Top Chef Finale in Puerto Rico, Round One

Three women and one man were the final four chefs in the first half of the two-week finale of Season 4. That fact is significant because no woman has won Top Chef since the show's premiere on Bravo TV. The man who made it to the final four was Richard, a likeable fan favorite, and a gifted, innovative cook. I especially liked the way he reacted to the kid's week challenge when he enjoyed his young helper so much he said after this show he was ready to go home and make some little Blais' (his name is Richard Blais). So, we wait to see if a woman can be crowned Top Chef, or will Richard win and keep it a male dominated show?

The final four chef's hail from very different cities, Stephanie Izard works and resides in Chicago, Richard Blais is an Atlanta chef, Antonia Lofaso is from Los Angeles and Lisa Fernandes lives and cooks in New York but is a native of Toronto, Canada. As the finale started we saw the chefs enjoying stunning tourist attractions and beautiful beaches in sun-drenched Puerto Rico. The chefs enjoyed themselves in San Juan surrounded by dazzling flowers and white sand. There was a spirit of camaraderie especially between Stephanie, Richard and Antonia who always seemed to like each other, but Lisa was shown enjoying herself too, especially in the quick fire where she was personable and friendly to the other chefs.

The quick fire challenge was judged by Wilo Bennet a chef who specializes in Puerto Rican dishes. They were given the challenge to use plantains in a creative dish. The chefs served their fritters to the judge and Padma on a terrace alongside a white sand beach with a blue-green ocean in the background. The judge pointed out that Antonia needed to improve her dish and told Richard his dish was too raw. But, Stephanie and Lisa were praised; however, Stephanie once again won although it was her first quick fire win. Since Stephanie won she was told she would get an advantage in the elimination challenge. Wilo Bennet then invited them to a party which the chefs enjoyed except for their concern about the coming challenge. How could you not have that as a consuming thought when one of them would definitely be eliminated the next day

The next day Padma met the four finalists on a dazzling beach where her elegant and exotic beauty was in harmony with the tropical setting. The elimination challenge was to prepare a whole pig and the sou chefs who showed up as their helpers were the last group of chefs eliminated in the game. Stephanie as the winner of the quick fire was given the responsibility of assigning the sou chefs. She chose Dale for her sou chef and she assigned Andrew to Lisa, Spike to Richard, and Antonia was given Nikki. The sou chefs were told to do the shopping while the chefs stayed behind to butcher the pigs. When the food came back everyone got to work, and as usual Lisa started to bitch about anything that annoyed her.

Tragedy loomed for Stephanie when Dale, her sou chef, mistakenly left the pork belly out all night. I don't believe he intended to sabotage her. She and Dale came up with an alternate dish that they put their hearts into, she didn't complain, she just found an alternative, good for Stephanie.

Stephanie was stressed as the challenge proceeded and the judges were complementary. While Richard mentioned that one mistake could send him home, he received compliments from the judges. When Lisa served the judges she was also complimented by them. Then it was Antonia's turn, they thanked her and left. So, who would be eliminated?

At the judges table Wilo said Stephanie and Richard were the best and they were called in to judges table. They told Richard that they loved his pork bellies, but they loved all his dishes. Stephanie was praised for her meat after all the worry over ruined pork bellies. Richard was the winner and his prize was a great car, he was speechless.

Then the two other chefs were sent in to judges table to find out who would go home. The judges said that Lisa's dishes focused on the garnishes rather than the pig. Tom was surprised that she chose to cook Latin food. Antonia was told the beans she served were undercooked and she should not have served them all on the same plate. The judges said Antonia's dishes were not as sophisticated as they should have been. In the end it was indeed Antonia who was sent home.

After Antonia was sent home Lisa started complaining again because she felt Richard and Stephanie, who were saddened by Antonia's departure, should have congratulated her for winning out over Antonia. Next week is the last show and a winner will be crowned. Who will win?