Food Network Canada and Insight Production Company Ltd. in partnership with Tourism Calgary are bringing the season finale of Top Chef Canada to new territory for the first time in the series’ history. As the backdrop to the third season finale of Canada’s fiercest food fight, Calgary is a young, edgy city home to over one million people and growing faster than any other in North America. Calgary is also a new culinary hotbed in Canada with renegade chefs in impressive restaurant and food truck kitchens, making it the ideal setting for the cutthroat culinary competition. The Top Chef Canada season three finale airs June 10 at 9pm ET/10pm PT exclusively on Food Network Canada.
Just before the classic cocktail-themed Quickfire Challenge in Monday night’s episode with guest judge, mixologist and Toronto’s BarChef owner, Frankie Solarik, the chefs learned that their ultimate destination – for those left standing – will be Calgary.
“A big part of what makes Top Chef Canada so successful is the dramatic twists and turns that unfold throughout the series,” says Barb Williams, SVP Content, Shaw Media. “Taking the chefs out of their comfort zones and into a brand new city adds a huge element of surprise and intrigue that is sure to keep viewers on the edges of their seats. As one of Canada’s most innovative dining destinations, Calgary truly is an ideal backdrop for the season finale.”
“Calgary’s history with food is as diverse as the landscape that surrounds the city,” said John Brunton, Executive Producer at Insight Production Company Ltd. “From their famous pancake breakfasts at the Stampede to cutting edge fusion restaurants that are getting national recognition, Calgary is the perfect place to end another great season of Top Chef Canada.”
“Tourism Calgary is thrilled to showcase our city’s innovative culinary scene to Top Chef Canada viewers. We hope it will give a glimpse of the metropolitan energy, culture and people that make up this talented city,” says Gisele Danis, Tourism Calgary Vice-President, Marketing & Communications.
The season finale will showcase some of Calgary’s landmarks such as Prince’s Island Park on the river in the heart of the city. Here, the Quickfire Challenge tasks the chefs with creating and executing their very own food truck concept. The Elimination Challenge takes place in Rush Restaurant and Bar in the city’s downtown business district where the chefs must each prepare a stellar five-course meal that best reflects their talents. Special guest judge for the Elimination Challenge is the culinary queen of Calgary and Top Chef Canada season 1 finalist Connie DeSousa, co-executive chef and co-owner of CHARCUT Roast House. Joining Connie as guest tasters for the challenge are JUNO Award winning Singer/Songwriter and proud Calgarian Jann Arden and Rush Restaurant owner Lance Hurtubise President of the Vintage Group.
After an intense nine weeks of gruelling competition in the kitchen, only six of the initial 16 chefs are left standing:
- Nicole Gomes, 34, Calgary, AB (Originally Richmond, BC)
- Jonathan Goodyear, 34, Toronto, ON
- Geoff Rogers, 31, Calgary, AB
- Danny “Smiles” Francis”, 27, Montreal, QC
- Matthew Stowe, 30, Vancouver, BC (Originally Cloverdale, BC)
- Dennis Tay, 34, Toronto, ON (Originally Windsor, ON)
At stake for these victory-hungry chefs is the grand prize of $100,000 sponsored by SpongeTowels® paper towels, a GE Monogram kitchen worth $30,000, a custom installation by Caesarstone Quartz Surfaces worth $25,000 and the title of Canada’s Top Chef.
In next week’s heated episode of Top Chef Canada, airing Monday May 20th at 9pm ET/10pm PT, the chefs must create a dish based on a destination that Toronto Pearson International Airport serves. The catch is that they must create this dish on the tarmac at Canada’s busiest airport with planes landing and taking off around them. Later in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must create an Indian feast for special guest judges Chef Vikram Vij and international comedy superstar Russell Peters.
The exciting, Calgary-based season three finale of Top Chef Canada airs June 10, at 9pm ET/10pm PT exclusively on Food Network Canada. To watch full episodes online and access exclusive interviews and winning elimination challenge recipes throughout the run of the series, visit topchefcanada.ca.
