Based on the way the comments were presented, I felt that Nick had the edge from the get go on the quality of his food. It basically comes down to one simple thing: Of the missteps that each made, which were the greater detriment to the overall enjoyment of the meal? Based on the judges opening their remarks by calling out Nick for his rude behavior towards the servers, I felt that should have weighed more heavily in the reckoning. Then again, it did only happen to one set of judges; if all the judges dined together, I have no doubt Nina would be Top Chef. But, ultimately, if you're biggest fails are your entree (likely the biggest portion of food you're serving) and your dessert (the last bite of your food the judges will taste) it probably shouldn't be a surprise that the judges sided with stronger closer. I can't say I'm unhappy with Nick winning; I felt much of his complaining about Carlos was entirely justified, if efette. But you kinda have to admit that this was a case of a more consistent chef sorta pooping the bed with it all on the line rather than Nick hitting it out of the park. He sort of backed into this.
That said, the critique in the finale was just odd. Tom's favorite dish of the night - of the season, if I recall his words correctly - (the scallop noodles, which Nick actually had very little to do with) was actively disliked by most of the other judges. Hate to say it, but Colicchio's credibility took a bit of a hit this year. Between the "tomatoes have no place in Vietnamese cooking" remarks early on and the disconnect with the judges on a few other episodes and his open contempt for some of the cheftestants..... I gotta say, I'm not a fan of New Tom. (It should be noted that Colicchio has not contributed a blog entry since that Vietnamese challenge, and I think that's due in part to him getting absolutely shredded by readers.)
And Padma seemed extra bit-chy the last couple episodes.... which were basically a nod to the straight males in the audience. "Nick, you get to pick your three sous chefs. Who do you pick first?" "Um..... boobs?"
I felt this group of cheftestants was largely uninspiring and in many cases outright useless. Who the bloody hell shows up to a cooking competition set in New Orleans and doesn't prepare by practicing with common local ingredients? Not a single one of the cheftestants said they had worked with frogs legs or alligator in the first episode...... not even the two guys FROM NOLA, iirc. That's unimaginably irresponsible. I have never been more excited for a Top Chef season.... so the letdown in quality was even more pronounced.