bounce:

[NYCGirl]

33. Woohoo! I'm happy about the winner.

He worked in my neighborhood — before he quit very recently, I hear.

Although I wasn't really crazy about any of them this season. I'm looking forward to the next, though!

[blitzen]

34. BooHoo....I'm not happy

I think the other guy is a way better chef....Oh, well.

You're right...this season's line-up was not that strong. Only a few who really knew how to cook. Good show, though.

[philosophie_en_rose]

35. Maybe ****** will be the Jennifer Hudson of Top Chef.

Poor Marcel.

I disliked him the least.


His food seemed much more appealing than Ilan's, too.

[NYCGirl]

36. It'll be interesting to see what happens to both of them. NT

[jakefrep]

40. I'd say the best man (and cook) won...

....What did Marcel do that was so bloody special?

[MissMillie]

43. I agree

Tom C. asked Marcel when he was making those encapsulated balls of vinagrette if the humidity would be a problem.... and Marcel just shrugged him off.

Of course they didn't work because (*GASP!*) it was too humid out!

The guy's not smart enough to listen to the voice of experience??? He's a pompous ass.

[Shakespeare]

44. And on his one big fuckup of the night, it was SAM who came up with the dish...

...that the judges raved about the most. He should've been in the final, not Ilan.

[judaspriestess]

37. OK SO WHO WON???

ok reading a few post, I see its who I did not want to win.

I really hope next year is better than this year, this year sucked.

[judaspriestess]

38. I know no one will read this but

here goes. Ilan winning was total bullshit, he cooked the same food he always does. very lame and I watched Top Design and heard Ilan bash Harold calling him a fucking boring guy. What kind of crap is that? and picking betty who has got to be one of the worst human beings I have ever seen on tv. but the winner is fitting to the season, SUCKY

[xchrom]

39. i read it.

when it comes down to the final two -- it's may the best person win for that meal.

but marcel walks away for having the most brass in pocket -- he even picked sam to help him -- a big ass{remember sam sat there when cliff assaulted him and egged cliff on}.

marcel withstood a firestorm of irrational hate on that show -- and made it through to the end.

people seem to forget these people on project runway ot top chef or top designer are real people and not characters.

[LynneSin]

41. Ultimately both of them will go on to great careers

Even with Project Runway - many of the contestants who haven't won still go on into great careers in their respective industries. I never realized all this cooking wizardary that Marcel does was such a big deal until one of the judges for last night was also the same style cook.

And I have to say this for these reality contests on Bravo - if you're an asshole there is a good chance you'll go far if not make it to the end in the contest. Take a look as some of the others in the past who have done well - Wendy from Season #1 of Project Runway (got to finals), Santino from Season #2 of Project Runway (got to finals), Jeffrey from season #3 of Project Runway (won), Tiffani from Season #1 of Top Chef (got to final 2) - so if anything Marcel was smart to step into the role of villian because it'll get you far on these shows

[xchrom]

46. marcel was pretty ''weak'' in the role as villian.

what happened was a snowball that turned into an avalanche that.

it was out of hand -- i.e. cliff{and sam's disgusting behavior in that moment}.

this was reported by amuse biyatch -- they're quoting padma
''We've all had that kid in school who everyone loved to pick on and I do think somehow this group has decided that he's there bespectacled Piggy in their Lord of the Flies scenario. I felt bad for him watching the tape of the show. I saw what he said to Betty and he didn't snap at her, he just told her to wait firmly enough to get his point across. The voice you hear telling Marcel to "hold up" is the voice of our Assistant Director Sean who relays when the cameras are ready to film the one and only time that food is served to that bunch of live waiting dinner guests, and if Marcel hadn't waited of told Betty to wait loud enough, we would have missed the shot. And Betty and others know that. They just decided that whatever little thing he did was an excuse for them all to behave in that way. Whoever heard of kitchen folk being that thin-skinned? If you don't like being barked at now and again, you should really get out ot the kitchen. I do think they're a little frightened of him and his skills, where as they aren't threatened by, say, Mike -- who they seem to help along one more than one occasion. I'm not saying that Marcel is completely innocent, but watching tonight's episode, I was shocked by the level of aggression on everyone's part. I do hope this doesn't continue to be the case. This is supposed to be a professional environment, not one where personal attacks are commonplace.''

http://amuse-biatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Joel%20Robuchon

[philosophie_en_rose]

42. I've read your post and completely agree with you.

If Ilan bashed Harold, he has even less insight than I thought. Harold (and almost every else) could easily stomp anyone on this season. If Ilan was on last season, he'd be out pretty quickly.

If Sam had won, I'd respect that. But Ilan is an obvious ass. You're right. He is the biggest Sucker.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

45. I was pulling for Sam to win.