The most successful season of “Top Chef” wrapped up on Bravo Wednesday night with Hosea Rosenberg emerging as the best cook, beating out Carla Hall and Stefan Richter.

“It felt amazing to win, but to have it come down neck and neck with Stefan just made it all that sweeter,” Rosenberg said after winning the title.

After 13 weeks of chopping and braising, emulsifying and sautéing, the three finalists, as announced by judge Tom Colicchio, had to cook “the best three-course meal of your life” for diners at Commander’s Palace with the assistance of previous contestants.

It was a great and hard-won victory for Hosea — and an especially tough blow for Stefan, who seemed to be the odds-on favorite. The 36-year-old, who runs Stefan's Catering in Santa Monica and was previously executive chef at Celestino Drago, won the most challenges of any contestant in “Top Chef's” five-season history.

As far as Carla is concerned, the judges agreed that she was out of the running to win because much of her meal fell flat -- she took her sous-chef's suggestions and failed on them.

“That was the icing on the cake. This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. I know a lot of people are going to be proud of me for this. I could not be happier,” he added.

Not yet a restaurant owner like the other two finalists, Hosea will get $100,000 to get started on his own kitchen. This season's “Top Chef” started the season in New York and ended in New Orleans.