For all you True Tori addicts out there I’ve got some big new you might not have been aware of — Chopped Canada Season 2 with host Dean McDermott premieres in the US tonight at 9/8c on Food Network!
I know this may not seem like huge news to those unlike me who aren’t currently going through serious True Tori withdrawals, but for those who are like me, Chopped Canada is sort of the Brigadoon of television shows, True Tori’s third main character that I think a lot of us Americans doubted even existed at times.
Ah, but the North of the North of the Border version of the popular cooking competition show DOES exist and American viewers will get to see Dean in action as he makes his return as host of the show, despite all the potential troubles going back to Toronto, where he allegedly had an affair with Emily Goodhand the year before while hosting the first season.
Here is a synopsis of tonight’s episode:
In the Season 3 [sic] premiere, a Middle Eastern ingredient stumps the competing chefs in the appetizer round. Later, they are forced to meld monkfish with cocktail onions and a sweet treat; and desserts are made with dressing and tofu skin.
Mmmmm… monkfish!
I did a little research, and it turns out that Chopped Canada was quite the smash hit! From a Shaw Media press release announcing the second season:
The first Canadian edition of the popular culinary series Chopped premiered earlier this year to record-breaking audience numbers for a single play with 477,500 (2+)**, making it the highest-rated Canadian original premiere in Food Network Canada’s history. Shaw Media once again partners with renowned Canadian production company, Paperny Entertainment, for the second season, which premieres in 2015 exclusively on Food Network Canada.
“Canadians have devoured the first season of Chopped Canada and we’re extremely proud to give our viewers a second helping of this hit series,” said Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President of Content, Shaw Media. “Fans can look forward to another great season of intense drama, culinary magic, and to cheering on a new batch of chefs vying for a Chopped Canada win.”
The press release also shared some information about the judges for Season 2:
Let the feasting frenzy continue! Shaw Media today announced the renewal of Food Network Canada’s #1 series of 2014*, Chopped Canada, for a second season. Hosted by Dean McDermott, this high-stakes culinary competition series features four chefs competing before a rotating panel of expert judges, including renowned chefs Susur Lee, Lynn Crawford, Michael Smith, Roger Mooking, John Higgins, and Anne Yarymowich who return for a sophomore season. Joining the panel of celebrity judges are Toronto’s Massimo Capra (Restaurant Takeover), Montreal’s Antonio Park (PARK Restaurant) and Eden Grinshpan (Eden Eats).
I don’t know about you, but I’m thrilled to check out Dean bringing home (and watching other people cook) the bacon! Canadian bacon at that!
Here’s Dean’s bio from Food Network Canada that includes many surprising facts — at least they were to me. (I had no idea he won Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off and had no idea he has a cookbook coming out this year!)
Dean McDermott
Dean McDermott is an actor, television personality and ‘Gourmet Dad,’ who opened his home to America during six seasons of the hit Slice™ show Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. Born and raised in Toronto, Dean is the winner of Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off season 2, and host of Food Network Canada’s series Chopped Canada.
A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, the father of five is an avid adventurer, mixed martial arts enthusiast, motorcycle racer, and is also a phenomenal cook and master DIY-er.
Dean co-hosts and appears regularly on a variety of daytime talk and entertainment shows, and is a frequent contributor to some of the top online and print publications. He has trained at the Art Institute of California’s Culinary School and launched his own website, The Gourmet Dad. From family to projects to hobbies, the site serves as a pit stop for dudes and dads of any age who want to talk shop about man-of-the-house stuff.
As a modern-day renaissance man, Dean keeps family, food and fun as his primary focus. Dean is preparing to release his first cookbook in 2015, featuring his recipes and tricks for making the most memorable and delicious moments with family and friends.
Chopped Canada airs on Food Network Thursday nights at 9/8c with re-airings at 12 midnight/11c.
