Top Chef Season 22: A Culinary Journey in Canada
In an exciting turn of events, Top Chef embarks on its 22nd season in Canada, with judge Gail Simmons labeling the experience as an “amazing homecoming.”In a March 13, 2025, interview with People magazine, Simmons delved into her filming experiences in Toronto, highlighting the rich culinary diversity that will be showcased throughout the season.
Celebrating Canadian Cuisine
One of the hot topics during the interview was the introduction of the iconic poutine dish. Simmons emphasized its significance within Canadian culture.
“It’s a cliché for a reason. It’s definitely a Canadian dish, obviously, but people outside of Canada talk about poutine a lot more than the people inside of Canada,”she stated.
While poutine makes a notable appearance in one of the Quickfire Challenges, Simmons noted that it wouldn’t dominate the entire season’s narrative.
A Personal Connection to the Show
Simmons expressed her heartfelt connection to this season, recognizing it as a unique opportunity for both her Top Chef and personal families to unite. This blend of experiences promises to enrich the competition.
Innovative Changes in Restaurant Wars
This season also introduces a significant rule change in the Restaurant Wars challenge, designed to stimulate creative expression among contestants and move away from repetitive themes.
“What we have seen in that pattern, because of that dynamic within our restaurant teams, is that it kind of washes everything out, and certain themes emerge so that they can placate each other,” she remarked.
Judge Tom Colicchio also reflected on his experience, sharing, “I don’t think I had poutine the whole time I was there,”emphasizing the broader culinary offerings during the season.
According to Simmons, the pressure of selecting a leader often leads to a rush to simplify themes, typically resulting in less teamwork. The new rules are expected to encourage participants to communicate better and explore their unique culinary visions.
Host Kristen Kish’s Growing Confidence
Returning for her second appearance as host, Kristen Kish expressed newfound confidence in her role. She reflected on overcoming her initial jitters, stating that this helped create a more fluid and engaging atmosphere throughout the show.
Highlights from the Premiere Episode
The season kicked off with 15 talented chefs arriving in Toronto, and they were immediately thrust into a Quickfire Challenge aimed at assessing their teamwork skills. The yellow team emerged victorious, claiming a $15,000 prize for their innovative apple and fennel soup.
The first Elimination Challenge required contestants to craft dishes that represented Canada’s five distinct regions. Notably, Vinny wowed the judges with his confit salmon, securing immunity for the upcoming round. However, Mimi faced tough criticism with her potato purée, which was unfortunately likened to hospital food, leading to her elimination. She will now compete in Last Chance Kitchen for a shot at redemption.
Catch new episodes of Top Chef Season 22 every Thursday on Bravo.