Top Chef Canada Returns for Sophomore Season Where Only One Will Taste the Glory

New Competitors and Guest Judges Revealed for Food Network's #1 Show

New Season Premieres March 12, 2012 at 10pm ET/PT

For more information about Top Chef Canada including bios and high resolution photos visit our media site at: www.shawmediatv.ca

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Together with Insight Production Company Ltd., Food Network Canada is bringing its top rated series back for a second season with bigger, more intense challenges and surprise twists that take 16 new chefs out of their comfort zones and into the country's fiercest food fight. The new season of Top Chef Canada will premiere March 12, 2012 at 10pm ET/PT exclusively on Food Network Canada.

Top Chef Canada will challenge 16 competitors' culinary skills to see who can cut it as Canada's Top Chef, taking home the grand prize of $100,000 sponsored by SpongeTowels® paper towels and a GE Monogram kitchen worth $30,000. Hosted by celebrated actress and self-confessed foodie Lisa Ray, the competition is judged by Head Judge, Chef and restaurateur, Mark McEwan, as well as Resident Judge and LA restaurateur, Shereen Arazm.  Season two of Top Chef Canada ups the stakes in this competition, delivering addictive drama that will inspire viewers to cheer on their favourite competitors each week.

The 16 chosen competitors hail from far and wide across Canada with unique culinary backgrounds and expertise. Click on each competitor's name below to learn more about each chef.

• Joel Aubie, 27, Tofino, BC (Originally Bathurst, NB)
• Trevor Bird, 28, Vancouver, BC (Originally Montreal, QC)
• David Chrystian, 37, Toronto, ON (Originally Toronto, ON)
• Gabriell Cruz, 25, Dundas, ON (Originally Hamilton, ON)
• Ryan Gallagher, 33, Toronto, ON (Originally Toronto, ON)
• Kunal Ghose, 39, Victoria, BC (Originally Victoria, BC)
• Carl Heinrich, 26, Toronto, ON (Originally Sooke, BC)
• Jonathan Korecki, 27, Ottawa, ON (Originally Caledon, ON)
• Xavier Lacaze, 30, Calgary, AB (Originally Auch, France)
• Curtis Luk, 28, Ottawa, ON (Originally Markham, ON)
• Sergio Mattoscio, 30, Montreal, QC (Originally Montreal, QC)
• Elizabeth Rivasplata, 31, Toronto, ON (Originally Lima, Peru)
• Trista Sheen, 29, Toronto, ON (Originally Toronto, ON)
• Jimmy Stewart, 23, Whistler, BC (Originally North Vancouver, BC)
• William Thompson, 30, Caledonia, ON (Originally Caledonia, ON)
• Sarah Tsai, 30, Toronto, ON (Originally Taipei, Taiwan)

A taste of some of the esteemed guest judges this season includes: Chef Marcus Samuelsson (Top Chef Masters winner), Mike Holmes (Holmes on Homes, Canada's Handyman Challenge); Toronto Maple Leaf forward Colby Armstrong; actor Alan Thicke; Spencer "Spenny" Rice (Kenny vs. Spenny); and country music star Johnny Reid.

"When a series comes out of the gate an instant hit and top performer, as Top Chef Canada has done, the heat is on for the next season to really step it up," says Barb Williams, Senior Vice President, Content, Shaw Media. "Working once again with our production partner Insight Productions, we've brought in stars from the worlds of sports, entertainment and music to be guest judges and make this season more exciting than ever before."

"We are thrilled that Top Chef Canada is back and we've got a whole new group of amazing chefs that are here to prove they have what it takes to be Canada's Top Chef. With the success of season one winner Dale MacKay, they all have big shoes to fill," says John Brunton, Executive Producer, Insight Production Company Ltd. "It's a tough competition that you won't want to miss."

To keep tabs on what Canadians are saying about Top Chef Canada, check out the official Top Chef Canada page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/topchefcanada or follow @TopChefCanada on Twitter.

The new season of Top Chef Canada will premiere March 12, 2012 at 10pm ET/PT exclusively on Food Network Canada.

Food Network Canada is a Shaw Media network.

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 18 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

About Insight Production Company Ltd.
Insight Production Company Ltd., headed by John Brunton & Barbara Bowlby has become an industry leader in the creative development, financing and production of highly rated television programs and cutting edge multiplatform content for the global market in every genre. Since 1979, it has been recognized for its reputation for outstanding quality as the recipient of numerous International awards, including multiple Geminis. The company has created thousands of hours of groundbreaking television that continues to be broadcast over major networks worldwide. Recent hits include Battle of the Blades, Canada's Got Talent, Intervention Canada, The JUNO Awards and Canada Sings. For more information visit www.insighttv.com

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