There’s no shortage of cooking and baking contests on TV but B.C. is proving that we’re no slouch in serving up stiff competition.

Here’s a look at several Canadian food TV series that feature competitors from Vancouver and a few other cities in B.C.

Top Chef Canada

British Columbia will have strong representation on Season 9 of Top Chef Canada, which will premiere at 10 p.m. on April 19 on Food Network Canada.

Among this season’s 11 professional chefs are four competitors from B.C.:

• Andrea Alridge, a 30-year-old chef de cuisine at Vancouver’s CinCin Ristorante and Bar;
• Siobhan Detkavich, a 21-year-old chef de partie at Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna;
• Kym Nguyen, a 34-year-old from sous chef at PiDGin in Vancouver;
• Galasa Aden, a 27-year-old chef from Calgary, who is currently the executive chef of Cliffhanger Restaurant in Panorama, B.C.

The other competing chefs are:

• Alex Edmonson, 28, from Calgary
• Emily Butcher, 30, from Winnipeg
• Aicia Colacci, 40, from Montreal;
• Jae-Anthony Dougan, 34, from Ottawa;
• Erica Karbelnik, 30, from Toronto;
• Josh Karbelnik, 30, from Toronto;
• Stéphane Levac, 41, from Kentville, Nova Scotia.

In this season, the chefs will have to face challenges that include plant-based cuisine and using local ingredients. in addition, the show’s Restaurant Wars challenge has morphed into the pandemic-appropriate Takeout Wars, which will offer a special $5,000 prize.

They’re all vying for the top spot that comes with $100,000 and a Lexus RX Hybrid Electric SUV.

The judging panel includes:

• chef, cookbook author, and host Eden Grinshpan;
• McEwan Group chef and owner head judge Mark McEwan;
• restaurateur Janet Zuccarini;
• Vancouver food writer Mijune Pak;
• food journalist and critic Chris Nuttall-Smith.

Others making guest appearances on the judging panel include:

• entrepreneur, chef and Impasto owner Stefano Faita;
• media personality George Stroumboulopoulos;
• Kamuy chef and owner Paul Toussaint;
• Grand Slam tennis champion and Olympic gold medalist Daniel Nestor;
• chef, author, and social advocate Suzanne Barr;
• Pai Northern Thai Kitchen and and Kiin, chefs and owners Nuit Regular and Jeff Regular;
• Feast Cafe Bistro chef and owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther.

More information about the show is available at the Food Network website.

MasterChef Canada

In the latest season of this cooking competition, which kicked off on February 14, former competitors return to the kitchen stage for a second chance to compete for the title, a $100,000 cash prize, and a chef’s culinary package.

Two of the 12 returning cooks are from Vancouver:

• Barrie McConachie, a private chef who came in third place in Season 4;
• Thea Vanherwaarden, a recipe developer and content creator who came in second place in Season 4.

Episodes of MasterChef Canada’s Season 7 air at 9 p.m. on Sundays on CTV.

The Great Canadian Baking Show

Over on CBC, Vancouver software developer and drag performer Sheldon Lynn is among the remaining bakers still plugging away on Season 4 of The Great Canadian Baking Show, which began on February 14. Season 4 episodes air at 8 p.m. on Sundays on CBC.

Meanwhile, any amateur bakers who feel inspired to take a crack at the competition can now submit their applications for Season 5.

The casting period began on February 28 and will continue until April 5. Due to the pandemic, all auditions will be held virtually.

Full details are available online.