‘Top Chef’ Season 23 Set in the Carolinas, Bravo Confirms

Top Chef is heading south. Bravo announced on July 23 that Season 23 will be filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, with episodes also set in Greenville, South Carolina. Production starts this summer, and the season is expected to premiere in 2026.

Kristen Kish returns as host alongside judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, and the new setting promises a spotlight on Southern ingredients, regional hospitality, and two fast-growing food cities. The move follows the show’s recent Emmy nominations and its continued evolution post–Padma Lakshmi.

Where is Top Chef Season 23 filming?

Season 23 is centered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with select episodes taking place in Greenville, South Carolina. Bravo described the two locations as “perfect chefs’ playgrounds” known for their bold flavors, agricultural abundance, and “warm, genuine hospitality.”

The show is partnering with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and VisitGreenvilleSC to produce the season. Both tourism boards praised the opportunity to showcase their region’s culinary scenes. “Charlotte’s rapidly evolving culinary landscape blends global influences [with]

Southern heritage,” said Steve Bagwell, CEO of CRVA.

This Southern setting follows the show’s regional focus in recent years—from Wisconsin’s hearty farm-driven season to the international turn planned for Season 22 in Canada.

What does this mean for the Carolinas’ food scenes?

Top Chef has a long track record of boosting visibility for local chefs and ingredients. Past seasons have helped launch restaurants into national attention, increased food tourism, and brought new eyes to under-the-radar cities.

Charlotte and Greenville have both seen rapid culinary growth in the last five years, with buzzy openings, James Beard attention, and farm-to-table emphasis. Being featured on Top Chef could accelerate that momentum. As VisitGreenvilleSC’s Heath Dillard put it: “Hosting Top Chef here is both validation and a celebration.”

Who’s returning for Season 23?

Kristen Kish continues as host after stepping into the role in Season 21. Judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons also return, keeping the core judging panel consistent as the series continues its evolution.

When Kish debuted as the new Top Chef host in the Wisconsin season, she brought a calm, collaborative energy to the competition—a shift some viewers welcomed after nearly two decades of Padma Lakshmi’s sharper edge.

When will Season 23 of Top Chef premiere?

No official air date has been announced, but Season 23 will debut sometime in 2026. Based on previous seasons, a spring premiere—likely March or April—is the safest bet.

Production kicks off this summer across both cities, and Bravo’s announcement confirms the locations were secured in partnership with local tourism agencies.

Why does this setting shift matter?

This marks the show’s first full return to the American South since Top Chef: Charleston in 2016–2017. But while that season focused on a more traditional vision of Southern cooking, the 2026 Carolina setting hints at something broader: international influence, evolving regional identity, and next-gen talent grounded in place.

Social media response was immediate—and intense. Within an hour of the season 23 announcement on Instagram, comments poured in from chefs, locals, and longtime fans. “Welcome to my hood besties!” wrote Charleston-based chef Shuai Wang. “So excited!! You guys should definitely consider doing an episode in Asheville too!” one commenter added. Others begged for long-overdue Philly and Atlanta seasons, while local voices chimed in with challenge suggestions: seafood on the coast, pimento cheese, and even a Cheerwine cook-off. Greenville’s tourism board and the Euphoria festival also celebrated the spotlight.

With its 19th consecutive Emmy nomination and its Carolina location locked, Top Chef is entering its next phase with local flavor—and plenty of national attention.