Glowbal Restaurant Group’s Alex Kim, Culinary Director at Five Sails, took second place in a nail-biter finale of Top Chef Canada Season 12, going head-to-head with Ontario chef Coulson Armstrong in the “One Night Only” showdown on the Flavour Network.
Kim, who also holds the title of 2025 Canadian Culinary Champion, earned high praise throughout the finale for his precision, technique, and ability to deliver a polished fine-dining experience under pressure.
A Finale Built Around a Dream Restaurant Concept
For the last challenge of the season, Kim and Armstrong were asked to bring their own dream restaurants to life. Kim’s concept — Sovereign est. 1867 — celebrated Canadian farmers, fishers, and foragers through a five-course tasting menu showcasing ingredients from coast to coast:
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Smoked Arctic Char Mousse Bannock and Arctic Char Barley Seaweed Roll
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Nova Scotia Lobster Bisque with mussel, salt cod croquette, and lobster claw
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Haida Gwaii Sablefish with Dungeness crab fregola and citrus dashi foam
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Herb-Crusted Alberta Lamb, chickpea panisse, wild rice-stuffed morel
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Foie Gras Ice Cream & Strawberry Cake with maple tuile
Top Chef Canada Judge Chef Mark McEwan applauded Kim’s finesse:
“Everything Alex touches is artful and super precise… So much technique. So much skill.”
Judge Janet Zuccarini added:
“Sovereign 1867 was a masterclass in refinement and service — a Michelin-level experience.”
Alex Kim on the Journey
Kim shared heartfelt thanks to supporters across Vancouver and Canada:
“This has been an incredible experience. I’m grateful for all the support from across the country. Coulson was a phenomenal competitor — skilled, seasoned and inspiring — and he made the finale truly unforgettable.”
Kim was one of three BC chefs competing this season, alongside Katy Cheung of Burdock & Co. and Nick Maharaj of Part and Parcel in Victoria.
From Korea to Canada’s Culinary Spotlight
After emigrating from Korea as a teen, Kim cooked his way through some of Alberta’s top luxury hotels — Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Hotel Macdonald — before moving to Vancouver in 2017.
He joined Glowbal Restaurant Group in 2021 as Executive Chef at Glowbal, following three years as Chef de Cuisine at MARKET by Jean-Georges. Today, he leads the kitchen at Five Sails, one of Vancouver’s most acclaimed waterfront dining rooms.
Glowbal Restaurant Group CEO Emad Yacoub shared praise:
“We’re immensely proud of Alex. His talent and poise shone throughout the season. He’s an incredible chef, mentor and champion of local cuisine.”
Watch the Season
All episodes of Top Chef Canada Season 12 are now streaming on STACKTV.
