'Top Chef' no longer spoiled!

traciy Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 10:32 PM EST

I think that Marcel should have won. I think that he would have won if it had not been for his so called helpers Sam and Michael. I am so suprised that he picked Sam knowing how much he hated him. I think that Ilan is a snake in the grass as is Elia. And I feel bad for Mia. She should never have given up her position for Elia. Elia would never have done that for her.

Evie Sat, Feb 3, 2007 at 11:15 AM EST

For me the show was over when Sam and Elia lost of all the remaining chefs to me they were the best and more deserving than Ilan and Marcel with their arrogant and juvenile behavior both of them made me sick and neither should have won. How many Spanish Style dishes can you make!!! Marcel was a jerk and didn't deserve to be Top Chef. Sam and Elia sinke have been in the final with Sam winning the title. and as many people have said the show was over when they got kicked off the show I just hope next season is better!!!

jomavesa Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 09:53 PM EST

Marcel is a gem. In every interview he, he has shown class and maturity. Come on! How in the world could this have been judged as a fair contest with Marcel having to pick two people to win the competition from that group?
I wish him all the best, especially after the strong attempt to publicly humiliate him on Top Chef by the other contestants. Marcel still had the grace to respond to after show questions with dignity and class.

Rachel Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 05:21 PM EST

kriselda, i agree with everything you have to say. you are savvy to know what the hell is going on, and it is so lame that audience members have to piece together some form of truth. i am along with you, ilan sucks!

Jack Sprat Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 03:39 PM EST

" I also was irritated by his trying to get Elia to throw the restaurant-opening competition so that she could blame it on Marcel and get him to quit, "

Even more evidence that my Sam/Mikey conspiracy theory is correct.

kriselda jarnsaxa Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 01:33 PM EST

I have a lot of problems with Ilan - from the fact that he used so many of the recipes from Casa Mono (in addition to the ones listed below, he squab and lobster dish from the finale was, according to Padma's blog, VERY similar to a squab and langostino dish as Casa Mono). I also was irritated by his trying to get Elia to throw the restaurant-opening competition so that she could blame it on Marcel and get him to quit, not to mention the whole head shaving thing (though I'm MORE upset with Bravo on that one for showing the video out of order - turns out that they attacked Marcel, tried to shave his head and THEN shaved their own, not the other way around as it was broadcast... Blech!)

Even without the Food & Wine spoiler or Padma's looking to the left, I knew Ilan was the winner. The "Money in the Bank" song on his MySpace, plus the listing of $100K - $150K for a salary (line cooks usually make about $30K) AND his friends posting 'I know you won' messages made THAT clear weeks ago

Jack Sprat Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 01:12 PM EST

If Marcel was the chef of his own restaurant and he told a sous chef to get fish, he wouldn't have to check up on them. They would be fired. What's the purpose of having help if you have to check everything that they do. Do you think Ilan had to check behind his sous chefs for everything? And just because Marcel didn't look, doesn't mean the fish was not left intentionally. All the evidence from previous episodes shows that Sam and Mikey had motive and opportunity. They did it.

lk Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 01:07 PM EST

Check out LeeAnne's blog on bravotv.com - production saw the fish in the fridge, gave Ilan and Marcel an extra 5 minutes to look around. It's on him for not seeing it.

Jack Sprat Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 12:48 PM EST

I believe Sam and Mikey conspired to sabotage Marcel. They were responsible for the items in the refrigerator. How could the fish have been left behind except by conscious deliberation? It was the only item left in the cold storage area! The Top Chef final elimination is rigged. Since you have to depend heavily on your two sous chefs, they are as much a determinant in your success as your own abilities. They should have used the chefs from the previous show.

Tim Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 11:32 AM EST

I agree. I think that Marcel was indeed annoying, but he maintained his sanity and came off as real. His last monologue of answering Padma and COs questions in the finale was some of the most earnest reality TV I have seen in a while. Elia, Ilan, etc. just became so irritable that it made them look immature. I do not care about the editing, as we got to see the other good parts of these other characters throughtout the show; regardless, we just have to face they can also act as SORE losers.

srah Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 11:26 AM EST

oh No, Woodrow is one of those fools who takes everything so literally in reality shows. Newsflash, you have no idea what you see, and how easy everything is being manipulated, so if you have nothing objective, THE FOOD, what can you use! Your so lame. Great insight by one poster who noted that Ilan stole many of his receipes from Casa Mono, so yes Woodrow this is one example of a character lying on a show, get used to it.

Adrianna Fri, Feb 2, 2007 at 08:05 AM EST

I don't think the editing made Marcel seem like a nice guy, instead it made him seem like a decent human being in contrast to the a-holes he had to be around. Even though he seemed like an annoying cad I'm still more impressed w/ him for holding on to his sanity during the competition. Also, I thought it was well known that Marcel was obviously drunk during the post-final interview and justifible upset that he lost.

Jaded1 Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:32 PM EST

Who else wanted to see Ilan giving Marcel a golden shower? Oh wait, not me.....

postanka Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:13 PM EST

yeah, while the editing made marcel seem like a nice guy, i watched the post-show live stream of ilan and marcel, and marcel is a lot more annoying than the show ever let on. he was rude, talked all about himself in a strange put-on "surfer-dude" accent, and even answered questions that were about ilan. obviously, it was during the downtime that bravo didn't show where all the contestants got exposed to this annoying side of marcel.
that being said, the whole time it seemed like they were going to pick marcel, but i don't think they could handle the backlash. what's perplexing is they want someone with vision...ilan just made the same spanish-style things he's made his entire short cooking career.
hmm.

ceejay Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 10:24 PM EST

I have to admit that I didn't have the time to watch every minute of this season's competition, but I watched enough full episodes and parts of others to see that the majority of the cast disliked Marcel and were out to destroy him. Despite that fact, Marcel managed to consistently prepare and present high quality cuisine. Anyone who has ever worked in a hostile environment knows how tough it is to remain positive, creative and productive. Marcel's ability to do so proved that he should have been chosen Top Chef.

Preston Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 09:06 PM EST

Ilan absolutely deserved to win. Marcel was a stuck-up jerk from the beginning and deserved everything he got. Can't wait for season three!

sebby Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:24 PM EST

I started the season rooting for Ilan and disliking Marcel, yet as the season progressed, it seemed pretty clear that as annoying as Marcel may be, he was truly more creative and adventurous. At the same time, Ilan seemed to be more and more of an instigator, from trying to get Elia to call out Marcel to demeaning him publically to trying to get Cliff to shave Marcel's head. I thought Ilan was a good guy, but man, he causes others to get into trouble. Not a leader, not a top chef.

Sam Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:16 PM EST

One of the best lines last night? "I can't believe paprika and saffron took the title away from me, but whatever..."

As much as I hated Marcel, that was hilarious...

Jenn Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 08:02 PM EST

I was hoping that Marcel would win, I never had a problem with him. The problem wasn't the cooking. Tom said earlier that a Top Chef has to be a good leader. Marcel had too many problems getting people to follow him. Ilan, Elia and Sam should have had a penalty or something after the whole head shaving thing anyway.

cranky Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 07:01 PM EST

I think Marcel didn't win because Bravo was afraid if he did people would stop watching. They seemed to really like his final meal more. Personally i thought everyone this season was childish and shallow.

Fatima Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:26 PM EST

That question mark was not needed. Forgive my typing, my hands haven't quite warmed up yet from walking in below zero Minnesota weather.

Fatima Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 06:25 PM EST

Between Jeffrey winning Project Runway and childish Ilan winning Top Chef, Bravo is really failing with picking winners and its because they pay absolutely no attention to track records! It would be one thing if they were clearly the most talented, but NEITHER were? You have nothing to root for: Good Guys and Good Taste are absent.

Jeanita Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 05:52 PM EST

Oh come on!!!!!! To me the winner, hands down was Sam the man!!! Once again he had to bail Marcels sorry bottom out of trouble, and then Marcel wasn't even thankful. I didn't care for Ilan that much, but I sure didn't carry for the cocky, arrogant, I'm not here to make friends, better than you all acting Marcel, so between those two if had to be Ilan. At least he could organize his kitchen and run it smoother than Marcel. And Marcel couldn't even be a good loser, I never seen him tell Ilan congratulations, shake his hand, or any of that. But it was sure fun watching each week with all these different personalities, you never knew what would happen next. Can't wait till next season

Noodles Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 05:33 PM EST

Very disappointing finale. At first, I really liked Ilan but as the season wore on, he became more childish and vindictive. On the other hand, we knew Marcel was selfish and immature from the start, but at least he was creative. How could the judges not give him the title after acknowledging he created something they'd never tasted before, whereas Ilan kept recycling dishes from his Spanish restaurant and can't cook deserts or anything without a Spanish influence. Marcel proved to have vision whereas Ilan was basically a one-trick pony.

Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 05:30 PM EST

I like the idea of a Top Chef TV Watch. Helin, what do you think? For season 3?

fredric Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 04:27 PM EST

add another to team sam.

gurly Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 04:23 PM EST

After Marcel got stung by the sea urchin, did anyone else raise an eyebrow when Ilan said 'I would love to pee on Marcel?' Okaaaaaay....

Todd Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 04:09 PM EST

I was pulling for Mia, until she sacrifised herself (for nothing, it seems) for Elia. But I agree with everyone else that Marcel didn't grow on me as much as Ilan and Elia soured. Instead of cooking great food, they spent too much energy trying to get Marcel out, which is why he was able to beat them at the end. But in the same regard, shouldn't Marcel actually have lost points for his attitude? If you're hard to work with, no one's going to want to hire you, so how can you be a top chef if you don't even have a kitchen? Honestly, I too would have rather seen Sam in the finals than either of those two, but not one of the chefs ever really impressed me. I would take Harold, Tiffani, Lee Ann and even Dave over any of this cast in a second. I would probably even take Steven, who actually showed that he had a sense of humor about himself in the reunion show. Oh well. I don't think I'm the only one that's glad to see this season gone. Here's hoping season three is better.

sarah Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 04:07 PM EST

who do we have to talk to to get a 'top chef' tv watch already?

if you're doing one for real world (horrid--the show, not the commentary), then i think top chef should be there as well.

Annette Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 04:02 PM EST

I am so disgusted that Ilan won. Boring, mundane dishes throughout the competition, not to mention his weird obsession with Marcel.

I don't know why everyone was hating on Marcel so much, Ilan was hateful, petty, profane and just all-around dumb-acting the entire show. And his 'my food has soul' comments were so insincere to be laughable.

Good to see Marcel on 'The View' today getting much deserved recognition.

Jennifer Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 04:01 PM EST

Did anyone else notice how Betty acted as though she was in love with Ilan. It was gross. All I could think was, "get a room!" I was not surprised that Ilan won, but between the two of them, I wanted Marcel to win. I really think of all of the contestants, Sam deserved the title of "Top Chef", but I thought he handled his loss with grace. Elia, on the other hand, acted bitter last night that she wasn't one of the final two.

Jill Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:50 PM EST

Put me on the Sam bandwagon - he was consistently the best and slightly more mature than the rest of this sorry lot. This shouldn't have figured in, but he is also really hot. Did anyone see the "dishes" during Top Design? You really got a better picture of how annoying and arrogant Marcel is during those interviews. No matter how good his food is, I would never eat in one of his restaurants because I would assume his kitchen staff would hate him so much they would pee in the food.

Kevin K Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:46 PM EST

STOP COMPLAINING EVERYONE!!!

What a bunch of babies! It was a fantastic episode to watch. Those two chefs laid it on the line for some of the most talented and progressive people in the food industry! AND...THEY WERE IMPRESSED! Who are you all to argue who should have won?

It seems people have been fed up with this year's "drama." which I understand, but you can't turn around and act all winy when your favorite personality doesn't win! Ilan and Marcel did and excellent job, end of story.

Robert Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:46 PM EST

I guess I must have missed something during the show. While on ocassion I found Marcel's (and everyone else's for that matter) behavior annoying, I could never understand the mass hatred that seemed to envelope him. I mean, if being a jerk diva somehow disqualifies you from being a chef, then everybody on that show (judges included) need to close their restaurants and start flipping patties at Mickey D's.

I was disappointed in the final results. Marcel showed innovation while Ilan fell back on old standards. I think even by a point-by-point comparison, the judges praised more of Marcel's dishes. Did he lose because he was less nicer than Ilan in the final kitchen? If behavior is being judged (and didn't Tom once say, "we're judging food, not personality"?), then Ilan was a clear loser. I've seen more mature behavior at frat parties than how Ilan obsessively carried on about Marcel.

Woodrow Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:41 PM EST

Marcel was a complete tool. Yes, he is a good cook. The second best according to the judges (and none of us got to taste anything.) And don't give me this crap about how "nothing matters but the food." Tell it to Cliff or just shut up with that nonsense.

CL Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:34 PM EST

I personally was a huge fan when the judges made it clear that they thought Marcel was going to be the better chef but based on his performance in the episode they couldn't let him win. Ilan is such a hack and a liar. When he talked about being "inspired by the market" and coming up with the menu that morning you just want to slap him. Not only were his stupid eel surprise things forced into a context they didn't really seem to fit into, but also, two other dishes (the fried bay leaf and the short ribs and romanesco sauce) were taken directly from the Casa Mono menu (this in addition to the fritter thingies he made last week, the fideos with clams in the final 5 episode, and the pan con tomate in the beach episode among others).

Marcel actually innovated and created something exciting and fun. Also, disregarding Sam's minimal input on the fishless fish dish, any vegetarian dish that can go head to head with a dish featuring squab, lobster, and FOIE GRAS, must be pretty amazing.

carolinus Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:31 PM EST

Bravo TV had it's own spoiler in the days leading up to the finale. In their preview commercials Padma can be seen looking to the left to deliver the news to the winner and in another commercial we can see the Ilian was on that side. Bravo TV- I knew the winner because you showed him!

Chelsea Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:21 PM EST

Um, I never had a problem with Marcel. I pretty much liked him the whole time. I think Marcel should have won. I really liked Ilan in the beginning, but his Marcel obsession towards the end was too much for me. The ratting out, the picking on, the hating. How high school, grow up already...

Richard Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:16 PM EST

I think I hated Ilan the most in the show. I felt bad for Marcel, and in the hand I was hoping for a surprise win. It was so obvious that these dishes were conceived before he arrived, I mean COME ON, why lie about this?

Tim Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:14 PM EST

Ummm, does Ilan have to face anything for spoiling the show, quitting before the finale, give me a break? That's like saying "I WON and don't need to be working here anymore." Can this guy get over himself.

Sarah Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:11 PM EST

I agree that Ilan was such a tool. Marcel was a tool, but there is nothing worse than someone like Ilan who actually thinks he is more humble and passionate about cooking than those around him. I loved Elia, but the comment of "come on, how can you give it to him" made me realize how these characters forget that ONLY the food matters. Marcel made innovative food. And Elia, Sam, and Ilan made great food as well. That is why they were all in the final four, and the way it worked out (based on the food) was not controversial at all. I know there is a TOP CHEF element to all this, being a leader and the such, but none of these reality stars seemed to be leaders. Even Sam lashed out at Marcel. No excuses, because once you "play" the game, you are no better than anyone else.

kris Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:05 PM EST

Elia was the one who cooked Ilan's dishes to perfection during the finale. Most of the positive comments were on how great the fish and sqaub were cooked just right ... which as all Elia. It should have been Sam and Elia as the final two.

Holly Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 03:03 PM EST

Of the two finalist; Ilan was the man; and Marcel the boy. Marcel is a tremendous cook; but, lacks maturity and the ability to work with others. I really liked Sam, too; but, the two finalists took the greater risk. Innovation. Ilan can cook me dinner any time.

Paige Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 02:48 PM EST

It was spoiled.

I was soooooooooooo enjoying this season when it began. Lots of competition, who would win?

That "trick" on Marcel just made everyone look bad. And Marcel's the good guy? Not so sure.

I'm also not so sure that Sam and Mikey didn't gaslight Marcel by purposefully leaving the fish behind, but he certainly should have checked.

I wanted to be happy for Ilan, but his constant need to knock down Marcel at the end doesn't show a lot for his own maturity.

What I did like was the Ilan and Elia friendship. It seemed genuine. They should open a restaurant together.

And everyone should just grow up. This show disintegrated like a bad souffle.

Andy Signore Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 02:47 PM EST

Couldn't agree more with Maryland - Sam was clearly the best out of the four remaining - His food last week was great (As said the judges) - when its that close of a vote - it should go to the producers - and who's had more victories - and more importantly who's a better spokesman for our show?? Good looking, easy to work with, smart top chef Sam - or Paprika spanish flavored Illan the weasel who actually got his friends to bash Marcel for his attitude in the kitchen in front of the judges last night - putting Ellia on the spot like that last week was lower than anything Marcel did (aside from Cliff strangling him hahah what a moron)

Sam was clearly the Top Chef - Illan got SUPER lucky...

sadiesue Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 02:45 PM EST

Marcel is obviously an annoying person to be around. But he's also talented. No doubt he brought alot of that on himself. But there was a frat boy mentality about the show this season, even from the women. The one I had trouble with was Sam. Yes, at the beginning I liked him and was rooting for him. He reminded me of Harold. But I think he revealed himself as a manipulator, one who always stirred the pot but never followed through. Did he sabatoge Marcel? Maybe, maybe not. But his pushing for Mike knowing how Mike was in a team atmosphere from the previous challenge spoke volumes. Based on that meal last night, though, the right guy won.

Maryland Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 02:39 PM EST

Once Sam was kicked off, the show became a joke. I also thought it was funny that Marcel's best dish last night was the one that Sam put together. Didn't the judges get the irony of it all?

I think the show DID try to resurrect Marcel. How come for most of the shows the judges didn't like his food (his foams even became a standing joke), and then at the end they all really praised how wonderful it was? Even Elia couldn't stand him by the end.

But it was a given that Ilan would win once Sam was gone. They would have had to have been crazy to give it to Marcel. But it was worth watching the finale just to see Marcel's face at the end. He really thought he was going to win it!

hc Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 02:16 PM EST

marcel didn't so much grow on me as ilan soured on me. At first he seemed kind of goofy and laid-back, but then he just got nasty. And I think he should have lost. Elia provided the technique and his dishes weren't original so...not totally sure why he won.

Jaded1 Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 02:13 PM EST

What, no Cliff in the finale? A fried bay leaf??? Mmmm... my mouth is watering....

janine Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:53 PM EST

so sorry for the repeat re-post. But the Malmsteen comparison is spot on, dontcha think.

janine Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:52 PM EST

Wow, i wished i lived in a binary universe where Ilan's behavoir made Marcel a good guy. Face it, they're both tools. In the end, I think they made the right choice. Serving a salad just to show off a trick with the dressing is just wrong headed. You know what happens when you show off skills for their own sake, regardless of the overall creation? Yngwie Malmsteen, that's what.

janine Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:51 PM EST

Wow, i wished i lived in a binary universe where Ilan's behavoir made Marcel a good guy. Face it, they're both tools. In the end, I think they made the right choice. Serving a salad just to show off a trick with the dressing is just wrong headed. You know what happens when you show off skills for their own sake, regardless of the overall creation? Yngwie Malmsteen, that's what.

janine Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:48 PM EST

Wow, i wished i lived in a binary universe where Ilan's behavoir made Marcel a good guy. Face it, they're both tools. In the end, I think they made the right choice. Serving a salad just to show off a trick with the dressing is just wrong headed. You know what happens when you show off skills for their own sake, regardless of the overall creation? Yngwie Malmsteen, that's what.

Mario Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:39 PM EST

Also, Marcel deserved to lose after claiming that the dish Sam helped him with was his idea with some help from Sam instead of being honest and tell the judges that Sam had saved his butt.

Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:38 PM EST

Did anyone see the post-show webcast interview? What was Marcel on???

msmagoo Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:37 PM EST

btw, in spite the fact that I've always hated Marcel, Ilan turned into such a whiny beeyotch that I couldn't stand either of them in the end.

Mario Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:36 PM EST

I might have well have been watching some other show than everyone else because Marcel was an ass from day one. Sure, you have to see it as a competition but as a Chef, not a line cook, you have to learn to work with others and earn the respect and trust of your peers. Something Marcel never, ever attempted with his snooty "I'm better than everyone" attitude. I'm glad he lost to Ilan. I guess it's ok to instigate arguments and insult others (Marcel) but it's not OK to fight fire with fire which is what Ilan did.

msmagoo Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:35 PM EST

oh god. i couldn't even believe that ilan and marcel were the two finalist. i much prefer Sam and Elia. Seemed that they won more challenges in the first place, and their food was always solid. Altho Elia did screw up on the last one, but Sam should've gone up against Marcel.

Lee Mickus Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

I was rooting for Marcel to win. He had the most imagination and his dishes looked beautiful. Mark my words he is a chef to watch.

gabulldog Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:21 PM EST

Marcel did start to grow on me. I hate saying that, but it's true. As far as leakage, when the 2 of them were on the Today show, Ilan made a point of saying he had quit his restaurant job, leading me to believe he was indeed the winner. That didn't ruin in it for me, though. Looking forward to next season!

Sunshine Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:18 PM EST

Honestly last night was not worth it because when Sam got booted out last week the show was over. Ilan and Marcel were both good but Sam was great. And - even though I am not a Marcel cheerleader who else got mad at Michael when he was being a dink to Marcel about the fish? Cause I did.

tim Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:16 PM EST

Ilan's a whiny jerk. Either the producers REALLY skewed what was shown and didn't show key moments when Marcel was a jerk, or "group think" instigated by Ilan and a couple of others took over, and they bullied Marcel. Ultimately, Marcel's dishes were more creative, cutting edge, looked better, and according to the judges tasted well.

jenn Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:14 PM EST

Was I the only one who rather enjoyed it when Tom Colicchio said that they weren't really picking a top chef? And then said to Ilan's and Marcel's faces that they were picking the person who was the best chef "right now"?

Jane Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:14 PM EST

I didn't watch the finale because I'd heard that Ilan won. Thanks for saving me a frustrating hour to add to my life. Ilan- you are a nasty, immature, malicious punk and everyone knows it. Marcel- congrats on winning Top Chef. With a few more years on you you will do great things, and you won't have to give Collichio any credit.

Nate Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:09 PM EST

Helin, I could not agree with you more. Ilan was so phony and such an instigator and yes Marcel grew on me. Not so much because I found him as a sweetheart, but as an underdog. You have all these individuals, Sam, Elia, and Ilan who should be at a stage in their lives where they are mature and can look past the antics of a competitor. They just bought into it and took it so seriously, rather than being humble and acting as a leader. I was so disappointed (as in most reality shows) that no leader emerged who on the personality front could actually claim they work well "with all types of people." In the end, the three versus Marcel, whom I liked, succumbed to acting like children. And yes, I am it may have been deserved, but not by a top chef. Without one in the ranks, give it to the underdog. Too bad Ilan (who has to deal with the cruel comments he said on TV) won; however, in the essence of the spoilers revealed, it was hardly an exciting victory.

mark in nyc Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:09 PM EST

All tha advanced internet spoilage did ruin this epsiode for me. I have been rooting against Ilan since his little tirade.
However, the same thing happened to Marcel that happened to Tiffany last year....they go in it not to make friends but to just win...then they get bad mouthed fromt he other contestants....when are people going to learn to play nice.

Dee Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 01:02 PM EST

Sam should have won and although I've been disappointed with Ilan's behavior I'm glad he won over Marcel. It's really telling when you can get on the bad side of everyone in a big group of people. However, it would have been best to ignore him when not dealing with him. Marcel needs more time to learn how to be a leader or he's going to have a hard time holding onto people that work for him.

Ms Daisy Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:59 PM EST

They were all a bunch of immature, whiny, spoiled brats. I found it difficult to pull for any of them.

Laura Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:54 PM EST

Didn't care - Sam should have won.

mcbwallace Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:53 PM EST

It was always between Ilan and Sam. Marcel wasn't consistent. The weeks that he stunk, there were just people who were worse. And...presentation isn't everything - watermelon doesn't make a "steak" entree.

Elizabeth Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:51 PM EST

Wasn't the finale last year much more formal. Why no wine pairings?

roel Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:46 PM EST

first project runway, now this... bravo has screwed me over once again. marcel may have been a tool, but he shoulda won. elan's a whiny puss with little vision and limited flavour and should be gone in a few years. marcel will endure. viva marcel!

Jes Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:43 PM EST

Ilan was unprofessional, immature and amatuerish. He was the instigator in everything along the way against Marcel, yet Cliff and Elia got admonished. His little tirade in the waiting room against Marcel in one episode, left an especially negative taste in my mouth. Ilan didnt even get remprimanded. He has very little class and its a shame the judges chose someone like that to be Top Chef. Very disappointing that they chose him to win. Marcel or Sam should have been Top Chef.

Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:43 PM EST

Marcel should have won! Ilan is such a hack. Anything he tried to make on his own looked and tasted awful. Only the things he ripped from his old restaurant worked, like that home-made chorizo.

sarah Thu, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:40 PM EST

I picked Ilan as the winner on the first episode. Though, I'll admit it was only because he was so pretty...