Top Chef Masters: Confused by the Winner, But Still Great

It was sort of easy to tell by the edited judges table who would be the winner. Michael and Hubert had their positive critiques first and their negative critiques second, and Rick's was the reverse, that's almost always a giveaway on here. Leave you feeling positive about the winner and all. Yeah. I've been watching since the first season, you pick up a few tells that way.:)

But I was left wondering why didn't Michael win. Not because I like Michael (I do!) but because his non spectacular dish (which was not deemed to be good not great) wasn't criticized as harshly as Rick's non spectacular dish (which was heavily criticized) and Michael had excellent other dishes as Rick did. I guess mole trumps short ribs, but not sure. But coming off of the table where everyone ate, it seemed like Michael was the more likely winner. And by the end, I still wasn't sure why Rick would get it except that they were so wowed by the mole sauce. I wonder if they were tied and had to pick who won it all and edit accordingly? Just wondering. Cause like the real tool critic, the one from Saveur, he basically switched up his comments at the final judging table. His insulting 3.5 stars was woefully out of place as well. He had a problem with the polenta? Really? When was that? He said the fish interpretation wasn't complex enough, nothing about the polenta. It was odd is all. No big deal that Rick won, but they probably should have edited a bit more closely to show why Rick truly edged out Michael and Hubert. Because from what they showed, they loved Rick's other dishes but he really missed on his future dish with the different pieces of the seafood and the air thing. So, yeah, a little confused, but happy for all three to making it this far and having such a nice showing at the finale.

And since the regular season of Top Chef has begun, let me add, I don't know why Padma is a judge. A host sure, but a judge, no. I wonder this every season. And she showed in this Top Chef Masters finale one of the reasons why I tend to question her actually offering her opinion and its just one of many times I've heard her say something when I wished she would just have remained silent or at the very least consider what she was saying. Mexican food doesn't always get the street cred? Really Padma? Since what you are trying to say was Mexican food is overlooked in the world of fine dining and sophistication, "street cred" would be the last thing you would say. But I digress.

Congrats to Rick Bayless on his Top Chef Masters win. The episode may not have shown totally why you won, but you showed throughout the last several weeks that you were deserving of the title. So, Congrats!!!