The award-winning cooking competition will return for Season 23 on Bravo.
Bravo’s acclaimed culinary competition Top Chef is heading south for its 23rd season.
The upcoming installment will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with additional episodes filmed in Greenville, South Carolina. Season 23 will will once again feature Kristen Kish as host, alongside head judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons.
The new season promises a showcase of southern hospitality and regional excellence, with challenges built around the area’s culinary heritage, rich agricultural resources, and vibrant food communities. Contestants will compete in signature Top Chef Quickfire and Elimination Challenges, using the Carolinas’ freshest ingredients as they vie for the title of Top Chef.
Production begins this summer.
Ryan Flynn, Senior Vice President, Current Production, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said:
“We’re excited to return to the south for ‘Top Chef’ Carolinas. Charlotte and Greenville are perfect chefs’ playgrounds fueled by exceptional local ingredients, bold flavors, a strong agricultural foundation, stunning natural landscapes, and the warm, genuine hospitality the South is known for.”
Steve Bagwell, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, added:
“Charlotte looks forward to serving as the host city for Season 23 of Bravo’s ‘Top Chef,’. Our city’s rapidly evolving culinary landscape blends global influences, Southern heritage and rich agricultural legacy to craft something truly worth experiencing.”
Added Heath Dillard, CEO & President of VisitGreenvilleSC:
“We’ve long known that Greenville’s food scene could hold its own on a national stage. Hosting ‘Top Chef’ here is both validation and a celebration.”
Season 22 of Top Chef was recently nominated for three Primetime Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Reality Competition Series and Outstanding Host. The series, produced by Magical Elves, has received 53 nominations over 19 consecutive years and has won twice.
Top Chef Season 23 is slated to premiere in 2026 on Bravo.