Chopped: Ultimate Champions Finale Tonight - Winner Gets $50,000 And A Car

Photo - Food Network

Tonight on the Food Network at 10pm ET is the Chopped: Ultimate Champions finale where the winner will take home $50,000 and a new car.  The final four competitors are Giorgio Rapicavoli (Professional Chefs), Keith Young (Amateurs), Diana Sabater (Heroes), and Laila Ali (Celebrities)


Here was the order of eliminations for each of the first four episodes:

• Episode 1 (Professional Chefs) - Fatima Ali (appetizer), Lauren Kyles (entree), Tom McKenna (dessert) - Winner - Giorgio Rapicavoli
• Episode 2 (Amateurs) - Marisa Biaggi (appetizer), Dinah Surh (entree), Elda Bielanski (dessert), Winner - Keith Young
• Episode 3 (Heroes) - Richard Fields (appetizer), Paul Rut (entree), Robbie Myers (dessert) - Winner - Diana Sabater
• Episode 4 (Celebrities) - Gillian Vigman (appetizer), Brandi Chastain (entree), Carnie Wilson (dessert) - Winner - Laila Ali

With Giorgio being the only professional chef in the finale, he should be the clear favorite, but you know how the judges can be won over by a feel good story.  There is a fan vote on the Food Network site, and as of writing this, Keith has about 80% of the people rooting for him to win.  So everyone is probably pulling for the underdogs (amateur/hero) to win over the professional with an advantage and a celebrity who probably doesn't need the prize.

I will update this post with the winner after the episode airs. (Spoiler after the break)


UPDATE:  The first contestant eliminated in the finale was Keith Young, followed by Laila Ali.  This put Diana Sabater vs. Giorgio Rapicavoli in the dessert round for the $50,000 prize and a car.  Being a professional chef against a bunch of amateurs was a great advantage to Giorgio, however Diana somehow won the Chopped Ultimate Champions Tournament.