by Gina Scarpa

It all comes down to the two Texans, Sarah vs. Paul, on the Top Chef: Texas finale - how appropriate! In Vancouver, several past cheftestants from the season have arrived, along with renowned chefs Barbara Lynch and Marco Canora, to compete in a Quickfire to become sous chefs for the final two. Meanwhile, Paul and Sarah are totally unaware and debate who they would take to assist them but they may not have as many choices as they thought.

When the final two show up to the kitchen, they can only choose the dishes made by the competitors and those chefs will be part of their teams. Paul ends up choosing Barbara, Ty-Lor, Chris C, and Keith while Sarah brings on Nyesha, Tyler (who didn't make it past the first episode), Heather, and Grayson. What? No love for Marco Canora?!

After shopping, Sarah heads over to cook at Black and Blue while Paul goes to Coast. Both stick to what they do best - Paul goes with Asian inspired dishes while Sarah goes with Italian comfort food. It's nice that Tyler wants to work hard for Sarah but that guy is full of a billion questions. For a minute, I thought that Barbara might be tough for Paul to handle, given her knowledge and experience, but they work together very well.

At Tom Colicchio's table sits Marco Canora (consolation prize), Mark McEwan, host of Top Chef Canada, and Cat Cora. Padma brings along Emeril Lagasse, Hugh Acheson, Bill Terlato (of Terlato Wines), and chef David Myers. Also sitting throughout the restaurants are the cheftestants that competed alongside Sarah and Paul this season. To top it off, Top Chef has flown in the families of the final two as well. What more could either ask for?

I'll tell you what - Tom Colicchio saying that this was the best food ever in a Top Chef finale! Gail felt that Sarah's pasta dish was totally unexpected in the best way possible, Emeril thought her fish was perfectly cooked, but Hugh thought she missed the mark with the beets that she added to it.  Tom also didn't love her sweet bread and her polenta didn't work for Emeril.  The dessert, however, was a home run for Hugh and Padma called it the best dessert she's ever had in all the seasons of the show.  Paul's appetizer went over well with one group that ate it but the other thought it was overcooked - but he didn't argue it.  Emeril called the broth that went with Paul's dish "brilliant" and the judges are left split over his congee - the same is true with his dessert.  Are they just trying to find things to pick at?  Because five minutes ago, these were the best meals they've ever had on a finale.

To add a little bit of pressure, the other contestants and Paul's and Sarah's friends and family come into the judging room and await the final decision.  Padma announces that the winner of Top Chef: Texas is... PAUL!!  Yes!  I rooted for him from day one!   What did you think of the outcome?  

Check out our exclusive interviews with the final two, Sarah and Paul!

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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