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Tom thought that Michael used his ingredients the best in the second course – Michael was more imaginative and let the flavors come through. Gail didn't like his tomato but found it to be far better than the "low" point of Kevin's dish: the messed up mushroom. Toby said that Kevin realized that he messed up, and that he almost made up for it with his delicious broth. Tom argues that the mushroom wasn't correctly prepared, to which Toby responds, "That's easily remedied – just don't eat it!" Gail jumps in by saying that Kevin made it to be eaten.

Gail could find not a single flaw in Bryan's third course dish. Tom called it beautiful and flavorful. Toby found it to easily be the strongest dish he made that night, but thought that Michael's squab dish was more memorable. Gail didn't like his mushroom puree and disliked the texture of his pistachio cassoulet. As for Kevin, she was disappointed. She knows he can do so much better. Tom says that he usually presents such sophisticated flavors, but didn't tonight.

In the dessert course, Tom says that Michael didn't make his cake correctly and he knew it. Gail said that even though it was dry, there was a boldness about his flavors that she liked, and that the dish conceptually made sense. Padma agrees. Toby says that Kevin was disappointing again, but notes that he is on the fast-track to culinary superstardom. Of all the desserts, Tom would like to eat Bryan's dish again. Gail agrees that his was the most subtle and sophisticated. With some tweaking, she continues, Michael could have had the best dessert but tonight, Bryan's was best.

At this point, I think it's clear. Kevin wins Round 1, Michael wins Round 2, Bryan wins Round 3 and 4. You probably have to go back to Season 1, when Harold slam-dunked Tiffani, to find a more clear-cut winner.

I'm calling it for Brajen.

The cheftestants come back out and Tom tells them that this season took the chefs from the glitzy lights of Vegas to the wine country of Napa Valley. It was a long journey with some thrillingly great dishes. Bryan presented a stellar set of courses, each well-constructed and beautifully presented. He also had a great dessert. Michael had amazingly creative dishes, he always reaches high and frequently delivers. Kevin stayed true to himself and showed that southern food is about more than biscuits and gravy.

Padma looks at each of the cheftestants. They tense.

Padma: "Kevin.."

WHAT?!?!?! KEVIN WON THE TITLE OF TOP CHEF?!?!?

Padma: "...you are not Top Chef."

Whoa. That was a crazy fake out. I had no idea what was going on for a second and based on the expression on Kevin's face, neither did he. He gamely shakes the judges hands before walking backstage where he finds his mom waiting. He tearfully confesses to her how much he wanted this title. He said that he had one bad day. He says that he is proud to lose to people as talented as Bryan and Michael. He saw himself as an underdog, showing that if you can fight then you can make it...he just didn't go all the way.

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