Top Chef: Carolinas is the twenty-third season of the American reality television series Top Chef. Filming was centered around Charlotte, North Carolina, with additional episodes shot in Greenville, South Carolina. It premiered on TV on March 9, 2026, though early access to the first episode began on March 3 on Peacock, Bravo's YouTube channel, and video on demand.
Last Chance Kitchen returned with a couple of format changes. The web series began after the third and fourth eliminations, leaving the first two eliminated chefs without second chances. In addition, only one contestant was allowed to rejoin the main competition.
The season concluded on June 8, 2026. In the season finale, Rhoda Magbitang was declared the winner over runners-up Sherry Cardoso and Laurence Louie. No Fan Favorite vote was held.
Production Filming for Top Chef: Carolinas took place between August and October 2025. The season was produced in partnership with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) and VisitGreenvilleSC. The show was approved for a North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant, receiving a $2.5 million grant rebate. The CRVA paid $1.2 million for the "integration of Charlotte assets" into Top Chef; these included verbal mentions, challenges, and reality segments filmed throughout Charlotte; highlights of local history, culture, and ingredients; and the participation of local chefs and restaurateurs. The Top Chef kitchen set was built inside a warehouse in Steele Creek, North Carolina. Grocery shopping segments were filmed at the Uptown Charlotte Whole Foods Market.
The season's grand prize was furnished by a new sponsor, Graza Olive Oil, while the Quickfire Challenge's "quick cash" prizes were once again provided by Wells Fargo. Other sponsors included Bosch Home Appliances, Cracker Barrel, Duke's Mayonnaise, Finish Dishwasher Detergent and Additives, Josh Cellars Wine, Morton Salt, and Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto.
Contestants
Fifteen chefs competed in Top Chef: Carolinas. The cast notably included a pair of identical twins, Brandon and Jonathan Dearden, and a pair of life partners, Jennifer Lee Jackson and Justin Tootla, competing against each other. NameHometownCurrent Residence Sieger Bayer Chicago, Illinois Jaspratap "Jassi" Bindra Kanpur, India Houston, Texas Sherry Cardoso Belo Horizonte, Brazil Brooklyn, New York Brittany Cochran Columbus, Ohio Charlotte, North Carolina Oscar Diaz Chicago, Illinois Durham, North Carolina Brandon Dearden Sterling, Virginia Hamilton, Montana Jonathan Dearden Sterling, Virginia Alexandria, Virginia Duyen Ha Binghamton, New York Los Angeles, California Jennifer Lee Jackson Statham, Georgia Suttons Bay, Michigan/Detroit, Michigan Anthony Jones Sunderland, Maryland Alexandria, Virginia Day Anaїs Joseph Fort Lauderdale, Florida Atlanta, Georgia Laurence Louie Boston, Massachusetts Quincy, Massachusetts Rhoda Magbitang Antipolo, Philippines Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Justin Tootla Detroit, Michigan Suttons Bay, Michigan/Detroit, Michigan Nana Araba Wilmot Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Contestant progress Episode # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14Quickfire ChallengeWinner(s) JenniferJonathanLaurence Laurence Anthony JenniferJustinSieger Brandon AnthonyBrandonJonathan Anthony Rhoda Rhoda Rhoda Contestant Elimination Challenge Results 1 RhodaWINWINLOW INOUTLOWHIGH INWINHIGHWINNER 2 Sherry IN INLOWHIGHHIGHHIGHHIGHHIGH IN INWINHIGHWIN Laurence IN INWINHIGHLOWWINHIGH INWINWIN INHIGHLOW 4 Jonathan HIGHHIGHLOW IN INLOW IN INHIGH HIGHLOWLOWOUT 5 Sieger INHIGHLOWWIN INOUTLOW INLOWHIGHOUT 6 AnthonyHIGHHIGHHIGHLOWWINHIGHWIN IN INHIGHOUT7 Duyen HIGH INLOW INHIGHHIGHLOWWIN INOUT 8 Oscar INHIGHLOW INLOW INLOW INOUT 9 BrandonHIGH INHIGH IN INHIGH INOUT 10 Jennifer INHIGHLOWLOW IN IN INMED 11 Justin INLOWLOW IN INLOWOUT 12 Brittany INHIGHLOWOUT 13 NanaLOWLOWOUT 14 Jassi INOUT 15 Day OUT : The chef(s) won immunity for the next Elimination Challenge. : Due to Jennifer's medical removal and Justin declining his invitation to take her spot in order to look after her at the hospital, Sieger was reinstated into the competition. : Rhoda won Last Chance Kitchen and returned to the competition. (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned "Top Chef". (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season. (WIN) The chef won the Elimination Challenge. (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge but did not win. (IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe. (LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge but was not eliminated. (OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge. (MED) The chef was medically removed from the competition.
Episodes
Last Chance Kitchen
No. Title Original air date
References Notes
Footnotes
External links Official website