I do appreciate that this is the Canadian version, so Canadian chefs mentioning Canadian locations, ingredients and culinary traditions. We especially enjoyed Tawnya, the Indigenous chef, but of course she got booted quickly, despite her unique take on Canadian cuisine and her pride in cooking and presenting with care and skill.
BUT... where did they dig up these chi chi judges and host? My goodness, they scream Toronto elitism and have no relatability to the average viewer AT ALL! Host Erin Grinshpan is charm- and charisma-free for starters. And that panel of judges can't seem to move their faces for all the botox, lifts, fillers, surgery, etc. They've had. They sit there like something out of Madame Tussaud's, dressed to the nines as though they're at some star-studded ball or being presented to the King. Show a little personality, will you?
They seem far too concerned about their hair and nails and designer duds and how they look on camera than relating to the audience as human beings. This show couldn't be more "Toronto snobbery" if it tried! "I bet she has a house in Cabbage Town!" we cry. "No, Rosedale," comes the reply. Laugh? We almost started! These folks might have some fame in the snooty Toronto food scene but the "common folks" in the rest of the country (that does exist beyond the 401) haven't a clue. We watch it for the chefs and their recipes and ingredients, and tolerate this crew of "we're better than you" types who litter our screens. Come on! How about some REAL people as judges? Is that too much to ask? The Canadian culinary scene must have a few, somewhere...
