Canada Takes the Spotlight in Most Recent Season of Bravo's Top Chef

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Jun 17, 2025, 10:00 ET

Explore filming locations, must-try dishes, and local culinary voices that inspired this groundbreaking cross-Canada season

VANCOUVER, BC, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bravo's Top Chef: Destination Canada took viewers on a culinary journey through Canada's diverse regions; connecting chefs and audiences to the people, places, and ingredients that shape the nation's food identity. While previous seasons have taken Bravo's Top Chef abroad, the Destination Canada edition stands out for its sweeping, cross-country exploration of Canada's regional cuisines and cultures. From the red shores of Prince Edward Island to the vibrant culinary hubs of Montréal, Toronto and Calgary, and into the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Canmore, each episode highlighted the local flavours and cultural layers that make Canadian cuisine so distinct.

"As someone born and raised in Canada, filming this past season of Top Chef here was incredibly meaningful to me," said Gail Simmons, Top Chef perennial judge. "I've always celebrated the country's diverse culinary scene, so it was thrilling to see it come alive on-screen and help showcase the depth and creativity of its foodways on a global stage. I'm so proud we could share the stories, landscapes, and flavors that make Canada so special."

Guided by host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio, and beloved Canadian and perennial judge Gail Simmons, the season unfolded with a dynamic mix of culinary challenges and deeply personal moments. Guest judges added local flavour throughout, as cheftestants were pushed to adapt, create, and connect with the ingredients—and each other—across the country.

"Bravo's Top Chef has a legacy of putting culinary destinations on the map, and this season was a proud moment for Canada," said Gloria Loree, Senior Vice President of Marketing Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer at Destination Canada. "There's real joy in seeing our country through the eyes of the judges and chefs—watching them find inspiration in our culinary community, the way they marry ingredients grown with care, and how they bring their own stories to life—all set against our stunning landscapes. For viewers, it was just a glimpse of what Canada has to offer. We hope it sparks curiosity to come and get a taste."

Iconic filming locations and guest judges brought depth and local insight to each episode, offering viewers a closer look at the culinary traditions, community connections, and regional character that shape Canada's food scene. Below are a few examples of where filming took place and guest judges featured, and the full list can be found here.

Filming Highlights:
- St. Lawrence Market (Toronto, Ontario): One of the oldest and most storied markets in North America, St. Lawrence Market provided a vibrant backdrop for multiple challenges, serving as both a pantry and muse. Chefs drew inspiration from its diverse vendors and global ingredients, reflecting Toronto's—and Canada's—deep culinary diversity and immigrant-rooted food culture.
- Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (Niagara, Ontario): Set in the heart of Niagara's wine country, this family-owned winery hosted a pizza challenge that blended classic techniques with Canadian creativity (think Hawaiian and sushi pizza). The setting highlighted Canada's farm-to-table values and the close connection between land, innovation, and cuisine.
- Rouge (Calgary, Alberta): Located in one of Calgary's oldest heritage homes, Rouge provided a setting rich in both history and terroir. The challenge—pairing Alberta beef with Indigenous berries—celebrated the region's ranching culture and Indigenous foodways, echoing the Calgary Stampede's long-standing spirit of community and collaboration.
Notable Guest Judges:
- Daniel Boulud: The internationally renowned chef brought world-class expertise and precision to the Toronto brunch challenge, elevating the competition with his global culinary perspective.
- Susur Lee: A pioneering figure in Canadian cuisine, this Toronto-based chef and Top Chef Masters alum challenged contestants to create bold, balanced dishes using pickled ingredients.
- Brenda Holder: An Indigenous knowledge keeper and foraging guide based in the Rockies, Holder led a wilderness challenge rooted in cultural tradition, sustainability, and deep respect for the land.
- Nicole Gomes: Top Chef Canada champion and World All-Stars alum, Nicole Gomes brought Calgary pride and bold culinary flair to the judging panel. As co-founder of Cluck N Cleaver, she exemplifies Canadian food innovation rooted in local ingredients and community spirit.
- Nina Compton: A Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner, Compton returned for Restaurant Wars, sharing her seasoned insight and focus on ingredient-driven storytelling.
- Michael Cera: The Canadian actor and passionate Top Chef fan made a surprise appearance in an early episode, enthusiastically sampling dishes and adding a lighthearted, uniquely Canadian touch to the judging panel.

This landmark season was made possible through Bravo's partnership with Destination Canada and was made in cooperation with Travel Alberta, Bonjour Québec and Tourisme Montréal, Destination Ontario, Destination Toronto, Niagara Falls Tourism and Tourism Prince Edward Island.

Hungry for more?
Discover the stories, ingredients, and communities that shape Canadian cuisine at
www.rootedincanada.com.

Top Chef is produced by the Emmy Award-winning production company Magical Elves. Casey Kriley, Jo Sharon, Doneen Arquines and Tracy Tong executive produce. 

ABOUT DESTINATION CANADA
At Destination Canada, we believe that tourism enhances the wealth and wellbeing of Canadians and enriches the lives of visitors. Our mission is to influence supply and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, alignment with public and private sectors, and marketing Canada nationally and abroad.

Tourism contributes $130B to the Canadian economy. That's more than $350M a day in revenue powered by 265,000 businesses in 5,000 communities coast to coast to coast. Destination Canada's activities convert public dollars into international visitor spending within the same year—creating jobs, GDP, and tax revenues almost immediately. Every dollar invested in DC turns into a demonstrable financial return for Canadian businesses, workers, communities, and governments.

Knowing that diversity is our greatest asset, we promote Canada as a premier four-season leisure and business tourism destination around the country and world in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, our Business Events team uses global insights to target and attract international events aligned with Canada's top economic sectors.