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. The winner will take home the grand prize of $250,000 provided by Graza Olive Oil, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, an appearance at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, headline their own exclusive dinner at the historic James Beard House in New York and have the opportunity to present at The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago, IL. Along the way, the chefs will have the chance to win immunity, advantages in the competition or cash prizes with more than $150,000 in total up for grabs. Cast: Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons Executive Producers: Dan, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Tom Colicchio Director: Anna Moulaison

Top Chef

Top Chef FYC Panel

"Top Chef” heads to the Carolinas with 15 new chefs; the chefs head to Charlotte Motor Speedway.


Cast: Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons

Executive Producers: Dan, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Tom Colicchio

Director: Anna Moulaison

Carolina Root

The chefs are tasked with creating a savory dish inspired by a sweet treat; the chefs head to PuckerButt Farms.


Cast: Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons

Executive Producers: Dan, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Tom Colicchio

Director: Anna Moulaison

Puckerbutt

Chef Emeril Lagasse joins Kristen in the kitchen for the quickfire challenge.


Cast: Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons

Executive Producers: Dan, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Tom Colicchio

Director: Anna Moulaison

True Colors

The chefs must team up to create a trio of dishes that take off alongside a curated wine flight.


Cast: Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons

Executive Producers: Dan, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Tom Colicchio

Director: Anna Moulaison

Pick a Side

The chefs are visited by Fortune Feimster as she challenges them to improv their Quickfire dishes. Cast: Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons Executive Producers: Dan, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Tom Colicchio Director: Anna Moulaison

Cut and Dry

The chefs take on a Carolina classic, whole-hog barbecue, splitting into teams of two.

Going Whole Hog

Guest judge Melissa Benoist joins a regal celebration, tasking the chefs with creating a dessert.

Desserts Fit for a Queen

The chefs split into two teams of four and are tasked with developing restaurant concepts.

Restaurant Wars

A Quickfire leads straight into an epic eight-course dinner for elite judges.

The Ultimate Dinner Party

Lines are cast as chefs fish, cook and face elimination by the water's edge.

Hook, Line & Dinner

The judges task the chefs with creating elevated fine dining dishes featuring rabbit.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Before heading back to Charlotte, the chefs make a stop in Asheville, N.C.; there is no Quickfire Challenge as the chefs explore the city with local host and former "Top Chef" alum Ashleigh Shanti, learning about the community's relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Helene while discovering the cuisine of this Appalachian region; for the Elimination Challenge, the chefs host a one-night-only event for 200 community members in recognition of their resilience.

Appalachian Celebration

The final Quickfire Challenge has the chefs playing 20 questions to identify and recreate a dish made by Tom. The chefs are tasked with creating dishes plated in unexpected ways, using unconventional vessels.