Pictured: Top Chef Canada head judge Mark McEwan and host Thea Andrews.

Top Chef Canada is quite the garnish for Food Network Canada. The series premiered on Monday to 317,000 total viewers (BBM, 2+), with 212,000 adults watching (A25-54) – the highest-rated Canadian original premiere in the channel’s history.

Shaw Media acquired the rights to the format from NBC Universal in spring 2010. The format has won awards internationally, including an Emmy.

Top Chef sees 16 competitors vie to win a grand prize of $100,000 and a GE Monogram kitchen worth $30,000. The series is hosted by Thea Andrews and head judge, chef and restaurateur, Mark McEwan.