‘Top Chef’ Has Contestants Poutine Skills to the Test in Canada

Pack your knives (and your winter coats) because “Top Chef” is heading to Canada for Season 22! For the first time ever, the competition crosses the border, bringing its high-stakes culinary battles to the Great White North. Returning host Kristen Kish joins “Top Chef” legends Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio, ready to judge a fresh batch of 15 elite chefs as they tackle Canadian-inspired challenges. With a $250,000 prize on the line (the biggest in the show’s history) and a tour of Canada’s top food cities, this season is shaping up to be deliciously intense.

From Toronto to the Tundra (Okay, Not Really, But Close)

Bravo TV announced that this season, the chefs aren’t stuck in one kitchen; they’re embarking on a cross-country culinary adventure, stopping in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Canmore, and Prince Edward Island. Each location brings its own vibe and culinary influences, meaning the competitors will have to prove they can cook more than just fine dining plates. They need to embrace the heart of Canadian cuisine.

In Toronto, they’ll dive into the city’s multicultural food scene, where you can find everything from dim sum to Jamaican patties on the same block. Calgary? Think bold, beef-forward dishes inspired by cowboy country. Montreal will no doubt bring some serious French-Canadian flavors to the mix, while Prince Edward Island means fresh seafood galore. And in Canmore, surrounded by the stunning Rockies, expect some rugged, back-to-basics cooking that separates the true pros from the pretenders.

Biggest Prize Ever; Plus, Michael Cera?

According to People, this year’s winner isn’t just walking away with the bragging rights, they’re taking home a cool $250,000, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, a James Beard House dinner, and enough flight credits to chase their culinary dreams wherever they want.

And while the real drama will be in the kitchen, we’re also getting some surprise guest stars. Acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud stops by, but the real curveball? Michael Cera. Yep, the “Superbad” and “Scott Pilgrim” star (who happens to be Canadian) will make an appearance. What he’s doing there? No idea, but it’s sure to be entertaining.

The Final Bite

With a stacked lineup of chefs, jaw-dropping locations, and challenges that will push them harder than ever, “Top Chef” Season 22 is looking like a must-watch. Whether they’re reinventing poutine, foraging in the wild, or tackling the art of a perfect butter tart, one thing’s for sure… this season is going to be as intense as a double-elimination Quickfire.

Catch all the action when “Top Chef” premieres March 13; and don’t forget to place your bets on who’s packing their knives first.