"Top Chef" returns, heading to Canada with 15 exceptionally talented chefs competing for the title

Oh, Canada! TV's top culinary competition goes international for season 22

By Michael La Corte

Deputy Food Editor

Published February 2, 2025 3:00PM (EST)

Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish and Gail Simmons of "Top Chef" (Marcus Nilsson/Bravo)
Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish and Gail Simmons of "Top Chef" (Marcus Nilsson/Bravo)

Top Chef” is returning sooner than you think — and this time, it's off to Canada!

A trailer, full cast, new details, and the premiere date have been released, with Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons returning to lead the iconic cooking competition.

Season 22 features what’s arguably the most accomplished group of cheftestants in the show’s history. The 15 new competitors have received notable recognition, including James Beard Awards and Michelin accolades. This season will be filmed across Canada, with competitions held in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Prince Edward Island.

Season 22 will be taking place throughout "perennial judge" Simmons' home country of Canada (the competition was primarily filmed in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Prince Edward Island). As a Bravo press release notes, each episode this season will be "supersized" and the winning prize is the largest in the history of the show: $250,000 provided by Saratoga Spring Water. In addition, the winner receives Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion Status, a $125,000 flight credit, a Food & Wine Magazine feature, an appearance at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, plus — for the first time — an exclusive, headlined dinner hosted at the James Beard. House in New York City.

In addition, the winner will also "have the opportunity" to present at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. Furthermore, this season, every single Quickfire offers the opportunity to win a cash prize; between the Quickfires and the elimination challenges, there is "more than $150,000 in total up for grabs."

Lastly, the show will feature near-endless appearances from the most accomplished in the worlds of culinary arts, culture, food, television, film and the arts, plus a bevy of "Top Chef" alum and frequent guests, of course.

We need your help to stay independent

Here’s the full list of new cheftestants:

  • Chef Anna “Anya” El-Wattar, Chef at Birch & Rye, San Francisco
  • Chef Paula Endara, Executive Chef at Granddam & Lost Palm, Lexington, KY
  • Chef Tristen Epps, Chef/Owner at Epps & Flows Culinary, Houston, TX
  • Chef Corwin Hemming, Private and Pop-up Chef, Brooklyn
  • Chef Katianna Hong, Chef/Owner of Yangban, Los Angeles
  • Chef Lana Lagomarsini, Chef/Owner of Lana Cooks, Harlem (previously appeared on Netflix’s Pressure Cooker)
  • Chef Henry Lu, Chef/Co-owner at JŪN and byKIN, Houston (JŪN was co-founded by Top Chef alum Evelyn Garcia and recently earned a James Beard nomination)
  • Chef Vincenzo Loseto, Chef de Cuisine at Press, Napa
  • Chef Zubair Mohjir, Founder/Executive Chef at Lilac Tiger, Coach House, and Mirra, Chicago
  • Chef César Murillo, Executive Chef at North Pond, Chicago
  • Chef Massimo Piedimonte, Chef/Owner at Cabaret l’Enfer, Montréal
  • Chef Bailey Sullivan, Chef di Cucina at Monteverde, Chicago (co-owned by Top Chef alum Sarah Grueneberg)
  • Chef Kat Turner, Executive Chef/Partner at Highly Likely, Los Angeles
  • Chef Shuai Wang, Chef/Owner at Jackrabbit Filly & King BBQ, North Charleston
  • Chef Mimi Weissenborn, Executive Chef at Sur Lie, Gather & Catface Café, Portland, ME

“Top Chef: Destination Canada” premieres Thursday, March 13, on Bravo, with episodes available the following day on Peacock. We'll be counting down the days — be sure to check back after the premiere and throughout the season for coverage, including technique explainers, reviews, recaps, interviews, deep-dives and more.


By Michael La Corte

Michael is a food writer, recipe editor and educator based in his beloved New Jersey. After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, he worked in restaurants, catering and supper clubs before pivoting to food journalism and recipe development. He also holds a BA in psychology and literature from Pace University.

MORE FROM Michael La Corte


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Bravo Competitive Reality Tv Cooking Culinary Arts Destination Canada Television Top Chef