Warning: spoilers ahead for the first 12 episodes of Season 22 of “Top Chef.”
Two Chicago chefs have fought long and hard to make it to the “Top Chef” season finale, which airs June 5 and concludes June 12 on Bravo.
César Murillo, executive chef at North Pond, and Bailey Sullivan, executive chef at Monteverde, qualified for the finals, alongside Shuai Wang, chef/owner of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ in North Charleston, South Carolina, and Tristen Epps, chef/owner of Epps & Flows Culinary in Houston.
This season, subtitled “Destination: Canada,” started with 15 chefs and was narrowed down week by week until the final four competitors. “Top Chef” Season 10 winner Kristen Kish hosts this season, joined by judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons.
Murillo had a strong showing all season with a focus on vegetables, playful plating and ingenuity. Though his team lost the elimination challenge in the sixth episode and were thus ineligible for a win, Colicchio called Murillo’s bread and butter pickle curd with dill ice cream one of the best dishes he’d ever had on the show. Epps, who has won by far the most challenges this season, called Murillo a “monster in creativity.”
By her own admission, Sullivan’s journey was a bit rockier, though she grew in confidence as time went on. She was eliminated in the second episode for her maple tart, but clawed her way back into the main competition by winning four challenges in a row in Last Chance Kitchen, a secondary competition for eliminated chefs.
A third Chicago chef, Zubair Mohajir, founder and executive chef of Lilac Tiger, Coach House and Mirra, had a strong showing early in the season, winning the second episode’s elimination challenge with a tandoori fried chicken dish, which appeared on the menu at Lilac Tiger. In the fourth episode, the James Beard-nominated chef was eliminated, to the surprise of many — it was his only time at the bottom.
In Last Chance Kitchen, he met his Chicago peer, Sullivan, and both fought hard for a chance to rejoin the competition. Sullivan expressed her respect for Mohajir’s talent.
“I’ve been impressed by both of you,” said Colicchio as he was judging their showdown of savory and sweet. “Zubair, I was quite frankly surprised to see you just this early here, based on some of the earlier challenges. And Bailey, in Last Chance Kitchen, you’ve been cooking really well.”
Eventually, he picked Sullivan’s pork and panna cotta dishes over Mohajir’s scallops and French toast to win, though it was close.
Sullivan was emotional and energized to return to the main competition. Throughout her time on the show, she dug into her experience cooking foods from different cuisines at influential Chicago restaurants, including Italian at Monteverde and Asian and Korean at Parachute.
“I came into this doubting myself,” she said on Last Chance Kitchen. The mini-competition changed her view and encouraged her to cook food she loves.
“Bailey looks like a whole different person,” Epps said. “She looks like she wants to cook and destroy.”
Sullivan rejoined the main competition in the fifth episode, where she and Epps won the team elimination challenge with fire-kissed grilled octopus with olives.
These 3 Chicago chefs compete on the new season of ‘Top Chef’
Murillo was also eliminated in the ninth episode, but immediately returned to the competition by winning the second half of Last Chance Kitchen. On his return in the 10th episode, he won his first Quickfire Challenge and $10,000 by making popcorn grits with limited tools and convenience store ingredients. He frequently referenced his pride and excitement to share his successes with his mother and team from back home.
In an interview with the Tribune before the season premiere, Murillo said the Chicago chefs were all rooting for each other. Sullivan described herself as a “very Chicago proud person” and that she was thrilled to represent her city.
If Sullivan or Murillo make it to the end, it wouldn’t be the first time a Chicago chef has won; Stephanie Izard and Joe Flamm were both crowned Top Chef of their seasons and Rick Bayless won the first season of “Top Chef Masters.” This time around, the winning chef will have the opportunity to present at the James Beard Awards in Chicago on June 16. They will also win $250,000, a feature in Food & Wine magazine and other perks.
“Top Chef” Season 22’s finale airs on Bravo beginning June 5 and concludes on June 12. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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