Top Chef Season 23 Episodes

Episode 1

Carolina Roots

Tue, Mar 3, 2026

"Top Chef" heads to the Carolinas with 15 new chefs. For their first Quickfire Challenge, the chefs head to Charlotte Motor Speedway where they are greeted by Kristen, Tom and Gail, and the first guest judges of the season - NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson and two-time NASCAR cup series champion Kyle Busch. The chefs divide into teams of three and face a high-speed challenge as they prepare and plate their finest dish before the time it takes a professional driver to complete 23 laps. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs will draw on their own culinary roots and create a dish featuring sweet potatoes, North Carolina's state vegetable. The judges are joined by Chef Sean Brock and "Top Chef" alum Jamie Lynch.

Episode 2

Puckerbutt

Mon, Mar 16, 2026

Chefs create savory dishes from sweet treats in the Quickfire. Then they visit PuckerButt Farms to taste peppers with Ed Currie, creator of the world's hottest pepper. For Elimination, two teams make progressively spicier menus.

Episode 3

True Colors

Mon, Mar 23, 2026

Chef Emeril Lagasse joins Kristen in the kitchen for this week's Quickfire Challenge where the chefs are tasked with giving livermush a makeover. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must honor North Carolina's rich textile history by incorporating natural food-dyed elements into their dishes. Flour Shop founder Amirah Kassem joins Emeril, Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges' table.

Episode 4

Pick a Side

Mon, Mar 30, 2026

The Quickfire sees the Chef's pairing dishes with wines, while Elimination challenges them to transform Southern side dishes into elevated main courses.

Episode 5

Cut and Dry

Mon, Apr 6, 2026

The Quickfire challenge from Fortune Feimster is an improv of techniques and flavors for kids in honor of Comic Relief. The Elimination challenge has the chefs creating dishes featuring dehydration at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Episode 6

Going Whole Hog

Mon, Apr 13, 2026

It's a whole hog cookout, the ten remaining chef's form two teams to prepare five different cuts (shoulder, loin, belly, ham, and chopped), which will be judged head-to-head by both a group of experienced pit masters and the judges.

Episode 7

Desserts Fit for a Queen

Mon, Apr 20, 2026

"Southern Charm" stars Madison LeCroy and Craig Conover join Kristen Kish in the Top Chef kitchen for a Quickfire inspired by Cracker Barrel's all-day menu. The chefs must split into teams of three and prepare three meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, each inspired by southern classics. Later, actress and guest judge Melissa Benoist joins a regal celebration in honor of Queen Charlotte's birthday and the 20th anniversary of "Top Chef," tasking the chefs with creating a dessert for the judges along with 60 superfans.

Episode 8

Restaurant Wars

Mon, Apr 27, 2026

It's Restaurant Wars and this season the perennial favorite returns with a twist. The chefs split into two teams of four and are tasked with developing restaurant concepts. Each team must present a three-course progressive menu, offering two options for every course. To add to the pressure, they must serve 100 guests while also fielding to-go orders in the middle of it all. Kristen, Tom and Gail are joined at the judges' table by restaurateur Michael Mina and Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. Before it all begins, the cheftestants receive news that reshapes their dynamics.

Episode 9

The Ultimate Dinner Party

Mon, May 4, 2026

The chefs pack their knives as they head to Greenville, S.C., where they are welcomed by renowned restaurateur Carl Sobocinski. He opens the door to one of his notable restaurants, Soby's, where the chefs will stage the ultimate dinner party for a room full of esteemed local restaurateurs and chefs. For the Quickfire Challenge, they will host a pre-dinner cocktail reception, followed immediately by the start of their Elimination Challenge, where they must serve an eight-course meal. Kristen, Tom and Gail will be joined at the judges' table by Carl Sobocinski and "Top Chef" season 22 finalist Shuai Wang.

Episode 10

Episode #23.10

Mon, May 11, 2026

Episode 11

Episode #23.11

Mon, May 18, 2026