The world-renowned competition show, “Top Chef,” has long captivated audiences with its breathtaking culinary creations and intriguing personalities. The show’s 22nd season, filmed in Toronto, Canada’s largest metropolis, brought together some of the world’s most talented chefs to compete in the city’s vibrant food scene. This season’s contestants and judges ventured through the city’s diverse neighborhoods, from the historic Chinatown to the trendy Ossington Avenue, immersing themselves in the rich food traditions of Toronto’s various communities. As a behind-the-scenes look at the show’s Toronto journey reveals, contestants and judges had a carefully choreographed experience, with most participants sequestered on set. However, this limited exposure doesn’t prevent viewers from reaping the benefits of the show’s culinary exploration. For those eager to experience Toronto’s diverse food scene firsthand, the show’s revered judges—Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons—offered unique insights and insider tips. Gail Simmons
Gail Simmons, a Toronto native and seasoned food expert, shared her city’s culinary secrets with us. According to Simmons, Toronto’s diverse neighborhoods are home to a plethora of hidden gems, from the majestic Casa Loma to the picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake.

• For visitors wanting to experience the show’s Toronto journey, Simmons recommends visiting the majestic Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival castle in the heart of the city, and the picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, an hour and a half drive away.
• Simmons also recommends a range of local restaurants, including the sophisticated Spanish flavors at Casa Paco, the Chinese cuisine at Sunny’s Chinese, and the charm of brodflour bakery.

“What’s special in Toronto is that there are so many diverse communities that all co-exist, and those communities are different demographically than in New York or LA,” Simmons explains. “We all have our own immigrant pathways, and in Toronto, that means the amazing vastness of the four different Chinatowns, the Caribbean, Sri Lankan, and Greek neighborhoods. And within these communities, there are endless things to explore. She also suggests visitors embrace distinctly Canadian snacks unavailable in the U.S., naming Giant Sour Keys and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars as personal favorites that capture the local flavor.”

Kristen Kish
Kristen Kish, the show’s host and Season 10 winner, shared her own personal connections to Toronto, built through family visits over the years. For visitors looking to experience the city through her culinary lens, Kish recommends getting the famous Aloette burger at Aloette, the iconic lobster tower at Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant, and pizza from Danny’s Pizza Tavern.

• For visitors who want to explore the city’s culinary culture beyond restaurants, Kish suggests making time for a proper snack-hunting expedition to local supermarkets, such as Farm Boy, and local pharmacies, where visitors can discover distinctly Canadian treats.
• She also points to Summer’s Ice Cream in the ritzy Yorkville neighborhood as a must-visit destination, where the campfire marshmallow ice cream flavor offers a taste of local innovation.

Recommendations from Kristen Kish:

• Get the famous Aloette burger at Aloette
• Try the iconic lobster tower at Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant
• Pizza from Danny’s Pizza Tavern
• Explore local supermarkets and pharmacies for unique Canadian snacks
• Visit Summer’s Ice Cream in the Yorkville neighborhood

Tom Colicchio
Highly acclaimed chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio brought a discerning eye to Canada’s dining scene. For those seeking exceptional dining experiences, Colicchio points to two standout restaurants he dined at while filming Season 22: Prime Seafood Palace, helmed by celebrity chef Matty Matheson, and Azhar on the vibrant Ossington Avenue strip. The latter, owned by Canadian restaurateur Janet Zuccarini, offers what he considers to be delicious Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

• For visitors who appreciate a home-cooked meal or want to experience Toronto like a local, Colicchio recommends exploring quality grocers like Longo’s Markets, where even simple ingredients shine.
• He also suggests trying the Canadian origins of sushi pizza and Hawaiian pizza, which might surprise visitors.

Recommendations from Tom Colicchio:

• Prime Seafood Palace
• Azhar on Ossington Avenue
• Explore quality grocers like Longo’s Markets
• Try the Canadian origins of sushi pizza and Hawaiian pizza

By embracing the diverse culinary landscape of Toronto, “Top Chef” Season 22 offered a unique exploration of the city’s food traditions, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and passion of its contestants and judges. With insider tips from the show’s revered judges, viewers can now plan their own culinary adventure in this vibrant, multicultural city.