Top Chef Canada Hosts Its First-Ever Gala Fundraiser in Support of Canadian Hospitality Non-Profit Not 9 to 5
Episode Four’s Elimination Challenge Sees the Chefs Take Over Waterworks Food Hall for a Glamorous Fundraising Event with guest judge Suzanne Barr and Not 9 to 5’s executive director Hassel Aviles.
The competition continues to heat up in Top Chef Canada, Season 11 with new episodes airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada and streaming on STACKTV. On November 4, episode four will see the nation’s most prestigious culinary competition host its first-ever gala fundraiser in support of Not 9 to 5; a non-profit global leader in mental health training and advocacy for the foodservice and hospitality sector.
Taking over Toronto’s Waterworks Food Hall, the remaining seven chefs will be tasked with preparing 225 servings of the perfect hors d’oeuvre for over 150 guests. Host Eden Grinshpan and judges David Zilber, Janet Zuccarini, Mark McEwan and Mijune Pak will be joined by guest judge Suzanne Barr and Not 9 to 5’s executive director Hassel Aviles.
Funds raised at the event will support Not 9 to 5’s work that develops and distributes resources to create a physically and psychologically safe environment for all in the hospitality and culinary arts. By empowering industry professionals with practical education and tools, the organization continues to normalize workplace mental health training, access to healthcare benefits and community care resources and support.
This season has 10 new skilled, creative, and boundary-pushing chefs ready to compete for the title of Canada’s Top Chef. Season 11’s standout lineup of competitors includes:
- Lisa Ahier – 63, Tofino, B.C. (Formerly Sobo Restaurant)
- Shane Chartrand – 48, Edmonton, Alta. (Formerly Banff Hospitality Collective)
- Miriam Echeverria – 42, Algonquin Highlands, Ont. (Dimensions)
- Alexander Fields – 32, Etobicoke, Ont. (Rhyz)
- Ruby Gatt – 32, Montréal, Que. (Bar L’idéal)
- Christina Khan – 31, Toronto, Ont. (La Palma)
- Rémi Lemieux – 30, Montréal, Que. (Formerly Nomi)
- Moira Murray – 35, Halifax, N.S. (Peacock Wine Bar)
- Haan Palcu-Chang – 39, Salt Springs Island, B.C. (Mama Flo’s)
- Chanthy Yen – 35, Vancouver, B.C. (Bacaro)
Click here for full biographies.
After the event, the judges table will determine which of Canada’s rising culinary stars most wowed the gala guests with their dish, and ultimately ask one chef to pack their knives and go. With the competition now at its halfway point, the second half of the season will see the remaining chefs continue to give it their all as they vie for the title and remind the world why Canada’s culinary scene has finally arrived on the world stage.
Catch the episode November 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada and streaming live and on demand on STACKTV.
To learn more about Not 9 to 5 and donate, please visit not9to5.org/donate.