Open Now Until June 19 –Casting Details and Applications Available at www.topchefcanada.ca

Shaw Media is thrilled to announce today the renewal of its number one Food Network Canada series, Top Chef Canada.  Since the launch of season one in April 2011, the Canadian adaptation of the international smash hit has consistently been Food Network’s top ranked series.  A national casting call for Canada’s next Top Chef has begun, with applications available at www.topchefcanada.ca. The deadline for submitting applications is June 19, 2012.

The country’s best and brightest up-and-coming culinary stars, aged 19 years and older, are encouraged to visit www.topchefcanada.ca to download the application form.  In addition to the online form, applicants must create a short video of themselves in action, showing off their cooking ability and on-camera personality. Casting is currently open and runs until June 19, 2012.

Staying true to the original show format, Top Chef Canada challenges competitors’ culinary skills to see who can cut it as Canada’s Top Chef, taking home the grand prize including $100,000.  The intensity builds each week as the competitors vie for their shot at stardom and avoid elimination.  Shaw Media will continue to work with Canadian production powerhouse, Insight Productions, for the third season, which will premiere in 2013 exclusively on Food Network Canada.

For those who may need to catch up on the current season of Top Chef Canada, tune in on May 21^st to a Victoria Day Top Chef Canada Marathon of the first 10 episodes back-to-back starting at 12pm ET followed by the premiere of episode 11 at 10pm ET/PT. Viewers can continue watching the second season of Top Chef Canada on Food Network Canada Mondays at 10 pm ET/PT.  Canada’s second Top Chef will be crowned in the special 90-minute season finale airing Monday, June 4^th at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network Canada.

The show’s producers will be on site at the 2012 EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival to answer questions. Top Chef Canada Season One winner Dale MacKay will be on the Food Network Celebrity Stage on June 2 and 3. www.eat-vancouver.com

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@TopChefCanada
@FoodNetworkCA

Facebook:
Top Chef Canada – https://www.facebook.com/TopChefCanada
Food Network Canada – https://www.facebook.com/foodnetworkcanada

Food Network Canada is a Shaw Media network.

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 18 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

About Insight Productions
Insight Production Company Ltd, headed by John Brunton & Barbara Bowlby has become an industry leader in the creative development, financing and production of highly rated television programs and cutting edge multiplatform content for the global market in every genre. Since 1979, it has been recognized for its reputation for quality as the recipient of numerous international awards, including multiple Gemini’s. The company has created thousands of hours of groundbreaking television that continues to be broadcast over major networks worldwide. Broadcast Magazine International claims that “when it comes to adapting formats for Canadian audiences there is one producer who appears to have the Midas touch.” Recent hits include Canada’s Got Talent, the JUNO Awards, which plays a key role in the Canadian music industry; Insight’s original formats Canada Sings & Battle of the Blades, and Intervention Canada which is currently in production on its second season.  For more information visit www.insighttv.com.