Noelle Myers recaps Part 2 of Top Chef New Orleans season Finale – We have a new Top Chef!

Nina Compton and Nicholas Elmi have survived twenty nine challenges to reach the finale.  For their final challenge, they must create a four course menu in a pop-up restaurant.

Since Nick won the last challenge, he gets to choose all of his sous chefs from a collection of the previous challengers first.   Nick chooses Jason, Louis, and Brian.

Nina chooses Shirley, Stephanie and Travis to assist her in this final challenge.

The two finalists sit down with their assistants to come up with their menu.  Nina decides she wants to add two extra courses to her menu. Then it is off to shopping and setting up the restaurant.  Nina wants to make an ice cream for dessert, but after the groceries are purchased, Travis calls to tell her there is no ice cream machine.  Nina adjusts her plans and the cooking begins in earnest.

Tom and Emeril check in on the contestants and tell them they will are taking the two finalists to dinner after prep is done.

Once at dinner in a beautiful outdoor location, Tom has a surprise for the Chef.  Nick’s Wife and his Mother, and Nina’s Husband and her brother join them for dinner.  Both Chefs are ecstatic to see their family members.

At service the next day, things go very smoothly for Nina.  She serves a six course menu to the judges.

Starter – Breadfruit with Whipped Fois Gras Butter and Curry Salt

First Course – Tuna and Escolar Tartar with Tomato Water and Jalapeno Granita

Second Course – Roasted Baby Goat Sugo with Orecchette, Cherry Tomato Confit, Arugula and Goat Cheese

Third Course – Spice Rubbed Swordfish with Squash Puree, Braised Kale, and Smoked Onion Jus

Intermezzo – Compressed Dragon Fruit With Frozen Papaya and Ginger Syrup

Fourth Course – Chocolate Zeppoli with Macadamia Nuts and Tropical Anglaise.

Nick on the other hand has quite a bit of trouble with his servers, at one point he yells so loud the entire dining room turns to look at the kitchen. Nick serves a four course meal

First Course – Hamachi and Tuna Crudo with Green Apple, Wasabi, Celery and Maui Meyer Lemon

Second Course – Sweet Shrimp Bisque, Scallop and Daikon Noodles, Abolone and Thai Basil.

Third Course – Kombu Cured Duck Breast with Komocha Squash, Hijiki, and Ginger

Fourth Course – Caramelized White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Almond Cocoa Shortbread Crumble and Tropical Fruit

The Judging is close.  There are small things wrong with each contestants meal, Nina’s Swordfish was too salty, Nicks first course was under seasoned, his Duck inconsistently cooked.  Nina’s dessert too small.

It is a tough call, but the Judges finally come to a decision.

Nick is the new Top Chef.

What is YOUR opinion?  Did the judges make the right call?