Top Chef

so I'm watching the season finale of Top Chef and I have to admit that I didn't listen to the introductions of the food guests but they look like a bunch of dorks. Watching that one judge masticate Ilan's meal made me ill. who cares what these dweebes and mullet-heads think? What does it take to become a food judge? and why is the host wearing Janet Jackson's "If" necklace? Also, do the producers make the finalists stand with thier hands behind thier backs?