Top Chef Canada

When I found out one of my favorite Culinary competition shows was not only coming to Canada but being filmed in my home town of Toronto I was over the moon. The show premiered in April and from the very first episode I was underwhelmed. Neverless I continued to tune in every Monday night to see which Canuck would advance to the next round, and which of my favorite FoodTV personalities would be the guest judge.  I'm not sure what is was about this installment of Top Chef I didn't like, I really can't put my finger on it, but something just wasn't the same. Perhaps I have just become too attached to Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and Padma Lakshmi  and their own brand of sarcastic entertainment. The prizes were obviously more exciting on the American version and for me so were the challenges and quickfires. Why couldn't I be content with Lynn Crawford, Rob Feeni, Michael Smith, Susur Lee and Chuck Hughes, even Gail maid an appearance, but the love was not there. 


I think most of my disappointment came from the Top chef Canada judges. Mark McEwan was perhaps not the best choice for head judge - yes he's more then qualified but his personality and performance were lackluster. I found him dry and boring, he was much like a lot of the food on the show - one note and totally flat as a t.v. presenter. Shereen Arazm and Thea Andrews were decent eye candy, there was nothing wrong with them, but in the same sense there was nothing right either. They just weren't memorable! 


On the contestant front there were some interesting talented chefs including Todd  and Chris who were eliminated halfway through. Dustin's smile lit up every episode and Francois's cute Quebecois accent made watching more palatable. I had a feeling Dale would end up in the final four as well as Connie even though she stumbled along the way. Rob was someone who didn't make a fast impression but quickly proved himself a force to be reckoned with. In the end I found myself routing for him as he would have benefited the most from winning the competition. Another element of the show was the harshness of which the chefs were criticized. On one of the episodes Connie used puff pastry something she would be damed for on TCA, yet the judges applauded her for it. I was left scratching my head in disbelief. 


I know I'm being tough, and many of you may not agree with me, but this is just my opinion. 
As you all know by now Dale took the win beating out  Connie and Rob. In closing all I can say is fair well, i'm not looking forward to next season unless McEwan is replaced. Any of the guest judges would have been a better choice including the ever arrogant David Adjey or the super corny Roger Mooking. Just a thought. I'm left jonesing for Padma, Tom and Gale. 
- chow for now