While the previous episode ended with a cliffhanger, only five chefs made the 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing Season 2 finale. With the $75,000 prize on the line, it is more than just money that these chefs wanted in this Food Network culinary competition. The true win was finding that they survived every shift, proved their endurance, showcased their creativity, and earned the title of 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing Season 2 winner.
Before the final eighth shift began, the fifth and final spot had to be determined. Three chefs remained, Kevin Lee, Kelsey Murphy, and Kathleen O’Brien-Price. As judge Andrew Zimmern said, all the chefs had good dishes. The decision dissected the tiniest details at this point in the competition.
The fifth, and final, spot in the finale went to Kevin Lee. He just edged out the other chefs. Many Food Network fans could have predicted this outcome.
The last chefs still standing were Stephanie Izard, Bryan Voltaggio, Jonathon Sawyer, Nini Nguyen, and Kevin Lee. The final five chefs were the ones that finished in the top for the first challenge. Even after 20 hours of cooking the crème rises to the top.
For the first challenge of the 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing finale, the chefs had to revisit the very task, speed. The chefs had to whip egg whites, tourne potatoes, and juice lemons. The first chef who finished all the tasks earned the Golden Knife and an advantage.
In a repeat from the first challenge, Kevin blasted through all three speed test tasks. While Stephanie was just behind him, it was not quick enough.
The finale challenge was to showcase elevation. Featuring dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the chefs had to blend the familiar with a high-end, innovative, and creative elements. With all the exhaustion, it was more than just lack of energy. The chefs’ palates were fatigued which led to flavor issues.
As the holder of the Golden Knife, Kevin was able to assign the protein to each chef. The choices were shellfish, beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. Nini was not happy that Kevin assigned her lamb. It was clear that Kevin was pairing chefs and the proteins quite strategically.
The proteins were assigned as follows: Kevin- shellfish, Sawyer – beef, Stephanie - pork, Nini – lamb, and Bryan – chicken. Although non-chefs might not appreciate the assignments, but chicken was the worst protein. It might be common, but it is hard to elevate a chicken dish.
Additionally, Kevin was able to assign the style for the breakfast dish. He picked classic. In some ways, that decision made it easier for everyone.
Lastly, one chef would be eliminated after the breakfast round. The pressure was high. Yes, making the final 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing shift was an accomplishment, no one wanted to leave after one dish.
Overall, the dishes were good. For the most part, the chefs stayed within the preferred styles. From Stephanie's sweet and savory with a twist to Bryan’s technically perfect chicken fried chicken, the top dishes were clear.
Unfortunately, the two bottom dishes were from Nini and Kevin. Nini’s dislike of lamb was not the real issue. Her overly aggressive seasoned peppercorn gravy was too much.
Kevin’s dish suffered with some poor choices. From keeping the English muffin whole to the wilted lettuce, it was good, but not great. At this point, everything needed to be great.
The chef eliminated was Kevin. He cooked the most out of the last five chefs. Was the Golden Knife a bad omen? Only time would tell.
Bryan and Stephanie had the two top dishes. Both dishes found the right balance between classic and elevated. From Stephanie’s unique sweet and spicy sauce to Bryan’s well-executed chicken fried chicken, both dishes were impressive at this point in the competition.
Winning the breakfast battle and the Golden Knife was Bryan. His advantage allowed him to shuffle proteins and chefs. He decided not to switch anything. Also, he was able to pick the style. The chefs had to cook fusion style lunches.
In this challenge, two chefs would be eliminated. Even though each of the chefs had a plan, exhaustion played a role in this lunch dish. Two chefs made mistakes that would not have happened 20 hours ago. Those items sent them home.
Nini, who wished she was not stuck with lamb, had issues with grinding the lamb shoulder. It was mealy. While her sauce was delicious, the protein was a mistake. The protein, not the sauce work, needed to shine.
Stephanie had an amazing fusion concept, but she had a technical error with cooking her pork chop. Everyone knew that she would nail the fusion concept. It was a celebration of contrasting textures and flavors.
Bryan had a very bold take on a fusion lunch. The interpretation of Caesar salad with chicken croutons was totally out of the box. He nailed the creativity and execution.
Sawyer made a bold choice by using the wagyu for lunch. Although it was not perfect, it was well-cooked and the flavors worked well together.
Unfortunately, Nini and Stephanie made mistakes that could not be overlooked. They were sent home.
Sawyer won the lunch challenge and earned the Golden Knife. He was able to pick any protein remaining on the board. It was a big advantage because he did not want to cook with ground beef. He switched to rack of lamb.
Bryan chose not to switch. He kept the blue foot chicken because he had already conceived his menu. Given the mental fatigue, it was a smart choice.
With Sawyer’s dish, the judges raved over his perfectly cooked lamb. Additionally, it was a celebration of modern technique. The use of uni in a way that anchovies are often used in a sauce was a modern spin. Overall, it was an innovative dish that was worthy of the last dish of the competition.
For his final dish, Bryan made a roasted chicken with parsnips. With both ingredients, he used everything in multiple ways. That concept was his modern element. Overall, the dish was technically impressive.
Unfortunately, a culinary competition trend appeared yet again in the 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing finale. Bryan Voltaggio came up just short. He has yet to break through a win a food competition.
The 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing Season 2 winner was Jonathon Sawyer. He fought to the end and earned the coveted Food Network title.
Want to catch up on all the Food Network episodes? 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing Season 2 can be streamed on HBO Max.
Will there be a 24 in 24 Last Chef Standing Season 3? That announcement from Food Network might be coming soon.