Top Chef All-Stars: Season Preview

By Kim Hollis, David Mumpower and Jason Lee

December 1, 2010

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Season 4

Yes, yes, this season boasted the famed, mohawked Richard Blais, but was there anyone else that season really gave Stephanie a run for her money? Antonia makes great home-y food and Spike has been making great burgers in DC since Top Chef, but it’s hard to imagine either of them making a run for the Season 8 title. Dale is similar to Tre in that he was an early pick to make the final and got tripped up in Restaurant Wars, but one wonders whether or not he can stick around ‘til the final this time around. Right or wrong, my gut says that Dale outlasts both of his fellow Season 4 chefs.

Season 5

Carla might have won the whole thing had it not been for Casey’s interference. It was a surprise when Jamie was eliminated prior to the finale, but she couldn’t beat Jeff in the cook-off for the final spot. Fabio cooked a great roast chicken, but I have a hard time remembering another episode when he outright dominated. I don’t see the Season 8 Top Chef winner coming out of Season 5.

Season 6

Here, I agree with David and Kim. This season (Robin aside) had the greatest concentration of talent in the history of the show - Michael Voltaggio, Brian Voltaggio, Kevin Gillespie...jeebus. Following the finale, all three judges agreed that Jen Carroll was the best female chef to date on the show. I predict that she goes all the way to the finale and challenges for the title. During the season, though, Mike Isabella. only won one Quickfire Challenge. Thus, while I think Season 6 was the most formidable season, I only see one of the returning chefs making a splash.

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