Whether it’s for the food, the drama, or its
unique combination of both, Top Chef Canada has been yet another hit show for the
Food Network Canada.
Premiering last April, the
show’s contestants faced weekly culinary challenges with hopes of rising to the top of the competition. With
only three chefs remaining, Connie DeSousa from Calgary, Dale Mackay from Vancouver, and Rob Rossi from
Toronto, Canada’s Top Chef will be crowned during this Monday night’s finale.
With the first season coming to
an end, viewers are already craving for more, with a second season of the show currently in the
works.
Lifestyler
caught up with
Top Chef Canada’s head judge, chef Mark McEwan, for his thoughts on the show.
With Top Chef
Canada wrapping up, how has the experience been for you?
We had a great first
season. It’s really a lot of fun to watch the chefs because I had no connection with them behind the scenes.
Everything was fresh news for me. I think the stories are really compelling, and it gets really tough at the
end to get rid of people.
I can imagine,
especially with all of the talent on the show.
The top six, when you
get down to it, are very talented young chefs.
With it being the first
season of the Canadian version of Top Chef, how do you find the show measures up to its American
counterpart?
They all have their
flavour. Our [chefs] were a little badder behind the scenes than I thought they were, in terms of
conversation and they were sort of getting in each other’s faces a little bit. I had no exposure to
that.
As head judge, it could
be a good thing that you weren’t exposed to that, right?
It is good. I think it
was the way they handled it, they did a good job. It makes an interesting show, it sort of shows that raw
side.
With the second season
already announced, what are you hoping to see?
Well, we had a chance
to look at ourselves. You can’t help but learn from that.
We’re in the process of finding
the 16 chefs now. I want to make it really interesting; not twisting it too much because I think we did a
good job, but you definitely learn when you sit back and watch yourself.
In addition to the show,
you’re already so busy with your restaurants (North 44, Bymark, ONE, and Fabbrica) and other endeavours. How
do you find balance with them all?
I have amazing people;
it’s not just me, I have a big organization now. We’re very food-forward. We’re very client-focused. The show
is a lot of fun for us. It’s a nice connection to the city. What I like is that it’s Canadian chefs, so it
connects with everybody close to home.
What’s next for
you?
We’re going to make
airport food a little more edible, hopefully. We’ve signed a deal there. I’m looking to expand my [grocery]
store downtown. We’re in process. We’re keeping busy.
Tune in to the season finale
of Top Chef Canada on Food Network Canada on Monday, July 4 at 9pm EST. •
Photo Courtesy: Food Network
Canada
