From a media release:

TOP CHEF CANADA SIGNS ON CULINARY EXPERT MARK McEWAN AS HEAD JUDGE

• National Casting Call Opens Today
• Casting Details and Forms Available at www.foodnetwork.ca/topchef

Food Network Canada and Insight Production Company Ltd. have signed on Mark McEwan, one of Canada’s most celebrated culinary masters, as head judge for the premiere season of Top Chef Canada launching spring 2011 on Food Network. With Mark McEwan on board, the search for the country’s top culinary talent is on. The national casting call for Top Chef Canada begins today with information available at www.foodnetwork.ca/topchef.

The nation’s best and brightest up-and-coming culinary stars, aged 19 years and older, are encouraged to visit foodnetwork.ca to download the application form. In addition to the online form, applicants must create a short video of themselves in action, showing off their cooking ability and on-camera personality. Applicants will be selected to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be crowned Canada’s Top Chef and a $100,000 prize.

Mark McEwan (owner of North 44, Bymark and ONE restaurants, McEwan Fine Food Store and host of Food Network’s The Heat) is a leader in the Canadian food industry and his participation as the head judge on Top Chef Canada demonstrates the high standards expected of the show’s competitors. As the owner of three of Toronto’s top restaurants, a catering company and a fine food store, Mark’s expert experience ranges from the start up and running of successful businesses, to high-quality food preparation, restaurant service and catering. He is well versed in the high-intensity of a professional kitchen and has mastered working under immense pressure. Mark also has the know-how to perform on camera with three seasons of the Food Network series, The Heat, and a season of Superstar Chef Challenge under his belt.

All information on how to apply to be on Top Chef Canada is now available at www.foodnetwork.ca/topchef. Casting opens today, May 10, and runs through June 14, 2010.

From a media release:

CANWEST SCORES INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED TOP CHEF SERIES FORMAT FOR CANADA

• Partners with Insight Productions on Series Development
• Top Chef Canada will Heat Up Food Network Canada in Spring 2011

Canwest Broadcasting today confirmed an agreement with NBC Universal to produce a Canadian adaptation of the international smash hit Top Chef and has joined forces with Canadian production powerhouse, Insight Productions, on the development of the series. The inaugural season of Top Chef Canada will premiere in spring 2011 exclusively on Food Network Canada.

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