Meet the Top Chef Canada Season 9 Competitors

Posted on March 3 2021 by Food Network Canada Editors

Top Chef Canada is back for a brand new season of intense culinary battle. Season 9 introduces a roster of new culinary voices with diverse backgrounds, all possessing a shared fiery passion for food. Meet the talented chefs that will be competing in Canada's most prestigious culinary competition this year.

Watch Top Chef Canada April 19 at 10ep and stream Live and On Demand on the new Global TV App, and on STACKTV. Food Network Canada is also available through all major TV service providers.

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Galasa Aden (He/Him) From Calgary, AB

Growing up, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-galasa-aden/video.html?v=80bae060-7846-11eb-847e-0242ac110006" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Galasa</a> has always loved being in the kitchen but discovered his true passion for cooking while working in a restaurant as he pursued an Engineering degree. He dropped out of his program to pursue a career in the culinary arts and went on to work in some of Calgary’s best restaurants. Galasa was invited to cook at the honourable James Beard House for the Flavours of Canada dinner and was named one of Canada’s Top Young Chefs To Watch by The Globe and Mail. Galasa intends to impress the judges with his contemporary Canadian cuisine inspired by his Ethiopian background. Galasa wants to inspire young Black chefs who work in kitchens nationwide.
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Andrea Alridge (She/Her) From Vancouver, BC

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-andrea-alridge/video.html?v=61944c30-7846-11eb-9de4-0242ac110007" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Andrea Alridge</a> is confident in the kitchen, especially cooking with fire. While she creates Italian dishes as the Chef de Cuisine at Vancouver’s CinCin Ristorante + Bar, Andrea has a diverse culinary skillset and prides herself on being a good boss and leader. Her grandparents taught her how to cook, which ignited her passion for incorporating her Jamaican and <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/global-eats/photos/popular-filipino-dishes-you-need-to-try/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Filipino</a> heritage into her dishes. Andrea is ready to showcase what women in this industry can do by winning the acclaimed title of Canada’s Top Chef.
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Emily Butcher (She/Her) From Winnipeg, MB

As a child, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-emily-butcher/video.html?v=6d468480-7846-11eb-b88b-0242ac110004" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Emily </a>was a ballerina, which she draws upon in the kitchen with her precision, grace and energy. Emily is a star in the kitchen, earning gold at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Winnipeg, as well as winning the bronze medal at the 2020 Canadian Culinary Championship. As the Chef de Cuisine at Deer + Almond, she creates dishes inspired by her hometown province, while infusing flavours from her <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/chinese-takeout-recipes-to-make-at-home/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chinese</a> heritage and French-trained background to ensure a sense of surprise and delight in every bite.
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Aicia Colacci (She/Her) From Montreal, QC

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-aicia-colacci/video.html?v=4bcf6164-7846-11eb-a071-0242ac110006" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Aicia Colacci</a> grew up in an <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/giada-de-laurentiis-delicious-italian-recipes/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Italian</a> household surrounded by amazing family recipes, which inspired her love for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/blog/how-to-make-homemade-pasta/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">pasta-making</a>. After five years as the Chef de Cuisine at Impasto in Montreal, Aicia is now a private chef who sells her food online and hosts virtual cooking workshops. Aicia thrives under pressure and is ready to compete with the best chefs in the country to win the $100,000 grand prize, which she intends to put towards her new business hosting workshops, events and catering.
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Siobhan Detkavich (She/Her) From Kelowna, BC

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-siobhan-detkavich/video.html?v=a78aab26-7846-11eb-910e-0242ac110004" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sibohan Detkavich</a> may be the youngest chef to ever compete on Top Chef Canada, but she already has an impressive culinary resume at 21 years old. Siobhan is one of the youngest Red Seal certified chefs in the country and won the bronze medal for cooking at the Skills Canada National competition. When Siobhan isn’t working as the Chef de Partie at Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna, she is attempting to master <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/photos/canadian-first-nations-recipes/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Indigenous cuisine</a> in hopes of feeling more connected to her roots.
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Jae-Anthony Dougan (He/Him) From Ottawa, ON

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-jae-anthony-dougan/video.html?v=8adfeafe-7846-11eb-910e-0242ac110004" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Jae-Anthony Dougan</a> is a self-taught chef. Exuding confidence and style in the kitchen, Jae-Anthony defines his food as sexy, colourful and multi-textured. Jae-Anthony’s drive resulted in the opening of two restaurants and the opportunity to cook for many celebrities. Jae-Anthony is ready to change the culinary game, and prove to the judges that he has the ambition, grit and skill to become Canada’s first Black Top Chef.
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Alex Edmonson (He/Him) From Calgary, AB

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-alex-edmonson/video.html?v=5785cec6-7846-11eb-9dc4-0242ac110007" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Alex Edmonson</a> had worked in some of the world’s best restaurants, including Noma and Atelier Crenn, before the challenging chef lifestyle took a physical toll on his body and at 24 years old, Alex was forced to hang up his apron. His passion for cooking proved too strong, and Alex later created AE Services, a private chef business where he brings a Michelin-star experience into his clients’ homes. Alex is ready to showcase his luxurious and comforting dishes to the judges and prove his skills.
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Erica Karbelnik (She/Her) From Toronto, ON

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-erica-karbelnik/video.html?v=76da74f2-7846-11eb-b88b-0242ac110004" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Erica Karbelnik</a> proudly showcases her Moroccan and Israeli background in her cooking. Beginning as an apprentice at <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/bios/mark-mcewan/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Mark McEwan</a>’s ONE Restaurant in Toronto, Erica has honed her craft over the years, and is now the Executive Chef at Elmwood Spa. Erica shares her love of cooking with her fellow competitor and husband, Josh. Hungry for the win, Erica plans to prove that she is the superior spouse in the kitchen.
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Josh Karbelnik {He/Him) From Toronto, ON

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-josh-karbelnik/video.html?v=937a64a0-7846-11eb-8599-0242ac110005" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Josh Karbelnik</a> was immersed in the culinary world from a young age, has worked at many acclaimed restaurants over the years and is now the Chef de Cuisine at The Broadview Hotel. After graduating from culinary school, Josh lost two fingers in a workplace accident. After retraining himself over a two-year period, he proudly returned to the kitchen. Josh brings that resilient spirit to Top Chef Canada, along with a healthy dose of spousal rivalry competing alongside his wife Erica. Josh is eager for the chance at victory and wants to inspire others.
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Stéphane Levac (He/Him) From Kentville, NS

After rave reviews catering a family function, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-stphane-levac/video.html?v=b17a5866-7846-11eb-b8ba-0242ac110007" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Steph Levac</a> decided to leave his job as a blackjack dealer and become a full-time chef. Eight years later, he is the Executive Chef at Maritime Express Cider in Kentville. Steph was adopted at an early age and recently connected with his biological family who enlightened him about his Indigenous heritage. He is now a proud member of the Ojibwe community and feels especially close to his culture when he is <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/food-network-insider/blog/metis-herbalist-educator-lori-snyder-urban-foraging-food-sovereignty/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">foraging local ingredients</a> for his dishes.
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Kym Nguyen (They/Them) From Vancouver, BC

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/top-chef-canada/video/short/meet-chef-kym-nguyen/video.html?v=9d809d2a-7846-11eb-910e-0242ac110004" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Kym Nyguyen</a> is here to prove that their unique British-Asian fusion cooking style will help them stand out amongst their competitors. Kym has worked across the globe, and is currently the Sous Chef at the French-Asian fusion restaurant PiDGin in Vancouver. Born and raised in an Asian household in London, England, Kym dropped out of university for architecture to pursue their passion for cooking. Kym identifies as non-binary and queer. Kym is honoured to proudly represent the LGBTQA+ community on Top Chef Canada and is ready to show the judges what they’re made of.
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