With CJ eliminated this week, Top Chef is getting down to the nitty-gritty. Only five chefs remain. Sara, Casey, Hung, Dale and Brian are still in the hunt. We’re not sure who will win, but we have a good idea.

Sara M. (33) – this native of Kingston, Jamaica currently calls Miami her home. She’s a cheesemaker who believes in the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would do unto yourself.” She believes in giving the customer what they want. When an item is returned, she doesn’t take it personally. Instead, she asks what she can do better and does it. Sara is a take-charge kind of gal who hates confrontation. However, she was able to hold her own against Howie, this season’s resident hot-head. Her good attitude, overall sunny disposition and ability to make some good rustic food has kept her in the competition.

Bottom Line: Sara is a good chef, but not good enough to win Top Chef. She’s been swinging the pendulum against the two extremes – really good and really bad – since the beginning. She hasn’t turned on the heat enough to take the title.

Casey (29) – A self-taught chef, Casey is the executive chef at Shinsei in Dallas, TX. She incorporates Asian and Mexican elements into her cooking. Her cooking philosophy is simple: to serve food people want more of. She’s outgoing and confident. Her comfort foods include queso and salsa and her favorite person to cook with is her mama. Casey has won at least five out of the challenges thus far including the last two eliminations.

Bottom line: Casey is on fire. She’s the one to beat right now. Sure, she’s had a few rough spots during the competition, but she’s learned from her mistakes and taken what the judging panel has had to say to heart and done what she’s needed to do. We’re rooting for our Texas homegirl.

Hung (29) – Originally from Pittsfield, MA, this Top Chef fan is very well educated and has great credentials. He is the Executive Sous Chef at Guy Savoy in Las Vegas, NV. Hung is ambitious and smart. The multilingual world traveler – he speaks four languages – loves to cook with seafood because there are “a million varieties and flavors to combine.” He’s aware that his strong personality can be off-putting, but he doesn’t care. A child of restaurateurs, Hung, who never eats fast food and thinks lunch is the best meal of the day to cook, says his mother is his favorite chef.     

Bottom line: Hung’s confidence often dips over into arrogance. He hasn’t been much of a team player. Not working well with others might be his downfall especially in the finale if he makes it that far. Not only that, Hung seems to be phoning it in sometimes. He admits he’s not doing his best at times and we wonder if he can handle the pressure.

Dale (34) – A native of Chicago, IL, this competitive gymnast and diver wants to open his own restaurant soon. Dale, who is self-taught and inspired by French-American cuisine, has created something he calls ‘flavor math.’ According to him, “the right number of spices can bring the perfect flavor and taste.” He’s outspoken and proud of his sexuality. His go-to ingredient is nuts and he admits to having an “unnatural addiction to Whoppers.”

Bottom Line: Dale is the one we like the most on a personal level. He’s funny, outspoken and in-your-face without being rude. However, we’re not sure that Dale is capable of winning the title. He’s been in the bottom three more than anyone else, and, unless Brian or Sara mess up big-time next week, he’s going home soon.

Brian (34): Brian grew up in Oregon and was inspired by both his grandmother’s cooking and all the fresh seafood and produce the Pacific Northwest provides. He’s a happy-go-lucky sort who lives by the motto: “Love, peace and happiness.” Currently living in San Diego with his young family, Brian is an executive chef at The Oceanaire Seafood Room.  He finds inspiration from a variety of sources including his own ‘crazy mind’, periodicals, cookbooks and his staff and would love to serve Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie  a large family-style meal someday.

Bottom Line: The judges feel that Brian is a one-trick pony – he can only cook seafood. However, they’ve complained that his lobster is too tough on more than one occasion. Brian has made some major mistakes in the competition and will really need to turn up the heat in his mind and the kitchen to get to the finals. If he can manage it, he might win.

So, there you have it. We pick Casey to win Top Chef 3. Who do you think will win?