After falling short on his original season of Top Chef, all star Richard Blais finally tasted redemption when he was crowned the winner of Top Chef: All Stars.
Richard walked away with the $200,000 cash prize, beating out pal and fellow chef Mike Isabella for the title that has eluded them both in previous seasons.
However winning the big prize did not come easy as Richard and Mike had to create a four-course tasting menu for the restaurant of their dreams… in just five hours…. with the help of their previously eliminated contestants who might or might not have had their sights sets on more important things such as jet skiing in the Bahamas.
The judges had a difficult task ahead of them as both Richard and Mike gave them some superb dishes. In the end, Blais, who had won the most competitions during the season, came out on top with his “Tongue and Cheek” restaurant offerings.
“I didn’t think I could do it,” said an emotional Richard after being declared the winner. “You just don’t know. I don’t want to be cliché, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. I willed this.”
A teary eyed Richard then called his wife who couldn’t be there due to her late pregnancy. “Jazmin, I won Top Chef… I won Top Chef,” he said. Jazmin and Richard welcomed second daughter Embry Lotus Blais on Feb 5. A photo of Richard and his family is below via the Ourlaboroflove blog, plus another photo of Jazmin and baby Embry as tweeted by Richard two days ago.
As for runner-up Mike, he expressed his disappointment in losing to Blais. “It hurts, 32 challenges, to come in second. It’s tough,” said Mike. “I feel like I beat him. I just didn’t get the prize.”
Richard’s prize also comes with a showcase at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic and a spread in Food & Wine magazine, but most importantly, the title of ‘Top Chef.’ Airing next week will be the reunion show.
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE TOP CHEF FINALE? IS WINNING ALL STARS SWEETER THAN WINNING A REGULAR SEASON?
