For the finale of this season’s Top Chef, they are having five chefs competing for the title. The lineup for this “all star” season was pretty impressive, but most of my all-time favorites were left missing. If I were to pick the five best chefs who didn’t win, from all the seasons, the group would look a lot different.

I would have picked: Kevin Gillespie - ginger beardie with lovable personality and comfort food awesomeness, Richard Blais - the wizard with the faux hawk and liquid nitrogen tank, Sam Talbot - tall and handsome with love for sweet and savory combinations, Bryan Voltaggio - the nicer and more professional of the brothers, Stefan Richter - everyone’s favorite carefree Euro. Now that would be a competition!

“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

Another collection of my favorite looks from Project Runway seasons 7 and 8. Although I didn’t love season 7, I did enjoy Seth Aaron’s style and Anthony’s hilarious attitude. So many of the designers were boring and forgettable. Season 8 was one of my very favorites. Mondo won me over the second I saw him. His own style was so dorky and endearing, while his designs were stunning, colorful, and whimsical. For the other seasons, see: seasons 1 and 2, seasons 3 and 4, seasons 5 and 6.

Seth Aaron Henderson - episode Back to New York

Amy Sarabi - episode The Fashion Farm

Jay Nicholas Sario - episode The Fashion Farm

Jay Nicholas Sario - episode Run for Cover

Jesse LeNoir - episode A Little Bit of Fashion

Seth Aaron Henderson - episode Hey, That’s My Fabric

Seth Aaron Henderson - episode Finale Collection

Mondo Guerra - episode Larger Than Life

Andy South - episode It’s a Party

Mondo Guerra - episode A Rough Day on the Runway

April Johnston - episode Race to the Finish

Mondo Guerra - episode There’s a Pattern Here

Mondo Guerra - episode Finale Collection