We didn't see Arum cook a top 3 worthy dish until week 8. Same goes as for Diana and Ben. I often forget the 2 are there and again like Arum they where not noticed until later weeks.
Bollocks! Ben was in the top three for the mystery box in week four, I think. Diana has been in the top three many, many, many times, won two mystery boxes, done well as a captain, greatly impressed many of the guest chefs, etc etc. It really doesn't matter when they rise or when they start hitting their strides - the thing is to maintain and gain momentum in the last weeks - as Arum clearly is, and as Ben and Diana have done throughout.
Just because you personally haven't noticed a contestant, or don't especially like them, doesn't mean they aren't cooking well! Adam Liaw, for example, was a background entity in the first five or so weeks of the competition - but if you were paying attention you could see him do some very fine work. The way the editing arc works, it is rarely anyone to the forefront of the edit in the early weeks who makes it to the finals.
Arum would be my number 1 pick to not win. He's been my least favourite this whole time and I don't believe he deserved to be in the top 24. He's been silent for almost 90% of the show and hasn't produced a lot of 5 star quality food.
OMG! Doesn't even deserve to be in the top 24. He hasn't been '
silent' - and anyway, he didn't do the editing himself! I think most of them will be
stunned to see how massively Tamara has dominated the edit and the talking heads of this season. (Also to see how much she was ill-wishing them in their moments of glory!)
We all have our quirks and our favourites. I like the more modest Arum and Sarah. I like Ben's work ethic and focus. And I admire Diana and Karli as cooks, though not mad keen for either to win - but to say Diana has not been cooking well all competition is, I think, more a statement of your selective attention.