[1][2][3] The first season consisted of 13 episodes, with 16 contestants vying for a grand prize of $100,000 and a GE Monogram kitchen valued at $30,000.

The "resident judge" (the position held by Gail Simmons in the original version) was Shereen Arazm, a Toronto native and owner of several Los Angeles-area restaurants.

[16] Beginning in later seasons, the show introduced three new resident judges, who include Chris Nuttal-Smith, Janet Zuccarini and Mijune Pak.

Top Chef Canada alumni returning as guest judges included Steve Gonzales of Baro, Dustin Gallagher of 416 Snack Bar as well as Top Chef Canada: All-Stars winner, Nicole Gomes of Calgary's Cluck ‘N’ Cleaver.

Additionally, Evan Funke, L.A.-based chef and co-owner (with Janet Zuccarini) of Felix restaurant, and Danny Bowien, chef-owner of New York's Mission Chinese Food join as guest judges.