by Kristen Wile

Top Chef is coming to the Carolinas. Season 23 of the popular competition series will be largely filmed in Charlotte, with some episodes taking place in Greenville, South Carolina. Kristen Kish will once again return as the show’s host, with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons as the show’s judges. The show will film this summer and premiere next year.

“We’re excited to return to the south for Top Chef Carolinas,” Ryan Flynn, Senior Vice President, Current Production, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, shared in a statement. “Charlotte and Greenville are perfect chefs’ playgrounds fueled by exceptional local ingredients, bold flavors, a strong agricultural foundation, stunning natural landscapes, and the warm, genuine hospitality the South is known for.”

Until now, Church & Union chef and partner Jamie Lynch has been Charlotte’s closest connection to the show. He controversially gave up immunity during Season 14, and returned for an All-Star season. Houston chef and Season 22 winner Tristen Epps is a Johnson & Wales University Charlotte graduate.

“Charlotte looks forward to serving as the host city for Season 23 of Bravo’s Top Chef,” says Steve Bagwell, Chief Executive Officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “Our city’s rapidly evolving culinary landscape blends global influences, Southern heritage and rich agricultural legacy to craft something truly worth experiencing. Hosting ‘Top Chef’ presents an inspiring stage to spotlight the talent, authenticity and creativity that has made the Queen City one of the nation’s fastest-growing destinations.”