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There Are Major Changes Coming to Top Chef's Competition Format for Season 21
If you think you know all the rules, you're in for a big surprise when the chefs arrive in Wisconsin.
After 20 incredible seasons of Top Chef, there are major changes in the works for the upcoming Season 21. By now, you probably already know that, following Padma Lakshmi's exit as host and judge, Season 10 winner Kristen Kish is taking the reins as the cooking competition series' new host and judge.
However, other surprising shake-ups are happening in the Wisconsin-based Season 21 — ones that involve some drastic changes to the rules and format of the competition series.
This season, there will be a fresh new approach to the Quickfire Challenges, including the prize format and its impact on eliminations. There's also going to be a totally new way for cheftestants to gain immunity.
Here's everything we know about the major changes coming in Season 21, which premieres Wednesday, March 20 on Bravo at 9/8c (with episodes available the next day on Peacock).
How will the Quickfire Challenges change in Top Chef Season 21?
As Top Chef fans know, episodes start with a Quickfire challenge. In past seasons, cheftestants would compete for cash prizes and/or immunity from that week's elimination challenge.
However, for the first time in Top Chef history, Season 21 cheftestants will have the opportunity to win a cash prize at every Quickfire Challenge — and immunity is not up for grabs during the Quickfire.
Furthermore, in the back half of the season, judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons will join Kristen to lend their expertise at the Quickfire Challenges, making the stakes higher than ever.
How will the Quickfire Challenges impact eliminations in Top Chef Season 21?
Quickfire Challenges will be factored into the elimination discussion during Judges’ Table for the first time in Season 21.
"That’ll be the first time we’ve ever factored the Quickfire into eliminating a contestant," Gail shared with BravoTV.com ahead of the season. "I think it’s going to also really make an impact on how they cook and the weight that they give to both challenges every week."
What is the new way for cheftestants to win immunity in Top Chef Season 21?
During Season 21, immunity for the following episode will be awarded to the cheftestant who wins the elimination challenge. That means the main challenge winner will be safe from elimination in the following episode.
What do the Top Chef judges think of the changes in Season 21?
Tom, Gail, and Kristen are excited for everything novel about the upcoming season.
"What I love about this is, this is just really indicative of why I think this show has just really lasted so long is that we always change what we do," Tom told BravoTV.com. "We don’t say, ‘This is the formula’ and stick to it. We’re going to continue to evolve and do different things and that’s what makes it exciting."
"It’s going to change the way our cheftestants play the game," added Gail.
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