CHOPPED DISHES OUT AN ALL-NEW SEASON OF SPECIALS STARTING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 ON FOOD NETWORK CANADA

Junior Cooks, Grandmothers, Firefighters, Home-Grown Celebrities and ’s Very Own Judges Compete for the Coveted Title

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L to R: Jessica Davis-Sydor, Jonathan Giovannoni, Ryleigh Taylor, and Teanna Rauckman in Chopped Canada Junior, Episode 1. Chopped Canada Judges , Michael Smith, Mark McEwan, and Anne Yarymowich.

(, September 26, 2016) — Food Network Canada’s #1 original series Chopped Canada returns with more heart-pumping competition in an all-new season of specials.* Junior cooks, grandmothers, firefighters, home-grown celebrities and the series’ very own chef judges, take over the Chopped Canada Kitchen battling it out for the coveted title and cash prize. Featuring an array of competitors of all ages, this season brings audiences a pantry of culinary diversity and high-stake challenges. The all-new season of Chopped Canada begins with the premiere presentation of Chopped Canada Junior (6x60) on Sunday, October 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the four remaining themed specials (4x60) starting Saturday, November 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In each episode, hosted by Brad Smith, four competitors face off before an all-star rotating panel of three expert judges, including Mark McEwan, , Michael Smith, Susur Lee, , John Higgins, Anne Yarymowich, Antonio Park, Massimo Capra, and Eden Grinshpan. Armed with skill and ingenuity, the competitors race against the clock to turn the mystery ingredients from their iconic baskets into an extraordinary three-course meal. Course-by-course, the judges decide which competitor will be "chopped” from the competition until only the winner remains.

This season, Chopped Canada champions will be rewarded a cash prize and winners of the celebrity and Chopped Canada judges editions will donate their $10,000 prize to a charity of their choice.

Competing in the first-ever Chopped Canada Junior are: Episode 1 (Airs Sunday, October 16): Jonathan Giovannoni, Ryleigh Taylor, Jessica Davis-Sydor, Teanna Rauckman Episode 2 (Airs Sunday, October 23): Wynnie Hatcher, Billy Magirias, Hannah Hutzul, Erica Bucciacchio Episode 3 (Airs Sunday, October 30): Paige Clark, Ryan Valentino, Zoe Tarsitano, Ellie Shram Episode 4 (Airs Sunday, November 6): Hudson Stiver, Eyal Stopnicki, Sydney Allen, Abigail Chu Episode 5 (Airs Sunday, November 13): Cameron Knowles, Ben Hagens, Leia Martin, Evan Kiriakou Episode 6 (Airs Sunday, November 20): Jayna Lunny, Taylor Durkee, Ryan Morantz, Charlie Bender

Chopped Canada judges battling it out against each other are: Michael Smith, Mark McEwan, Susur Lee, Anne Yarymowich. Airs Saturday, November 26.

Grandmothers facing off are: Faegi Bines, Mary Bastone, Anita Antoine, Leona McGillis. Airs Saturday, December 3.

Firefighters testing their limits in the kitchen are: Ryan Brown, Henri Persaud, Michael Varga, Scott Germain. Airs Saturday, December 10.

Celebrities showcasing their culinary skills: Roz Weston (Entertainment Tonight Canada), Mary Walsh (Actress and Comedian), Steven Page (Musician), Keshia Chanté (Singer-songwriter and Actress). Airs Saturday, December 17.

Exclusive bonus digital content for the new season includes a tour of the Chopped Canada Kitchen, rapid-fire questions with host Brad Smith and resident Chopped Canada judges. For competitor biographies, behind-the-scenes extras and full episodes, visit Foodnetwork.ca/shows/chopped-canada/.

Chopped Canada is produced by Paperny Entertainment in association with Food Network Canada.

*Source: Numeris PPM Data, Jan1-Jul24/16 – confirmed data, Total Canada, Food Network Canada, based on 3+airings, demos include Ind. 2+/A25-54/A18-49/F25-54/F18-49/M25-54/M18-49

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SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Follow us on Twitter @CorusPR Twitter: @FoodNetworkCA, @ChoppedCanada; #ChoppedCanada Instagram: @FoodNetworkCa Facebook: Food Network Canada; Chopped Canada.

Food Network Canada is a Corus Entertainment Network.

About Corus Entertainment Inc. Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children’s book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic Channel, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

About Paperny Entertainment Paperny Entertainment is a content production company run by partners David Paperny, Audrey Mehler, and Cal Shumiatcher. It has garnered worldwide acclaim for its provocative, innovative, and entertaining television programming. From groundbreaking documentaries to reality television series to lifestyle programming, Paperny Entertainment excels in capturing the essence of human stories. Hit shows include Yukon Gold, Cold Water Cowboys, Timber Kings, Chopped Canada, and the upcoming CBC series, This is High School. Paperny has produced more than 650 hours of provocative television, seen on 15 networks across Canada, and in 36 countries worldwide. For a full roster of productions or more information, please visit www.papernyentertainment.com.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Catrina Jaricot Senior Publicist Corus Entertainment 416.479.6397 [email protected]

Ginger Bertrand Chopped Canada Publicist Gab Communications 614.993.4464 [email protected]