Lenny. Nicole. Luca. One of these three was crowned the next Food Network Star in tonight’s highlight-filled, recap heavy, reunion-centric season finale.

These kind of episodes serve no other purpose than to heighten the anticipation of announcing who the winner is.

So, how did Food Network Star Season 10 Episode 11 delay the inevitable?

The selection committee first asked each of the finalists how it felt to be there. Nicole recognized it was completely out of her hands when it came to who America was going to crown the winner. Lenny felt “better than a buttered biscuit.” So obviously, he felt pretty darn good. And Luca, having survived Star Salvation, was elated to have been given a second chance to continue on his amazing journey.

Watch Food Network Star Season 10 Episode 11 Online

Then the rest of the hour was filled with highlight packages, fan questions, and bloopers - your garden-variety special features on most DVDs.

As far as fan questions go, Nicole was asked when it all clicked for her, to which she credited Giada for her advice to not be wound so tight. If not for Giada, Nicole might not have lasted nearly as long as she did, which sadly was only to the top three as she was eliminated from the final three first.

With Nicole’s goodbye package out of the way, the episode could then focus on the final two – Lenny and Luca.

One of Lenny’s young fans asked him what his most difficult challenge was. Lenny recalled the sea urchin, which was hard for him to handle. He probably should’ve mentioned all those on-camera challenges he had problems with, too.

As no surprise, Luca’s packages focused mainly on his looks, which he doesn’t really have much to do with, so he thanks his parents. #beautiful.

Then it gets somewhat interesting when they do a package I’d like to call “Smackdown,” where some of the more harsh confessionals and dramatic clips, in particular those by or about Catty Kenny, are shown.

But unlike the Housewives reunions, the selection committee didn’t pull an Andy Cohen and ask the contestants to respond to what others said. No hair pulling or leg throwing here.

With nothing else to be shown, the final two got one final trip down memory lane before Brooke Johnson, President of Food Network, announced the winner.

The anticipation was over….you wouldn’t have to wait a minute longer…it was time to announce the winner…and the next Food Network Star is…Lenny McNabb! Congrats, Lenny.  You’ll definitely bring some cowboy spice to Food Network (for however long your show is on the air).

So, what do you think? Was Lenny the right pick? Or were you hoping Luca or Nicole would take home the crown? Hit the comments with your thoughts!