Hello TCFL! It's been quite a lag since the Finale aired, but I wasn't going to leave without a Season Recap. Thanks again to everyone who joined us this season. I hope you enjoyed all the #CONTENT these last few months and I hope you come back (and bring friends!) next season.
Special thanks for those of you that joined us in the Finale Chat room. It was a lot of fun and something I plan on bringing back and doing more next season. A lot to get to... here we go:
EPISODE RECAP
Special thanks for those of you that joined us in the Finale Chat room. It was a lot of fun and something I plan on bringing back and doing more next season. A lot to get to... here we go:
EPISODE RECAP
- "That's it, no twists."
Thankfully, Padma assuaged any fears of "Finale Bullshit" that we've been subjected to in the past. Cook a four-course meal. Give the people what they want. - If Gregory was too hurt to sous for the Finale, how many phone calls did Bravo producers make before they got to Lee Anne?
- At least we got to see this scarf:
- If I drew first knife, I would have picked Malarkey too.
- The fact that Melissa is just calmly changing her menu based on what she sees and likes at the market shows how insanely confident she is.
- Through prep, it did seem like Melissa would be done in by two classic Finale tropes: Dessert and a less-than-desirable Sous.
- That Kish was Stephanie's Finale-eve phone call made me super happy.
- On the other hand, Michael Voltaggio looks like he's been living in the trailer of the Beat Bobby Flay set.
- There is no shortage of Padma love on this blog. But on Finale night, Gail and her dress had her beat.
- From the 3rd course on, this was a coronation for Melissa. It didn't even seem like anything was in doubt during Judges' Table. The right Chef won.
- Stephanie's "I'm okay" speech at Judges' Table might be my favorite moment of the season.
Congratulations to our new Champion, Jon W.! Jon is a long time participant in TCFL and I know he'll be a great keeper of the Board. Jon's wife Kim is also a TCFL member and I'm excited that he gets to brag about this in their house for at least a season. In addition to having the Board until a new champ is crowned, Jon also won $225.00. On to our other winners, and some superlatives:
Winning 2nd place as a newcomer will automatically get you Rookie of the Year. Congrats to Anne G. on your runner-up finish and $65.00. The difference for Jon and Anne was having Stephanie on their team, but the difference between Jon and Anne was just four points: Eric (+5) for Jon, and Jen (+1) for Anne.
Mr. Consistency has to be Eric Y. After winning the whole thing in Season 15, Eric followed that up with a 5th place finish last season and a 3rd place finish (and $35.00) this season.
Eric won 3rd place by virtue of the 2nd Tiebreaker question, and while he finishes with some money, you gotta Pour One Out for he and the rest of The Foursome (Greg K., Justin C., and Maria E.). They were in 1st place from Episode 4 until Episode 12 (when Stephanie made the Finale).
Of course, it wasn't just the Top 3 who won money... Ms. Irrelevant for this season is Deanna D.! Deanna gets her entry money back and hopefully some incentive to come back next season. Ms. Irrelevant was the most hotly contested battle of the season and was not decided until the post-Finale Watch What Happens Live when Melissa was crowned Fan Favorite.
If there's one takeaway from this season, it's that the Tiebreaker questions matter. Good Job, I Guess to both Dave M. and Jamie T. for getting all four Tiebreaker questions right.
And finally, a Thanks For The Donation to the TCFL Founders (myself, Mike R. and Rich P) who finished t-28th, t-28th and 30th respectively. Finishing next to each other at the bottom of the standings is certainly a look.
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Lastly, I'd love if everyone filled out an end-of-season survey. For every season that Bravo can churn out Top Chef, I'd love to be able to fill TCFL. Help me improve our little operation here and let me know if I can do anything to make it more fun for you all.
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