“This is gorgeous.” That’s how one of the cheftestants in Season 23 of “Top Chef” seemingly described our city in the official trailer, which dropped Thursday, Jan. 29.
This season, which premieres on Monday, March 9, will be centered in Charlotte (hey, CLTtoday) with several challenges taking place right here in Greenville. There will be 15 chefs participating in “high-pressure challenges that highlight the regional history and flavor of the Carolinas.”
We watched the trailer frame-by-frame, and here’s what we caught:
- They’ll cook with local ingredients like the Carolina Reaper — still crossing my fingers for a Duke’s Mayo moment.
- Grammy-winner and Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominee Danielle Brooks — who is from Greenville and went to the Governor’s School — will make an appearance as a guest judge. I think that background is Abyss based on the booth behind her.
- Judge Tom Colicchio drops “Michelin” in the trailer — could this point to our status as the home of Michelin North America and our role in launching the American South Guide last year?
We also have the inside scoop on a few details not shared in the trailer:
- The Cheftestants will hop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail for a Quickfire Challenge crafted by fans via social media with special guest judges “Try Guys” Keith Habersberger and Rachel Ann Cole.
- Table 301’s Carl Sobocinski and Topsoil’s Chef Adam Cooke are listed among the “esteemed culinary panel of guest judges and notable diners” on this season.
- The cheftestants will visit Asheville to spotlight Western NC’s resilience in the wake of Hurricane Helene and host a fundraiser featuring Appalachian ingredients.
Plus, I can finally tell you that I went behind the scenes for one of those Quickfire Challenges and participated in an Elimination Challenge. The details are still under lock and key, but I’ll share them with you — along with my interviews with host Kristen Kish and judge Gail Simmons — as soon as I can.
