Daily Loaf

This is it — the final episode, where we learn who is the Master of the Top Chefs.

I was quite impressed with this episode because they did away with the drama and really focused on the food (well, there was some nail-biting drama at the final judging). The chefs had to cook a four-course meal that told a story about their culinary career: Their earliest food memory, the experience that made them want to become a chef, their first restaurant, and where they’re heading in the future with their career. Their dishes were gorgeous (except for Michael’s whole fried fish) and made me want to reach through the screen to taste them.

Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and the five former Top Chef winners joined the judges to feast upon the cheftestants’ dishes (yes, Hosea is still alive). We also got to see some old pictures of the chefs, from childhood to their early career days — not pretty pictures, these guys definitely were late bloomers.

Highlights: Rick Bayless’ orgasmic mole (mo-lay, as in, the sauce) which took Jay Rayner’s “mole [mo-lay] virginity”; our fantasy Padma-on-Kelly chick fight; Keller’s former life as a dirty hippie; Chiarello’s diss at James Oseland; Jay wanting to bathe with Gail in Chiarello’s food; and the revelation of the winner.

At the end of our podcast, we discussed the new season of Top Chef and ragged on the newbies (and their crazy body art), but tune in next week to hear our rants on the first and second episodes of the season. Yes, we’re continuing this podcast — much to your delight.

Hear the exciting podcast after the jump:
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Bravo network’s Project Runway Season 4 winner, Christian Siriano, has blessed us lowly Payless Shoe Source scavengers with a new Egyptian-inspired shoe and handbag line. Equipped with spikes that resemble the horns on a baby rhino, Cuban-style heels and bronzy punk rock chains, the turquoise, brown and gold collection launches in September.

See Siriano’s bargain beauties after the break:

What else could we expect from the fiercest of them all?

Siriano captivated Project Runway viewers with his poufy-sleeved, voluminously eccentric creations while impressing the judges with his couture craftsmanship. I never thought his work could be affordable, but with the new collection ringing up at $25-$45 (my limit for just about everything), even bargain bin bunnies can snag a pair.

These beauties do have an air of ouch, but who’s walking? Wear them to dinner, cocktails, or a movie with dark skinnies. For daytime, rock them with capri-length boyfriend jeans with a crisp white cotton button-down shirt.

My eye is on the strappy chain-link heels on the top row and the sassy spiked shoes in the lower row — which pair of Siriano’s creations can you see yourself teetering upon come Fall?