Meet the 'Top Chef' Season 23 Contestants

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Top Chef is heading to the Carolinas for its 23rd season, with host Kristen Kish and judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons. The new season will feature 15 chefs competing in challenges showcasing the regional history, diverse cultural flavors, and rich agricultural bounty across North and South Carolina. The winner will receive a $250,000 grand prize from Graza Olive Oil, a feature in Food & Wine Magazine, an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic festival in Aspen, and the chance to headline a dinner at the James Beard House in New York.

Why it matters

Top Chef is one of the longest-running and most popular cooking competition shows on television. The new Carolinas-themed season will showcase the rich culinary traditions and diverse flavors of the region, introducing viewers to new ingredients, cooking techniques, and talented chefs. The grand prize package is also one of the most lucrative in the show's history, making this a highly anticipated season for both fans and the culinary community.

The details

The 23rd season of Top Chef will premiere on March 9, 2026, with episodes running for 75 minutes. For the first time, the show will feature life partners who co-own a restaurant, as well as a pair of highly competitive identical twin brothers. The first Quickfire challenge will take place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, with NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch as guest stars. Other challenges will involve the use of North Carolina's state vegetable, sweet potatoes, as well as spicy peppers, BBQ, and dehydrated ingredients. The season will also feature a variety of guest judges and featured diners, including chefs, restaurateurs, and celebrities.

• Top Chef Season 23 will premiere on Monday, March 9, 2026.
• Fans will be able to check out the premiere early, on March 3, 2026, on Peacock, Bravo's YouTube channel, and on-demand.
• Beginning March 16, 2026, the series will air at 9:30/8:30c, with episodes available the next day on Peacock.

What’s next

Fans can expect the return of Top Chef favorites like Sara Bradley, Tristen Epps-Long, Joe Flamm, Stephanie Izard, Jamie Lynch, Mei Lin, Savannah Miller, Ashleigh Shanti, Michelle Wallace, and Shuai Wang as guest stars throughout the season.