We started out with 18 contestants coming back to vie for the title that eluded them all the first time around. And after the longest season in “Top Chef” history, it all comes down to this.
In one corner, we have Richard Blais, the mad scientist from Season Four. In the other, Mike Isabella, the antagonistic Mediterranean-style savant from Season Six.
It’s certainly not the final pair I would have predicted. Along the way, we lost fan favorites Carla and Fabio, super-strong competitors Angelo and Dale, and redemption-seeking former finalists, such as Tiffani, Marcel and Casey.
Mike made a strong push in the last several episodes, putting together a string of victories that propelled him into the finale.
But in the recap for the first episode of this “All-Stars” season, I proclaimed Richard as the one to beat, and I see no reason to back off that prediction now. I think he’ll make up for his stumble in his original season and take home the title of Top Chef.
Will it be Richard or Mike? The finale of “Top Chef: All-Stars” airs at 10 p.m. ET tonight on Bravo.