'TOP CHEF' IN ASHEVILLE
Show to highlight Appalachian food traditions
Contestants face the judges on Bravo's "top Chef," Season 23 filmed in the Carolinas. Pictured, from left, are Justin Tootla, Laurence Louie, Jonathan Dearden, Oscar Diaz, Jennifer Jackson, Duyen Ha, Brandon Dearden, Sherry Cardoso and Anthony Jones.
"Top Chef" host Kristen Kish, left, with judges tom Colicchio, center, and Gail Simmons. Season 23 was filmed in the Carolinas, based in Charlotte.
ASHEVILLE — "Top Chef" has heated up since its March season premiere, whittling down its contestants from 15 chefs to the Top 5 finalists, with one ultimately taking home the coveted grand prize, which includes a $250,000 check.
Before the winning moment, the chefs will stop in Asheville on Monday, in an episode dedicated to Appalachian food traditions and western North Carolina's post-Tropical Storm Helene recovery.
In March, the Bravo series marked its 20-year anniversary, the first episode airing on March 8, 2006. For its 23rd season, "Top Chef" filmed in North Carolina's Queen City, Charlotte, with stops at food destinations across the Carolinas.
"Top Chef," Episode 12, will air at 9:30 p.m. May 25 on Bravo, streaming on Peacock the next day.
After Quickfire Challenges and Elimination Rounds in Greenville, South Carolina, the five remaining chefs head to the mountains to scour Asheville's farmers markets for ingredients to take back to the Charlotte area to use in Appalachian-inspired dishes for 200 diners.
Asheville chefs were invited as special guest judges, joining "Top Chef" royalty, host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio and perennial judge Gail Simmons.
Chef Ashleigh Shanti, owner of Good Hot Fish restaurant in the South Slope, will return as one of the season's alumni, having been a finalist in Season 19.
Chefs William Dissen (The Market Place) and Meherwan Irani (Chai Pani/Botiwalla) will also be featured, weighing in on the chef-testant's culinary creations and how they incorporated the Appalachian heritage ingredients.
Dissen said that having the opportunity to guest judge on one of the most revered culinary competition shows was an honor, and that hosting the contestants and judges in the city was a chance to showcase one of the nation's best food communities.
"Being able to bring the 'Top Chef' contestants and judges to Asheville and showing them our amazing food scene is something that is an opportunity to showcase what we have here in Asheville. ... We have one of the best food communities in the country," Dissen said.
Also, look for Spicewalla spices in the "Top Chef" kitchen. Spicewalla, a brand under the Chai Pani Restaurant Group, is the tradeout partner of Season 23, providing spices and blends for the chef contestants to enhance their dishes.
Reporting by Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen times
