The WORST episodes of Top Chef Canada

#1 - The Battle of Bao

Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/29/2019

In a very special QuickFire Challenge, Top Chef Canada pairs with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada’s Kid Food Nation to challenge the chefs to take an ingredient that kids normally hate and use it in a dish that any kid would love. The chefs must please some very particular palates including Top Chef U.S. All-Star winner, acclaimed chef/owner of Juniper & Ivy in San Diego, Calif. and father or two, Richard Blais. It’s a food hall takeover and in this Elimination Challenge, teams of two must take a restaurant concept and translate it into a high-quality, fast-casual dining experience for 150 patrons at Toronto’s Assembly Chef’s Hall. A double-elimination has everyone on edge as both chefs on the losing team are sent home.

#2 - Holiday Potluck

Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/3/2021

The chefs get creative as they bake, flip or fry a dish using oat flour in the Quickfire Challenge. In the Elimination Challenge, the competition gets festive as the chefs present dishes inspired by their favourite holiday meal for the Top Chef Canada Holiday Potluck.

#3 - Harvest Picnic

Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/26/2021

The chefs are thrown for a loop in the Quickfire Challenge when they find out they must transform diner classics into plant-based plates. In the Elimination Challenge, the chefs compete in teams to create harvest-inspired baskets served to the judges at a Top Chef Canada picnic.

#4 - Phoenix Rising

Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/19/2021

In the season premiere, host Eden Grinshpan and head judge Mark McEwan welcome 11 chefs from across Canada to compete in the most prestigious cooking competition in the country. In the season’s first Quickfire Challenge, the chefs must create a dish that highlights their brand and the style of food they are bringing to the table. Later, the chefs channel the energy of a phoenix rising from the ashes to create a dish inspired by an element found in fire.

#5 - Final Showdown

Season 8 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/1/2020

The battle is on for the last spot in the finale in this season’s unprecedented sudden-death showdown leading to an epic final meal where one chef will win it all, and become Canada’s Top Chef.

#6 - Eat Your Veggies

Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/25/2020

In a special Quickfire Challenge the chefs get a helping hand from mini-sous chefs from The Boys and Girls Club of Canada; the chefs tackle the seemingly simple task of making fresh pasta, leading to an unexpected twist that rocks Judges Table.

#7 - Bring the Funk

Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/18/2020

In the Quickfire Challenge, the chefs come face-to-face with Noma's Director of Fermentation David Zilber and in the Elimination challenge the chefs highlight ingredients from PEI.

#8 - Castle Cook-Off

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/11/2020

Jaws drop when culinary trailblazer, Daniel Boulud, walks into the Top Chef Canada kitchen to judge a Quickfire Challenge that tasks the chefs with highlighting high-quality European ingredients. In the Elimination Challenge, it’s time for Restaurant Wars! In this iconic Top Chef Canada challenge, the chefs battle it out in two teams to create an unforgettable restaurant experience at Toronto’s historic Casa Loma. The stakes are higher than ever as the final eight chefs face a double elimination that will see two chefs from the losing team pack their knives and go.

#9 - Drag Brunch

Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/4/2020

It’s Drag Brunch! The Top Chef Canada kitchen glitters like never before when two fabulous Drag Queens, Miss Moco and Baby Bel Bel, drop by to challenge the chefs to create an indulgent three course brunch tasting menu fit for a queen. The chefs work in teams to impress the queens and slay the most decadent meal of the day. Later in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are tasked with taking the judges on a culinary trip across Europe for a European feast. Things get intense in the kitchen as the chefs each create a dish inspired by some of the most iconic cities across the continent.

#10 - Grab and Go!

Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/27/2020

Bragging rights are on the line in the always intense Quickfire Challenge and later, the chefs take-over Stackt Market to provide on-the-go offerings to 75 busy guests and the always-on-the-move Top Chef Canada Judges.

#11 - It's a BBQ Party

Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/20/2020

Things get both icy and heated during the Quickfire Challenge when the chefs re-imagine classic dishes using hot and cold elements. Things really heat up in the head-to-head Elimination Challenge when the chefs show off their BBQ skills with international cuisine.

#12 - A Dish for a New Decade

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/13/2020

In the season debut, Host Eden Grinshpan and Head Judge Mark McEwan welcome 12 chefs from every corner of the country to compete in the most prestigious cooking competition in the country, battling it out for the biggest prize in Top Chef Canada history and the coveted title of Canada’s Top Chef. In the season’s first Quickfire Challenge the chefs must create their “Desert Island Dish” – the one dish they would want to eat every day if they were stranded on a desert island for the rest of their life. In a Top Chef Canada first, the chefs with the best four dishes will earn a game changing special advantage. Later in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs draw inspiration from the dawn of a new decade, tapping into the pulse of culinary trends to create dishes that speak to the future of food. At Judges Table, reality sinks in when the chefs face the first elimination of the season.

#13 - Winner Takes All

Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/20/2019

In the first part of the finale, the final four chefs go head-to-head in a high-stakes challenge which will determine who moves on. In the last Elimination Challenge of the season, at the Relais & Chateaux country estate at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, it’s a course-to-course battle as the chefs serve meals of a lifetime to a table of our resident judges. Only one chef will win it all and become Canada’s Top Chef.

#14 - It’s a Family Affair

Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/13/2019

It’s a family affair in this heart-warming QuickFire Challenge as the chefs are reunited with a loved one and tasked with creating a dish that reminds them of home. There’s only one catch, the loved ones must cook by themselves for the first 15 minutes of this 45-minute cook. Judging the pairs are Toronto chef-brothers Rob Rossi, owner of Giulietta and Craig Harding owner of Campagnolo, La Palma and Constantine. In the Elimination Challenge, chefs must create a dish that pairs with one of four Mill Street Beers and tensions are at an all-time high as the remaining five chefs battle it out for a spot in the finale.

#15 - What Goes Up, Must Come Down

Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/6/2019

The power of an ingredient should never be underestimated and in this QuickFire Challenge, chefs work in teams of two to create a progressive tasting menu that highlights just one single ingredient. Judging is four-time James Beard Award-winner and the owner of Philadelphia’s Zahav, chef Michael Solomonov. In the Elimination Challenge, the chefs harness their wild side to create a dish that combines a luxury ingredient with a carnival classic and serve it to guests at the country’s largest theme park, Canada’s Wonderland. Joining our judges is Top Chef U.S. alumni and the owner of Fox & the Knife in Boston, Mass., chef Karen Akunowicz.

#16 - Takeout Wars

Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/10/2021

It’s time for Takeout Wars! In a twist on the classic Top Chef Canada challenge, the chefs battle it out in two teams to create an unforgettable takeout experience featuring contact-less pickup for the public and delivery direct to Janet Zuccarini’s home for the judges.

#17 - The Nordic Feast

Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/22/2019

Diving into their next QuickFire Challenge, the chefs challenge conventions by combining two unlikely ingredients: seafood and cheese. Top Canadian cheese purveyor and owner of Toronto’s famed Cheese Boutique, Afrim Pristine, joins to judge this ultimate grilled cheese challenge. Later, in the Elimination Challenge, chefs take inspiration from the land of forests and fjords to create an authentic Nordic feast. It’s a star-studded tasting table at the beautiful Toronto Islands as the chefs are judged by the owner of Red Rooster in Harlem, New York City, Swedish-raised culinary icon Marcus Samuelsson and Executive Chef at New York City’s Two Michelin-Starred Scandinavian restaurant Aquavit, Chef Emma Bengtsson.

#18 - Restaurant Wars

Season 7 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/15/2019

#19 - Bring on the Mimosas, Baby!

Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/8/2019

#20 - The Contenders

Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/1/2019

In the season debut, Host Eden Grinshpan and Head Judge Mark McEwan welcome 11 chefs, representing the coming of age of the Canadian culinary scene, to compete in the most prestigious cooking competition in the country and to battle it out for the title of Canada’s Top Chef. In a never-seen-before, high-stakes QuickFire, one dish will determine a chef’s destiny for the entire competition. Later, in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are asked to take inspiration from a recipe handed down to them from a loved-one and reimagine it into a Top Chef Quality dish. In the first tasting of the season Eden and Chef McEwan, are joined by resident judges Chris Nuttall-Smith, Mijune Pak, and Janet Zuccarini.

#21 - Finale Four Ways

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/27/2018

It’s the Finale! First, the final four chefs go head-to-head-to-head in a high-stakes Quickfire Challenge which will determine who goes on to the finals. At the majestic Omni King Edward hotel, it’s a course to course Elimination Challenge as the chefs battle to serve meals of a lifetime to the table of Top Chef Canada resident judges. Only one chef will win it all and become Canada’s Top Chef.

#22 - Wine of the Tiger

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/20/2018

At the heart of French cuisine are the decadent flavours of butter, cream and cheese, but in this final-five QuickFire Challenge, the chefs are challenged to recreate the richness of classic French dishes using only plant-based ingredients. Judging this French-Vegan challenge is acclaimed New York City chef Amanda Cohen. Later, it’s the guy with the smile! Top Chef Canada: All-Stars alumni Dustin Gallagher is back to judge the Elimination Challenge where chefs must create canapés that pair with California wines and serve them to an exclusive cocktail party of 65 guests.

#23 - That's a Whole Lotta Dough!

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/13/2018

Top Chef Canada All-Stars winner Nicole Gomes is back in the kitchen to judge the Quickfire Challenge where the chefs put a new spin on an old favourite, fried chicken. Later, in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs have to take the flatbread food revolution and give it international flair, creating pizzas inspired by countries as diverse as Korea and Turkey. From L.A.’s hottest new restaurant Felix, Chef Evan Funke is on hand to determine who gets the dough.

#24 - Double Overtime

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/6/2018

Herbs and spice and everything nice. In this QuickFire Challenge, chefs randomly pick two herbs and spices to incorporate into a Top Chef Canada-quality dessert. Next, its game on in the Elimination Challenge as arena food gets a Top Chef Canada makeover. In teams of two, the chefs cater a rink-side post game party for a group of young hockey players and their parents and coaches. A double-elimination has everyone on edge as both chefs on the losing team are sent home.

#25 - Restaurant Wars!

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/29/2018

In a QuickFire Challenge that tests vision and leadership, the chefs are paired with culinary students to teach them a dish...but are thrown one major curveball. With 16 cooks in the kitchen, mass chaos ensues. Later, the chefs are divided into two teams to conceptualize and create the ultimate menu in the marquee Elimination Challenge of the season, Restaurant Wars! The stakes are higher than ever as a massive twist threatens to alter the competition. Superstar food writer and critic, known for making and breaking restaurants, Ruth Reichl joins as guest judge.