Were you just as disappointed in 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2 finale not incorporating blind tasting?

24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2 premiered its finale on May 25, 2025, revealing Jonathan Sawyer as the winner. He won the intense competition after competing against finalists including Bryan Voltaggio, Nini Nguyen, Stephanie Izard, and Kevin Lee.

However, the finale lacked a major component: blind tasting. Not only does it show the fairness of the decision that judges have made, but also the unbiased nature of the decision that was carried out. It was for the finale, when so many cheftestants had already been through a lot throughout the competition, and then they were revealing a major decision.

Not incorporating blind tasting in the 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2 finale was a major setback for the show. Viewers have noticed that, and it does not look good, as everyone who has been following their favorite chefs knows how well the judges and the cheftestants know each other.

24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2: Major missing component of the finale - Blind tasting

With an intense head-to-head finale battle between Bryan Voltaggio and Jonathan Sawyer, the latter won the competition. It happened after the judges, including Graham Elliot, Jet Tila, and recently crowned Tournament of Champions Season 6 winner Antonia Lofaso, tasted the dishes.

Viewers who have been following the Food Network shows must know how the judges and the 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2 cheftestants have known each other. While some of them have known each other for a long time, they surely share interpersonal relations outside of the show as well.

Not having a blind tasting for the show's finale has been a major drawback, according to me. Because it raises concerns regarding unbiased judgment and the fairness of the competition. Additionally, since being friends with the cheftestants, judges already know their styles of cooking, what cuisine/cooking style they specialize in, what might be their cooking preferences, and more.

While finalists did their best to win the title of the winner, not having the blind tasting might have been a red flag. There are many fans who also shared their concerns regarding the same via the social media platform X.

A netizen wrote about blind tasting:

"I think Next Season #24in24 should be blind taste testing. I feel like this is rigged due to them knowing everyone and picking their bestie."

On top of that, another drawback of not having blind tasting was the finalists' personal stories. As Jonathan Sawyer revealed what he would do with the prize money if he won, Bryan also shared his side. Jonathan, being 30 months sober, expressed his desire to help struggling chefs. Bryan stated he would donate the prize money to No Kid Hungry.

Later, when Bryan didn't win 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2, a fan wrote on X:

"I'm gonna donate to No Kid Hungry in honor of @BryanVoltaggio for his #24in24 finish. @FoodNetwork."

With judges already tasting the finalists' dishes, knowing who prepared what, and also learning about their stories, might also have been another factor that has the potential to influence their decision.

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Food Network is now streaming 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 2's two-part finale.

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