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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our family watched this season of Top Chef together and we were really into it.  Not only was the food amazing and the setting stunning, but we really enjoyed the esprit de corps among the contestants, even as they were competing so vigorously.  After the judges decided to have the top 3 go on to the final, I would have been happy to see any of them go on to win the big enchilada (so to speak).  Now that the news about Gabe is out there, I certainly wish Gabe had not been named Top Chef.  Someone who treats his staff in a punitive, unethical and selfish manner -- whether in the context of sexual harassment or otherwise -- doesn't deserve the title of Top Chef.  I know there are those who take the view that Gabe won on his cooking and that his actions with regard to staff shouldn't be part of the decision.  But, Dawn's food was clearly amazing too (as was Shota's) and [b]yet she was criticized all along for other factors [/b]-- most notably the repeated plating mistakes. Being a chef involves all aspects of what happens in the kitchen and FOH as well (see "Restaurant Wars"). At this point, stripping Gabe of the title and declaring Dawn and Shota co-winners might be the appropriate action.  Certainly, Gabe should not be involved in the show as a returning judge or in any other capacity.

As far as Gabe's comments about his family, the photos and the phone call, I'm going to assume the best here and believe that he and his wife were working on healing their relationship and moving forward.  I hope they'll be able to do that and I hope that Gabe's career as a chef (though not Top Chef) can continue once he atones for his actions and demonstrates a commitment to reforming his behavior.  I'm not sure how that can be measured or monitored, but I do think people deserve a second chance if they're willing to make amends.         [/quote]

I see the point you are making, but still disagree.  The "other factors" Dawn was dinged for directly relate to the skills of a chef and the food they tasted on the plate.  Restaurant Wars is the kinda the same (though I actually have always thought it was an anomaly that they judged on FOH).  What Gabe did was not about being a chef at all.

(I was Team Dawn all the way, and was crushed when she messed up her plating AGAIN.  As much as I hate it, she didn't deserve to win based on what she put out there.  But I would LOVE to eat her food.)[/quote]

Dawn was not a contender in that finale based off leaving stuff the plate in her first course.  She is a talented chef but is not able to perform in the constraints of a reality competition- which is not a big deal in her career as a chef.  If they strip Gabe of the title, it should hands down go to Shota.  Although I don’t think Gabe should be stripped of the title.[/quote]

+2  We loved the comradery amongst the cast, all of whom appeared to be decent people. My entire family loved Dawn, with her organic style of allowing her ideas to develop over time. Unfortunately, her approach wasn't the best for this particular competition, which resulted in her running out of time again and again. If I could pick a chef whose food I would most want to eat, it would be Dawn's.  [/quote]

I liked Dawn, but remember that “developing ideas over time” thing sabotaged her restaurant wars team and contributed to their loss, even though her food was good.  She just couldn’t play this game very well…which is kind of ironic for a former Olympian![/quote]

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