What a night for food lovers! The grand finale of ‘Top Chef VIP 4′ served up drama, deliciousness, and a truly unexpected winner. Cristina Porta Acosta, a 35-year-old Spanish journalist, wasn’t just a surprise contender; she cooked her way to victory, taking home the top prize. The final showdown saw four talented chefs battle it out, needing to impress the judges with a complete three-course meal: an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert.
The show kicked off with some musical flair, as Elvis Crespo and El Blachy performed Crespo’s new song, “Me Mataron.” After that, there was a heartfelt look back at the season, showing clips of each finalist’s journey. Besides Cristina Porta, the other chefs vying for the title were Paco Pizaña, Lorena Herrera, and Salvador Zerboni. The set was packed with former contestants, all there to cheer on their friends. Family and loved ones also gathered, giving extra encouragement.
After the first course, the appetizers, judges Toño de Livier, Betty Vázquez, and Inés Páez, also known as “Tita,” knew they were in for a tough decision. The contestants’ skill level was incredibly high right from the start.
The Main Course: A Mix of Tradition and Heart
When it came to the main dishes, Salvador Zerboni and Lorena Herrera both chose duck. They cooked it in different ways, but their creations kept a classic style that the judges appreciated. However, they didn’t quite manage to surprise anyone.
Paco Pizaña took a bold risk, presenting a cold dish with Asian flavors. The judges thought his choice was brave, reminding everyone that not every final dish needs to be hot. This seemed like a smart move. Yet, Paco decided to add some artistic flair by burning a napkin as a prelude to revealing his recipe. He then made a mistake: he reached into each plate to clear away the paper scraps. Even though he tried to be discreet, this cost him points.
Cristina Porta was the first to be judged for her main course. She delivered a powerful dish filled with emotion, linked to her dreams of motherhood. It arrived elegantly covered with a glass bowl, smoke swirling inside. When the cover lifted, chefs found a warm socarrat, which is the crispy base of a paella. She named this dish “Mi Tesoro,” meaning “My Treasure.” Cristina explained, “It has a curry sauce with coconut milk. The rice inside has a tom yum sauce with ripe tomatoes, fish sauce, and another touch of coconut milk.” She knew presenting a rice dish was difficult, but she decided to go for it, saying, “It never wins, but I bet big.”
Dessert: The Sweet Victory for Cristina Porta
In the final challenge, all four chefs presented their sweet creations. Once again, Cristina impressed the judges the most, though all the desserts were quite stunning.
Salvador Zerboni offered profiteroles, using a recipe that blended French and Mexican ingredients. Lorena Herrera served a date pie that held special meaning for her family. But it was Paco’s and Cristina’s desserts that truly blew the judges away.
Cristina was first. She wowed everyone with a white chocolate mousse. To discover it, the judges had to melt a cloud of cotton candy using a ginger-lime tea spray. This entire experience was amazing, and the mystery surrounding her dessert completely charmed the chefs.
Finally, Paco Pizaña presented his “Zen Garden.” This Asian-inspired dessert featured a Buddha, a rock, and flowers, all crafted from sweet ingredients. Chef Toño admitted this final recipe surprised him greatly. However, the judges generally felt Paco might have gone a bit too far with its sophistication.
Announcing the Winner of ‘Top Chef VIP 4’
Back on the main set, surrounded by their families, the judges carefully reviewed all the dishes before giving their verdict. Chef Tita had the honor of announcing Cristina Porta as the winner of the fourth season of ‘Top Chef VIP,’ along with the $200,000 prize. This announcement was first shared on Instagram.
Paco Pizaña, her close friend throughout the show, gave Cristina an emotional hug. Her parents rushed out to celebrate with her, full of joy. Host Carmen Villalobos presented Cristina with a special distinction featuring the program’s logo. A few final comments were shared before the lights dimmed on ‘Top Chef VIP’ for the season.
At the beginning of the final episode, Villalobos also confirmed exciting news: the Telemundo network is already working on the fifth season of the cooking show, so a new season is definitely on the way!