How insane is season 6's competition level? Jennifer, the Chef de Cuisine at 10 Arts by Eric Ripert, failed to make it to the season finale.

An easy-to-spot frontrunner in any other season, Jennifer almost became an afterthought because she happened to be up against three other equally, if not more, talented chefs. The finalists - Kevin, Michael, and Bryan - are all capable of winning, but it will ultimately come down to the judges' taste. In other words, the judges will need to figure out who best embodies what it is to be "Top Chef."

An interesting parallel is the race for the Most Valuable Player award in the NFL this season. There are three incredibly qualified candidates - Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Drew Brees - who are all deserving of the honor, but only one will come away with the title. And it's up to the voters to decide what the award really means.

At this point in the season, there's no wrong answer. Unfortunately, this multiple-choice question doesn't let you pick "D" - all of the above.

Who Will Be The Next Top Chef?

Kevin

Bryan

Michael

Getting poll results. Please wait...

The NFL, unlike "Top Chef," has given the MVP award to two players before, most recently in 2003 when Manning and Steve McNair split it. If the most prestigious honor in America's most popular sports league can do it, who's to say it wouldn't happen on a cable TV show?

I'm not in any way predicting that there will be co-winners, but keep it in the back of your mind when the chefs head to the judges' table next week. When a competition is this close, crazy things can happen.

One thing I do know: the judges will be faced with the most difficult decision in "Top Chef" history. And as lame as it sounds, the other two finalists should walk away with their heads held high. They've helped elevate "Top Chef" to a new level.

This week's power rankings will act as my de facto prediction for who will be named "Top Chef."

*Last week's ranking in parenthesis

1) KEVIN GILLESPIE (2)

Kevin's food is now associated with the word "simple." And that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. His vegetarian dish from last night, a braised carrot and beet, was a great example of something that appeared to be extremely simple but loaded with complex, amazing seasoning. This kind of food will bode well in the final challenge, where the chefs are asked to cook the best meal of their lives. It's all about flavor now, and Kevin doesn't get caught up in gimmicks. This straightforward approach will vault him to the top.

2) MICHAEL VOLTAGGIO (1)

The past few weeks, I've pegged Michael as the most innovative chef of season 6 and thought that would be enough to propel him to the top. But his imagination and flair could actually be what causes him to misstep in the finale. Then again, his food has the potential to stand out like a sore thumb and blow the judges' minds away. I'm guessing that one of Michael's concepts will backfire and end up costing him the title.

3) BRYAN VOLTAGGIO (3)

Picking Bryan to finish third is like saying I prefer burritos instead of tacos. In reality, they're two of my favorites foods in the world and would gladly eat either one for practically any meal. That's my way of saying Bryan can easily win. What does Bryan have that Michael and Kevin don't? He has never appeared in the bottom group of an Elimination Challenge. That would make him the most consistent chef of season 6. I guess we'll see if slow and steady actually wins the race.

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Story by Phil McRae

Starpulse contributing writer

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