We have officially moved into Week 9 on “Top Chef” season 23 tonight on Bravo. With this week’s episode, the seven remaining chefs would become the eight remaining chefs. Why? The winner of “Last Chance Kitchen” on “Top Chef” 2026 would re-enter the competition. As Tom Colicchio said last week, “Last Chance Kitchen” immediately followed last week’s elimination. They would get another chance to go all the way and be named the winner of “Top Chef” season 23. So, who won “Last Chance Kitchen” on “Top Chef” 2026 tonight? Find out below in our “Top Chef” spoilers.
Do NOT continue reading if you don’t want to know who the season 23 winner of “Last Chance Kitchen” is …
Who Came Back From ‘Last Chance Kitchen’?
So, who won “Last Chance Kitchen” for “Top Chef” season 23? The answer is Rhoda Magbitang! She was an early standout, and now she fought her way back to show she deserves to be in the competition.
BravoWhat Is ‘Last Chance Kitchen’?
“Last Chance Kitchen” is the digital companion series to “Top Chef.” This series gives eliminated cheftestants one more chance at staying in the competition.
The series is hosted by head judge Tom Colicchio. It’s a pretty simple format, but also very intense. The chefs face off in quick, high-stakes, head-to-head challenges immediately after being eliminated from the competition.
The winner of these challenges remains in “Last Chance Kitchen,” waiting another week to take on the next eliminated chef. The loser is officially out for good.
What makes this part of the competition so exciting is the do-or-die nature of “Last Chance Kitchen.” The chefs have no room for mistakes. Yes, they may have gotten eliminated from the show, but this is a chance for them to get back on the show and still compete for that $250,000 prize.
Because of that pressure, the chefs usually cook with a sense of urgency and freedom. It has often led to some of the most creative dishes of the season. Over time, “Last Chance Kitchen” has become an essential part of the show. It often gives us dramatic comebacks that shake things up in the main competition.
Who Was Competing?
The first battle in “Last Chance Kitchen” featured Season 23 cheftestants Brittany Cochran and Nana Araba Wilmot. From there, the winner would advance to the next week to take on the next eliminated chef, and the loser would head home.
We have seen some strong contenders eliminated from the competition already. It’s interesting to see how they turn the disappointment of being eliminated from the main into the fire they need to remain in “Last Chance Kitchen.”
Unless you have been keeping up with the challenges online, you only know that Brandon Dearden is one of the final chefs competing in “Last Chance Kitchen.” He was eliminated during Restaurant Wars and was hoping to immediately earn his way back into the kitchen.
Success From ‘Last Chance Kitchen’ Winners
How have these chefs fared when winning “Last Chance Kitchen” and then coming back into the main competition? To be honest, pretty good!
Since “Last Chance Kitchen” was introduced, there have been three chefs who have won “Last Chance Kitchen” and then gone on to win the entire “Top Chef” competition. Those chefs happen to be your current host, Kristen Kish (Season 10 in Seattle), Brooke Williamson (Season 14 in Charleston), and Joe Flamm (Season 15 in Colorado).
So, there is hope for this returning chef tonight. What do you think of tonight’s results?
