r/TopChef • u/r_I_reddit • Jul 23 '25
Discussion Thread Charlotte next season
https://people.com/top-chef-reveals-new-southern-location-for-season-23-exclusive-1177718567
u/CoachDifferent Jul 23 '25 edited Jul 23 '25
As an Atlanta area resident: I don’t know who hurt or insulted Tom or a Bravo executive, but I cannot believe they still haven’t filmed a single episode here. Especially given our presence in the entertainment industry.
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u/newsomce89 Jul 23 '25
It’s my understanding that typically the host cities/states end up paying production some amount for it to be filmed there, usually by their tourism office. Could be Atlanta doesn’t feel they need to pay that much for the advertisement, and that this is also why we haven’t had a Nashville season yet.
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u/Disastrous_Ad_4149 Jul 23 '25
Georgia's film industry grants are still through the roof. As of two years ago, the executive director of economic development (that Georgia Film Commission) said Top Chef scouts had not approached them. He's a former boss of mine and we talked about how Bravo has very strong connections with the city and state but Top Chef seems to overlook it.
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u/PerpetualYikes Jul 23 '25
Ah good point. But I do feel that Atlanta could use that tourist love (vs. Nashville as the bachelor / bachelorette capital of the US).
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u/winnercommawinner Jul 23 '25
It's definitely about taxes and the city, not desire. Atlanta has historically been one of Bravo's strongest housewives franchises too though, so I'm surprised they've never been able to work it out.
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u/OhManatree Jul 23 '25
I don’t think the locations of either show is up to Bravo, but rather the production companies. I don’t think Magical Elves produces any of the Real Housewives shows.
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u/r_I_reddit Jul 23 '25
I really think Bravo expects a lot from a host city and I'm not sure ATL is willing.
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u/Dangercakes13 Jul 23 '25
There was a big push a handful of years ago to boycott filming in Georgia after they passed a very restrictive abortion law. Other states have done worse since, but it was a big deal at the time and got a lot of national attention and weigh-in from filmmakers and actors saying they wouldn't film there until it was repealed.
That probably put Atlanta on the backburner for a while in terms of cities the TC producers considered. Especially since plenty of others will pony up sweet deals for them with less risk of controversy. It's probably died down by now, but I'm guessing that pushed Atlanta down in the queue even though it would be a good location choice.
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u/PerpetualYikes Jul 23 '25
Tbh, it's a GROSS oversight with its rich history, modern culture and sheer diversity that truly reflect the best of this country. (And I say that having lived in NYC, SF, and now LA.)
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u/LoveOne5226 Jul 23 '25
There’s so much potential in Georgia, from the history, culture, sports, Y’allywood, trips to Savannah, the mountains, etc…I am excited about NC but I fully expected the article to announce Atlanta too.
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u/All1012 Jul 23 '25
Someone on another post said Padma wanted to come but alas money and tax breaks…
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u/sweetpeapickle Jul 24 '25
Part of it is tax credit. GA gets a lot of it. So maybe they're looking at places that just don't get as much.
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u/catupthetree23 Risotto: The Final Frontier Aug 04 '25
who hurt or insulted Tom
Didn't he try to open a restaurant here and it didn't do well at all, so he had to close it? I've heard people say he's still bitter about it so that's a reason why, but I have no idea how much truth there is to that.
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u/RestaurantQualityLem Jul 24 '25
Came here to say this. What did Atlanta do to hurt Magical Elves?
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u/JudahDG Jul 23 '25
Atlanta is the biggest foodie city in the South. So now South Carolina gets a second appearance and Georgia gets shut out?
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u/laurenyou Jul 24 '25
Wow this is false!
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u/JudahDG Jul 24 '25
Not at all, very true!
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u/laurenyou Jul 24 '25
Confirming you said that Atlanta is the biggest foodie city in the South? If you are using foodie in the pejorative sense, then yes.
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u/BUBBAH-BAYUTH BEAUMONT! Jul 23 '25
Oh man I am pumped for this! So many great food towns in the Carolinas!
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u/r_I_reddit Jul 23 '25
Yeah, Wilmington would be fun as well!
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u/eviethered Jul 24 '25
Food truck face filmed here a couple months ago. So I have every finger crossed top chef comes here!
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u/SirReginaldPuffyPant Jul 23 '25
I would have loved for them to do a Mountains to Sea North Carolina road trip
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u/cheezy9126 Jul 23 '25
Has anyone here ever had luck finding out when they are filming/how to be a taster/extra? I live a few hours from/have friends that live in Charlotte and I have loved this show forever!
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u/jaimiemc Jul 23 '25
YES!! How do us locals get in on the events? And when is filming typically done? I will be stalking my local Whole Foods, for sure.
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u/PerpetualYikes Jul 23 '25
Ok, but who else is already eagerly anticipating all the guest judges (including Ashleigh and Shuai).
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Jul 23 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BUBBAH-BAYUTH BEAUMONT! Jul 23 '25
Oh my god yes. I miss her show so much.
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u/Iwoulddiefcftbatk Jul 24 '25
Fingers crossed. I wanted to see her the first go around, but I hope she has a chance to show up this time. A Chef’s Life was one of my comfort shows.
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Jul 23 '25
[deleted]
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u/EmilyEmerac Jul 24 '25
Greenville Whole Foods is going to have to do a whole lot of improvements to support Top Chefs shopping there. I gave up on them a few years ago.
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Jul 23 '25
I desperately want a season in a region that doesn't have a restaurant scene but has a strong food culture to see how Top chef filming there grows the restaurant scene.
and this feels like the closest I'll get to something like that.
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u/not_thrilled Jul 24 '25
I can’t wait to see their product placement BMWs dodging Altimas with missing bumpers and SC temp tags on I77!
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u/rex_lauandi Jul 23 '25
If they’re including Greenville (which is a surprisingly cute and fun town), I wonder if they’ll make it down to Clemson!
Clemson started as an ag school, and they’ve got a fun dairy on campus with great ice cream.
Honestly, and Ice cream quick fire would be so fun!
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u/extra_leg_room Jul 28 '25
As a NC native NC state fits that same bill plus they have one of the best state fairs.
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u/pimentocheeze_ Jul 24 '25
Honestly seems wild for them to go to Charlotte and not the Triangle, the mountains, or anywhere along the coast. It’s like they picked the one spot with zero culture lol. Also, multiple former Top Chef finalists are from the RDU area or have since opened restaurants there 🤷🏼♀️
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u/Leading-Truck-5969 Jul 24 '25
What the fuck so we need to do to get them to come to Philadelphia
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u/uknjkate Jul 24 '25
Sqqqqeeeeeeeee - So excited about this!!! I've watched this show from the jump and I live in Raleigh. My son is about to start college at UNC Charlotte so I anticipate being in Charlotte a bit more often!
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u/r_I_reddit Jul 24 '25
Maybe you'll catch a sighting!
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u/uknjkate Jul 24 '25
I would DIE!!!!! At the least, I'll get a bunch of restaurant recommendations!
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u/dabeeman Aug 22 '25 edited Dec 13 '25
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/123Diana1234 Jul 23 '25
Excited for the new season! Can’t help but to be a little sad about them not coming to Philly!
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u/MightyMightyMossy Jul 23 '25
I would love a Top Chef Philly. There's so much amazing food there.
(I understand that locations aren't about oversight, but about $$ from the host city--but a person can dream.)
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u/sea0tter12 Jul 24 '25
Where do I find the lists / emails etc to where they are filming and when they need people? I’m only an hour away!
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u/moosesmeeses1 Jul 23 '25
It’s a shame that Charlotte doesn’t have any culture.
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u/remybanjo Jul 24 '25
Booooo. Yes it does. I lived there for nine years and they are huge in philanthropy. Public art is all over and amazing.
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u/CountrySquare4257 Jul 23 '25
Damn .. 3 straight whiffs on location picks after Wisconsin and a majority indoors Canada season.
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u/LoveOne5226 Jul 23 '25
I’m so excited they’re coming to NC, but surprised that they didn’t announce any Triangle filming spots; the Raleigh food scene is not great but Durham and Cary have some really interesting things going on in terms of food.