Chopped ended its five-episode all-star season last night, and although the winner received $50,000 for charity, the losers all got nothing—a really disappointing coda to a strong season. (Update: the network is giving an additional $50,000 to charity of the chef who gets the most votes in an online poll. More below.) The series has done nothing but improve since its so-so debut two years ago . This season worked not just because it featured familiar chefs—including the show’s own judges—but because that ramped up the level of intensity, and producers stuck with the winning formula of giving a mix of weird and challenging ingredients to the chefs. Next Iron Chef cast member Nate Appleman won the show, beating runner-up and series judge Aaron Sanchez, whose dry chocolate cake did him in. Next Food Network Star and cast member Michael Proietti went home first, followed by Worst Chefs in America host Anne Burrell. The show constantly emphasized the importance of charity to the chefs,...