"Top Chef" filmed these Charlotte hotspots
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The "Top Chef" production kept specific filming details under wraps while in Charlotte last summer, but public records obtained by Axios provided a glimpse into some of the locations Bravo planned to use to showcase the city.
Why it matters: The show's national spotlight made the city look really good, in part because it highlighted our prized landmarks, best restaurants and favorite neighborhoods.
Zoom in: Per the city records, the cooking competition requested to shoot at several notable locations, including:
Whole Foods: Production got permission to film 15 cast members walking into the Uptown grocery store on Aug. 17. The request lists eight crew members and a brief timeframe of 5-6pm.
La Belle Helene: For Aug. 18, production scheduled two camera operators to film the cast walking into this restaurant in Uptown. The shoot was set to include 15 cast members and four crew members, lasting from 7:50 to 8:55am.
- La Belle Helene's former executive chef, Cory Chunn, competed on "Top Chef" Season 5.
Angeline's: Also on Aug. 18, the team sought parking permits outside of one of Charlotte's most popular restaurants.
Supperland: The show scheduled an Aug. 25 "day shoot" at this church-turned-steakhouse in Plaza Midwood, reserving 60 parking spots.
- The restaurant's owners, Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel, were guest judges on the show.
An unspecified warehouse: Charlotte Fire inspected a "temporary kitchen" on the outskirts of Charlotte, outfitted with mostly gas appliances, for "food challenges."
Zoom out: The production also requested permission to capture b-roll around South End, Plaza Midwood, Uptown and NoDa, and specific locations, such as:
- "Boat and Balloon" mural (200 S. Tryon St.)
- Il Grande Disco (137 E. Trade St.)
- Picho Avo mural (Charlotte Ballet, 701 N. Tryon St.)
- Bryant Park (1701 W. Morehead St.)
- NASCAR Hall of Fame (400 MLK Jr Blvd.)
- McMonster mural (200 S. Tryon St.)
- Krispy Kreme mural (2116 Hawkins St.)
- Fly Girl mural (123 W 4th St.)
What's next: Season 23 of "Top Chef," dubbed "Top Chef Carolinas," premieres March 9 at 9pm on Bravo.
- Fans can stream it early now on Peacock, Bravo's YouTube channel, and VOD. Episodes will be available on Peacock the day after airing.