By Michael J. Lamp

There's no guest judge with Gail this week. Instead, she and Johnny greet the chefs in the Top Chef kitchen. For their final Elimination Challenge, the chefs must create a show table featuring a showpiece, an entremet - which I've learned is a layered, mouse-based cake - a bon bon and a bread course. Additionally, they must serve a plated dessert inspired by someone they love.

In honor of the final challenge, our cheftestants get three, very special assistants during the first leg of their preparation: Jacques Torres, Sebastien Canone, and Stephane Treand, aka three of the heaviest hitters in the pastry game.

During their second day of cooking, the master chef assistants are replaced by fallen contestants. Sally takes advantage of Orlando's free agent-status and scoops him up to take the lead on her showpiece. Vanarin is her other helper. Matthew's team is Megan and Carlos, and Chris' assistants are Amanda and Rebecca.

Matthew has chosen to create items way outside his comfort zone (i.s. sugar showpiece), while Chris and Sally stick to their guns and play to their strengths.

During service, each chef gets the usual constructive criticism, sandwiched between compliments. This is to make sure we have no idea if they have a favorite yet. Chris makes a shady remark about his showpiece being ‘all him,' which is an obvious jab at Sally for Orlando bearing most of the burden in regards to her showpiece.

At Judges' Table, Chris' showpiece is well-received, though the judges' point out that a piece has definitely fallen off. Sally gets high marks for flavor, and Matthew's unique choices seem to hit with some judges and miss with others.

Once the cheftestants leave and deliberations begin, it becomes clear that Matthew is not in the running. The judges go back and forth between Sally and Chris, ensuring that we, as viewers, are still clueless as to who will win.

When we return from commercial, Gail announces that Chris is the winner, which makes sense, since I was rooting for Sally and Matthew.

What about you? Are you pleased with this season's outcome? Or like me, were you hoping a female chef would win this male-dominated show for a change?


Top Chef: Just Desserts airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

Follow Michael @mjlamp