Strong finish, but no trophy for Arlington Heights chef

The mohawk was strong but the curry was stronger Wednesday night as Arlington Heights native Dale Levitsky came up second in the "Top Chef" finale live from Chicago.

Hung Huynh's hubris proved not to be fatal as he took home the title after finding his soul with a four-course meal that included himachi, chocolate cake and prawns.

A gnocchi and curry dish was the only weak link in Levitsky's chain for the final competition.

After hearing the announcement, Dale said he was proud of his performance with a multi-course meal, including the fatal lobster gnocchi, a roundly praised deconstructed lamb ratatouille, scallops and a foie gras mousse.

"It came down to making one little mistake in one dish," Dale said. "I proved a lot more to myself than anyone else."

Casey Thompson, whose dishes came up last in all courses, was let down gently but firmly in a tough judges' table. Her excuses about the altitude, Howie, and a lack of leeks didn't win any of the judges over.

Hung's superb lamb and Vietnamese flavors made friends of previously chilly judges, who had said he wasn't cooking with enough soul.

Dale's plans after "Top Chef" are simple, he said.

"I'm just going to move forward."