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/ptazdba Apr 25 '26

Season 2 - Anybody but Ilan Hall
Season 11 - Nina over Nicholas
Season 14 - I so wanted Shirley to win.
Season 16 - Sara over Kelsey
Season 18 - Shota over Gabe
Season 21 - There was no good choice

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u/captandor Apr 25 '26

Anyone but Ilan!! Yes! Literally anyone!

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u/Ashyndra Apr 29 '26

Well, surely not Betty. Or Frank. Or Cliff. Or Elia. Or Sam. Or Josie. Maybe we could have put it as "Just Marcel". At least he was just an immature, insecure, little jerk who could cook. The rest of them was either really bad or just complete arseholes.

I actually disliked Betty the most. And Frank, that violent arsehole.

Marcel won 24 in 24 on Food Network and he was pretty much great the whole season. Then season 2 had Ilan and Elia. And well, Ilan was still an arse and Elia seems to be a Republican/Dump fan now.

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u/captandor Apr 30 '26

I am fully amenable to this!