Top Chef Carolinas Season 23

Mar 18, 2026
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Episodes 1 and 2 are out, and the two chefs who were cut have no Last Chance Kitchen to save them so they are just done. 13 are left to battle it out. I went back and watched all of season 1 this weekend and man has this show evolved. I think I started watching on season 10 or so. BTW Gail Simmons in 2023 was a complete Smoke Show!!!! She still looks good but carrying a little of the baby weight still, but she also still has those RATs.
I haven't picked a favorite yet. Last year I was for the Houston guy who's dad died during restaurant wars, and his family convinced him to keep going, and he ended up winning it all.
My wife refuses to watch it because she finds some of the contest restrictions to be stupid. Like today you will be going out with a coal oil stove and a bow and arrow and you must cook using what you kill and find in the forest. She always exaggerates. I searched and didn't see any previous Top Chef Threads so I though i would start one.
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I'm watching Season 2 while waiting for the next episode of Season 23 to drop, and the difference between season 1 and season 2 is measured in Light Years. They got rid of Katie Lee as the host and brought in Padma, which is a big improvement, but they also greatly increased the production value. Everything is shinier, slicker, and done better. Season 2 looks like most of the other seasons. Season 1 looked like "Hey gang! Let's put on a show!!!!"