Previously on Top Chef: Texas….
The entire season, including 2000 chefs, Charlize Theron, breakdowns, tears, emergencies, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Sarah, and Paul. It’s been quite a ride! And now it’s the final match, with the title of Top Chef on the line. Our remaining conchefstants are Paul the Likely Winner and Sarah the Mean Girl. Say, did you know Sarah pushed back her wedding for the competition? It’s true.
As you might imagine, the two will be joined by eleven of the former chefs as sous chefs, and they talk about who they’d like to help. Grayson, Keith, Nyesha — and Babyface Malibu Chris is apparently too hot for Sarah to work with. But there’s a twist! Those chefs will be competing to help out in the finale, including the first two off, even creepy Tyler who was unceremoniously kicked out due to his silly mistakes in the very first episode. Come on, Tyler! Win back Tom’s love!
It’s a lot of madness of course with many dishes to sample and all anonymous. Whichever dish they pick, that’s the chef they will get on their team. Paul gets ringer Master Chef Beverly Lynch and Ty-Lor, but Sarah gets Nysha and Tyler, when she was hoping to find Heather’s. Paul gets Malibu Chris and Keith, and Sarah does gets Heather and also Grayson. So a lot of odd balance there. I have no idea how this will go, but hey — Chris’ little trick of making an Asian style dish worked!
Sarah is furious at Tyler’s nerve, while Heather laughs and laughs. I’m a bit sick of Heather, let me tell you. Sarah’s plan to treat Tyler like a child — might work. Paul’s worried a bit that nobody is quite as familiar with Asian cuisine, while Sarah plans to have each dish come out like it’s her own. Sarah gets mad at Tyler’s incessant questions, but in fairness to Tyler, he probably is trying not to screw up. More of the same after that, with Paul taking control of the team, trying to recover from the Restaurant Wars disaster. And of course, more Tyler at odds with the others.
Paul is shocked to see his family and girlfriend there, but it only serves to make him stronger. Sarah is also pleased as punch to see her own family and friends. As the judges eat the food, they also are enjoying food from the chefs. A few minor complaints here and there, but mostly positive — which makes sense. The food looks great and is many times better than anything normal folks can make. Paul is happy that his father was proud of him for the first time in a long while … dang, Paul!
From the judges talk, it sounds like they like Sarah’s first the best, Paul’s second the best, and a wash on the third. Of course. Finally the two are brought in and it’s time for a commercial break! I’m biting my nails … and the winner … of … Top… Chef… Texas is…
Paul! Yes! Whew, season done. Wait, it’s not?
Oh right, reunion show. Well, that ought to be interesting too.
Clacked by Jeremy Fogelman 
on Mar 01, 2012 @ 01:30 EST5EDT
I find it refreshing that no one appears compelled to comment on how 2 of the top 3 and- giving props to Bev- 3 of the top 4 contestants are female. Times change slowly then quickly.