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Top Chef: a Michelin star up for grabs for the winner of season 16!

undefined undefined 30 janvier 2025 undefined 09h30

The Editor

We’ve been waiting for it for a while now, and this morning we finally had the famous annual press conference revealing all the secrets of the new season of Top Chef. One thing is for sure: if we thought they had pulled out all the stops for last year’s anniversary season, it looks like this year, the production has truly stepped things up a notch. Because not only will the crowned chef get up to €100,000 (based on their percentage of victory) and open a pop-up restaurant, but they will also receive their beautiful red and white macaron.


Mysteries Abound

Indeed, this season is all about secrecy. So far, no airing date has been announced, and nobody knows who the contestants are.

futurs candidats, nor how many will be at the starting line. A secret particularly well-kept, because since the beginning of filming, and unlike previous years, no reports have been allowed. The latest news is that it’s the first time the press conference takes place while the entire season hasn't been filmed. Indeed, as revealed by Stéphane Rotenberg, who, to our delight, will be back this year, the finale hasn’t been done yet. And for good reason, it has this year a very special challenge, and far more important than in previous years: the chance to earn a potential Michelin star.


A Long-Distance Race

This is the big news of the season. This Wednesday, M6 announced a groundbreaking partnership between the competition and the culinary guide. It's an exceptional alliance that means the contestants will be judged throughout the show by the critics from the most famous culinary guide. During numerous challenges, they will be present anonymously among a crowd of other onlookers who have come to taste the dishes prepared by the contestants, to evaluate their work using the same criteria they apply every day.

The participating chefs will be evaluated continuously until the finale, where the two remaining chefs will face a brand-new challenge. They will each need to conceptualize a pop-up restaurant that will open the day after the finale for the winner, and present a menu. If the menu delights the Michelin critics, and aligns with the work showcased throughout the season, they may then decide to award a star to the winner's pop-up restaurant, which will open right away with its star.


Top Chef and the Michelin, a long love story

This award would be the ultimate Grail for the winner, who would join the long list of Stéphanie Le Quellec, is officially joining the ranks alongside Philippe Etchebest, Hélène Darroze, Glenn Viel, and Paul Perret. We can’t wait!