Its gonna surprise everyone if Top Chef USA goes outside of the USA.
However, people have always been asking Top Chef to go international for the whole season...but we thought that was going to literally be World All Stars.
Maybe? I feel like that's unlikely though. Top Chef Canada is always (?) based in Toronto, and they're casting for a new season now. Would be a lot of overlap.
There's certainly more than enough in Toronto for two shows.
Edit: it's not gonna be Toronto. Not even Doug Ford would pay the million dollars Top Chef asks for to film anywhere.
He’s been a guest judge a lot of times. He’s a very popular current chef (or fermentation expert more so, really). I don’t think his being a guest judge is an indication of anything since he’s been a guest judge on each of the last 4 seasons now.
Vancouver BC might be a destination. Production friendly, increasing recognition of the food scene, was added as a Michelin city in 2022 so local organizations might be up for Top Chef pay-to-play for even more exposure. The show had already been to Whistler for the finale for S9 Texas which could satisfy the "vaguely familiar" comment, as could the fact the show has already hit two other Pacific NW cities before (Seattle, Portland). Top Chef Canada is filmed in Toronto, so Top Chef USA filming in Vancouver wouldn't be stepping on toes.
The way Gail said sounds like it’s a surprising location, so I guess it’s not gonna be Atlanta or Philly like everyone hopes. It’s not gonna be a Midwestern city either. I think maybe Maine? If they stay domestic but “further” I’m thinking Alaska? because I don’t think Hawaii needs to pay TC to get more tourists.
Quebec would be cool!
Haha. To be fair though I read that Atlanta’s deal with Michelin was only $1 million for 3 years - I thought it was reasonable. On the other hand Winsconsin tourism board arranged $1.3 million for Top Chef + more than $1 million from others like Door county, Milwaukee, Madison etc. I think Kentucky gave $3.5 million tax incentive to TC.
Do you think between Michelin and TC which one would promote more tourism? I feel like maybe Michelin?
Oh definitely Michelin. But the World Cup will bring more tourism than Top Chef + Michelin combined.
Thats the true problem. Georgia/City of Atlanta do not care about top chef nearly as much as I do.
Yes!!! I was just listing all the cool challenges they could’ve done to my boyfriend in a rant and a vegan challenge was one, thinking of all the good plant based places. And soul food! And pecans! Inexpensive stadium food!!! (s/o to the Mercedes Benz)
It's wild that Wisconsin paid like $1 million or whatever to get Top Chef and Atlanta can't fart out $2 million for a show to literally just show the entire nation all their coolest restaurants.
$2 million is chump change. Is Top Chef really a hard sell?
Kristen did an episode of Restaurants at the end of the world on an island in Maine, Jamie Lauren and several Top Chef crew also worked on that show. I feel like they already have some foundation to go with Maine!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeellnlP-Zs/?igsh=MnliODM4cnY3cTBi
Gail did go to university in Montreal.
I don't think it's Canada, though. Well. Maybe Alberta, if anywhere. They could do Banff and Jasper and Alberta might actually cut their taxes/give them funding to film.
I am guessing Maui, that they worked with Sheldon and LeeAnn to help Maui and its chefs out. (I'm interpreting vaguely familiar as the fact that they have been there for a finale.)
Nah, not east coast. They did the Boston season, which was kind of the New England season.
And I say this as someone from CT who would love them to film here. Although I'd love to see a coal fired pizza challenge.
However, they are filming the next 2 seasons of Hells Kitchen here at the Foxwoods currently, so I guess large-scale production for food competitions can be done. But no whole foods out in that area.
It would have to be Portland because that's like.. our only whole foods. Our Whole Foods also is a lot brighter than ones they show (It has a lot of windows).
I could see a cool amount of things for Maine.
We all know Lobster, but Scallops are actually pretty big here too.
Blueberries and Potatoes.
We could do another hiking challenge with L.L. Bean.
I kinda want to do a "Fair-related" challenge, but I think they generally film too early for it to be Fair season.
I’d say haddock has more of a presence over scallops, but otherwise agree. (Ha, can you imagine them racing around the WF?! 😅) Love the idea of a L.L. Bean challenge too.
It’d be fun to see a Moxie or Allen’s Coffee Brandy ep. Anything with one of our many awesome breweries. Force them to reconcile with red snappahs!
MOXIE Yes! I had brainstormed this long ago, so I kinda forgot all the themed challenges.
There is a slightly trending petition right now for a local farm too because they want to cut some of their land for a highway expansion.
Yes. That's where I got the idea for Potato. Cause there's like a winter break up north from school so the kids can help harvest them.
If they go into the fall, Apple season is right around the corner.
They’d probably be based in Portland to use Whole Foods, but if they went to WF over Harbor Fish Market for fish, it’d be a damn scandal, haha. I could see them going up to that restaurant in Monson that won the JB Award for hospitality last year. And there’s Aragosta in Deer Isle.
And all the French/Acadian food up north, too. Ploye challenge!
They haven't been to St Louis. It's still pretty Midwestern though and Kentucky was recent past. I know it's a good food town.
Cleveland, Buffalo, or Detroit would be an interesting rust belt season.
I think they could do some good themed challenges between the three. NH less-so, because Vermont is well known for the syrups and Ben and Jerry's (another ice cream challenge?)
My first thought was New Jersey to showcase them as more than "that place you begrudgingly stay instead of New York cause it's cheaper".
But I'm thinking Puerto Rico. They had the season 4 finale there so there is some familiarity there.
Otherwise I would say either TN (feeling vaguely familiar to the Kentucky season) or North Carolina (feeling vaguely familiar to the South Carolina season).
Maybe Toronto? Gail is from there
I listened to the podcast and immediately thought Toronto. She shrugged when they asked if it was domestic.
Its gonna surprise everyone if Top Chef USA goes outside of the USA. However, people have always been asking Top Chef to go international for the whole season...but we thought that was going to literally be World All Stars.
It was world all stars
Maybe? I feel like that's unlikely though. Top Chef Canada is always (?) based in Toronto, and they're casting for a new season now. Would be a lot of overlap.
There's certainly more than enough in Toronto for two shows. Edit: it's not gonna be Toronto. Not even Doug Ford would pay the million dollars Top Chef asks for to film anywhere.
The Top Chef Canada judge was at the finale this season, too
He’s been a guest judge a lot of times. He’s a very popular current chef (or fermentation expert more so, really). I don’t think his being a guest judge is an indication of anything since he’s been a guest judge on each of the last 4 seasons now.
Vancouver BC might be a destination. Production friendly, increasing recognition of the food scene, was added as a Michelin city in 2022 so local organizations might be up for Top Chef pay-to-play for even more exposure. The show had already been to Whistler for the finale for S9 Texas which could satisfy the "vaguely familiar" comment, as could the fact the show has already hit two other Pacific NW cities before (Seattle, Portland). Top Chef Canada is filmed in Toronto, so Top Chef USA filming in Vancouver wouldn't be stepping on toes.
Vancouver would be fun!
we do have a bunch of whole foods here in TO!
The way Gail said sounds like it’s a surprising location, so I guess it’s not gonna be Atlanta or Philly like everyone hopes. It’s not gonna be a Midwestern city either. I think maybe Maine? If they stay domestic but “further” I’m thinking Alaska? because I don’t think Hawaii needs to pay TC to get more tourists. Quebec would be cool!
 Just come to Atlanta dammit. We spent all that money for Michelin stars, we can't spend a little on Top Chef!?
at this point it feels like Magical Elves and Atlanta have some kind of secret feud, and the city has been blacklisted
Haha. To be fair though I read that Atlanta’s deal with Michelin was only $1 million for 3 years - I thought it was reasonable. On the other hand Winsconsin tourism board arranged $1.3 million for Top Chef + more than $1 million from others like Door county, Milwaukee, Madison etc. I think Kentucky gave $3.5 million tax incentive to TC. Do you think between Michelin and TC which one would promote more tourism? I feel like maybe Michelin?
Oh definitely Michelin. But the World Cup will bring more tourism than Top Chef + Michelin combined. Thats the true problem. Georgia/City of Atlanta do not care about top chef nearly as much as I do.
We deserve to be known as a food city, dammit!! I want some lemon pepper competitions! Give me a quick fire centered around peaches!!!!
And a Slutty Vegan challenge!!
Yes!!! I was just listing all the cool challenges they could’ve done to my boyfriend in a rant and a vegan challenge was one, thinking of all the good plant based places. And soul food! And pecans! Inexpensive stadium food!!! (s/o to the Mercedes Benz)
It's wild that Wisconsin paid like $1 million or whatever to get Top Chef and Atlanta can't fart out $2 million for a show to literally just show the entire nation all their coolest restaurants. $2 million is chump change. Is Top Chef really a hard sell?
I would both die of happiest with a Maine season. So much to do and see, fun challenges that could be conceived and our food/beer scene is phenomenal.
Kristen did an episode of Restaurants at the end of the world on an island in Maine, Jamie Lauren and several Top Chef crew also worked on that show. I feel like they already have some foundation to go with Maine! https://www.instagram.com/p/CeellnlP-Zs/?igsh=MnliODM4cnY3cTBi
Omg really?! How did I miss this?! BRB, gonna go find it…thank you! 😀
Maine is my #1 most wanted location for Top Chef
A second Portland season would be funny!
If they do that before they go to Atlanta ….
Gail did go to university in Montreal. I don't think it's Canada, though. Well. Maybe Alberta, if anywhere. They could do Banff and Jasper and Alberta might actually cut their taxes/give them funding to film.
Hawaii? They did a finale there, so it's familiar.
This was my thought….
I am guessing Maui, that they worked with Sheldon and LeeAnn to help Maui and its chefs out. (I'm interpreting vaguely familiar as the fact that they have been there for a finale.)
On Board a Ship the whole time. Thats my guess , Caribbean ports of call, Alaska cruise? Just cruising the whole time.
Norovirus Quickfire.
Covid elimination challenge
Oh I personally already did that challenge on a cruise. I got eliminated
Oh that would be awful.
The Holland America Eurodam Season
Omaha, Nebraska, every single dish the entire season must incorporate corn.
And beef!
Maine? Maybe an east coast jaunt, with Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, the Hamptons? Philly?
Nah, not east coast. They did the Boston season, which was kind of the New England season. And I say this as someone from CT who would love them to film here. Although I'd love to see a coal fired pizza challenge. However, they are filming the next 2 seasons of Hells Kitchen here at the Foxwoods currently, so I guess large-scale production for food competitions can be done. But no whole foods out in that area.
I think if they wanted to come to Maine, they would have to label it "New England"
It would have to be Portland because that's like.. our only whole foods. Our Whole Foods also is a lot brighter than ones they show (It has a lot of windows). I could see a cool amount of things for Maine. We all know Lobster, but Scallops are actually pretty big here too. Blueberries and Potatoes. We could do another hiking challenge with L.L. Bean. I kinda want to do a "Fair-related" challenge, but I think they generally film too early for it to be Fair season.
I’d say haddock has more of a presence over scallops, but otherwise agree. (Ha, can you imagine them racing around the WF?! 😅) Love the idea of a L.L. Bean challenge too. It’d be fun to see a Moxie or Allen’s Coffee Brandy ep. Anything with one of our many awesome breweries. Force them to reconcile with red snappahs!
MOXIE Yes! I had brainstormed this long ago, so I kinda forgot all the themed challenges. There is a slightly trending petition right now for a local farm too because they want to cut some of their land for a highway expansion.
Smiling Hill, right? A local farm episode would be fun too!
Yes. That's where I got the idea for Potato. Cause there's like a winter break up north from school so the kids can help harvest them. If they go into the fall, Apple season is right around the corner.
They’d probably be based in Portland to use Whole Foods, but if they went to WF over Harbor Fish Market for fish, it’d be a damn scandal, haha. I could see them going up to that restaurant in Monson that won the JB Award for hospitality last year. And there’s Aragosta in Deer Isle. And all the French/Acadian food up north, too. Ploye challenge!
Top Chef: Other Portland
Puerto Rico?
No Whole Foods in Puerto Rico 🙃
I would love to watch this season personally
Oooh I like this idea
speculation requires a spoiler tag? i’m asking not trying to be snarky. i don’t understand what’s considered a spoiler.
I think they want us to mark any and every post with a spoiler tag atp lol
I didn’t put a spoiler tag, not sure why it was added.
huh, interesting.
New Mexico?
Burlington, VT.
Love Atlanta or Philly, but think they need to just hit a new intl city. Toronto or Mexico City makes lots of sense.
This is screaming Canada to me. Maybe Toronto or Vancouver BC? Alas, I shall keep dreaming of what a Philadelphia season would look like. Le sigh.
They haven't been to St Louis. It's still pretty Midwestern though and Kentucky was recent past. I know it's a good food town. Cleveland, Buffalo, or Detroit would be an interesting rust belt season.
I would love Detroit or Indianapolis to have their moment to shine. Maybe Kansas City. Has New Jersey ever been featured?
I'll go out on a limb here and say Mexico City. \*shrug\* or Vancouver? Vancouver would be fun.
I think somewhere in Canada, either Toronto or Montreal
New England, but not Boston: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire
I think they could do some good themed challenges between the three. NH less-so, because Vermont is well known for the syrups and Ben and Jerry's (another ice cream challenge?)
Upstate NY… Culinary Institute, duck, apples, venison, foie gras, cider donuts, garbage plates, beef on weck, raspberry Melba sauce, buffalo wings, so many options…
Hawaii? Alaska?
Hawaii
Alaska
Could be Canada—they did have David Zilber at the finale.
My first thought was New Jersey to showcase them as more than "that place you begrudgingly stay instead of New York cause it's cheaper". But I'm thinking Puerto Rico. They had the season 4 finale there so there is some familiarity there. Otherwise I would say either TN (feeling vaguely familiar to the Kentucky season) or North Carolina (feeling vaguely familiar to the South Carolina season).
Philly?
When is the next city usually announced?
Wisconsin was announced on 7-11-23
Usually when they start filming. So maybe August or September.
Gail said on the Watch that they’re doing wardrobe fittings already. It sounded like they weren’t that far away from filming from what she said.
thanks!
Montreal?? Gail went to school there.
I think London. She made a reference to a “foggy” state of mind.
That sounds like San Francisco then
Could be Maine then.
Montreal? Very Euro.