Glad I've fainlly found something I agree with!

To lilypad, debc, merrry and all those who followed, I have to shake my head. The point of this last blog post is to give us viewers an inside look as to what the food may have really been like from someone who....ACTUALLY TASTED THE FOOD! But no, Harold must be wrong and his palate must be off because I could tell from seeing the food, in a highly stylized and edited-for-t.v. kind of way, that Rick's food must have been better.

Please, none of you have any idea what you are talking about.

I don't really agree with you about James' palate but I do agree that he seemed to have it in for Michael. His scores for Michael were consistently lower than for the other chefs and I got the definite feeling that there was something more personal involved than just the taste of the food. It was also obvious that his scores for Michael were very different from the other judges and yet his scores for the other chefs were very consistent with the other judges, that's the reason I think it was personal rather than palate. If it was a matter of palate wouldn't his scores be consistently different from what the other judges scored? I just felt that overall he was a very biased and ultimately an unkind judge.

I just have to say that you are a hottie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I disagree. Michael should not have won period and his food was not that different from so many chef's I've had experienced. Rick blew me away though I didn't taste it, I have eaten authentic Mexican food in Mexico enjoyed his segments. Maybe I'll try Harold's restaurant one day when times get better for me or maybe after his blog entry I'll just wait.
James judging was spot on to me. Michael was not hosed he just didn't deserve to win.

Thanks for the honest blog. I definitely sensed that there was something personal that influenced Oseland's rating of Michael's meal. That kind of thing ruins the whole show for me. Here are contestants who have just worked so long and hard on this challenge, and then it's like the whole idea of the "competition" didn't matter because one person cannot put aside some personal feelings when it's his job to do so. Maybe it was a completely honest rating, I don't know. It certainly didn't seem that way. It deserved an elaboration, more than he gave or was shown.

James said the polenta was over-seasoned, not that it needed to be cooked longer. Rick Bayless tasted the polenta and agreed it was too salty. Sorry, Harold, but that makes me question your palate more than it does James's.

omg i felt the same thing.michel should be the winner. i don't know what kind of agenda was running in James mind.i was schocked when he gave 3.5 stars,just could not believe it.

I could not taste the food, but Hubert or Michael should have won.
I love Hubert's attitude, being Italian I love Michael's feistiness! His food (Michael's) Spoke to my heart.
Hubert what technician and I loved his story!
I totally loved this Masters Top Chef, you could see the respect for each other and that rocked, how they helped each other out!
The BBQ was also a good story, and I disagree that there are no classical Mexican food other than Ricks, Here in California there are many.
For what ever reason I didn't care for either of the men judges. The Lady mm ok sort of. it was like a grudge match between them and Michael the whole way through.
Harold your still the best!

Harold (The First and Foremost Top Chef Winner),

I enjoy getting your insider's critique of the meal none of us could taste. Due to editing, it was hard to tell whether Michael "got hosed" or not. The critics' comments on air were not very effusive of Michael's meal (except for the short ribs). From your comments here and in prior blogs, it seems as though you have a soft spot for Michael more than James O has it in for him. Maybe you just prefer Michael's food because you prefer Italian style cooking more than the other two. Either way, it's your opinion (which I appreciate). The critics had their opinions and went with Rick. Originally, I really wanted Hubert because his food is thoughtful and beautiful. However, I knew that I'd be satisfied if any one of the final three took the title. They each were deserving.
Thanks again for your time and thoughts.

Harold, I'm sorry but I totally disagree. Michael has either hit the challenges totally out of the park or he has struck out. From your own review, it seems he struck out twice and homered twice. In your own words, neither Rick nor Hubert had that poor of a performance.

Classic Italian fare is commonplace for the American palate. Neither classic Mexican nor classic French are as well-known. Perhaps your bias is because your palate is more closely tuned to Italian fare.

I congratulate all 24 of the contestants, all 6 of the finalists, all 3 that were in last week's challenge...and I congratulate Rick Bayless as the champion of them all.

I really don't see it as Michael getting hosed. That would seem to indicate that he was by far the superior cook, when that was not the case from what we were shown. It looked like a really tight competition. I will say though, that if his burning the magazine cost him some fraction of points, he can only blame himself. It was an unnecesary risk to do something that may anger or be taken as an affront by a judge.

I am not buying into the Michael getting hosed theory; it is no surprise Harold favors Micheal - they seem to have a very similar style. There is something I have noticed and am surprised there hasn't been mention of - the lack of discussion regarding Rick's pork dish at judges table. The full four courses of Michael and Hubert's dinners are discussed. Yet only three of Ricks. I think had they included this in the final edit there would be no nah sayers out there. It is labeled "Rick's winning dish" on the website, Kelly and Jay both write high praise for it yet virtually no mention of it in the final edit we see. If anything let's get after Bravo and the producers for some lousy editing.

Harold, it's been so nice reading your blogs and seeing you at the final dinner w/ the Masters. There is something very special about you that shines through the TV screen. May the Lord God continue to bless and keep you.

Amen brother, Amen.

Yes, you were right! MIchael got hosed.
James O. failed as a judge. James could've squeek through it smoothly if he just gave michael 4 stars and nobody would really notice. but by giving 3.5 stars he wanted to make sure MIchael has no chance in Hell winning. It showed James had a personal vendetta against michael.