Top Chef Destination Canada has only had a few episodes and the popular Bravo food television show has celebrated many of Canada’s iconic foods. From poutine to maple syrup, each challenge has had a meaningful connection to the food and culture. In Top Chef Season 22 episode 3 Quickfire Challenge, the cheftestants created their spin on a Jamaican Patty.
The episode did a good job explaining the essence of the dish. Basically, it is similar to a meat pie. Wrapped up inside a flakey pastry, the filling can take various forms. From hearty meal to a vegetarian option, the dish can take on various flavors.
The key to a great Jamaican patty is the pastry. As the vibrant color shows, spices and seasonings are folded into the tender dough. All that flavor highlights the hearty filling. The patty might be smaller, but it is mighty in flavor.
As seen in the Top Chef challenge, the cheftestants who understood that a great pastry was key to this challenge did well. The spices worked into the dough needed to balance the filling.
More importantly, it was the cheftestants that infused their culinary point of view into the patty that received the highest praise from the judges. As Tom Colicchio has said time and again, the judges want to see “you” on a plate.
Katianna and Zubair captured that idea. Even Shuai’s interpretation of a scallion-pancake worked well.
Although the Top Chef Season 22 episode 3 Quickfire Challenge happened a while ago, visitors to Toronto can sample a variety of authentic Jamaican patties. The vibrant Canadian culinary scene embraces its culinary diversity. Jamaican culture is one of those tenants of the food landscape.
A wonderful example of the Jamaican patty can be found in Kensington Market at Golden Patty. Featured on various best of lists, the delicate crust is one of the reasons why this version is so delicious.
The vibrant color creates excitement even before the first bite. As the tender, flakey crust gives way to the beef filling, it is a spice filled rollercoaster of flavor. Never scorching, the beef is well-balanced and that intensity makes it easy to devour the whole patty quickly.
Top Chef might not have taken the cheftestants on a tasting trip to the various locations throughout Toronto, but visitors to the city can enjoy their own food tour. Kensington Market has various tour options, like Chopsticks and Forks. During that walking your, Golden Patty is a stop.
This Quickfire Challenge is another example how Top Chef turns an episode into an aspirational moment. It allows viewers to take what they see on the show and taste it in real life. It might not be Katrina’s winning dish, but it is the inspiration behind it. It is one of the reasons why Top Chef is, and will remain, an engaging food television show.
Top Chef Destination Canada airs new episodes every Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Peacock.