Top Chef

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. 

Produced by Magical Elves, the highly lauded cooking competition series highlights 15 rising star chefs as they put their skills to the ultimate test, competing for the coveted title of “TopChef.”  The chefs must showcase their culinary expertise, originality, and endurance as they face off in pressure-filled challenges showcasing the regional history, diverse cultural flavors, and rich agricultural bounty across the Carolinas.  For the first time in the show’s history, the cheftestants include life partners who co-own and operate a restaurant and a pair of highly competitive identical twin brothers vying for the ultimate title.  

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 ChefAwards 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.