Why? They were in his freezer. Spike's mistake was obviously choosing them, but they were still in his freezer. Unfortunately, in a competition like Top Chef where you have no help and limited time constraints, sometimes it's not feasible to dump your plan halfway through due to a poor ingredient and/or decision. You make the best of things and move on.

Bothyou and ILuvParis are correct. He should not have insulted Tramonto, and at the same time, that should not have been the reason for his ouster. Yet, I think it was.

After watching this show for as long as I have, I need to ask: Are there any more pompous, arrogant professionals than chefs?

Tramonto had no idea they were in his freezer. He doesn't ever order frozen scallops. The meat company who featured in the quickfire sent over some extra "goodies" with the meat shipment that day. (so says Ted's or maybe it was Tom's blog)

Well, they all said his scallop dish sucked. I'd like to think THAT was the major reason he was sent packing. Nevertheless, if it's close, I don't think insulting a judge and renown chef does you much good and he realized immediately that it was a mistake.

I think it was Tom's blog that mentioned this. There is a huge difference between how the two cook up - I still wish Spike was in the final 4.

I am sorry, but I do not agree. It was still his freezer. It was his restaurant. They were his customers. It is his reputation. It is his freezer. I don't care who stocked it, it is still his responsibility. And a bit surprisingly, he seemed to take that responsibility after being called out. It's one thing to be in an isolated environment in which the judges are the only people to be affected by the decisions of the cheftestants (a term that I have grown to loathe). It's another thing to have people who are not judging the chefs. They are judging the restaurant. If I own a restaurant, I am darned well looking at what some random meat company is sticking in my walkin.

As far as his comment, I felt it was inappropriate, but so what. This wasn't an episode of Meek Chef. It's one thing to defer to the experts in your field, but when you're getting lit up for making poor decisions by a restaurant owner who clearly made a poor decision by not doing a kitchen walk-through to ensure that the quality of ingredients being served to your guests is up to your quality standards (even if you leave the execution to the chefs), I do not believe it is completely out of line to stand your ground and defend yourself. At least Spike admitted it was a bad decision and tried to make the best of it rather than just pouring Smucker's Butterscotch Sauce all over them.

And, yes, I deal with more pompous and arrogant (and self righteous) people in my profession every day. In the end, chefs are artists that use a less conventional canvas.

When I worked in an upscale restaurant in my younger days, dinner was provided for the staff and rest assured, we did not order off the menu. We got what was prepared that day for the staff and we didn't get a choice (other than not to eat it). It's very possible that the scallops were going to be used for dinner for the staff. Just a guess. I don't see a big deal in the fact that they were found in the freezer.

No spoilers from me - but what an episode!

I give it a big

dammit

A friend had dinner at Richard's restaurant in Atlanta last week, and got to talk with him. He didn't spill any beans (literally or figuratively), but did share that Lisa is the most consistently negative person he's ever been around.

I hate the way she stands at judges table. It is so unprofessional. I knew what was going to happen but I so didn't want it to!!! Happy to see Richard win a car last night. I'll be happy if it's either Richard or Stephanie - I like them both. Stephanie did such a good job handling Dale leaving the pork bellies out all night. She recovered it well.

Are you seriously telling me the producers aren't keeping Lisa on for the drama of it all. And no, Richard and Stephanie didn't have an obligation to tell Lisa congratulations. If the tables were turned, I don't think she would have been Mary Sunshine to them.

Bingo! You are absolutely right!! Last night's episode for me was Top Chef jumping the shark. That's it. I'll watch to see whether Stephanie or Richard is Top Chef, but that show has now lost all credibility with me and I don't know if I'll be watching any future seasons of it.

Lisa is absolutely no where near Antonia in her style, her presentation and her personality. Too bad the producers have taken the low road with thsi one.

Agreed! Unbelievable that Lisa (who can't even cook RICE) is in the top 3. I know I will not be watching if she wins. She should have gone home a long time ago.

I tried to find logic in it all. Then I thought about it. If Lisa weren't there, and Antonia stayed, it would be:

Antonia, Richard, Stephanie.

What do these 3 have in common? They all get along with each other! Think about the previous 3 seasons. There has always been the "villain" in the finale. Bravo doesn't want a show where everybody gets along.

Season 1: Tiffani
Season 2: Marcel
Season 3: Hung
Season 4: Lisa