Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Picnic Recipes Galore
Corner-Store Party Food on the Fly
9 Chili Recipes, Bison to Vegan
How to Choose the Best Strawberries
Sausage Recipes of the Month
Ilan Hall wins the title of Bravo’s Top Chef. Amid roiling accusations of arrogance, Marcel baiting, and questionable head accessories, Hall stays above the fray in this podcast with Meredith Arthur, as befits the wearer of the crown.
Listen to other Top Chef podcasts:
Marcel Vigneron
Sam Talbot and Elia Aboumrad
Cliff Crooks
Michael Midgley
Betty Fraser
Mia Gaines
Frank Terzoli
Carlos Fernandez
Marisa Churchill and Josie Smith-Malave
Emily Sprissler
Otto Borsich
Suyai Steinhauer and Judge Tom Colicchio
For a full overview of this episode, check out TV.com.
llan Hall is a manipulative bully vindictive person. He did not deserve to win. He manipulates
others like Sam, Franl, Betty, Mike and Elia, to turn against Marcel. That truly shows his psycho traits. I suspect the reason he hates Marcel 'cos he is so insecure of his cooking skill, he knew Marcel is a better creative cook than him. Ilan e has a mousy meek face that hides his evil intention very...+READ
llan Hall is a manipulative bully vindictive person. He did not deserve to win. He manipulates
others like Sam, Franl, Betty, Mike and Elia, to turn against Marcel. That truly shows his psycho traits. I suspect the reason he hates Marcel 'cos he is so insecure of his cooking skill, he knew Marcel is a better creative cook than him. Ilan e has a mousy meek face that hides his evil intention very well. I take my hat off to Marcel for standing tall against those bullies, esp.Ilan.-COLLAPSE
Hey ppl......
I love ILAN....watever u say ILAN won....not marcel or any others.....marcel deserved that treatment.....he waz an asshole....nd nywayz ilanz food waz wAAAAAAyyyy betta than marcels...!!nd in the end Ilan is the winner nd U ppl are the LOZERS...!!!
HAHA....!!!
Ilan is a spoiled child with a mean heart. I can't imagine he could love cooking as much as he loves himself. He needs a decade of life experience before the possibility exists for hom to be a TOP CHEF. Clearly the opinion of others means nothing to him, because he is so focused on his little evil world of friends who will help him gang up on people he decides are a threat. I hope he finds some...+READ
Ilan is a spoiled child with a mean heart. I can't imagine he could love cooking as much as he loves himself. He needs a decade of life experience before the possibility exists for hom to be a TOP CHEF. Clearly the opinion of others means nothing to him, because he is so focused on his little evil world of friends who will help him gang up on people he decides are a threat. I hope he finds some character and better friends who can give him a sense of what really matters in life.
What he has he done with his winnings? Oh wait, spoiling himself with a stroll through Europe, no?
Sam and Marcel both have inexplicable amounts of talent and should have been rewarded more than they were.-COLLAPSE
Ilan & Marcel are to great guys. Ilan as much as I think hes adorable and a little dependent on Spanish Dishes, he took the risk of STAYING with his most understandings. And he Did get out of that box ocassionally.As of Marcel he himself to took risks, though many were worthless. Yet, on the good side hes still creative and open minded. Hes competive and self confident, which is great. Ilan and...+READ
Ilan & Marcel are to great guys. Ilan as much as I think hes adorable and a little dependent on Spanish Dishes, he took the risk of STAYING with his most understandings. And he Did get out of that box ocassionally.As of Marcel he himself to took risks, though many were worthless. Yet, on the good side hes still creative and open minded. Hes competive and self confident, which is great. Ilan and Marcel are complete oppisite though when it comes to handling people. Ilan may appear nicer and Marcel may not, BUT over all Marcel even though not the winner can and I`m sure WILL do great things in the world in food and himself. As of Ilan hes great and strong, but most of all you can argue for EVER and still have trouble. The both deserve it, period. And Ilan may never get another chance like this so give it to him, becuase its almost certian that Marcel will do great things and can easyly get hired anywhere. His chances are better, the two of them are great none the less, both deserve it. Its all in ones persective.-COLLAPSE
I agree with you Dulcebrisa. For me Marcel is the TOP CHEF. Ilan is a zafron maniak.
In response to jdream saying "I think that each and everyone one of you would be shocked at how nice Ilan is if you ever had the chance to know him."
Who would want to after what we witnessed. And yeh it ultimately is about the food. About being versatile, passionate and daring. About being inspiring, about not sticking to what you know and playing it safe. About not being a Top Cheater.
I think what people don't get is that when Marcel makes those remarks like "ran away with their tails tucked between their legs" he isn't being serious, he is obviously not a meanspirited kid, like Ilan and his gang, when they purposefully set out to abuse and humilliate him. Maybe he isn't Mr. Popularity with the people on that show, big effin deal, he's still great enough to inspire love and...+READ
I think what people don't get is that when Marcel makes those remarks like "ran away with their tails tucked between their legs" he isn't being serious, he is obviously not a meanspirited kid, like Ilan and his gang, when they purposefully set out to abuse and humilliate him. Maybe he isn't Mr. Popularity with the people on that show, big effin deal, he's still great enough to inspire love and admiration from legions of fans.
Arrogant? really? there was an element of arrogance to everyone in that show, and Marcel was not at the top of the list. Stephen is arrogant, Ilan was arrogant..come on, when he said "he's upstairs crying, probably ready to jump off the roof" (paraphrasing), how the hell was THAT necessary, how the hell is THAT mature. He indulged in beatin on Marcel just because he could, how cowardly is that, how low.
You have absolutely nothing to backup your comment that Marcel was an "arrogant prick", when I saw much more examples of humility and chivalry from him than anything negative, and THAT is something totally verifiable on tape. I will never forget seeing him hold the door open for the contestants as they left the loft and seeing a contestant push his face back. Seeing him nailed for every single thing he did or said, constantly under fire and criticism and still remaining cool and composed, even when people abandoned him when he needed help serving or plating.
Seeing Ilan win was frankly disgusting and a testament to poor judgement.-COLLAPSE
I can't really see how people could side with marcel. I tried, after listening to him tell his side of the story, to have sympathy for him, but the way he talks passes him off as an arrogant prick, certainly not a people person. And did anyone see him on the season 1 versus season 2 competition when he dissed season 1 along the lines of saying that they "ran away with their tails tucked between...+READ
I can't really see how people could side with marcel. I tried, after listening to him tell his side of the story, to have sympathy for him, but the way he talks passes him off as an arrogant prick, certainly not a people person. And did anyone see him on the season 1 versus season 2 competition when he dissed season 1 along the lines of saying that they "ran away with their tails tucked between their legs?" Where the hell did that come from?! Was that really necessary? If you watched season 2, Ilan was cool with everybody else, and most of the contestants had bad things to say about Marcel. Could this entire group of people consist of bullies? Come on, people! And Betty seemed like a really pleasant and nice person around everybody else. Face it: Marcel was an arrogant prick during the show, and while it WAS a competition, that doesn't mean that you have to immediately shut out the concept of forming any kind of friendship with the other players!-COLLAPSE
Just a quick comment... all this talking crap about Ilan is pointless-- especially on a FOOD website. If you want to go and bash his character find some trashy site devoted to reality TV addicts and take out your anger there. He is a wonderful cook and humble enough to admit his shortcomings. What, you've never heard him say anything humble? That's because it's edited out. Get to know someone...+READ
Just a quick comment... all this talking crap about Ilan is pointless-- especially on a FOOD website. If you want to go and bash his character find some trashy site devoted to reality TV addicts and take out your anger there. He is a wonderful cook and humble enough to admit his shortcomings. What, you've never heard him say anything humble? That's because it's edited out. Get to know someone before you start judging them. Talk about his cooking, if it didn't appeal to you then that's fine. But understand that just because you've watched someone on TV does not, in any way, shape, or form mean that you know them or are in a position to judge them. I think that each and everyone one of you would be shocked at how nice Ilan is if you ever had the chance to know him.-COLLAPSE
Marcel is clearly a more talented and innovative chef than Ilan. Ilan's (and everyone else's) jealousy was obvious throughout the entire show. I have no doubt that Marcel will make it much farther in this industry than all of them. If not for his raw talent then his tenacity and ability to withstand the pressure of being around a bunch of talentless a**holes. I'm sure the judges regret their...+READ
Marcel is clearly a more talented and innovative chef than Ilan. Ilan's (and everyone else's) jealousy was obvious throughout the entire show. I have no doubt that Marcel will make it much farther in this industry than all of them. If not for his raw talent then his tenacity and ability to withstand the pressure of being around a bunch of talentless a**holes. I'm sure the judges regret their decision.-COLLAPSE
AMEN.
Ilan is a TOP COPY RECIPES, and a Jerk. all he's dishes , including the finale you can eat in a spanish rest. I know that because I already ate in a spanish rest, in Puerto Rico. The same dishes all. The only chef , creative, is Marcel . Marcel is the TOP CHEF.
little katiebee,
maybe reference who the hizzle ur talking about when u are correcting grammar. we want to know whom to alert with your spelling tips.
nobody likes ilan and his boss's food he copies. he's rude and uninteresting. notice how like NOBODY CARES anymore.
kudos, r.christian. i totally agree w/you.
In a new interview, Ilan blames Bravo TV editors, who made him "look bad" and he also blames people in blogs who say bad things about him. That's why so many don't feel he deserves the Top Chef prize... partially because he doesn't take responsibilty for his behavior when he was a bully, vindictive and insulting to Marcel. The other is that his cooking during the course of the show was...+READ
In a new interview, Ilan blames Bravo TV editors, who made him "look bad" and he also blames people in blogs who say bad things about him. That's why so many don't feel he deserves the Top Chef prize... partially because he doesn't take responsibilty for his behavior when he was a bully, vindictive and insulting to Marcel. The other is that his cooking during the course of the show was pedestrian, unimaginative and routine. Marcel was creative, optimistic and he created some truly unique and innovative dishes. Sorry, but soggy toast and canned eel are not more creative than what Marcel made.-COLLAPSE
I LOVE ILAN! I think his food was great-looking and I bet great tasting. P.S. If you're going to pan someone at least use correct grammar. Also, the show is called Top CheF not Top CheP.
I miss Marcel!
I think you are wrong about the editors and the judges. Something certainly went wrong in this competion. Ilan does not deserve to be Top Chef. Ilan, Sam, Betty and Elia acted like bullies . I think they are all jerks in the way they treated Marcel. As matter of fact, Marcel is Top Chef in my book. I was a Bravo fan for Top Chef and Project Runway but not anymore.
The best to Marcel , you are a...+READ
I think you are wrong about the editors and the judges. Something certainly went wrong in this competion. Ilan does not deserve to be Top Chef. Ilan, Sam, Betty and Elia acted like bullies . I think they are all jerks in the way they treated Marcel. As matter of fact, Marcel is Top Chef in my book. I was a Bravo fan for Top Chef and Project Runway but not anymore.
The best to Marcel , you are a shinning star. We haven't heard the last from you. I bet you will have your own show soon.-COLLAPSE
None of us know what really happened during the entire competition, we only know what we saw during the edited version. What the editors decided was the most important stuff to show to make the show most interesting and to get the highest ratings. If we all respect the judges on the show, then we must believe that Ilan had the best food!
I would gladly eat at Harold's restaurant (is that opened yet?) but I won't eat at any restaurant that would hire Ilan. Marcel's a bit of a douche but at least he's not a feckless follower like Ilan...he's the bully's (Sam, Cliff) little lick-spittle toadie. Dude...you SO didn't deserve to win. It should have been Sam.
it is surprising to see....wonder how ilan is enjoying his "victory"? it is obvious no one cares. how anticlimactic can you get....
when i go to NYC i'll probably pick a restaurant that is appealing.
Ilan, you should have kept your job, you will need it . What a snake .......I would never eat anything that you cooked. One question though, Why? Why so mean? Was it because someone had more talent than you. I would be a shame. I feel sorry for you. Marcel has more talent in his little finger than you do in your body........
Marcel will have his own show, just watch and see.
Sam should have won...not Ilan.
Hey Ilan did you take down your site at myspace.com because you were afraid we all write in for you to resign as Top Chef, your a bigger baby then I thought, you can't handle what we have to say about you, and you should resign, you were the one who cheated, used your last boss's restaurant recipes, had others help you gang up on Marcel and you were all around top dick! Resign and be a man for a...+READ
Hey Ilan did you take down your site at myspace.com because you were afraid we all write in for you to resign as Top Chef, your a bigger baby then I thought, you can't handle what we have to say about you, and you should resign, you were the one who cheated, used your last boss's restaurant recipes, had others help you gang up on Marcel and you were all around top dick! Resign and be a man for a change!-COLLAPSE
If any one of us treated one of our co-workers the way Illan treated Marcel, we would be out of a job.
so how you treat others doesn't matter Kali, how wrong you are, Ilan was a jerk, and a bully, thats not Top Chef person that I'd be proud of. I'm glad that Marcel was the better man.
Kali, your comment sounds like you've been taking character classes from Ilan.
So what Ilan was an ass to people. You can't tell me that you all haven't been an ass to people sometimes as well! At the end of the day its not how you act towards people its how you cook and if you cook a bad meal you do not deserve to win!
In response to NicoLaco...
Here's what platinum melting on your tongue would taste like: burning.
Here's what I want my food to taste like: anything but molten metal.
Wow, really sounds like the rest of what I read on the Bravo site - NO ONE REALLY CARES ABOUT ILAN BEING "TOP CHEF". Or maybe nobody thinks it's true, more like. At the finale he said he has more passion for food than Marcel. Have we all been listening? Ilan's monotone grasping at small words vs Marcel's knowledge, skill, flair, enthusiasm, love for his craft/gift.....WE ALL DISAGREE DUDE. Take...+READ
Wow, really sounds like the rest of what I read on the Bravo site - NO ONE REALLY CARES ABOUT ILAN BEING "TOP CHEF". Or maybe nobody thinks it's true, more like. At the finale he said he has more passion for food than Marcel. Have we all been listening? Ilan's monotone grasping at small words vs Marcel's knowledge, skill, flair, enthusiasm, love for his craft/gift.....WE ALL DISAGREE DUDE. Take that $100K and buy yourself some more pink boxers. Please keep your shirt on - no more shirtless photos please eww.
One trick pony Ilan knew his trick well and could cook. But then, line cooks can. Doesn't make you a chef, or a man. Shame on you for all your gradeschool behavior throughout the season. NOBODY CARES.-COLLAPSE
Ilan.. you are hardly a top chef. You simply won a TV show contest. Your immaturity, frat boy mentality and disregard for the feelings of others won you some money and some Kenmore appliances, but in the longrun, it will be imagination, innovation and integrity which will take Marcel to great places. After all, Season 2 could easily be called "The Marcel Show". Think about that as you play your...+READ
Ilan.. you are hardly a top chef. You simply won a TV show contest. Your immaturity, frat boy mentality and disregard for the feelings of others won you some money and some Kenmore appliances, but in the longrun, it will be imagination, innovation and integrity which will take Marcel to great places. After all, Season 2 could easily be called "The Marcel Show". Think about that as you play your DVDs of the show in the years to come.-COLLAPSE
ILAN, we all know people like you -- a manipulating, self-absorbed, selfish BULLY.
Definition of BULLY: One who acts based on deep-seeded inadequacies and insecurities with no regard to the feelings or well-being of others, for his own gain or profit.
Another part of being a BULLY is that like yourself bullies think of themselves as above all of that; you'll never see yourself for what you...+READ
ILAN, we all know people like you -- a manipulating, self-absorbed, selfish BULLY.
Definition of BULLY: One who acts based on deep-seeded inadequacies and insecurities with no regard to the feelings or well-being of others, for his own gain or profit.
Another part of being a BULLY is that like yourself bullies think of themselves as above all of that; you'll never see yourself for what you really are.
MARCEL is the REAL "TOP CHEF" -- It'll take more than your 100 grand to undo that fact!
Ilan, you may feel good about yourself for this brief moment in time, but Marcel will feel good about himself for a lifetime knowing that being a real winner means not being defined by what others think, rather by doing the right thing even in the face of difficulty; even when it seems that everyone else may have conspired against you.-COLLAPSE
Ilan keeps saying how much more delicious his food is. Has anyone here cooked the recipes by him and by Marcel? What's the verdict?
In the first episode, when Ilan won the quickfire, Harold remarked that he had won the first quickfire last season, and that it may be significant. After watching all season with this in the back of my mind, I think that this was a little bit of production foreshadowing. Perhaps, this proves how manipulated this program can be. So let's lighten up and enjoy the show for its entertainment value.
hellz naw i was so pissed when ilan won.. i liked him at first but the way he behaved towards marcel was unforgivable.. but also in regards to food... there was not much original in his final dishes, he doesn't take risks like marcel and sticks with the same spanish stuff.. marcel definitely had what it takes, and the judges confirmed top chef is nothing but a popularity contest nwo that the...+READ
hellz naw i was so pissed when ilan won.. i liked him at first but the way he behaved towards marcel was unforgivable.. but also in regards to food... there was not much original in his final dishes, he doesn't take risks like marcel and sticks with the same spanish stuff.. marcel definitely had what it takes, and the judges confirmed top chef is nothing but a popularity contest nwo that the "good guys" won two years in a row.. shame on you, bravo-COLLAPSE
Had to crap on Harold, no Ilan your not a nice person, and clean up your trying to do , now that everyone see's what your like, and you cheated plain in simple, you used recipes from the restaurant you worked at, to win, so Elia, Betty, Sam, who's the cheater and who did you defend, speaks of their character too, bullies to the end, glad to see the last of them thank god!
Top Chump
I worked under some chefs that, at times, I thought here *%$*!... but I learned life long lessons from them, worked in a high ranked kitchen/ restaurant (that still has a strong name ten years later etc.) and I see now that The Chefs cooks could get a little side tracked, ego, or loveless... etc.etc.
At the end of the day it is a business to make money, we all love food, but not many have an...+READ
I worked under some chefs that, at times, I thought here *%$*!... but I learned life long lessons from them, worked in a high ranked kitchen/ restaurant (that still has a strong name ten years later etc.) and I see now that The Chefs cooks could get a little side tracked, ego, or loveless... etc.etc.
At the end of the day it is a business to make money, we all love food, but not many have an endless bank account to run an unprofitable business and it is a tough one.
So if you do not like his manners; do not eat at his restaurant, do not work with him etc.
But at the end of the day there must be something he did right to win.
I do not care if the Chef is nice, arrogant, selfish, compulsive etc; I want the food to taste like platinum melting on my tongue.-COLLAPSE
Big whoop. Congratulations Ilan, you one-note, brown-nosing bully. Enjoy your moment in the sun, because it sure as hell won't last. Most of us enjoy other spices beyond saffron and paprika.
And congratulations to Bravo too, for a complete and utter shambles of a season. This was my first and last time watching Top Chef. Try picking actual chefs over whiny little ninnies next time.
Okay, not in repose. Just a relaxed pose.
Look at the photo. He has a permanent look of contempt on his face even in repose.
Ilan a bully? I don't think so. He is a honest person who spoke his mind. Ilan isn't the only one who hated Marcel, if I remember a few of the others also had words to say about him. Marcel was a little bastard and got what he deserved. In the end, he was stuck working with people who clearly wanted him to lose. In the long run Marcel was right, it is the food that matters but sometimes you need...+READ
Ilan a bully? I don't think so. He is a honest person who spoke his mind. Ilan isn't the only one who hated Marcel, if I remember a few of the others also had words to say about him. Marcel was a little bastard and got what he deserved. In the end, he was stuck working with people who clearly wanted him to lose. In the long run Marcel was right, it is the food that matters but sometimes you need someone to cook it. When your sous chefs aren't behind you then you are a failure.
Ilan cooking ahs real soul and taste. I am not very impressed with marcvels fusion of chemical and food. Boring.
Use some salt and paprika!-COLLAPSE
Loser.
sorry late at night or early morning meant Top Chef,
Ilan you didn't deserve to win, your mean and a bully and someone who doesn't honor the top Chep, what a joke this was to let you win, marcel is such a better person then you, and you choose Elia that bitch and Betty same thing, wow the three of you rats on made my stomach ill, I won't be watching next season because of you Ilan, you not a nice person and your no Top Chep. Stick the money up your...+READ
Ilan you didn't deserve to win, your mean and a bully and someone who doesn't honor the top Chep, what a joke this was to let you win, marcel is such a better person then you, and you choose Elia that bitch and Betty same thing, wow the three of you rats on made my stomach ill, I won't be watching next season because of you Ilan, you not a nice person and your no Top Chep. Stick the money up your butt because that where it belongs and you are a ass to think you deserve it, the way you act and thank god I never have to see you again! Marcel may of not won, buy your the bigger loser!!-COLLAPSE
I was a fan of Ilan's until I saw his comments regarding Harold Dieterle (Season 1 winner) during Bravo's premier of Top Designer (not worth the time spent to watch). I would think if you just won $100,000 and prizes you wouldn't spend your time insulting someone else (especially someone who is just not, if not more talented). It was really sad to see.