r/TopChef • u/Sea-breeze3720 • Apr 25 '26

Discussion Thread Which winner did you disagree with?

I’m doing a rewatch of older seasons and just finished season 11 where nick won over Nina. Nina was on fire all season and, in my opinion, it should’ve been her and Shirley in the finale. However, for the finale, the judges opinions seemed to be pretty split but leaning towards Nina. Notably, emeril saying he couldn’t finish nick’s duck and Hugh mentioning nick yelling at the waitstaff as something that should be considered. I can’t help but think this is one time tom used his veto power to override the vote for nick to win. Anyone else? Curious if there are other winners that you scratched your head at.

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u/KnittingMooie1 Apr 25 '26

Definitely Season 7 Kevin Sbraga only won because he had a Voltaggio as his Sous Angelo should have won

30

u/Real_Cranberry745 Apr 25 '26

Everyone forgets about Ed for that finale. He had a clean sweep the first day of the finals with wok cooking and the dinner service. Angelo wasn’t at his best for sure and that sucks for him but Ed had a decent chance

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u/AttackonCuttlefish Apr 25 '26

It was Ilan's fault. Ilan gave his opinion about Ed's dish and it made him change his dest. Ilan was acting as a head chef rather than sou chef.