Top Chef

The chefs must showcase their culinary expertise, originality, and endurance as they face off in pressure-filled challenges showcasing the regional history, diverse cultural flavors, and rich agricultural bounty across the Carolinas.

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

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.

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.

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 and Katy Kindred as well as 'Top Chef' alum Savannah Miller.

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.

'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.

It's Restaurant Wars and this season the perennial favorite returns with a twist! The chefs split into two teams of four and are tasked with developing restaurant concepts. Each team must present a three-course progressive menu, offering two options for every course. To add to the pressure, they must serve 100 guests while also fielding to-go orders in the middle of it all.

The chefs pack their knives as they head to Greenville, S.C., where they are welcomed by renowned restaurateur Carl Sobocinski. He opens the door to one of his notable restaurants, Soby's, where the chefs will stage the ultimate dinner party for a room full of esteemed local restaurateurs and chefs.

The remaining chefs head lakeside to Lake Hartwell's legendary Green Pond Landing to face the fan favorite mise en place Quickfire Challenge with Kristen, Tom and Gail, and then head out on the water to compete in a Top Chef Fishing Derby. For the Elimination Challenge, they must create their best dish featuring the fish from the lake to impress the judges and guest judges.

The chefs gather at Greenville's Unity Park where they're welcomed by Kristen and special guest judges Keith Habersberger and Rachel Cole of the Try Guys. For the Quickfire Challenge, the chefs must create a dish with elements voted on by 'Top Chef' superfans. The judges task the chefs with creating elevated fine dining dishes featuring rabbit in this week's Elimination Challenge.

The chefs make a stop in Asheville, one of the most unique cities in North Carolina. There will be no Quickfire Challenge as the chefs explore the city with local host and former 'Top Chef' alum Ashleigh Shanti, learning about the community's remarkable relief efforts following the devastation of hurricane Helene while discovering the unique cuisine of this Appalachian region.

For their final Quickfire Challenge, the chefs use a game of 20 questions to identify and recreate a dish made by Tom. The chefs are tasked with crafting dishes plated in unexpected ways, using unconventional vessels. Joining the judges are actress Liza Koshy, Michelin-starred chef Jon Yao and Food & Wine Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis.

Several aspiring chefs compete for the coveted title of 'Top Chef' while they creatively whip up a storm to escape elimination.