Leona wrote:

I can't wait to try this recipe. It's sooo unique. No wonder she saved this one for last. It's a winner!

posted on June 12, 2008 at 8:41 AM

Barbara wrote:

For those of us who have never cooked lamb:

Can we get more info on cooking it besides "brown on all sides" and "Place in oven for a few minutes"? How far cooked should lamb be? How hot is the oven?

posted on June 12, 2008 at 10:15 AM

San Francisco Photos wrote:

I'm glad this was one of the top dishes in the final challenge and I think this is the dish that actually won her the title of Top Chef. I'm very happy with the decision!

posted on June 12, 2008 at 9:40 PM

Sandy Grawet wrote:

Congratulations on getting this Top Chef so right. I have watched your show since the very first episode and this result really thrilled me. I really liked Antonia, Richard and Stephanie from the beginning and hoped one of them would be the winner. Lisa's potty mouth, her lack of concern and team involvement was a real turn-off and I wished every week she would go. Love the judges, the visiting Chefs and the whole show and I look forward to the next one.

posted on June 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM

Susan wrote:

I read the recipe, and it sounds delicious. What is done with the shallots, olives, and olive oil? Are the shallots to be sauteed?

posted on June 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM

DP wrote:

How hot should the oven been when I cook the lamb?

posted on June 14, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Jenna wrote:

I'd love to make this, but I don't seem to have enough info. How hot is the oven I put the lamb in? How long do I put it in for? How long until pistachios are soft?

posted on June 14, 2008 at 10:52 PM

B. Rivkind wrote:

I am so pleased that Stephanie won - a woman top chef at last !

However, in general, I do not think this season's competitors stand up to past seasons in talent and ability to perform. None of them were consistently good and many of them fall very short of the mark. Most of the people who watch the program that I've discussed this with share my sentiments. The fact that Lisa made it all the way to the finals is symptomatic of the problem. She may be a good chef, but she is not a really fine top chef.

ALSO - STOP THE ' BLEEPING' FOUL LANGUAGE !!!!!!!
I found the language used by many (most) of this year's competitors offensive to the point of turning the channel. It is simply not necessary to the production of a good program. There were so many bleeps in each segment that it was truly annoying. I also felt offended that I was subject to listening to all that. There is no reason the producers of this show can't lay down ground rules and enforce them. I want to see talented people cook - NOT listen to a tirade of gutter language. It is NOT entertaining. It was unacceptable. It was not just inside the kitchen, but in front of esteemed and honored judges and visiting VP's as well. Clean up your act or you will lose me as a viewer.

AND If you notice, most of the top competitors don't speak that way. Stephanie was one who almost never resorted to it. Past top chefs rarely did either. Top chefs have to deal with some of the most cultured and refined clientele in their real-life work - talking like a lowlife just won't cut it out in the real world. . If they can edit themselves when dealing with the public in a restaurant, when talking to your judges they should not be in the business. And they should not do it when the cameras are running - reality TV or not

I am hoping that next season you will be able to raise the bar. Perhaps after so many seasons, the cream of the crop is no longer available and we are just spiraling down. I hope not.

thank you.

posted on June 15, 2008 at 11:03 AM

Kimmy Doherty wrote:

I was so happy that stephanie won, i think she deserved it! Lisa had the worst additude. I didn't mind the launguage at all because if anyone has ever worked in a kitchen then they would know that is how it is! I enjoyed watching richard i had never seen half of the things he made it was truely enlightening! I loved stephanies down home cooking, i'm from the north and it's all about bulking up for the winter and her food is defiently in that catagory

posted on June 16, 2008 at 12:58 PM

kristine wrote:

I made the lamb! it was delicious. i did not feel up to deboning a rack and did not have time to preorder from the butcher so used lamb flank steaks and skipped the bones in the sauce. i grilled them on the BBQ which only took a few minutes. i left the pistachios on low simmer until all the broth was gone, probably about 15 minutes. i left the shallots raw and tossed them with the chopped olives and mixed in the olive oil. they compliment the lamb and two blackberry sauces nicely. the dish was fantastic and a huge hit for father's day dinner.

posted on June 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM

Chris Bradley wrote:

I was OVER-JOYED that Stephanie won Top Chef! It's about time that a woman prevailed on this show. Stephanie maintained a professional attitude throughout, proving that you don't have to be foul-mouthed, and have a bad attitude to compete. Lisa made me sick, and I wished every week that she would go home. What is wrong with the judges that they ignored her attitude and lack of teamwork? Shouldn't be a consideration in the judging of what makes a Top Chef? I was so upset that Antonia dropped the ball at the most crucial point, allowing Lisa to go to the top three. I also think that the number of wins in quickfire challenges, and such consistency should be a factor in deciding who eventually gets to the top three or four at least. Please raise the bar next season, because I love this show, but we need to see the best of the best, not people who bully and slide their way to the finish. I would have liked to have seen Antonia, Richard, and Stephanie in the final- I think it would have been GREAT.

posted on June 18, 2008 at 11:37 AM

Rick Solis wrote:

Way to go Stephanie!! I enjoyed watching season 4 very much and, as usual, learned a few new tricks in the kitchen. I made the lamb dish and it turned out wonderful! And what a unique combination of ingredients. Thank you Stephanie, you are truly deserving of the title "Top chef"

posted on June 18, 2008 at 7:43 PM

Bmatth wrote:

Stephanie your food skills rocked the house!!!!!

This is the best show, BRAVO please have reruns of season 1, 2,3, and 4 for the rest of the year. They are great to watch and I can not wait until Top Chef 5.

Have a good one
Brian

posted on June 18, 2008 at 9:58 PM

Chris wrote:

Top Chef almost lost a huge fan. If Lisa had won I would have never watch the show again. I have watched religiously since the first season, and she was not the type of person who should have made it that far. How she skated by was astounding. She consistantly lost, and used a terrible attitude to bully her way to the finals. The judges need to make sure that this doesnt happen again next season. It was shocking that Stephanie and Richard (both great chefs) had to compete against her in the final. She ruined the last episode for me because i was nervous that her first good meal would be the last one and sneak her in to a victory.

posted on June 19, 2008 at 12:37 AM

Dan wrote:

My boyfriend just made this the otehr night and it was one of the best entrees I have ever had. The flavors were so unique and worked really well together.

We live in Chicago and love the hometown (and female) win! Can't wait until her restaurant opens.

posted on June 19, 2008 at 8:35 AM

cwoodward wrote:

I have to agree with the previous posts about this seasons selection of "personalities." They were extremely difficult to watch. Can we say EGOmanics? The language was insulting. So glad Stephanie won. She was consistant, passionate and humble.

Just to clarify, I am not against outrageous chefs, there was plenty of drama with the previous contestants (i.e. Marselle, Stephen, David (crying at the drop of a hat), etc.), but it was fun to watch.

posted on June 19, 2008 at 9:01 AM

HarryK wrote:

First it would be nice if maybe people kept to the recipe instead of -- B. Rivkind -- going with your own annoying agenda. I love people complaining about censored curses; grow the **** up.

About the recipe. Where did the tapenade come from? Sudden mystery element at the last minute. I don't see olives in the recipe. So again, where came the tapenade out of mid-air?

posted on June 19, 2008 at 5:11 PM

m t morrison wrote:

Why did the editing show Lisa so much during intakes of the show? She is the least liked and her mouth is foul. There were all those contestants, yet week after week, the cameras would show her in conversation. It made me almost quit watching the show. i hope next season there is much more equalibrium among contestants.

posted on June 19, 2008 at 5:46 PM

WINNIE RICHE wrote:

I was happy to see Stephanie win, but was very dissappointed when Lisa made it to the finals. Lisa didn't win a quick fire and only one elimination challenge. I would like to see a point system enacted to give the contestants a little credit for past performances. Dale certainly out performed Lisa and Andrew showed her up as well. LIsa had to throw Andrew under the bus to stay afloat instead just competing better. I would like to see them cook in New Orleans since the cajuns and creoles live to eat great food.

posted on June 19, 2008 at 8:13 PM

Terri wrote:

So happy for Stephanie! She was my favorite early on, but when she did not blame anyone (Dale) for leaving the pork out overnight, she proved her exceptional kitchen etiquette as well. She most definitely deserved this hard earned win. Fan Favorite, too! You go girl!

posted on June 19, 2008 at 9:09 PM

Gavin wrote:

for people that ask how long till its done .. you are obviously not cooks ... chefs at the least .. cook untill done? 350 seems to be a magical number .. med. rare .. use your imagination! ... if i say 2+_=4 .. dont freak out ..

posted on June 20, 2008 at 10:46 AM

ALLISON SHIELDS wrote:

This seasons top chef was great. I did not miss 1 episode. I watched it over and over again. Stephanie was my choice, her dishes were so eleqant. I wanted to grab them off the tv. I was so hungry after watching the show. I did'nt appreciate all the cussing most of them seemed to have potty mouths. All in all top chef is a great show and I look forward to seeing it next season.

posted on June 20, 2008 at 11:23 AM

Joseph Quinn wrote:

What a wonderful season of Top Chef.
Truly inspiring.

As for all the people so upset over the use of profane language by many of the contestants... get over it.

These chefs are adults, artists, and competitors... all at the same time.
They are stressed out and tired and frustrated and if an f-bomb comes out of their mouth, that's the REALITY of the situation.

That which makes this show so unique is that it is not wrapped up in a little bow... you see the drama. If you want a cupcake cooking show, check Martha Steward.

Don't ask THEM to change who they are... change the channel and stop wining.

posted on June 20, 2008 at 11:26 AM

Danielle wrote:

I am so happy Stephanie won! I can't wait to try this recipe for my boyfriend and I - I just hope I can get it right. GO BLUE Stephanie!

posted on June 20, 2008 at 12:12 PM

mt wrote:

Why was Lisa shown over and over and over again when it cut to personal dialogues with the chefs? She was shown more than the others on the show. It was TERRIBLE. I agree, if she had won, the viewship would have gone way down the next season. PLEASE edit it so that next time, someone such as Lisa is given more airtime than the others!

posted on June 20, 2008 at 5:22 PM

Joan wrote:

Agree totally with Chris about Lisa, nearly ruined it for me too. I did love to watch Stephanie cook, her recipes were so creative. I however think Antonia deserved the Top Chef award. In the future I hope they will censor the language more and concentrate on the cooking with a lot less drama between the chefs. No spoiled kids in the kitchen please. Congrats to Stephanie.

posted on June 21, 2008 at 6:00 PM

Chef Cher Robertson wrote:

Yum-O Stephanie! This was delicious!!! Thanks do much for the recipe! By the way...congrats to you on winning TOP CHEF!!! :)

Chef Cher Robertson

posted on June 22, 2008 at 11:43 AM

Angel Valle wrote:

Congratulations Stephanie!!! So glad it was you who won... I'm going to Chicago this weekend and would like to taste Stephanie's food... I heard she closed her first restaurants and is in the process of opening a new one... where can I go!!! Stephanie, Top Chef!!!

posted on June 23, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Zoë Campbell wrote:

Does anyone ever answer the questions? The chef who made the recipe? How about if the person who got the recipe ready for putting on the website?

Gavin rudely said that people who didn't already know how hot the oven is and for how long to cook the item weren't real cooks. At one time even Stephanie was a beginner. There is no need to run other people down for wanting to improve their cooking skills.

posted on June 23, 2008 at 12:00 PM

Michele wrote:

As a member of the culinary challenged contingent, I found additional and helpful information by watching LeAnna (Season 1) demonstrate Stephanie's recipe in a video in the "Wong Way to Cook" section. Maybe it will answer some of your questions.

posted on June 24, 2008 at 12:30 PM

Emily Thrush wrote:

The recipe says to mix olives, shallots and olive oil- that's the tapenade that the final plating refers to.

posted on June 24, 2008 at 9:41 PM

ellen wrote:

I made this, and it's EXCELLENT. I seared the meat on all sides (in a very hot pan filmed with olive oil, till brown all over, about a minute or so on each side) then put it in a hot (400 degrees) oven for about 5 minutes till the inside of the meat reached 120 degrees on an instant-read meat thermometer. then take it out and let it rest for a few more minutes before carving.

posted on June 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM

tyler wrote:

I just tried this recipe today and it was AMAZING! I'm only 16 and just starting to learn how to cook and I made this and it was great. I can clearly see how this dish pushed Stephanie over the edge to win Top Chef.

posted on July 2, 2008 at 9:08 PM

Susan wrote:

Made this dish for 4th of July. It was fantastic. Wish I made more. I added a bed of spinach to the plate. This would be a wonderful dish for a cold winter night.

posted on July 4, 2008 at 5:24 PM

slwcookr wrote:

The olive and shallot mixture is the tapenade and the directions for the lamb are to leave it in the oven until the internal temp. reaches 120.

posted on July 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM

mhar mendoza wrote:

...i love all the recipe's in here because it's really helps me to expand my knowledg

posted on August 12, 2008 at 3:50 PM

Penhamara S Araujo wrote:

Hi, I'm Brazilian and I love this show.
I'm also a chef an seeing Top Chef teaches me a lot.
I just loved the day that the chefs had to prepere dishes inspired at the seven sins, it was just grat.
Congratulation for the program.
May be one day I can participate on it.
xoxoxoxoxox
Penhamara

posted on August 20, 2008 at 4:23 PM