When Does Top Chef Come Back: The 2026 Carolinas Season Explained

You've finished the leftovers, watched the Season 22 finale in Milan twice, and now you’re staring at an empty kitchen. It’s the same question every food obsessive has right now: When does Top Chef come back? Waiting for a new season of Bravo’s heavy hitter feels like waiting for a sourdough starter to peak. It takes time. You can’t rush the fermentation. Honestly, after the whirlwind of Top Chef: Destination Canada, where Tristen Epps-Long took home the title in June 2025, we’re all a little spoiled.

But here is the reality. Top Chef Season 23 is officially coming back in 2026.

Bravo hasn't dropped the exact calendar date yet, but we can look at the patterns. Usually, the show follows a spring premiere cycle. If history holds, we’re looking at a March 2026 debut. Production crews were spotted hauling camera gear around the South throughout the summer of 2025, so the footage is in the can. Now, it’s all about the edit.

The Carolinas: Why the South is the Next Big Stage

This isn't just another season. It’s a homecoming to a region that has been begging for the spotlight. Season 23 is taking over the Carolinas.

Most of the action is centered in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you’ve been to the "Queen City" lately, you know it’s more than just a banking hub. The food scene there is exploding with global influences mixed with heavy-duty Southern tradition. But the show isn't staying put in one city. Several episodes were filmed in Greenville, South Carolina, a town that has quietly become a culinary darling of the South.

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Why does this matter for the viewers?

• Fresh Ingredients: We’re talking about access to the Appalachian foothills and the Atlantic coast.
• Deep History: Expect challenges that dive into barbecue traditions and Gullah Geechee heritage.
• New Energy: Both cities are "emerging hubs," meaning we’ll likely see more experimental cooking than we did in the more established "old world" vibe of the Canada finale.

Who is Returning to the Judges' Table?

There was a lot of talk when Padma Lakshmi left about whether the show would lose its soul. Then Kristen Kish stepped in and basically proved she was born for the job.

Good news: Kristen is back for Season 23. She’s not just a host; she’s the bridge between the contestants and the judges. Alongside her, the pillars remain. Tom Colicchio will still be there to give that terrifyingly silent stare when a sauce is under-seasoned. Gail Simmons is also confirmed, bringing her deep knowledge and arguably the most refined palate in the business.

It’s a relief, really. Sometimes these long-running shows try to fix things that aren't broken. Keeping this trio together maintains the "prestige" feel that Top Chef has over other, more "screamy" reality cooking shows.

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What Happened to Season 22? (A Quick Refresher)

If you’re wondering why the wait feels so long, it’s because Season 22 was massive. Destination Canada took 15 chefs across Toronto, Calgary, and Canmore before heading to Italy for the finale.

Tristen Epps-Long won the whole thing in a finale that was actually pretty emotional. He beat out Shuai Wang and Bailey Sullivan with a four-course meal that told his life story, including an Oxtail Milanese that apparently haunted the judges' dreams. Tristen’s win was a big deal—he took home the $250,000 prize and solidified his spot in the Top Chef hall of fame.

Since that wrapped in June 2025, the production team has been heads-down in the Carolinas.

The 20th Anniversary Factor

There’s a rumor floating around the fan forums and Reddit threads that Season 23 might lean into the show’s legacy. It’s a milestone year. While it’s not an "All-Stars" season (those are usually reserved for every five or so seasons), don’t be surprised if we see some heavy-hitting alumni pop up as guest judges.

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Think about it. The show has such a deep bench of talent now. Having someone like Buddha Lo or Melissa King show up to mentor the new "cheftestants" in Charlotte just makes sense.

When Should You Set Your DVR?

Since production started in the summer of 2025, the timeline is pretty predictable.

1. Late 2025: We’ll likely see the first "First Look" teaser trailer during the holidays or early January.
2. February 2026: This is usually when the full cast of 15 (or 16) chefs is revealed.
3. March 2026: The projected premiere month on Bravo.

The show usually airs on Wednesday or Thursday nights. It’s been a staple of midweek TV for years, and there’s no reason to think they’ll move it now.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

If you can't wait until 2026 to get your fix, there are a few things you can do to prep for the new season.

• Watch Last Chance Kitchen: If you missed the digital companion series for Season 22, go back and watch it on BravoTV.com or YouTube. It’s where the real grit happens.
• Follow the Judges: Kristen, Tom, and Gail are all very active on Instagram. They often drop subtle hints about guest stars or behind-the-scenes locations months before the show airs.
• Explore the Carolinas: If you’re a real foodie, look up the restaurants of Joe Kindred in Charlotte or the dining scene in Greenville. These are the places that inspired the challenges you’ll be seeing next year.

The wait for Season 23 is definitely testing our patience, but the move to the Carolinas suggests a soulful, ingredient-driven season that should be worth every second of the hiatus. Keep an eye out for that first trailer in early 2026.