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"It&amp;#039;s official - fan favorite (and argued judge&amp;#039;s pet) Stephanie Izard has won the fourth season of Top Chef. This week&amp;#039;s straightforward, four-course formal challenge seemed surprisingly simple after last week&amp;#039;s full-on pig-fest, but it allowed each chef to shine as they made what Colicchio dramatically referred to as, &amp;quot;the most important meal you&amp;#039;ll ever prepare.&amp;quot; Top three observations from last night&amp;#039;s episode: 1. I kind of want to take Richard home with me. His innovative methods and dedication to his craft are admirable; his devotion to his wife and baby-on-the-way is downright adorable. I also loved his full circle strategy - starting with a seared scallop, and ending with a seared banana &amp;quot;scallop&amp;quot; for dessert. He put personal thought and reflection into his menu - an admirable addition to the competitive edge. My heart broke a little when he said, &amp;quot;losing at the last second sucks.&amp;quot; Yeah... it does, but don&amp;#039;t be so hard on yourself, Richard! We love you! 2. Lisa may be rude, annoying, and downright unlikable, but she clearly pulled it together with her selections. I&amp;#039;ll say it: based purely on last night&amp;#039;s performance, I think she should have won. She picked a bold and spicy theme that suited her personality. Both the prawns and soup dumplings were clear judge favorites, though her arms-crossed attitude at Judges&amp;#039; Table week after week was obviously part of her ultimate undoing. 3. Braised pistachios are a hit. In truth, I thought Richard&amp;#039;s bacon ice cream would have caused the biggest stir, but the pistachios took top ingredient honor. (As an aside, Haagen-Daaz, I don&amp;#039;t care what Ted says; we prefer our frosty desserts pork-free, thank you.) It was the pistachios that pushed Stephanie&amp;#039;s roasted lamb medallions over the top, causing them to be a clear favorite. &amp;quot;This is the first time I&amp;#039;m hearing &amp;#039;I love&amp;#039;,&amp;quot; said chef Eric Ripert, referring to the judges&amp;#039; reactions as they tasted her lamb. You would think this guy would be a little miffed over Stephanie&amp;#039;s earlier scrutiny of his fish-filleting skill - obviously the pistachios won him over. Stephanie&amp;#039;s new title as the first-ever female Top Chef certainly gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling, as much for her graciousness and surprise at being chosen as for her clear talent and consistency throughout the series. Well-chosen, TC judges. And, really, Richard, don&amp;#039;t be too hard on yourself. You&amp;#039;re fantastic! Enjoy your new car. Big hug. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.delish.com/restaurants/a23599/chef-stephanie-izard-top-chef/>