Stephanie Izard is Top Chef's first female winner

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By April MacIntyre Jun 12, 2008, 17:35 GMT

Top Chef's fourth season ended on Bravo last night, and chef Stephanie Izard became the first-ever female winner when she took home the Top Chef: Chicago title. Top Chef's Tom Colicchio - 12th Annual Keep Memory Alive

Top Chef's Tom Colicchio - 12th Annual Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala" - Arrivals - MGM Grand Convention Center - Las Vegas, NV, USA © Erik Kabik / PR Photos"I'm so glad that I was able to pull through. Finding out that after all this hard work and maybe doubting it a little bit, this is just a reaffirmation. This is what I'm meant to do in life," Stephanie revealed on the show.

Stephanie Izard

The Stamford, CT native who now lives in Chicago, IL claimed Top Chef: Chicago's grand-prize package of $100,000 for the purposes of helping her open a restaurant; a feature in Food & Wine magazine; a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen; and a luxe vacation in the French Alps.Her final rivals were Lisa Fernandes and Richard Blais."I was just hoping. In my mind, I was like, 'There a really good shot I could take this.' Then she said Stephanie's name and I was like, 'F**k!,'" said Lisa after the winner was revealed. "This whole journey's been awesome. I'm proud of the dishes I've done, and this is what I want to do. This is what I'm always going to do."Top Chef: Chicago's finale began in San Juan, Puerto Rico following conclusion of the previous Judges' Table, which resulted in the elimination of contestant Antonia Lofaso.Judges Tom Colicchio and host Padma Lakshmi presented the final challenge, each contestant would prepare a traditional four-course meal with the ingredients of fish, poultry, meat and dessert dishes.The contestants had to prep and present (sans sous chefs) their four-course meals to nine dinner guests at a black-tie event.In the end, the judges wrestled with the decision, and Padma finally revealed that Stephanie was the winner."I won Top Chef! Holy s**t! Really?" said Stephanie after her victory was revealed. "This is the biggest thing that's happened in my life. My life is about to change. It's going to be absolutely insane."Top Chef wil return for a fifth season on Bravo.

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beatrice FischerJun 17th, 2008 - 04:48:13

Richard deserved to win the Top Chef Season 4, he got robbed! Stephanie is a great chef, however, she whined 90% of the time, she thought more than several occassions that she was going home and raised her hand because she is very insecure and new it was coming through. Stephanie was picked because Bravo wanted a woman winner. Sorry Richard! You do have a big fan base, Reality TV.................

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