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The Best Episodes of Top Chef Season 23

Every episode of Top Chef Season 23 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Top Chef Season 23!

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An American reality competition show in which chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges and are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Top Chef Season 23 Episode 1 - Carolina Roots
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Carolina Roots

    S23:E1

    Host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio and perennial judge Gail Simmons venture south to the Carolinas! Season 23 is centered in the emerging and eclectic culinary hub of Charlotte, N.C., with several episodes in Greenville, S.C.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Top Chef Season 23 Episode 2 - Puckerbutt
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - Puckerbutt

    S23:E2

    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 Currie, the inventor of the world’s hottest pepper. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are split into two teams and must create a progressively hotter menu. “Top Chef” season 12 winner Mei Lin joins Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Top Chef Season 23 Episode 3 - True Colors
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - True Colors

    S23:E3

    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, the chefs must honor North Carolina’s rich textile history by incorporating natural food-dyed elements into their dishes. Flour Shop founder Amirah Kassem joins Emeril, Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Top Chef Season 23 Episode 4 - Pick a Side
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #4 - Pick a Side

    S23:E4

    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. Then, in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must turn classic Southern sides into standout main course dishes. The judges are joined by last season’s winner Tristen Epps-Long and acclaimed James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Top Chef Season 23 Episode 5 - Cut and Dry
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Cut and Dry

    S23:E5

    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 chefs are tasked with creating dishes featuring dehydration. They’ll serve their dishes to Kristen, Tom and Gail along with guest judges Joe & Katy Kindred as well as “Top Chef” alum Savannah Miller at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Top Chef Season 23 Episode 6 - Going Whole Hog
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Going Whole Hog

    S23:E6

    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 key cuts of the hog. Before their Elimination Challenge begins, they venture to Charlotte and Lexington to experience Carolina BBQ at its source. Then it’s an all-night cook where the heat is on as they’ll not only need to impress the judges, but also “Top Chef” alum and Pitmaster Michelle Wallace and a group of local pitmasters from across the state.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Top Chef Season 23 Episode 7 - Desserts Fit for a Queen
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Desserts Fit for a Queen

    S23:E7

    “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 of three and prepare three meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner, each inspired by southern classics. Later, actress and guest judge Melissa Benoist joins a regal celebration in honor of Queen Charlotte’s birthday and the 20th anniversary of “Top Chef,” tasking the chefs with creating a dessert for the judges along with 60 superfans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 23 Ratings Summary

"Carolina Roots" is the best rated episode of "Top Chef" season 23. It scored 7/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/9/2026. This episode is rated 1.0 points higher than the second-best, "Puckerbutt".