Food Network Canada’s newest competition show puts home cooks to the test
Photo: Wall of Chefs host Noah Cappe (noahcappe) via Instagram
By Severina Chu
Every home cook dreams of getting to cook in front of their culinary idol, but what about cooking in front of 12 of them? Food Network Canada’s Wall of Chefs gives contestants the opportunity to cook for some of Canada’s most prominent culinary personalities.
Four home cooks compete for a $10,000 prize in each episode, taking part in three elimination rounds while under the judgement of a rotating panel of 12 Canadian chefs.
In the first round, the contestants must prepare their “crowd pleaser” dish – a dish that’s popular with their family and friends back at home. Next, one chef from the panel will reveal three of their refrigerator staples that the contestants need to combine into one cohesive dish. They’re thrown unusual combinations such as miso, whipped cheese and celery, but the contestants always manage to present something creative. Finally, if they manage to make it to the final round, the contestants are tasked to create a dish inspired by one of the chef’s signature dishes. Whether it be a rice dish or a dessert, whoever can execute their idea the best walks away with the prize.
Photo: Toronto-based Wall of Chefs contestant Alison Anderson (kitchenstardust) via Instagram
The premise of Wall of Chefs is essentially the same as any other competition show, but what makes it stand out is the presence of so many Canadian culinary icons. The panel of judges — or the ‘Wall’ as the show refers to them — offer a wide variety of opinions. Established names like Mark McEwan, Lynn Crawford and Susur Lee head the panel, while the younger generation of Canadian chefs like Jinhee Lee, Christie Peters, and Danny Smiles give a fresh perspective. There is a good mix of seasoned and up-and-coming chefs, giving the viewer trusted insight and a glimpse into what’s in store for Canada’s culinary scene.
Canada is often referred to as a “melting pot” of cultures, and the Wall is no different. The chosen chefs represent a multitude of backgrounds that cover many parts of the world. You have chefs who were born in Canada, such as Newfoundlander Todd Perrin and Peguis First Nation member Christa Bruneau-Geunther, and chefs who were raised abroad, such as Turkish-born Fisun Ercan and Italian-born Massimo Capra. With such a wide range of experiences, each chef has time to let their unique expertise shine.
At one point in episode two, one chef exclaims that “This is Canada” as he watches the contestants prepare dishes from various cultures. The show has contestants from all sorts of backgrounds and walks of life and their stories are reflected in their food. From Jamaican jerk chicken to Chinese dumplings, the diversity of the Wall of Chefs kitchen can be considered an accurate representation of Canada’s culinary scene.