Just when we thought we weren't going to talk about Top Chef Canada for at least nine or ten months, we received a news that the show, which has become the top-rated program on Food Network Canada, was officially green lit for a new season After a very successful eight-episode run in its sixth season,
Top Chef Canada's production company, Insight Productions is now on the hunt for a new crop of professional Canadian culinary talent to compete in front their cameras. The only two real requirements for applicants are that you need to be over the age of 19 and either a Canadian resident or permanent resident of Canada.
Of course, given the pedigree of chefs that have appeared on the series in the past, the casting seems to lean more towards chef de cuisines, executive chefs, chef/owners and high-end caterers, though chefs from other kitchen rankings have appeared on the show from time-to-time.
"Be yourself, unless yourself is really boring," jokes judge Mijune Pak, when asked what advice she'd give to Canadian chefs planning to audition. "Completing, not just making, an exquisite and unique dish while being able to have a conversation is only half the battle. Those audition tapes are scrutinized for not only skill and technique, but also big personality. Don't hold back! You're competing against some of the top chefs in Canada and the chance to win [big money]. Show us you really want it and, most importantly, why!"
Casting is open until June 25, 2018 and following that, only successful applicants will be contacted to continue with the multi-step audition process.
Food Network Canada also recently announced that a Canadian franchise of Iron Chef will begin production soon as well. The Canadian Iron Chefs have been announced and include Lynn Crawford, Susur Lee and Ottawa-born, but Athens, Georgia-based Hugh Acheson, who also served as a judge on the American Top Chef series for two seasons. It is unclear whether Canadian chefs will be encouraged to apply for this series or if the franchise's production company, Proper Television (MasterChef Canada, Storage Wars Canada) will be seeking out talent across the country themselves.
