Bravo’s acclaimed reality series, Top Chef, returns with its 22nd season, which is the first to be filmed in Canada. Scheduled to premiere on March 13 at 9 PM, this season takes viewers through various renowned Canadian culinary locations, including Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Prince Edward Island.

Featured Chefs from the Bay Area

This season, the competition includes notable chefs from the Bay Area, specifically Anya El-Wattar and Vincenzo “Vinny” Loseto.

Anya El-Wattar

San Francisco’s Anya El-Wattar has made her mark as a formidable contestant this season. Previously, she served as the chef at the now-closed Birch & Rye, a Russian-inspired restaurant in Noe Valley that garnered critical acclaim. While the closure of Birch & Rye last March was linked to challenges with sustainable sourcing of ingredients, El-Wattar’s culinary prowess was recognized when she was named Chef of the Year by Eater SF in 2022. Her restaurant also achieved semifinalist status for the prestigious James Beard Award the following year. According to her bio on the Bravo website, she is still listed as the chef at Birch & Rye.

Vincenzo Loseto

Joining El-Wattar in the competition is Vincenzo Loseto, the chef de cuisine at the Michelin-starred Press restaurant in St. Helena. Originally from Long Island, New York, he has worked in esteemed kitchens alongside celebrated chefs like Daniel Humm and James Kent. Loseto’s accolades include being part of the American team that won a gold medal at the Bocuse d’Or in 2017.

This Season’s Cast

The current cast also features notable chefs from Los Angeles, including Katianna Hong of Yangban and Kat Turner of Highly Likely. With a diverse group of culinary talents, Season 22 aims to deliver thrilling challenges and exquisite dishes.

Judging and Hosting

The judging panel remains consistent with previous seasons, featuring esteemed judges Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons, who will guide and assess the contestants throughout the competition.

Background of Top Chef

Top Chef has a rich history of showcasing culinary talent from the Bay Area, starting with its inaugural season in 2006 filmed in San Francisco. Previous contestants have included Laura Ozyilmaz, who reached the final four in Season 21, and numerous other renowned chefs from the region.

Conclusion

As anticipation builds for this exciting season, viewers can look forward to a journey across Canada’s landscapes while celebrating the culinary arts presented by these talented chefs from the Bay Area.