Top Chef Season 22 Draws to a Close with Thrilling Finale

MILAN, Italy — The highly anticipated finale of Top Chef Season 22 aired June 12 on Bravo, featuring a showdown among three finalists: Tristen Epps, Bailey Sullivan, and Shuai Wang. Each chef showcased their unique culinary styles in a bid to win the coveted title and a $250,000 prize.

The finale took place at the renowned restaurant of Carlo Cracco, an Italian culinary icon. With full creative control over their menus, the chefs served dishes that reflected their identities and experiences.

For the first course, Tristen served monkfish, aiming for a medium finish, while Bailey presented a balanced plate. Shuai’s dish, red shrimp pani puri, lacked the impact of the others, allowing Bailey to take an early lead.

In the second round, Tristen’s chicken with shrimp toast impressed the judges, while Shuai struggled with his soup-dumpling pasta. Bailey’s porcini-filled pasta also garnered praise, with Tristen emerging as the standout chef for this course.

The third course followed suit, with Tristen’s oxtail and Carolina gold rice winning accolades from the judges. A culinary misstep from Bailey, whose fish was overcooked, further solidified Tristen’s advantage.

In the dessert round, Shuai redeemed himself with a dessert that impressed the judges, marking his first win of the evening. Despite this, Tristen’s daring root vegetable dessert and Bailey’s comforting final dish kept the competition tight.

The judging process revealed the balancing act each chef performed throughout the season. After much deliberation, Tristen Epps was crowned the winner, recognized for his bold vision, skill, and emotional storytelling through food.

As the season concludes, fans reflect on a journey filled with creativity and passionate competition. From Italy’s culinary landscape to the vibrant traditions each chef brought to the table, Season 22 of Top Chef has been a memorable season of gastronomy and growth.