Top Chef Heads to Charlotte and Greenville for Latest Season

The culinary reality show highlights the dining scenes in these two Carolinas cities.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 23rd season of Bravo's Top Chef is set in the Carolinas, with filming taking place in the North Carolina city of Charlotte and the South Carolina city of Greenville. The season features 15 'cheftestants' competing in culinary challenges that showcase the local produce, regional cooking styles, and beloved traditions of the two cities. Top Chef judges Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons visited and highlighted several notable restaurants in both Charlotte and Greenville during production.

Why it matters

Top Chef's decision to feature the Carolinas showcases the growing culinary reputations of Charlotte and Greenville, which have emerged as dining destinations in recent years. The exposure from the show can help drive tourism and further cement these cities' statuses as food hubs in the Southeast.

The details

The current season of Top Chef premiered at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and continues with challenges held within or near Charlotte and Greenville. The season features Brittany Cochran, a Charlotte resident and executive chef at the city's Stagioni restaurant. The judges visited and highlighted several notable restaurants in both cities, including Bojangles, Supperland, Leluia Hall, Midwood Smokehouse, Kindred, Milkbread, and Lang Van in Charlotte, as well as Scout's Donuts, Sum Bar, Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery, Pink Mama's Ice Cream, and Scoundrel in Greenville.

  • Top Chef Carolinas premiered at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Episodes of 'Top Chef Carolinas' air on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT and then are streaming the next day on Peacock.

The players

Kristen Kish

Chef and Emmy-nominated host of Top Chef.

Tom Colicchio

One of the main Top Chef judging panel members.

Gail Simmons

One of the main Top Chef judging panel members.

Brittany Cochran

A Charlotte resident and an executive chef at Stagioni, also in Charlotte.

Diana Schmedeman

A Magical Elves Producer involved with the Top Chef series.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For many months prior to Top Chef production starting, we are researching and learning what makes this destination's culinary scene different. We not only highlight culinary institutions that have made the destination famous, but also bring local produce, regional cooking styles, and loved traditions to our our challenges throughout the season.”

— Diana Schmedeman, Magical Elves Producer

“I had my first Cherrywine through an order of a Cherrywine sundae.”

— Kristen Kish, Chef and Emmy-nominated host of Top Chef

“Kish told the Charlotte newsletter Unpretentious Palate that she most frequented Lang Van and ordered the Banh Xeo Vietnamese pancake three times.”

— Kristen Kish

The takeaway

Top Chef's decision to feature Charlotte and Greenville highlights the growing culinary reputations of these two Carolinas cities, which have emerged as dining destinations in recent years. The exposure from the show can help drive tourism and further cement these cities' statuses as food hubs in the Southeast.