In the season debut, Host Eden Grinshpan and Head Judge Mark McEwan welcome 11 chefs, representing the next generation of Canadian culinary stars, to compete in the most prestigious cooking competition in the country and to battle it out for the title of Canada’s Top Chef. For their first QuickFire Challenge, Chef McEwan sets the bar in a grueling, four-round, precision skills challenge. Later, in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are asked to re-imagine a dish made famous by a Canadian culinary trailblazer. It’s a star-studded tasting table for the first elimination when Eden, Chef McEwan, and resident judges Chris Nuttall-Smith, Mijune Pak, and Janet Zuccarini are joined by culinary icons Susur Lee, Rob Feenie and Anne Yarymowich.

Waste not, want not! In this high-stakes QuickFire challenge, a hot-button culinary issue is put to the test when the chefs are challenged to produce a Top Chef Canada quality dish while creating as little food waste as possible. Judged by James Beard award-winning chef Danny Bowien, the winning chef earns a special immunity that holds more power than ever seen before. Canadian culinary icon Lynn Crawford judges the ultimate farm-to-table Elimination Challenge where the chefs must feed the farmers, creating dishes that highlight Canadian vegetable, fruit, grain, dairy and egg farms.

It’s a mash-up of trends in this Quickfire Challenge where the nine remaining chefs must create dishes that combine up two of the hottest food crazes of the moment. Judging is food writer and culinary trend-setter Peter Meehan. Later in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs go on a culinary voyage creating an authentic fine-dining feast inspired by eight different regions in Mexico. Master of Mexican cuisine, Top Chef U.S. veteran and Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytan is on hand to offer expertise and joins the spicy tasting table.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.