Top Chef: 5 Times The Judges Picked The Wrong Winner (& 5 Times They Got It Right)

The “prestige drama” of cooking competitions, Top Chef has been telling up-and-coming culinary wizards to “pack their knives and go” for almost 17 years. The winning combo of host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio is one of the best in the business, and the show’s genuine focus on mouth-watering cuisine has made it a tremendous success.

One of Bravo’s flagship programs, Top Chef has inspired numerous spin-offs and poor imitations. However, the best of the bunch is still the original. That being said, sometimes the judges choose the wrong winner. Here are 5 times they made the right call, and 5 times their choice was an upset.

10 Worst: Stephanie Izard (Season 4)

The Chicago season is where the show truly took its place in the annals of reality TV royalty. The casting for this Chicago installment was on-point, as many of the most memorable faces of the show appeared here, such as Dale Talde, Spike Mendelsohn, Antonia Lofaso, and, of course, runner-up Richard Blais.

This one is tough because it represents one of the times when the meals served in the finale determined the winner. Consequently, Stephanie took the title and Richard took silver. Throughout the season, Blais had been a creative genius with his food, and many ultimately felt he was snubbed.

9 Best: Hung Huynh (Season 3)

Another beloved season of the series was season 3, set in Miami. This was the season that the producers cast a wholly likable group of chefs and there was considerably less drama compared to the previous season. The setting, cast, and food all were bright and fun, creating the blueprint for many of the seasons to come.

Additionally, Hung Huyn as the winner was the correct choice – a chef that had been a consistent presence throughout the season. Runners-up Casey and Dale were fan favorites that would return in later installments, as well.

8 Worst: Kristen Kish (Season 10)

Kristen was a great chef and personality in this season. The Michael Voltaggio protege was thoroughly proficient in her cooking, and her choice as the winner was fair on paper.

However, the method they chose to pick the winner this year, based on who could get three-points, was less satisfying than the previous method. Furthermore, runner-up Brooke Williamson had more personality in her interviews and her process in the kitchen than any of the other competitors this season.

7 Best: Joseph Flamm (Season 15)

The winner of this season was a big bear named Joseph Flamm. After fighting his way back on the show on Last Chance Kitchen, Flamm returned to win the entire competition. Always a pleasure to watch in the kitchen, Flamm was a great choice for the winner and represented one of the show’s best comeback stories.

This season was also notable for the relationship between Flamm, chef Bruce Kalman, and the late Fatima Ali, who tragically died of bone cancer shortly after the season. Flamm was a stand-up guy, funny, and warm, and definitely one of the more likable winners of the show’s newer seasons.

6 Worst: Kevin Sbraga (Season 13)

Overall, season 13 was a pretty solid run for Top Chef. Utilizing Washington D.C.’s many attractions for some really engaging challenge prompts helped keep the season rolling along at a great pace.

Unfortunately, the finale was less than memorable. In truth, Angelo Sosa had been a much more interesting presence throughout the season than eventual winner Kevin Sbraga. Sbraga’s win was another case of a forgettable contestant taking the title, and it’s hard not to acknowledge that his victory was won because he had Michael Voltaggio as a sous-chef and Sosa was seriously under-the-weather.

5 Best: Kelsey Barnard Clark (Season 16)

Season 16, set in Kentucky, kept its quality up all the way to the finale. As the three finalists were whisked away to Macau, China, it was a treat to observe underdog Kelsey Barnard Clark make the best of the opportunity, and really embrace the local ingredients.

It came down to Clark and Sara Bradley, a long-time friend and Kentucky native. Clark was a likable and charming cast member the entire season, and her win felt both predictable and satisfying.

4 Worst: Ilan Hall (Season 2)

Even though it’s been 15 years since season 2, it is still one of the most notable installments of the series, whether it’s because of Marcel Vigernon’s constant output of foam-themed dishes, the infamous “head-shaving incident,” or pretty much any scene with Marcel yelling at Ilan or Cliff Crooks.

Marcel would go on to be runner-up, though he’s managed to come back to the Top Chef kitchen on numerous occasions. Winner Ilan Hall was perhaps one of the most forgettable winners, never managing to stand out much from the rest of the fold. Though Marcel was a complete brat throughout, he was undeniably the better chef.

3 Best: Michael Voltaggio (Season 6)

Out of the dozens and dozens of culinary up-and-comers that have come and gone through the Top Chef kitchen, Michael Voltaggio just might be the most naturally gifted of them all. Right from episode one, Michael stood out for his intuitive cooking and rough-around-the-edges aesthetic. Even better, the drama was ripe this season, with Michael’s older brother, Bryan, also being a competitor, and eventual runner-up.

Vegas also provided a great backdrop for the high-wire cooking that would bring Michael Voltaggio the title and culinary superstardom.

2 Worst: Hosea Rosenberg (Season 5)

Without a doubt, Hosea is the most undeserving winner in the history of the show. Furthermore, season 5 had the most stacked cast of fan-favorites Top Chef has ever seen. Carla Hall, Fabio Viviani, Stefan Richter, Jamie Lauren, and almost everyone else made this the funniest and best-paced season to date. Everyone, that is, except the guy who won.

Hosea Rosenberg’s only real contribution to the collective memory of the show was his adulterous fling with fellow contestant Leah Cohen, an equally unlikable competitor. Stefan Richter’s performance in the finale was a bit lacking, but his superior skill was undeniable and he should have won.

1 Best: Richard Blais (Season 8)

Simply the best overall contestant in the history of Top Chef, Richard Blais was given a second shot at the title in the best season of the show yet, season 8. Bringing back a wide array of potent returning personalities for an all-stars season, each with their own passionate style of cooking beautiful food, made for a season of television that never once felt boring.

Greatest of all was Richard Blais’ redemption, and eventual claiming of the elusive title. Richard was the ultimate underdog to root for, and his gentle but intellectual demeanor on camera made him the natural choice to root for. Padma and Co. definitely got it right this time.

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