'Top Chef' Season 22 finale: Kristen Kish brought to tears as chefs present their final dishes in Italy
Up for grabs was the $250,000 grand prize, provided by Saratoga Spring Water, the official water of Top Chef; Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion Status, and a $125,000 flight credit to spend on travel with Delta Air Lines. The chef were also competing for a feature in Food & Wine magazine and an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
As the finale began, the three remaining competitors chose sous chefs for their last challenge. They had to make "the best four course progressive meal." Bailey worked with Lana, Shuai chose Paula, and Tristen had Zubair on his side. They had seven hours to prep and cook in total, split with five hours on the first day, and two hours before service the next day.
After their first day of prep, the competitors got to enjoy a meal prepared by Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons. They also got to open up to each other about the experience of being in the competition, from both the competitors and judges perspective.
Just hours away from presenting their final dishes, each chef really felt the pressure of the clock.
Joining the judges table was Italian chef Carlo Cracco, Sarah Cicolini of SantoPalato in Rome, Top Chef alums Richard Blais and Gregory Gourdet, Food & Wine Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis, Santiago Lastra of Kol restaurant, Genie Kwon and Tim Flores from Kasama, and chef Clare Smyth from the restaurant Core by Clare Smyth.
Bailey — Polpo e mozz, tomato dashi and giardiniera — Richard said it was "dumb and brilliant" to put mozzarella and octopus together
Shuai — Panpuri with scarlet shrimp, aji verde, salsa macha and gazpacho verde — Clare said the dish was a "flavour explosion"
Tristen — Monkfish with pickled turnips, tempura broccoli and baccalà mbongo — Tom said the fish looked undercooked, but didn't eat undercooked, it was just on the line
The first course dishes were so impressive, Tom went into the kitchen to give the chefs some encouragement.
Bailey — Porcini and robiola anolini alpini with cabbage, pecan and brodo — Clare said the dish was "wholesome" and Kristen said the pecans give it something unique
Shuai — Soup dumpling raviolo with pork and king crab, charred leek vinaigrette and lardo — Hunter said it had great balance, but the dumpling needed more soup
Tristen — Pollo "dorengo" with injera shrimp toast and shellfish jus — Santiago said it was "next level" and Genie said the star was the shrimp toast, while Tom added that it was perfectly seasoned
Bailey — Blacked orata with calabrian chili crunch, whipped tahini, brussels sprouts and beets — Genie said her fish was a little overcooked, but appreciated the creaminess of the tahini, and Gail said it was missing a brightness
Shuai — Tangcu ossobuco with sweet and sour sauce, radicchio, long beans and grits — Clare said it was "rustic" and Kristen said the amount of dairy in the grits took over
Tristen — Oxtail milanese crépinette with carolina gold rice grits, curry butter and bone marrow gremolata — Gregory highlight the great oxtail and Carlo said it was "perfect"
Bailey — Torta di pizzelle with zucca, mascarpone cream and espresso stracciatella gelato — Clare said Bailey "brought it home" and she got a real sense of Bailey's style
Shuai — Ambrosia pear and orange jello, pistachio, Italian meringue and coconut — Gregory was impressed by how light this "cool" dessert was
Tristen — Tropical root vegetable cake with chutney, charred plantain cream and cassareep sorbet — Carlo called Tristen "a chef," but Richard said this dish "got off the tracks" and was too spicy, while others at the table enjoyed the dish more
Kristen got emotional after the final course, getting choked up, with tears in her eyes, as she told the chefs to "embrace it all, feel it all and celebrate all of your accomplishments."
After the judges deliberated, Tristen was crown the winner of Top Chef Season 22, really telling a story with his food and his dishes, with the goal of progressing Afro-Caribbean cuisine.
"I'm essentially trying to un-colonize colonized dishes," Tristen said as he went into crafting his final menu on the show.
In a tearful ending, Tristen said he misses his dad so much, after his step-father died while he was on the show, but concluded the season by saying how happy he is that he stayed in the competition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-vatican-city-skyline-ALISTPOSTZOE0725-f24ab3eb3bf74ba58a751418285c5343.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
21 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
An Italy Travel Expert's Perfect Itinerary for a Luxe Girls Trip to Rome
Rome is the perfect destination for a girls trip—there's no shortage of chic activities to partake in or women-owned establishments to support. In fact, throughout my career as a travel advisor, I've planned countless trips for girl groups, bachelorette parties, and even all-female family trips. Whether you're looking to learn about history, shop for Italian leather, or just spend some quality time abroad with the women in your life, here are my top tips for a Roman holiday with some feminine flair. Statues of the House of Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum. Iconic attractions like the Roman Forum and the Michelangelo-designed Capitoline Hill are must-visits on any trip to Rome. There, travelers can familiarize themselves with the capital's founding and complex past, especially with the help of a knowledgeable tour guide. While most tours neglect the stories of influential women in Roman history and mythology, some, like Stellavision Travel, make sure to spotlight them. You can learn about the legendary noblewoman and heroine Lucretia; the goddess of victory, Nike; and the six priestesses known as the Vestal Virgins—all while experiencing the stunning sights of Rome's most historic neighborhood. A tourist walking in the city streets with shopping bags. Retail therapy is the ultimate girls trip indulgence, but finding chic shops amongst the souvenirs can be a tall order, particularly in Rome. Don't miss Voodoo Jewels, a by-appointment-only jewelry showroom. The brand, whose offerings range from fashion to semi-precious, was founded in 2002 by Livia Lazzari, a Roman designer. Across the Tiber River, in the beautiful passageway of Via di Monserrato, you'll find L'Archivio di Monserrato, a two-floor boutique. There, Argentinian fashion designer Soledad Twombly curates a selection of clothing, antiques, and textiles from around the world; in some cases, you may be invited to see her collection of artwork in the basement. A table setting in an Italian osterias are perfect for a quintessentially Roman experience, but my girlfriends and I typically favor women-run spots that feature updated culinary classics in design-forward spaces. At SantoPalato, chef and owner Sarah Cicolini emphasizes quality ingredients and low waste while serving revitalized Italian classics. Mazzo, Francesca Barreca's modern trattoria, offers generous helpings of hearty Roman food in an upscale setting. At either restaurant, you're in for a delicious meal complemented by extensive wine lists and cool decor. The exterior view of Fendi Private Suites in Rome. When in Rome … Why not live like the city's most famous sisters? The storied Fendi family focuses on fashion, of course—Silvia Fendi's brand headquarters are in one of my favorite buildings in Rome, the Square Colosseum. You'll also find Fendi fingerprints on exciting antiques at Federica Formilli Fendi's Triplef store. The sisters have recently entered into hospitality with the Fendi Private Suites, located within the historic Fendi Palazzo above the flagship store. They provide guests with luxurious stays and the ultimate view over the Spanish Steps. Another fashionable option is Alda Fendi's Rhinoceros Roma. These apartments, which sit between the Tiber River and the Circus Maximus, combine industrial-chic decor with serious art credentials. From the ground-floor museum to the rooftop restaurants, Rhinoceros offers plenty of spots to gather with your girls. Zoe Shapiro is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in female-focused trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Shapiro by contacting her at [email protected] .
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
The EU nearly triples entry fee for visitors, before it even starts
Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel's weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. In our travel roundup this week: the luxury death trap that was the world's first passenger plane, a forgotten but beautiful Bauhaus airport, and the rising cost of travel entry fees. The must-have travel accessory du jour is a big fat wallet. You likely have heard about the United States introducing a new $250 'visa integrity fee' for international visitors. The European Union has also been busy on the travel fee front, recently raising its upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee from 7 to 20 euros (about $23). The fee will apply to non-EU nationals from visa-free countries — so that means the US, the UK, Canada, Japan and more — and the plan is for it to be up and running by late 2026. The European Commission attributes this hefty increase to rising inflation, additional operational costs — and also to bringing it in line with other travel authorization programs, such as ESTAs in the US (with a price tag of $21) and ETAs in the UK. The UK hiked up the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in April, going from £10 to £16 (also around $21). Making a permanent move to another country proved just the change these Americans needed. Retired US veteran Christopher Boris was struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, so in 2024 he and his wife Maria Jesus moved from Maryland to Brazil. 'I could not afford the American Dream,' Boris tells CNN. 'But here, it's not about making money. It's establishing other factors, like friendships.' Janet Blaser, originally from New York, relocated from California to Mexico nearly two decades ago. As a single mother of three 'living paycheck to paycheck,' she says she always felt like she 'didn't have enough.' She started a magazine business and got herself a permanent resident visa. 'I feel like I succeeded here,' she tells CNN. 'I've given myself a wonderful life.' Nashville woman Linda Leaming was blown away by the beauty of the Kingdom of Bhutan when she visited in 1994. 'I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life here,' she tells CNN. Three years later, she made the move, and has since found love and happiness in the Himalayas. 'Moving to Bhutan taught me to live mindfully,' she says. The de Havilland DH106 1A Comet was the world's first passenger jet. It was the height of 1950s luxury — but it was also a death trap with a fatal design flaw. Now it's been brought back to life. Read its incredible story here. Not long before the Comet took to the skies, a 20-minute flight between Hong Kong and Macao became a record-breaker in a different way. The world's first airplane hijacking took place on the Miss Macao seaplane in 1948. The goal? Rob the passengers and then hold them for ransom. Finally, aviation fans passing through Budapest would do well to squeeze in a visit to Budaörs, a beautiful but forgotten Bauhaus airport that's an aviation time capsule. It's been operating continuously since 1937, with its grassy airfield now used by hobby pilots, private planes and helicopters. China is telling its 1.4 billion people to abandon the nearly universal practice of 'stand right, walk left' on escalators. Instead, authorities are offering what they say is a safer and better alternative. Might the experiment catch on elsewhere? Watch the video and see what you think. If you're hitting the city streets, comfortable walking shoes are always a necessity. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have a guide to the best, according to podiatrists and shoe experts. It's not just countries imposing new fees for entry. Fed-up Italian farmers have set up mountain turnstiles to charge access to Instagram hot spots. This former Soviet state is one of the world's most isolated countries. Now it's showing signs it's ready for more tourists. The new nudity. Read our 21st-century guide to taking off your clothes. Swim to work? See how Swiss residents switch up their commute.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
The EU nearly triples entry fee for visitors, before it even starts
Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel's weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. In our travel roundup this week: the luxury death trap that was the world's first passenger plane, a forgotten but beautiful Bauhaus airport, and the rising cost of travel entry fees. The must-have travel accessory du jour is a big fat wallet. You likely have heard about the United States introducing a new $250 'visa integrity fee' for international visitors. The European Union has also been busy on the travel fee front, recently raising its upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee from 7 to 20 euros (about $23). The fee will apply to non-EU nationals from visa-free countries — so that means the US, the UK, Canada, Japan and more — and the plan is for it to be up and running by late 2026. The European Commission attributes this hefty increase to rising inflation, additional operational costs — and also to bringing it in line with other travel authorization programs, such as ESTAs in the US (with a price tag of $21) and ETAs in the UK. The UK hiked up the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in April, going from £10 to £16 (also around $21). Making a permanent move to another country proved just the change these Americans needed. Retired US veteran Christopher Boris was struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, so in 2024 he and his wife Maria Jesus moved from Maryland to Brazil. 'I could not afford the American Dream,' Boris tells CNN. 'But here, it's not about making money. It's establishing other factors, like friendships.' Janet Blaser, originally from New York, relocated from California to Mexico nearly two decades ago. As a single mother of three 'living paycheck to paycheck,' she says she always felt like she 'didn't have enough.' She started a magazine business and got herself a permanent resident visa. 'I feel like I succeeded here,' she tells CNN. 'I've given myself a wonderful life.' Nashville woman Linda Leaming was blown away by the beauty of the Kingdom of Bhutan when she visited in 1994. 'I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life here,' she tells CNN. Three years later, she made the move, and has since found love and happiness in the Himalayas. 'Moving to Bhutan taught me to live mindfully,' she says. The de Havilland DH106 1A Comet was the world's first passenger jet. It was the height of 1950s luxury — but it was also a death trap with a fatal design flaw. Now it's been brought back to life. Read its incredible story here. Not long before the Comet took to the skies, a 20-minute flight between Hong Kong and Macao became a record-breaker in a different way. The world's first airplane hijacking took place on the Miss Macao seaplane in 1948. The goal? Rob the passengers and then hold them for ransom. Finally, aviation fans passing through Budapest would do well to squeeze in a visit to Budaörs, a beautiful but forgotten Bauhaus airport that's an aviation time capsule. It's been operating continuously since 1937, with its grassy airfield now used by hobby pilots, private planes and helicopters. China is telling its 1.4 billion people to abandon the nearly universal practice of 'stand right, walk left' on escalators. Instead, authorities are offering what they say is a safer and better alternative. Might the experiment catch on elsewhere? Watch the video and see what you think. If you're hitting the city streets, comfortable walking shoes are always a necessity. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have a guide to the best, according to podiatrists and shoe experts. It's not just countries imposing new fees for entry. Fed-up Italian farmers have set up mountain turnstiles to charge access to Instagram hot spots. This former Soviet state is one of the world's most isolated countries. Now it's showing signs it's ready for more tourists. The new nudity. Read our 21st-century guide to taking off your clothes. Swim to work? See how Swiss residents switch up their commute.
