Episode guide
Top Chef: Carolinas
14 episodes · premiered Mar 9, 2026
Top Chef is back, serving bold flavors and Carolina charm! 15 rising star chefs have come to the Carolinas to compete in the ultimate culinary showdown.
- Episode 1: Carolina Roots Mar 9, 2026 · 54m Top Chef travels to the Carolinas with 15 chefs. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, they meet hosts and NASCAR legends Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch for a timed cooking challenge. Then they…
- Episode 2: Puckerbutt Mar 16, 2026 · 54m For this week’s Quickfire Challenge, the chefs are tasked with creating a savory dish inspired by a sweet treat. Then the chefs head to PuckerButt Farms for a pepper tasting with Ed…
- Episode 3: True Colors Mar 23, 2026 · 54m Legendary 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…
- Episode 4: Pick a Side Mar 30, 2026 · 54m In a Quickfire Challenge honoring the Wright Brothers’ first flight in North Carolina, the chefs must team up to create a trio of dishes that take off alongside a curated wine flight…
- Episode 5: Cut and Dry Apr 6, 2026 · 54m This week the chefs are visited by North Carolina’s own Fortune Feimster as she challenges them to improv their Quickfire dishes and serve them to kids in honor of Comic Relief. Then the…
- Episode 6: Going Whole Hog Apr 13, 2026 · 54m There’s no Quickfire Challenge this week as the chefs take on a Carolina classic: whole-hog barbecue. Splitting into teams of two, they gear up for a head-to-head battle showcasing five…
- Episode 7: Desserts Fit for a Queen Apr 20, 2026 · 54m “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…
- Episode 8: Restaurant Wars Apr 27, 2026 · 54m 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…
- Episode 9: The Ultimate Dinner Party May 4, 2026 · 54m 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…
- Episode 10: Hook, Line & Dinner May 11, 2026 · 54m The remaining chefs head lakeside to Lake Hartwell’s legendary Green Pond Landing to face the fan favorite mise en place Quickfire Challenge with Kristen, Tom and Gail, and then head out…
- Episode 11: Down the Rabbit Hole May 18, 2026 · 54m The chefs gather at Greenville's Unity Park where they're welcomed by Kristen and special guest judges Keith Habersberger and Rachel Cole of the "Try Guys"; for the Quickfire Challenge…
- Episode 12: Appalachian Celebration May 25, 2026 · 54m Before heading back to Charlotte, the chefs make a stop in Asheville, N.C.; there is no Quickfire Challenge as the chefs explore the city with local host and former "Top Chef" alum…
- Episode 13: Plate Expectations Jun 1, 2026 · 54m For their final Quickfire Challenge, the chefs use a game of 20 questions to identify and recreate a dish made by Tom. The chefs are tasked with crafting dishes plated in unexpected ways…
- Episode 14: The Final Toast Jun 8, 2026 · 54m The final three chefs are asked to create the best progressive four-course meal of their lives; the finalists must impress an esteemed table of diners, including Hunter Lewis…