The kitchen drama of ‘Top Chef VIP 4’ reached its boiling point. Only four chefs stood a chance at the $200,000 grand prize. Salvador Zerboni, Lorena Herrera, Cristina Porta, and Paco Pizaña battled it out. They all started as home cooks. But they truly transformed into top-tier culinary artists. The golden knife and the hefty cash prize were on the line. The finale, spanning a nail-biting four hours, came to an end on Monday, October 6, crowning its champion. Drumroll, please… Cristina Porta took home the big win! Her winning menu explored the powerful stages of motherhood. What a unique and touching theme!
Even with the huge stakes, these TV stars tried to keep things smooth. But let’s be real, competition stirs things up. Mexican actress Lorena Herrera shared her biggest challenge. It wasn’t the cooking; she’s a pro from other reality shows. No, for Lorena, it was living with the other contestants. She admitted to having some clashes with Spain’s Cristina Porta on camera. It seems the kitchen wasn’t the only place where sparks flew!
Predicting the Winner
Before the grand finale, everyone had their favorites. Social media was buzzing with opinions, as it always is. People rooted for their picks. However, unlike some other reality shows, like ‘La Casa de los Famosos,’ audience votes don’t decide the ‘Top Chef VIP’ winner. This is purely up to the expert judges. Toño de Livier, Inés Páez Nin, and Betty Vázquez held all the power. Their palates and eyes determined the victor.
It’s interesting to look at past seasons. In 2024, Paty Navidad won. The year before, in 2023, young influencer Alana Lliteras took the title. Both were female winners. This led some to think a man might finally win this year. Yet, as we now know, Cristina Porta defied that trend!
Let’s talk about the contenders’ strengths. Paco Pizaña and Salvador Zerboni were top picks for their amazing dishes. Their presentations consistently impressed. Sadly, popular contestant Matías Ochoa didn’t make it to the final. He was a fan favorite, but Paco and Salvador’s flair kept them in the game.
On the women’s side, Cristina Porta really shined. She grew throughout the competition. Her Spanish background also added an international flair to the show. We saw something similar with Luca Onestini, an Italian who was a runner-up in ‘La Casa de los Famosos All-Stars.’ But there was another clear favorite among the women. Lorena Herrera, the 58-year-old Mexican actress, was a consistent star. She was the first to reach the semifinals. The judges deeply respected her skills. Her dishes were always valued. Many thought she could match or even beat Paco and Zerboni’s talent.
The buzz was strong for a male winner this season. Many expected it would come down to Paco Pizaña or Salvador Zerboni. But Cristina Porta proved everyone wrong. She cooked her way to the top!
Curious about other ‘Top Chef VIP 4’ news? We also reported on Juan Soler’s health after he left the show.