Yes yes y’all, I’m back for Season 2! This recap is late as I missed the first episode because I was (shamefully) watching some After the Final Rose shenanigans on Monday night.  I wasn’t really sure about taking on Season 2 Recaps, but a few friends and co-workers asked if I watched this week, and it kind of got me in that head space again. Then I re-read my recaps from last year (this one is my fave) and also remembered how fun it was to meet Connie and eat at Charcut, and I was on board after all. So let’s go! Season 2!

Thea’s on mat leave, so we’re first introduced to our new host, Lisa Ray (I guess they just looked for a Canadian version of Padma), and see a few quick highlights from the season. Susur’s back! CHRIS COSENTINO! (love him) RICHARD BLAIS!!!

The cheftestants gather on the Bymark patio, and we learn a little bit about them. Of note, we have Jimmy from Vancouver whose personal mentor is none other than Season 1 champ Dale, and has worked for Gordon Ramsey. There’s Curtis, who has a Master’s in CompSci and didn’t go to culinary school. And we have Trista, who doesn’t want to be overshadowed by her husband, who’s also in the industry. (Side Note: She said he was the chef at Niagara Street Cafe, but I googled it only to find the chef there is Steve Gonzales who we know from Season 1, and it’s closing at the end of this month. Further googling revealed Nick is opening a new restaurant called GwaiLo that’s going to mix traditional Asian foods with French techniques and Canadian ingredients. Anyway.)

Quickfire! The cheftestants have 15 minutes to repurpose the leftovers from their welcome party into a new hors d’oeuvre. We won’t go through this in detail, but all you need to know is the winner is Sarah, and she gets immunity.

The Elimination Challenge this week is for the chefs to create a dish that tells the judges about their hometowns. Mark wants them to take a nostalgic food note from their past to the Top Chef level. Hijinks ensue in the kitchen, before we proceed to judges table.

Now, we’re going to pause a little bit here as I take exception to having Shereen back for Season 2. I remember when Gail Simmons was a guest judge last year, I wrote that having her intelligent and articulate critiques next to Shereen’s just highlighted what a doof she was. So I just have to highlight the following comments from Shereen that kicked off this season:

“I’m not a connoisseur of Peruvian food, but I thought Elizabeth’s dish was good.”

“I had a hard time cutting through it but the flavours were okay.”

“As far as the challenge goes I get it.”

And my favourite super insightful observation:

“Everything tasted like the food it was supposed to taste like.”

My god, she needs to study some Colicchio or learn some new adjectives. It’s going to be another long season if this continues, so let’s just move on.

The cheftestants are back in the supply closet (oh, how I missed it), and Lisa comes in and asks to see Kunal, Trista, Curtis and Elizabeth. They are the best!

The judges loved Elizabeth’s presentation, and thought her pan-seared fish with Peruvian flavours was bold, bright and beautiful. Mark thought Trista’s venison tenderloin and potato rosti was spectacular and did a great job switching up the traditional meat and potatoes combo. Kunal’s mash-up of his Indian and British backgrounds into a spiced fish and chips was exploding with flavour. Curtis nailed the duck breast in his dish and it he kept Peking duck current.

The winner: Trista! (I automatically think of the first Bachelorette when I type that). She wins $2,000 cash.

She calls in Sarah, William, Jimmy and David. Jimmy’s tuna casserole lacked character and was void of taste. Sarah totally overcooked her beef, but she has immunity. William’s ingredients were disconnected and his dish was amateur. David used a spice rub that had no spice.

Going home: William

Next time: Mike Holmes and cooking for a construction crew?

Okay, so what did we all think? I like Trista, because I feel she’s the Connie of Season 2. Who do you think the frontrunners are? How do you think Lisa Ray compares to Thea, or even Padma? Which guest judge are you most excited for? And does anybody have cuter dimples than Chris Cosentino? I don’t think so.

Last Season: Top Chef Canada: Season 1 Recaps