'Top Chef' Season 17 winner leaves fans teary-eyed as they hail 'one of the most dominant chefs' on the show
Spoilers for 'Top Chef' Season 17
Bravo closed the curtains on 'Top Chef' Season 17 with a well-deserved winner -- Melissa King. She started out as the underdog but slowly and surely made a lasting impression with her unique and creatively plated dishes. Over the weeks, she won multiple challenges, at times thrice in a row and this was when fans started to believe that she was the rightful winner of the show.
She made it seem easy but there was a lot going on at the back of her mind. She was a Season 12 contestant and was working hard to get her father's approval, who thought being a chef could hardly be a real career but her mother advised her not to overthink it. Once the season was over, Melissa's father was able to see the potential in her. They bonded and traveled, and just like that, they revived their relationship.
In Season 17, Melissa wanted to focus only on herself, which clearly got her the results she had been hoping for. "My first time around I realized I was competing for everyone else and trying to prove something to friends and family. But this time around, I'm doing this 100% for me," Bravo quoted her as saying. Meanwhile, fans cannot stop celebrating her win, with some even crying happy tears.
"I mean, did you see her food? Looking at the faces of the people eating her food all season there was no other choice. Well deserved Melissa! P.s Glad Gregory could make it to the coronation. #TopChef," a viewer commented, while another shared: "Melissa!!! My girl from day 1!!! I’m crying real tears #TopChef."
"WHEW actually tearing up with this Melissa win. Seeing her mom cry and the fact that she had to prove herself cuz her dad didn't even believe she had a real career ugh truly beautiful to watch. #TopChef," a user tweeted. "YES! I’m crying as if I personally know @ChefMelissaKing because that’s how happy I am she won #TopChef. Well done, Melissa!," another wrote. "Melissa has to go down as one of the most dominant chefs in Top Chef history. #TopChef," a user posted.