text: Get to know the first batch of brave and talented Canadian chefs who will step behind the stoves in the new season of Chopped Canada. The chef who shows cooking mastery through all three rounds of mystery basket ingredients – appetizer, entree and dessert – will win the bragging rights of being a Chopped Canada champion and the $10,000 grand prize.
  Watch these chefs in the new season of Chopped Canada on Saturdays at 9 E/P.
  Good luck, chefs!
  Angie Mohr from Stratford, ON
  Angie appears in the episode “Helping Hands”.
  An accountant turned chef, Angie loves baking and is just starting her dream of becoming a chef late in life. Although still a student, Angie is determined to win. She plans to donate the winnings for kids to pursue their dreams at the Stratford Chef School.
  Arron James Carley from Stratford, ON
  Arron appears in the episode “Helping Hands”.
  A tough upbringing and recently losing his mother have inspired Arron to turn tragedies into creative dishes. He is a hard core forager, using anything he can find to enhance his cuisine. He wants to use the money to take his kids on the vacation that he never had as a kid.
  David Braaten from Surrey, BC
  David appears in the episode “Helping Hands”.
  David has worked hard to get to where he is in his career, and with three young children at home he hopes the money will help give them the head start he didn’t have growing up. He is inspired by Top Chef Canada and hopes he can help his daughter realize her dream of becoming a true chef.
  Josh Gale from Vancouver, BC
  Josh appears in the episode “Helping Hands”.
  A snowboarding accident that left him bedridden also opened up Josh to the world of cooking on television. A driven competitor, Josh hopes to help out his mom and take his girlfriend on a trip to Italy with the winnings.
  JR Perras from Lemoyne, QC
  JR appears in the episode “Cooking La Vida Loca”.
  JR took a long time to find his passion for cooking and has travelled the world honing his skills. He hopes to use the money to open a beer and food pairing restaurant and gain the special credibility that comes with being a Chopped Canada champion.
  Nick Valliquette from Perth, ON
  Nick appears in the episode “Cooking La Vida Loca”.
  From making his own maple syrup to enjoying venison, Nick grew up with unique food experiences and has translated that into a passion for cooking. He hopes to prove that his age is not a hindrance and win the prize to start his own line of preserves.
  Steve Gonzalez from Toronto, ON
  Steve appears in the episode “Cooking La Vida Loca”.
  Co-owner of Toronto’s Valdez restaurant, Steve has twenty years experience in the kitchen and has travelled and worked in many exciting places, such as Hong Kong and Los Angeles. He wants to treat his girlfriend to a nice trip to make up for all the time he misses while at work.
  Zachary Thompson from Alexandria, ON
  Zachary appears in the episode “Cooking La Vida Loca”.
  Adrenaline junkie Zachary sees a lot of parallels between the kitchen environment and high octane sports. He plans to prove his mettle in the kitchen arena to win the money and pay back loans he used to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa.
  Anthony D'Ambrosio from Toronto, ON
  Anthony appears in the episode “Redemption – Gone Too Soon”.
  Fish store and restaurant owner, Anthony hopes to redeem himself as he feels his nerves got the better of him the first time around in Season 1. He wants to prove to his two boys—both named Anthony—that he has what it takes to bring home the top prize.
  Michael Luck from Toronto, ON
  Michael appears in the episode “Redemption – Gone Too Soon”.
  Michael feels a lack of focus and putting too many ingredients in the mix cost him a shot at the title the first time around, and he’s here to prove he has what it takes. He is excited for another shot and is going to keep it clean and simple, with plans to use the winnings for his upcoming honeymoon.
  Roary MacPherson from Mount Pearl, NL
  Roary appears in the episode “Redemption – Gone Too Soon”
  The hotel Executive Chef feels time got him flustered during his first appearance, and plans to slow things down with his next visit. A celebrated chef and family man, Roary will lean on simple flavours to wow the judges this time around, and add to his many accolades and achievements.
  Elizabeth Phillips from Midland, ON
  Elizabeth appears in the episode “Redemption – Gone Too Soon”.
  Organic farmer, caterer, executive chef, cooking instructor, consultant, author—Elizabeth has done it all—except win the title of Chopped Canada. This former stockbroker hopes to use the gift of a second opportunity to win and not make the small mistakes that cost her the win the first time around.
  Anahi English from Pitt Meadow, BC
  Anahi appears in the episode “Dill-icious”.
  Anahi switched gears from a career in finance to open her own restaurant, and works with her mother who has a culinary degree. Anahi hopes her business savvy and ever expanding knowledge of food will help her win and take her family to Peru for a vacation.
  Charlene Santry from Almonte, ON
  Charlene appears in the episode “Dill-icious”.
  Charlene shifted from banking to culinary school and has gained experience at a few notable places, after 8 years of raising her kids. This risk taker wants to prove she has what it takes and take her family on a surfing vacation to pay them back for their sacrifices to help her realize her dreams.
  Crystel Breary from Toronto, ON
  Crystel appears in the episode “Dill-icious”.
  Crystel comes from a large Jamaican family that inspired her passion for spicy food with an island flare. She loves fresh ingredients and thinks the judges will taste the love she puts into each dish. She’ll use the winnings to help out her family back in Jamaica and start her own catering company.
  Felicia Alberti from Toronto, ON
  Felicia appears in the episode “Dill-icious”.
  Inspired by a friend’s mother to cook, Felicia lives to feed people. She will lean heavily on her Italian heritage and French culinary training heading into the competition. She hopes to help her mentor’s family and her father with the winnings.
  Daniel Hudson from Duncan, BC
  Daniel appears in the episode “Cooking For Love”.
  Daniel grew up in the U.K. and moved to Vancouver. He brings a serious resume of fine dining to the competition having worked with such notable chefs as Daniel Boulud. The owner of Hudson’s on First restaurant hopes to invest the winnings into his restaurant and his daughter’s education.
  Jillian Broadley from Bowmanville, ON
  Jillian appears in the episode “Cooking For Love”.
  A high school culinary instructor, who also runs the cafeteria for the 4000 attending students, Jillian is a life long baker and food maker. She also brings two red seals and plans to use the winnings to attend Cordon Bleu culinary school in France.
  John Michael MacNeil from Calgary, AB
  John appears in the episode “Cooking With Love”.
  East coast born John travelled extensively before settling in Calgary, where he has honed his skills in fine dining and molecular gastronomy. He was especially fond of stops in Europe and hopes to win the prize to buy some copper pots and travel back to Spain.
  Romain Avril from Toronto, ON
  Romain appears in the episode “Cooking With Love”.
  Romain is chef from France who loves his new home of Canada, and his Canadian fiancée. With no shortage of confidence, Romain plans to blow away the competition with his classic training and skill. He plans to use the money to start his own restaurant.
  Bernie-Ann Ezekiel from Paradise, NL
  Bernie-Ann appears in the episode “Dessert Dilemma”.
  Former nautical science student, now culinary instructor and mother of two, Bernie-Ann brings great energy and “funky fusion” to ingredients in the kitchen arena. She hopes to use the winnings to travel to Disneyland.
  Nghe (Guy) Tran from Sundridge, ON
  Guy appears in the episode “Dessert Dilemma”.
  Guy’s parents were refugees to Canada who came here for a better life and opened a Chinese restaurant. Guy learned the business from a very young age and by 12 was already cooking for guests. He recently took over the business and has introduced a healthier menu and wants to use the money to further upgrade the restaurant.
  Rae Douthwright from Moncton, NB
  Rae appears in the episode “Dessert Dilemma.”
  Rae became a father early in life, and took to the kitchen to earn money to support his new family. He recently moved to the front of house and wants to prove he still has the skill to win. He wants to start his own restaurant for his family with the winnings.
  Tu Le from Edmonton, AB
  Tu appears in the episode “Dessert Dilemma”.
  Tu immigrated to Canada from Vietnam, and learned traditional cultural cuisine from his mother, and fell in love with western fare, such as hamburgers. Now the owner of two restaurants, Jack’s Burger Shack and Cerdos Tacos and Tequila, Tu has his sights set on winning Chopped Canada to buy equipment for his businesses.
  Levi Biddlecombe from Edmonton, AB
  Levi appears in the episode “Keep On Truckin'”.
  Young Levi already has a booming food truck business and two kids. He is confident his self-described “weird” cuisine will help him build an empire. He set his sights on being a chef early in life and hasn’t looked back. He plans to use the winnings to get a second food truck up and running.
  Krystian Catala from Newmarket, ON
  Krystian appears in the episode “Keep On Truckin'”.
  Krystian has already turned his Mexican theme food truck operation into four brick and mortar Gourmet Gringo restaurants. With no formal training, Krystian credits hard work and his supportive wife as helping him get his businesses up and running. He plans to use the money to take his family on a much needed vacation.
  Clement Chan from Vancouver, BC
  Clement appears in the episode “Keep On Truckin'”.
  Owner of a Le Tigre, a popular fast food truck operation in Vancouver, Clement plans to open a brick and mortar restaurant. He is highly competitive and has earned accolades from The National Post, and has many competition wins and awards under his belt. He’ll be tough to beat.
  Sousanh Chanthalangsy from Yellowknife, NT
  Sousanh appears in the episode “Keep On Truckin'”.
  After relocating from Winnipeg to Yellowknife, Sousanh took the plunge and opened her own food truck to create Thai dishes to reflect her cultural heritage. “One of a Thai” was immediately successful and has garnered a nod as one of Canada’s best in Canadian Living Magazine. Sousanh hopes to use the money share with her mom, her greatest inspiration.
  Emma Beqaj from Toronto, ON
  Emma appears in episode one “Sauce On The Side.”
  Emma runs her own catering company in Toronto, Emma’s Eatery, and has been throwing dinner parties since the age of 12. She wants to use the prize money to expand her business, but she also wants to prove that catering chefs “kick butt” and belong in the headlines like their restaurant counterparts.
  Richard Moore from North Sydney, NS
  Richard appears in episode one “Sauce On The Side.”
  Richard is the Chef/Owner of The Lobster Pound & Moore in Cape Breton. Although a deeply rooted Maritimer, he received his training on the west coast of Canada, with the desire to bring new found techniques to east coast traditional seafood cuisine. He plans to buy a motorcycle with the winnings.
  Sandro Pangilinan from Gatineau, QC
  Sandro appears in episode one “Sauce On The Side.”
  A line cook in Ottawa at Empire Restaurant, Sandro is highly inspired by his mother’s traditional Filipino cuisine. He is equally creative outside the kitchen, and in his spare time Sandro loves to flex his artistic skills through drag and elaborate costumes. He plans to use the money to finance his dream wedding.
  William Wallace from Ancaster, ON
  William appears in episode one “Sauce On The Side.”
  A 30-year veteran of the industry, there is little that William has not seen or done as a professional. Currently a corporate chef in Stoney Creek, ON, William hopes his well rounded background will give him the winning edge so he can renovate his home and give his wife her own bathroom – a much needed oasis from William and their two boys.
  Christina D'Angela from Thornhill, ON
  Christina appears in episode two “Batter Battle.”
  Christina is the head chef at Locale in King City, ON, and leans on her Italian heritage and formal training in Italy in the competition. Christina wants to shed light on some of the negative experiences women have in kitchens, and prove that they are every bit as tough as their male counterparts.
  David Antonucci from Montreal, QC
  David appears in episode two “Batter Battle.”
  Montreal-born, Italian-raised David is the sous chef at Chuck Hughes’ iconic restaurant Garde Manger. His love of food came from his grandmother, who passed away before his career could take off. David hopes to win for the prestige, but he also doesn’t want to disappoint his boss.
  Erica Hakien from New Westminster, BC
  Erica appears in episode two “Batter Battle.”
  Erica is a seafood expediter – and expert – at Wildebeest restaurant in Vancouver’s popular Gastown district. She hopes to win the prize money to fly her mother and sister from Israel to celebrate at her upcoming wedding.
  Robert McKim from Toronto, ON
  Robert appears in episode two “Batter Battle.”
  A Chef de Partie at Toronto’s George Restaurant, Robert is a serious competitor who is looking to finance his upcoming nuptials and make his Italian grandparents proud.
  Ashley Dolbec from Vancouver, BC
  Ashley appears in episode three “Rice Twice.”
  A kitchen manager at Vancouver’s Jam Jar, Ashley credits her mom with helping her get on the right track as a cook. Having battled addiction, Ashley is confident her skills and personality will help her win the title, something she wants to do for her mom who helped her turn her life around.
  Francois Lavallee from Orleans, ON
  François appears in episode three “Rice Twice.”
  François thrives in the chaos of the kitchen environment as the Chef de Partie at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. A family-oriented problem solver, he feels his quick thinking and problem-solving skills will net him the prize.
  Kate Dean from Parksville, BC
  Kate appears in episode three “Rice Twice.”
  Kate is the Chef de Partie at resort restaurant Tigh-Na-Mara on Vancouver Island, and brings a very well traveled background to the kitchen arena. Kate spent time in Australia’s outback, making exotic dishes for the locals, and hopes her adaptability will win her the prize money so she can spend more quality time with her son Sawyer.
  Qamar Masood from Ottawa, ON
  Qamar appears in episode three “Rice Twice.”
  Confident Qamar believes his traditional Pakistani cuisine, or as he describes it “heaven”, will wow the judges’ palates and win him the prize money. While older than most competitors, Qamar feels young at heart and ready to show the younger chefs that age is just a number and taste is king.
  Erin Harris from Ottawa, ON
  Erin appears in episode four “Return to Victory.”
  Adventure seeker and cheese expert Erin was tripped up in the Appetizer Round in her first appearance on Chopped Canada in Season 2, and feels she can take that experience as a learning curve, and turn it into a win. She wants to use the prize money to take a trip to Europe and visit family.
  Matt Binkley from Toronto, ON
  Matt appears in episode four “Return to Victory.”
  Matt is a versatile and highly competitive chef with over 20 years experience in kitchens. He plans to be more aggressive than he was in Season 1, and wants to prove that he returns with the skills and passion to finally be a Chopped Canada Champion.
  Sebastien Laframboise from Quebec City, QC
  Sebastien appears in episode four “Return to Victory.”
  Sebastien has trained at Michelin star restaurants in Europe, and is currently the chef at a boutique hotel on Orleans Island in Quebec City. He was chopped when he second-guessed a temperature setting in Season 2, and wants another chance to prove that he is a serious chef, with a newfound confidence.
  Steve Glavicich from Calgary, AB
  Steve appears in episode four “Return to Victory.”
  Calgary transplant Steve spent years as a head chef before opening up his own food truck, Braizen, in his adopted hometown, one of the city’s first. A self-described grown up punk rocker, the Montreal-born Steve wants a redo in the Chopped Canada kitchen when the errant tip of a squeeze bottle in an entrée cost him the title when he appeared in Season 1.
  Amanda Finkle from Bloomfield, ON
  Amanda appears in episode five “Cooking with Courage.”
  Amanda is the Chef/Owner of Black Sheep Cannery in Bloomfield, a small business that focuses on seasonal preserves and products, in addition to catering. She hopes to use the winnings to get a dormant food truck project realized, a dream started by her recently deceased father.
  Derek McCann from Calgary, AB
  Derek appears in episode five “Cooking with Courage.”
  Although he has a criminal justice education, Derek found his calling in the kitchen and is currently the executive sous chef at Parc Cafe and Brasserie in Calgary. His passion and determination, plus a knack for French and Canadian comfort food, give him the advantage he feels he needs to succeed.
  Josh Karbelnik from New Westminster, BC
  Josh appears in episode five “Cooking with Courage.”
  Josh brings a well-honed fine dining background to the competition, and is currently the Chef de Partie at Truffles Fine Foods in New Westminster. A tragic accident almost cost him his career when he slipped and fell into an ice cream machine, losing two of his fingers in the process. After a lengthy road back, Josh is ready to show his skills and win.
  Stephanie Randall from Cambridge, ON
  Stephanie appears in episode five “Cooking with Courage.”
  Stephanie is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of two restaurants, Gilt in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., and Cork in Elora, Ont. Originally a business major, Stephanie found her passion for cooking only recently. She hopes the winnings will help her expand her culinary creativity by travelling to Japan.
  Alexander Molitz from Toronto, ON
  Alex appears in episode six “All About the Bass.”
  Alex was most recently the Executive Chef at Geraldine Restaurant in Toronto’s west end. He hopes to use the many mistakes from his party-centric past in New York City to create opportunities for his future, and is confident that he has found the intangibles that he needs to succeed in life and win the top prize.
  Jean-Philippe Miron from Montreal, QC
  J.P. appears in episode six “All About the Bass.”
  J.P. was a bit of troublemaker early on in his culinary career, and has also worked at some big name restaurants in New York City. Currently a Chef de Cuisine in Montreal, he is very confident and here to focus on winning.
  Kyle Christofferson from Halifax, NS
  Kyle appears in episode six “All About the Bass.”
  Kyle is the executive chef at Truck Side, a popular indoor food truck court in Halifax. He hopes to win for his father, whose encouragement and sacrifice helped Kyle in his career, and use some of the money to expand business interests.
  Nathalie Des Rosiers from Montreal, QC
  Nathalie appears in episode six “All About the Bass.”
  The Chef de Cuisine at Tapas, 24, in Montreal, Natalie has staged extensively abroad, including Noma Restaurant in Copenhagen, perennially considered one of the best restaurants in the world. She feels her experience, technique and knowledge will easily earn her the top prize which will help her open her own bakery.
  Chris Oliveira from Vancouver, BC
  Chris appears in episode seven “Shell Shocked.”
  Born and raised in Portugal, Chris traveled far from home to Vancouver to further his career and he’s currently the sous chef at Vancouver’s Black + Blue. He was inspired to cook by his grandmother and hopes to return to Portugal with the winnings to revisit his roots.
  Magda Louis-Jean from Toronto, ON
  Magda appears in episode seven “Shell Shocked.”
  Magda enters the competition as the Chef/Owner of La Créole in Toronto, a restaurant that features a Haitian-inspired menu gleaned from her cultural background. She hopes to set a good example for her kids by entering and winning the top prize on Chopped Canada.
  Nathan Reid from Brampton, ON
  Nathan appears in episode seven “Shell Shocked.”
  Young Nate is excited to showcase his love of Italian cuisine and energy in the Chopped Canada kitchen. Inspired by Chef Michael Smith to use his instincts, this sous chef at Bucatini in Brampton hopes to go all the way and win.
  Pam Fanjoy from Erin, ON
  Pam appears in episode seven “Shell Shocked.”
  Pam is the Chef/Owner of Friendly Chef Adventures in Erin, Ont. She credits a battle with weight issues and bullying during her teenage years as the impetus for her resilience and resourcefulness to win. She hopes to travel to Thailand and learn the cuisine from the locals with her prize money.
  Brian Magee from London, ON
  Brian appears in episode eight “What the Shell?”
  Brian was on a football scholarship to Michigan State University before being sidelined by a knee injury, which led him to a career in the culinary field. This executive chef and former MMA fighter is one tough customer and plans to use the winnings to bring his kids to Disneyland.
  Jody Sigurdson-Longo from Abbotsford, BC
  Jody appears in episode eight “What the Shell?”
  Jody is an instructor at the Abbotsford School District, where she loves to teach kids the basics. A lifelong student of the culinary arts, Jody hopes to win so she can take her students on a special field trip and use the rest on an even more special trip with her family.
  Sharon Guiel from Warsaw, ON
  Sharon appears in episode eight “What the Shell?”
  Sharon has had several successful gourmet food operations. Currently she makes fancy cakes out of a church she purchased and renovated. She’s had a few ups and downs recently in her personal life, and hopes to inspire new confidence in herself by winning Chopped Canada.
  Ted Pace from Middle Sackville, NS
  Ted appears in episode eight “What the Shell?”
  Single dad Ted turned the troubled background of his youth into a successful career, including staging at a Michelin star restaurant in Germany under a fierce head chef. This executive chef at Dalhousie University plans to use his quirky style to win the prize money and take his wife on a much needed vacation.
  Dan Worth from Fernie, BC
  Dan appears in episode nine “Duelling Over Devilled Eggs.”
  Dan owns Happy Cow Ice Cream and Desserts with his wife, but he is much more than just an ice cream man. With 20 years of professional experience, Dan is a passionate cook and plans to use the winnings to “pimp out” his ice cream truck.
  Lynda Smith from Comox, BC
  Lynda appears in episode nine “Duelling Over Devilled Eggs.”
  Lynda grew up surrounded by the wilds of British Columbia’s interior, riding horses and gardening in a log home built by her father. Lynda is a proponent of growing food, and runs her own business helping others learn how to plan and implement their own eat well from their own garden. She hopes to use the winnings to feed her business, Lawn to Food.
  Melanie Robinson from Sebright, ON
  Melanie appears in episode nine “Duelling Over Devilled Eggs.”
  Melanie was inspired to become a chef while on her honeymoon in the wineries and food culture of Kelowna, B.C. She promptly did a career reversal from a security and enforcement role and headed straight to culinary training. She has rapidly excelled in the industry, and is currently the Chef de Partie at Horseshoe Valley Resort near Barrie, Ont.
  Paresh Thakkar from Sarnia, ON
  Paresh appears in episode nine “Duelling Over Devilled Eggs.”
  A native son of Sarnia, Ont., to Indian and Ugandan parents, Paresh was surrounded by family and unique international cuisines growing up. He hopes his background and skills can help him win the money to expand his small take out restaurant, Personal Touch Eatery & Catering, and put Sarnia on the culinary map.
  Allison Kulik from Trail, BC
  Allison appears in episode 10 “Fish Become Sausages.”
  Allison took her college job working in kitchens and turned it into a passionate career. After financial struggles led to the closure of two restaurants, Allison has put her knowledge and skill to work at a senior residence, where she enjoys working with nurses and dieticians. Allison wants to show her kids the value of perseverance and win the title to take care of some much needed family financial needs.
  Mark Steele from Stittsville, ON
  Mark appears in episode 10 “Fish Become Sausages.”
  Mark recently left his position as an executive chef to open his own restaurant, after a long career in the industry and teaching new cooks. No stranger to competition, the Chef/Owner of OCCO Kitchen shelved plans to use the money for new equipment when he recently learned he is going to be a dad.
  Scott Starkweather from Montreal, QC
  Scott appears in episode 10 “Fish Become Sausages.”
  Scott turned happenstance into a kitchen career when he saw an opportunity for a job after witnessing an altercation outside a restaurant, and hasn’t looked back since. He worked as Chef de Partie in Victoria before landing in Montreal. He feels he has the skills to make it to the top and use the winnings to spend on his forthcoming baby.
  Valentino Pereira from Vancouver, BC
  Valentino appears in episode 10 “Fish Become Sausages.”
  Valentino grew up in Goa, India, a region of the country with a large Portuguese community. He and his wife settled in Vancouver where he hopes the prize money will help him open his dream restaurant, an ambitious fusion of Portuguese and Indian cuisines under a non-traditional French culinary banner.
  Cobey Adams from Souris, PEI
  Cobey appears in episode 11 “Cooking with Heart.”
  Small in stature but big in heart, Cobey has been across Canada picking up skills in restaurant jobs along the way. He handles stress easily, something he hopes will help win the competition so he can use the prize money to treat his girlfriend to a culinary adventure across Europe.
  Cosmo Spina from Calgary, AB
  Cosmo appears in episode 11 “Cooking with Heart.”
  Cosmo’s brother Mario was eliminated early in his shot at the Chopped Canada title in Season 2, and he wants to prove once and for all that he’s the better cook of the siblings. Owner of Aglio e Olio food truck, Cosmo brings a lifetime of Italian culinary practice and technique, and plans to donate the winnings to cancer research to honour his mother and sister, both of whom were claimed by the disease.
  Lyndsay Jones from Port Moody, BC
  Lyndsay appears in episode 11 “Cooking with Heart.”
  Lyndsay is a line cook at Brew Street Craft Kitchen in Port Moody, and wants to win to prove to her dad that she made the right decision to become a cook. She also can use the money to bring her recently deceased aunt’s ashes to Maui. No stranger to cooking competitions, Lyndsay has a few tricks up her sleeve and is cool under pressure thanks to her other passion – yoga.
  TJ Crafter from Calgary, AB
  TJ appears in episode 11 “Cooking with Heart.”
  A self-proclaimed “mad scientist” in the kitchen, TJ is excited to see what will be waiting for him in the baskets of Chopped Canada. A born leader from a long line of great cooks, TJ feels his well-rounded experience will help him win the prize and do some much needed traveling.
  Bijou Texeira from Ottawa, ON
  Bijou appears in episode 12 “Bro-Down Showdown.”
  The elder of the Texeira brothers, Bijou learned all his skills working inside the kitchen. He staged and worked his way through kitchens in Michelin star restaurants in Europe and is confident his practical knowledge gives him the advantage needed to get to the top.
  Imrun Texeira from Kanata, ON
  Imrun appears in episode 12 “Bro-Down Showdown”.
  Unlike his brother Bijou, Imrun took his love of cooking from the kitchen and enrolled in culinary school. At only 20, Imrun has moved up the ladder quickly in the kitchen environment, and plans to use his focus to take out his older brother and the Sok brothers.
  Dany Sok from Red Deer, AB
  Dany appears in episode 12 “Bro-Down Showdown”.
  Born in Canada to Cambodian refugees fleeing the war, Dany is excited at the prospect of facing his older brother Pete as he feels he is more patient and that will help him take the top prize. Dany is the chef at Bamboo Hut, one of three restaurants the Sok family owns, along with Sophear Bar and Restaurant and Blue Dragon Restaurant.
  (Sophear) Pete Sok from Red Deer, AB
  Pete appears in episode 12 “Bro-Down Showdown.”
  The older of the Sok brothers, Pete brought his brother Dany into the industry and feels he has the better skills of the two. He hopes to show once and for all to the family that the restaurant business is legit. Pete fled Cambodia with his parents, losing family members along the way, and is very thankful for his life in Canada and hopes to use the money to treat his family to an all inclusive vacation. Pete is the chef at Sophear Bar and Restaurant.
  Dennis Peckham from Port Moody, BC
  Pete appears in episode 13.
  Dennis left a job in construction for the kitchen, and has never looked back. The executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, he has worked as Chef de Partie at Thomas Keller’s famed French Laundry, and with Rob Feenie at Lumiere. He plans to use the prize money to build a tidy nest egg for his future.
  Hilarie Vatcher from St. John's, NL
  Hilarie appears in episode 13.
  A former circus performer/instructor, Hilarie decided to head to culinary school for better prospects. A pastry chef by trade, Hilarie has some tricks up her sleeve, including a steadfast determination to win. She hopes the win will let her take a short break and recharge.
  James Santon from Toronto, ON
  James appears in episode 13.
  Born in England, James grew up in Port Colborne, Ont. in the famed Niagara Region. As soon as he could reach the stove James has been cooking, and is now involved in Toronto’s burgeoning culinary scene, having worked with Susur Lee, as well as at renowned Black Hoof and currently Enoteca Sociale. He feels his well rounded experience and respect for food will help him win.
  Oliver Vigneault from Montreal, QC
  Oliver appears in episode 13.
  Olivier is a perfectionist and a serious food lover. The executive chef and partner at an Asian fusion restaurant Jatoba in Montreal, Olivier worked with Chef Antonio Park and is serious about his precision with his knife and flavours. He plans to use the winnings to travel to Asia and further develop his palate and menu.
  Matthew Kershaw from Hamilton, ON
  Matthew appears in episode 14 “Rabbit Roundabout”.
  Having opened five restaurants, and competed in several high profile cooking competitions, Matthew is here to win. He strives to put Hamilton’s food scene on the culinary map, and wants to use the winnings to put toward his next venture, a taco restaurant.
  Travis "Catfish" Olfers from Delta, BC
  Travis appears in episode 14 “Rabbit Roundabout.”
  Drawing his middle name from a lake in Texas, this rural-oriented chef hopes his experience from working at the Four Seasons to bring home the prize and open his own farm, where he hopes to teach at-risk youth how to cook.
  Jean-Philippe St-Denis from Logueuil, QC
  Jean-Philippe appears in episode 14 “Rabbit Roundabout”.
  Veteran chef and former successful restaurateur, Jean-Philippe wants to prove he’s still relevant and has a few tricks up his sleeve to prove it. He loves the stress of the kitchen environment and hopes to use the winnings to travel to Asia for culinary adventure.
  Tallis Voakes from Toronto, ON
  Tallis appears in episode 14 “Rabbit Roundabout”.
  Well-travelled Tallis brings experience from three Michelin Star restaurants to the kitchen arena, which he hopes will help him take home the prize to jumpstart his catering business. He is fluent in French, British and Japanese techniques.
  Jaimie Delson from Thornhill, ON
  Jaimie appears in episode 15 “Full of Beans”.
  Jaimie brings high energy and antics to the kitchen, and describes his food style as global cuisine, with an emphasis on Asian ingredients. He wants to prove caterers are great chefs and use the winnings to open his own food truck.
  Kenny Kaechele from Calgary, AB
  Kenny appears in episode 15 “Full of Beans”.
  Single parent Kenny has years of experience and is well known in his hometown of Calgary for big bold flavours. A competitive and well seasoned chef, he hopes to earn the title of champion to send his son to football camp and buy a new motorcycle.
  Kaya Ogruce from Toronto, ON
  Kaya appears in episode 15 “Full of Beans”.
  Busy Kaya is the founder of Death in Venice Ice-cream and Gelato company in Toronto, a private caterer and pop-up dinner bon vivant, and a teacher at The Stratford Chef School. He specializes in savoury ice creams and isn’t afraid of trying out new things.
  Navita Singh from Kitchener, ON
  Navita appears in episode 15 “Full of Beans”.
  Navita specializes in Indo-Fusion cuisine she credits from her Guyanese background. She picked up skills from watching her father cook for the family and wants to prove that West Indian females deserve recognition. She hopes to use the earnings to open up her own bakery and pastry shop.
  Nicholas Bramos from Montreal, QC
  Nicholas appears in episode 16 “Sweet Success”.
  Nicholas gained a love for cooking from watching his mother and has worked at high profile restaurants, all at a very young age. He is creative and skilled with modern techniques like molecular cuisine, and uses his passion for martial arts in his approach to winning.
  Mike Duarte from Calgary, AB
  Mike appeared in episode 16 “Sweet Success”.
  Chef, caterer and aspiring poker champ, Mike brings his love of competing with the hopes of getting to the next level in his culinary career. He also wants to prove to his daughter that all his sacrifice was worth it.
  Michael Hunter from Toronto, ON
  Michael appears in episode 16 “Sweet Success”.
  Like his namesake, hunter-forager Michael is the Chef/Owner of Antler in Toronto and loves to create wild food dinners. He hopes to use the money to buy a house in the country so he can experience the great outdoors with his children.
  Ivana Raca from Toronto, ON
  Ivana appearss in episode 16 “Sweet Success”.
  Ivana has her sights set on being Canada’s Martha Stewart, and thinks she has the chops to be one of Canada’s best chefs. Ivana rose quickly up the ranks at McEwan’s North 44 and recently took time off to travel and is back to win. She wants the money to go towards her new restaurant and treat her parents to a much deserved trip for their lifetime of support.
  Scott Bailey from Oakville, ON
  Scott appears in episode 17 “Something’s Fishy”.
  Scott is a conceptual caterer, hoping to build unique experiences for his clients. He plans to use the winnings to invest in his business and his love of antiques.
  Andrew Hodge from Flatrock, NL
  Andrew appears in episode 17 “Something’s Fishy”.
  A red-seal chef currently working in Alberta’s oil region, Andrew is a fierce competitor and is well-travelled. With his wife and daughter back in Newfoundland, Andrew will use the money to set up shop permanently at home with his family.
  Keith Pears from Vancouver, BC
  Keith appears in episode 17 “Somethiing’s Fishy”.
  Restaurants are the family business, and Keith has been in kitchens since he was very young. He wants to continue to build a legacy for his kids by opening up multiple restaurants, starting with another location of his parents’ diner.
  Derrick Uniat from Two Hills, AB
  Derrick appears in episode 17 “Something’s Fishy”.
  Derrick is the chef-owner at Lloyd Lake Lodge in the Saskatchewan wilderness, accessible only by plane. Fishing and hunting is in his blood and he’s ready to prove that he’s the real deal in the kitchen competition and bag a win so he can take his grandmother on a much needed vacation.
  John Chad from Calgary, AB
  John appears in episode 18 “Pepper Powerhouse”.
  John overcame a tough background in a rough neighbourhood by developing a passion for cooking. He’s now Chef de Partie at one of Calgary’s top restaurants and a devoted father. He plans to use the money for a down payment on a house and to become a positive role model for First Nations struggling youth.
  Kylie d'Entremont from Eastern Passage, NS
  Kylie appears in episode 18 “Pepper Powerhouse”.
  Young Kylie is out to prove that women should not be underestimated in the kitchen. She hopes her cheery disposition and competitive spirit will inspire other young females to succeed in the professional kitchen domain.
  Kevin Koohtow from Victoria, BC
  Kevin appears in episode 18 “Pepper Powerhouse”.
  Kevin is a sensitive individual who loves to travel and give back to those less fortunate. He hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps as a chef and took inspiration from a tragedy to focus his goals and set his sights on helping others.
  Krish Nair from Calgary, AB
  Krish appears in episode 18 “Pepper Powerhouse”.
  Born and raised in India, Krish found his way to Canada via the U.K. Confident Krish hopes to win the competition and take his family to Disneyland and use some to enjoy fine dining experiences.
  Robbie Brooks from Calgary, AB
  Robbie appears in episode 19 “Candy is Dandy”.
  Robbie was on a perilous path when a kitchen job set him straight and turned his life around. He’s a jack-of-all-trades in the kitchen and is confident that his abilities will win him the prize so he can travel to hone his career and help out his mother, who is his rock.
  Jonathan Tomlin from Toronto, ON
  Jonathan appears in episode 19 “Candy is Dandy”.
  After years in the kitchen, Jonathan decided to go back to school and study food science. A lifetime student, Jonathan works two jobs to make ends meet and wants to bring home the money to help ease tuition costs.
  Holly Verboom from Port Rowan, ON
  Holly appears in episode 19 “Candy is Dandy”.
  Holly wants to win Chopped Canada to open a food truck business and spend more time with her son. This small town gal also wants to prove that women are a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen.
  Luke Willingdon from Vancouver, BC
  Luke appears in episode 19 “Candy is Dandy”.
  A chef at the University of British Columbia, Luke is inspired by the students every day to keep improving. He feels his well rounded career will help him win the competition so he can help out his dad and brother with a nice fishing trip.