Top Chef is serving up a delicious — and unexpected — Bravo crossover.
Just weeks after production kicked off, the team behind the competition series revealed that Madison LeCroy and Craig Conover will serve as guest judges for Season 23. Fans got a taste of the episode in a September 5 Instagram post, which showed Southern Charm-ers on set with Top Chef host Kristen Kish.
“Cooking down South!” the carousel was captioned. “Craig and Madison from [Southern Charm] join as guest judges for Season 23 of [Top Chef].”
As of press time, the post had garnered more than 8,000 “likes” and over 100 comments, including one from Kristen: “Charmed by these two,” the Top Chef-competitor-turned-host wrote.
What to expect from Top Chef Season 23
The forthcoming season will take place in the Carolinas, specifically in “the diverse culinary hub of Charlotte, North Carolina, with several episodes in Greenville, South Carolina.” Kristen will be joined by longtime judge Gail Simmons and head judge Tom Colicchio.
RELATED: Get a First Look at Tom, Gail & Kristen Filming Top Chef Season 23 (BTS PHOTO)
“This season will showcase the finest in southern hospitality, embracing the rich history, agriculture, and outdoors, as a new batch of accomplished and renowned chefs vie for the ultimate Top Chef title,” the Season 23 announcement read. “With the region’s freshest ingredients at their fingertips and high stakes on the line, the chefs will have to cook their best as they battle through Quickfire and Elimination Challenges designed to put their skills, creativity, and knowledge to the test.”
Craig Conover’s involvement in the Charleston food scene
Madison is a South Carolina foodie who regularly shares at-home cooking videos on social media. Craig is also quite familiar with the Charleston culinary scene — not only as a restaurant patron but also as a restaurant owner. In 2024, he and fellow Southern Charm-er Austen Kroll officially opened the doors to By the Way — a “neighborhood tavern” launched in collaboration with Uptown Hospitality Group.
RELATED: Craig Conover Reveals “Fun” Update on Sewing Down South & New Clothing Line (EXCLUSIVE)
The eatery is located on Spring Street and offers a wide range of elevated comfort food, like Southern fried chicken, duck confit poutine, a caramelized burger, and wild mushroom ravioli.
“Charleston has grown so much in the last few years and brought in a lot of travelers, so we wanted to create a space where locals and travelers could hang out together and enjoy the neighborhood,” Craig told Entertainment Tonight in 2024. “[By the Way is] going to be a really intimate space. We put a lot of thought into the design to try and make it as warm and inviting as possible. We’re leaning into the local, upscale, tavern vibes, so the menu is going to have elevated bar fare and approachable cocktails.”
Top Chef Season 23 is set to premiere in 2026. Get more details about what the upcoming season has in store.
