How much North Carolina will pay reality TV show to film new season in Charlotte
North Carolina is poised to give millions to a popular reality series filming its latest season in Charlotte.
“Top Chef” is among the productions awarded a 2025 North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant, Gov. Josh Stein’s office announced this week. The grants are used to recruit TV shows and movies to film in the state and “are paid out as a rebate following the completion of the project and a successful audit of the production’s spending,” the announcement said.
The Bravo culinary competition series was approved for a grant rebate up to $2.5 million, Stein’s office said.
A spokesperson for the city of Charlotte previously directed questions about any publicly funded local incentives for the show to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The CRVA told the Observer Thursday it’s paying a $1.2 million fee for the “integration of Charlotte assets” into Top Chef.
That will include “verbal mentions, various challenges, and reality segments filmed throughout Charlotte and featuring elements of local history, culture, and ingredients, as well as the participation of local chefs and restaurateurs,” CRVA spokeswoman Gina Sheridan said.
“CRVA will also have the opportunity to highlight Charlotte’s appearance on Top Chef through agreed-upon marketing, digital, and social media initiatives,” Sheridan said.
“Top Chef” announced in July plans to film its 23rd season in Charlotte, with additional filming in Greenville, South Carolina, The Charlotte Observer reported previously.
The show’s celebrity host and judges — Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons — have already been spotted checking out the city’s food scene. Fans of the show can apply online to be a “diner” during filming.
Season 23 of “Top Chef” is expected to premiere in 2026.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM with the headline "How much North Carolina will pay reality TV show to film new season in Charlotte."
