A few extra reliable sources, we'll collectively call them Deep Dish, dropped some slightly ambiguous tips with us about the winner of "Top Chef." Yes, the winner, people. We covered the show—and are admittedly addicted—from the beginning because local restaurateur and caterer Betty Fraser was a contender, and it was filmed here in LaLa Land. But even after Badabing Betty was told to pack her knives and go, and even after the finalists went to Hawaii for the last two episodes, we couldn't help note recent events with remaining chefs, New Yorker Ilan Hall and Las Vegasite Marcel Vigneron. Neither has been a fan favorite, and speculation is all over the place about the winner, even down to figuring out which direction Padma was looking when she said, "You're the next Top Chef" in the teaser for next week's episode. Friends, it's time to stop guessing.
Noting our coverage of the last few episodes of "Top Chef," Deep Dish told us: "You are right on the money" about Ilan Hall. And though this statement has plenty of purposeful ambiguity built in, it could only mean one thing: A heavy dose of saffron will beat a teaspoon of xanthan gum any day. Especially, now that the front-runner Sam Talbot is gone, we're going to (for lack of a more incriminating word) assume that Ilan Hall is the next Top Chef.
· Can Colicchio's Former Line Cook Win Top Chef [Eater LA]
· Top Chef Semi-Spolier: Ilan Hall Quits Job [Eater LA]
· Bye-Bye Badabing Betty [Eater LA]
