No Beans

Beans, beans they're good for your heart, the more you eat the more you undercook them and are thus banished from Top Chef Kitchen. Sigh, Antonia. 

In part 1 of the season 4 finale (which delivered), we learned that our chefs are not kosher and look odd in Puerto Rican summerwear, and of course that Antonia will be dining with us no more. 

In an elimination challenge that was possibly my favorite of the entire season, the four chefs, Richard, Stephanie, Lisa, and Antonia, were given a 60 lb. oinker, a few knives, and an ex-castmate to create three Puerto Rican-inspired dishes. Dale and his green sweatband are back! 

Everyone seemed to have their culinary game tight, that is until Dale left Stephanie's pork belly out all night in a warm kitchen. Whoops. Can you say bacteria infestation? After a quick sniff, Stephanie decided she would not be serving E. Coli for dinner. Dale subsequently said he would kill himself if Stephanie didn't make it through, which would have made for a dramatic conclusion to the challenge.

But alas, Stephanie and Richard eased into the finale with solid dishes and pork that looked to be cooked to perfection. Richard took the day's top prize, a brand new...TOYOTA CAROLLA! I'm not sure if Rich was actually excited for his $15,000 automobile or was thinking of the 16-year-old he would give it too when he got back to Atlanta. He also made the smartest comment of the entire season when he said it's about bending the challenges to your strengths, not wowing the judges with a style you're not skilled at. How can this guy not win it all?

Antonia and Lisa were called out to the judge's table for their sub-par fare. Antonia undercooked her pigeon peas and slopped her feast onto a single plate. Lisa, who said she was sure she was going home, was called out for a lousy Puerto Rican tostone and overall less than stellar execution. In the end Lisa won out (unfortunately) and will scoot onto the finale.

In a high diva moment following, Lisa bitched to both Stephanie and Richard for not congratulating her for making it to the finale. Lisa and her hair, have been my least favorite chef for going on the entire season. When Richard and Stephanie let out a "Oh, congrats Lisa," it was about as believable as a promise from a used car salesman. 

Hands up, utensils down. Onto the finale.