-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email In the season finale of "Top Chef: Chicago," the fourth season of the show which aired back in 2008, the finalists were tasked with making a four-course meal to serve as one of the finest meals of their lives, which would, ostensibly, cinch the win for them. For her main dish, finalist Stephanie Izard made a lamb course with mushrooms, pistachios and a blackberry and olive tapenade; I remember being utterly fascinated by the combination of colors and flavors. Soon thereafter, Izard was crowned Top Chef , when then-host Padma Lakshmi announced the winner, telling her "Stephanie: You are 'Top Chef.
'" At that time, Izard joined three men as "Top Chef" winners, but obviously, much has changed since those halcyon days — from the show's host, to the amount of women who've won the crown (coincidentally enough, Laskhmi's replacement and current host, Kristen Kish , was actually the second woman to win!) Related Newest "Top Chef" winner Danny Garcia talks seafood, top ingredients and how he'll honor his mentor I've always been inspired by Izard. Her easy-going, good-natured nature, her cool confidence, her amazing culinary skills, the way she's never "doing too much," as many reality TV competitors often do — Izard merely cooked to an amazing degree, treated others normally and presented herself as a formidable contender, never getting ostentatious or boastful — just simply cooking exceptional food and letting that speak for itself. In cul.
