Top Chef

Top Chef is back, serving bold flavors and Carolina charm! 15 rising star chefs have come to the Carolinas to compete in the ultimate culinary showdown.

1. E1. Carolina Roots

   Mar 9, 2026 · 54m

   Host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio and perennial judge Gail Simmons venture south to the Carolinas! Season 23 is centered in the emerging and eclectic culinary hub of Charlotte, N.C., with several episodes in Greenville, S.C.

2. E2. Puckerbutt

   Mar 16, 2026 · 54m

   For this week’s Quickfire Challenge, the chefs are tasked with creating a savory dish inspired by a sweet treat. Then the chefs head to PuckerButt Farms for a pepper tasting with Ed Currie, the inventor of the world’s hottest pepper. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are split into two teams and must create a progressively hotter menu. “Top Chef” season 12 winner Mei Lin joins Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

3. E3. True Colors

   Mar 23, 2026

   Legendary Chef Emeril Lagasse joins Kristen in the kitchen for this week’s Quickfire Challenge where the chefs are tasked with giving livermush a makeover. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must honor North Carolina’s rich textile history by incorporating natural food-dyed elements into their dishes. Flour Shop founder Amirah Kassem joins Emeril, Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

4. E4. Pick a Side

   Mar 30, 2026

   In a Quickfire Challenge honoring the Wright Brothers’ first flight in North Carolina, the chefs must team up to create a trio of dishes that take off alongside a curated wine flight. Then, in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must turn classic Southern sides into standout main course dishes. The judges are joined by last season’s winner Tristen Epps-Long and acclaimed James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier.

5. E5. Cut and Dry

   Apr 6, 2026

   This week the chefs are visited by North Carolina’s own Fortune Feimster as she challenges them to improv their Quickfire dishes and serve them to kids in honor of Comic Relief. Then the chefs are tasked with creating dishes featuring dehydration. They’ll serve their dishes to Kristen, Tom and Gail along with guest judges Joe & Katy Kindred as well as “Top Chef” alum Savannah Miller at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

6. E6. Going Whole Hog

   Apr 13, 2026

   There’s no Quickfire Challenge this week as the chefs take on a Carolina classic: whole-hog barbecue. Splitting into teams of two, they gear up for a head-to-head battle showcasing five key cuts of the hog. Before their Elimination Challenge begins, they venture to Charlotte and Lexington to experience Carolina BBQ at its source. Then it’s an all-night cook where the heat is on as they’ll not only need to impress the judges, but also “Top Chef” alum and Pitmaster Michelle Wallace and a group of local pitmasters from across the state.

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