Season 22 of the beloved culinary competition show, Top Chef, made its highly anticipated debut on March 13, 2025, bringing its challenges to the Great White North for the first time. Known as Top Chef: Destination Canada, this season takes contestants across several picturesque locations like Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Prince Edward Island, showcasing the diverse culinary landscapes of Canada.
Fifteen new chefs entered the competition with their eyes set not just on the title of Top Chef, but also on the jaw-dropping grand prize of $250,000, along with travel credits and exclusive culinary opportunities. Contestants will receive $125,000 flight credit valid with Delta Air Lines, and winners will also feature prominently in Food & Wine magazine, gain access to the prestigious Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and present their dishes at the James Beard Awards. For the first time, the champion will have the unique chance to headline their own dinner at the historic James Beard House, making this season's stakes higher than ever.
The premiere episode set the tone for the competition as host Kristen Kish, returning for her second season, welcomed judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, both seasoned veterans of the show. The trio kicked off with the first Quickfire Challenge right outside Toronto Pearson Airport, emphasizing teamwork and creativity under pressure. Each contestant had just 30 seconds to pick one ingredient from the pantry, followed by incorporating surprise ingredients chosen by the judges – tomatoes from Kristen, chives from Gail, and clams from Tom.
This episode introduced the contestants, who quickly proved their diverse culinary talents. Among them were chefs like Lana Lagomarsini, who aspires to be the first Black woman to win the show, and Zubair Mohjir, who shared the pressure of making his parents proud. Another standout was Massimo Piedimonte, who humorously remarked, "If I fail, I don’t think I’ll be able to go back home.”
The Quickfire Challenge saw contestants working together to create visible unity—a necessity for success early on. Despite earlier jitters, they crafted impressive dishes, showcasing the vibrant ingredients of Canada. The first team victory went to the Yellow Team, with members Mimi Weissenborn, Katianna Hong, and César Murillo securing the win and sharing the $15,000 reward.
"It was honestly pretty chill," remarked Houston's Tristen Epps, reflecting the supportive atmosphere. The challenge also hinted at potential alliances and rivalries forming among the chefs, sowing seeds for dramatic moments to come.
Moving to the Elimination Challenge, contestants split off to create signature dishes reflecting Canadian culture, each inspired by various regional ingredients. This competition served not only as individual showcases of skill but also as tests of adaptability and creativity, pushing contestants to integrate elements from Canada’s rich food heritage.
Special guests for this episode included prominent Canadian chefs like Sheila Flaherty and Nicole Gomez, adding to the prestigious nature of the challenges. The Elimination Challenge built on the momentum of the Quickfire and allowed contestants to shine individually. Tom Colicchio set expectations high, urging participants to put their unique identities onto the plate. Statements like, “Don’t forget to put yourself on the plate,” will resonate throughout the season.
The disappointments arrived quickly, with Mimi Weissenborn experiencing the first “pack your knives and go” of the season, criticized for serving poorly constructed dishes. After the critiques, the judges’ table highlighted her missteps, with noted remarks about her unbalanced plate execution. "Elevated hospital food," was how David Zilber described her final dish, illustrating the high standards expected during the challenges.
Season 22 has begun on high notes, blending humor with competitive intensity epitomized by challenges set against the stunning backdrop of Canada. The competition not only emphasizes culinary prowess but promotes storytelling through food, with rich references to diverse Canadian cuisine and cultural moments.
This season promises excitement, charm, and surprises, with celebrity guest judges like Daniel Boulud, Michael Cera, and Punkie Johnson set to make appearances as the competition progresses. Viewers are left eager to see which contestants can rise to the top and secure their place among the culinary elite.
Follow the weekly episodes, airing on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET, to witness the challenges, victories, and inevitable failures firsthand. For those unable to catch the live broadcast, options such as FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Peacock provide streaming access to episodes, ensuring fans don't miss out on any culinary drama.
With fervent aspirations, high stakes, and dynamic interactions, Season 22 of Top Chef is off to a promising start. The blend of gourmet dishes, personal stories of resilience, and cultural reflections are shaping this season to be one to watch closely as chefs vie for culinary glory.