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6) Stephanie

The same could be said of Stephanie as well. No, her track record isn’t as strong as those of Shirley and Carrie. Frankly, it isn’t even close. What Stephanie has done over the past four Elimination challenges surpasses both of them, though. The funniest player this season has finished in the top group in three out of the last four challenges, winning once. Yes, she did finish in the bottom group on the other occasion but she was in no danger of going home. Louis, who finished last, and Justin were the two in jeopardy while Stephanie was named because a third person had to be in that group. Padma even stated point blank that everyone’s food in that challenge was delicious. And that means Stephanie has delivered wonderful food for four consecutive challenges. I always mention Carla Hall in these examples because she is the blueprint for how a chef can ascend in the second half of the season once they start trusting their instincts as a chef. Stephanie has shown signs of doing exactly that.

7) Justin

Justin was the 1A to Nina’s 1 for the first half of the season. He is a great example that some players struggle to maintain their success over an entire season. Since the seventh episode, Justin has completely collapsed, narrowly avoiding elimination three straight weeks. To put that performance in perspective, consider that only two chefs have ever won Top Chef after finishing on the bottom in consecutive Elimination challenges at some point during a season. They are Hosea during Season 5 and Kevin during Season 7. Kevin is also the only previous winner to finish in the bottom group more than three times overall during a season. In other words, Justin has gone from being a strong contender to being a statistical improbability in only three episodes.

8) Brian

Brian earned a lot of fans last week with a gripping description of his father’s strokes. As Brian fought back tears, he relayed the horrors of the man losing his ability to speak to his children. It was one of the most human moments in the history of Top Chef. I am confident that the judges felt guilty after watching that monologue because they criticized him for using the wrong cut of beef. The one he had chosen was employed to honor his father. Brian has finished on the bottom three times as opposed to being in the top group only once. Based on performance, he is unquestionably the “weakest” remaining chef. Anybody who believes in fairytale endings, however, can envision a finale wherein Brian serves the winning dish not only to the judges but also his dad. Make it happen, Brian.

9) Louis

As predicted, the one on one format suits Louis than the group dynamic. He is too polite and kind an individual to impose his will upon virtual strangers. When the kitchen competition is reduced to him versus a single opponent, Louis morphs into the Michelin star winning chef who has proven formidable. There is still a lot of work ahead of him, as he would have to beat another six or seven chefs to earn a spot back on Top Chef. I consider that accomplishment wildly unlikely, but I am still impressed by what he has achieved thus far in Last Chance Kitchen.

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