Primetime
Television Series
THE NEXT GREAT CHEF is a Canadian television documentary series that aired on Global TV and E! Network for 2 seasons and a total of 22 episodes.
THE NEXT GREAT CHEF combined the national Junior Chef Challenge (administered by the Canadian Culinary Federation) with a reality TV format, showcasing young chefs across Canada and their quest to become the nation’s next culinary star. The series was filmed across the country with the one-on-one studio battles filmed in Vancouver, Edmonton (1st season), and Victoria (2nd season).
Critically acclaimed and a popular success, THE NEXT GREAT CHEF has also pioneered a globally popular genre.
Season One:
Twenty chefs under twenty six
The first season of THE NEXT GREAT CHEF showcased twenty junior chefs (two from each province) competing against each other to win the discerning taste buds of the judges and qualify for the national grand finale.
Working under pressure, young chefs stepped up to the challenge and delivered stunning results, displaying amazing skills and full diversity of Canadian cuisine. The one-hour season finale took place in Edmonton, Alberta and crowned the series’ first Next Great Chef winner.
Season Two:
The toughest tournament of them all
In its second season, as THE NEXT GREAT CHEF series expanded to one-hour episodes and changed its format to a gruelling tournament format.
A newly selected group of ten junior chefs (each representing one Canadian province) arrived to Victoria BC and, for two weeks, lived, played, practiced and competed together.
Over 11 episodes participants would advance and compete multiple times making this competition one of the most challenging culinary contests in the world.
BC Inspired
The second season of The Next Great Chef competition was filmed in Victoria, BC on a custom built soundstage. And while the kitchen battles raged inside the studio walls, outside, the chefs got a chance to enjoy the Pacific Northwest to the fullest. Victoria welcomed nation’s youngest culinary stars with many special events and opportunities to learn and have fun.
Accolades
Over its run, THE NEXT GREAT CHEF won a GOLDEN SHEAF AWARD for Best Documentary Series and five LEO AWARDS - Best Reality Program, Best Direction, Best Writing and twice Best Cinematography. It also received five GEMINI AWARDS nominations.
Across Canada
In order to better know the contestants and what made them take part in this intense competition, TV cameras visited every Canadian province and met with chefs’ co-workers, friends and family.
From Atlantic coast to Vancouver, from small-town Alberta to downtown Toronto, chefs as young as 20 displayed the same remarkable drive, maturity and poise as well as stunning artistry of their creations.
