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I'm still reeling from the shock as Tom addresses our remaining chefs. He tells Michael and Bryan that they were both a pleasure to watch. They're both incredibly passionate chefs. Bryan says that this is probably the proudest moment of both their lives. Michael says that they both accomplished what they set out to do.

Padma looks at each of them. They tense. I tense.

Padma: "Michael, you are Top Chef."

Michael stands there stunned for a moment, unable to move. He honestly, 100% looks shocked. I am, too. I thought that Bryan had this in the bag, but apparently Michael has won. Michael's mom comes out, gives Bryan a hug and then Michael a hug. She's clearly very proud and sad at the same time.

As I watch her cry and embrace her two sons, I almost tear up. It's absolutely the most emotional moment in the show's history for me. These two chefs fought so hard and in the end, they had to beat their brother to achieve their goal. To see their mother's reaction makes me realize how hard it must have been for both of them.

Michael tears up a little bit and says, "There's the emotion you've been waiting for, Padma." All the judges beam at Michael – they're so happy for him. As Gail warmly embraces Bryan, letting him know that he did a great job even if he didn't win, Bryan says that he's exhausted, surprised, happy and sad. He says that he didn't know that a person could feel every emotion at once.

It was a strange process, but it was worth it and he would do it again. Michael feels that being on Top Chef really got him in touch with who he is as a person, and he will always appreciate his time on Top Chef.

I have to say that after looking at my notes, I'm sort of dumbfounded. I have no idea how Michael pulled off the win. I knew that Kevin was the only one who had no chance to win (a la Richard Blais) but I had honestly thought that Bryan won two rounds and Michael won one – especially since Gail had so many bad things to say about Michael's first and third dish. Of course, we've seen that it doesn't really matter what the other judges thought – it only matters what Tom thought. And so I visit his blog.
And it looks like Tom knew we were coming. The first line of his newest entry is: "If you're left scratching your head after the finale, you've come to the right blog."

Apparently, Michael did win two rounds to Bryan's one. Yes, Gail had some quibbles with Michael's squab dish and yes, Bryan's venison dish was his best dish of the night...but the judges agreed that Michael's dish in that round was better. Couple that with the win in the Mystery Box round and Michael wins.

But beyond that, I gather from Tom's blog and Gail's blog that as a whole meal, in looking at the entire arc of dishes that the chefs put out, Michael put out the best food. As a whole, he was the most innovative, the most imaginative, the most daring and the most interesting. He might have won more rounds than Kevin and Bryan, but it was his overall package that sealed the deal.

Of course, Tom and Gail are quick to note that Kevin, Bryan and Jenn are all headed towards fantastic culinary careers . . . but in the end, Michael had the best night. Congratulations to him.

I hope you all enjoyed this season as much as I did. Take care and I'll see you all back here for Top Chef: Masters 2!

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