As season 23 of “Top Chef” continues airing, host Kristen Kish is giving fans an inside look at what it really takes to film the long-running Bravo competition series.
From battling mosquitoes in the Carolinas to overseeing mobile kitchens for contestants, Kish has used Instagram throughout the season to document many of the behind-the-scenes details viewers never see on camera. But one of the biggest surprises may be what actually keeps the judges energized through hours of filming and tasting dozens of dishes each day.
Kish and fellow judges Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio opened up about the routines, snacks, and coffee habits they rely on while filming season 23.
Kristen Kish Says Breakfast Became Essential During ‘Top Chef’ Filming
With two major challenges per episode and as many as 15 contestants competing early in the season, Kish admitted she quickly learned that showing up hungry was not an option.
Kish recalled advice Simmons gave her during her first season hosting the show.
“Trust me, you’re going to want to eat breakfast,” Simmons told her.
At first, Kish admitted the advice sounded strange given the amount of food the judges consume during filming.
“I thought that was such an odd thing,” Kish explained to Food & Wine. “I was like, ‘We’re about to eat 15 courses or whatever it is. You want me to eat before that?’”
But Kish said she has followed the advice ever since.
“You don’t ever want to go in starving, because then you hit it a little too hard at the beginning, and by plate eight, you’re like, ‘Oh my god,’” Kish explained. “So breakfast is really important.”
The “Top Chef” host said she tries to keep breakfast high in energy but low in volume before filming begins.
“It can be something as simple as a rice cake with peanut butter, or it can be mixed nuts. It could be coconut yogurt,” she shared. “What I try to do is keep it high in energy — caloric — but low in volume, because I’m about to eat, but I want the energy.”
Kish & the ‘Top Chef’ Judges Revealed Their Favorite Set Snacks
Coffee also plays a major role in Kish’s daily filming routine.
The chef recently partnered with Starbucks to promote the company’s Sweet Cream Enhancers line and told Food & Wine that Starbucks has become a regular part of life on set.
“I love Starbucks, and oftentimes we’ll have our runners go out and get coffee, and they’re always going to Starbucks,” Kish said. “It’s quick; it’s efficient. We all know what Starbucks coffee is.”
At home, Kish said she and her wife rotate among several brewing methods, including espresso machines, pour-over, drip, and pods.
When it comes to snacks, Kish revealed she often keeps protein bars in her bag while filming, though rice cakes with peanut butter remain one of her go-to options before challenges begin.
Meanwhile, Colicchio admitted there is no shortage of snacks available while filming.
“Hanging around here, there’s a lot of food,” Colicchio told Allrecipes.
The longtime judge said candy frequently appears at the judges’ table between challenges, although he has been trying to make healthier choices after recently losing 40 pounds.
“Brown Cow yogurt with a little honey,” Colicchio shared as one of his favorite snacks.
Simmons also revealed several of her own favorites, including cottage cheese topped with chopped vegetables, olive oil, and spices.
“When I’m hungry and I need something healthy, I eat a lot of apples and peanut butter,” Simmons said.
But she also admitted she occasionally reaches for something less healthy.
“When Simmons is feeling a bit more flexible,” Allrecipes noted, the judge enjoys “salt and vinegar chips.”
New episodes of “Top Chef” air Monday nights on Bravo.
