Top Chef (season 18)

The upcoming eighteenth season of the American reality television series Top Chef was announced by Bravo on September 28, 2020.[1] The season was filmed in Portland, Oregon, and surrounding areas, including the Hood River Fruit Loop, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Tillamook Bay, Tualatin Valley, and Willamette Valley wine country.[1] Bravo's announcement of the season was made in partnership with Travel Portland, Travel Oregon, and the Oregon Film office.[2] It is scheduled to premiere in 2021.[1]

Production ran from early September through late October 2020.[2][3] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a comprehensive health and safety plan was developed by Bravo and Magical Elves Productions in accordance with CDC guidelines, state and local orders, and safety policies from NBCUniversal.[1] The cast and production crew, totaling 150 people, were kept isolated "in a bubble" at an undisclosed Portland hotel, and were tested for the coronavirus every two to three days.[2][4] Aside from those on camera, all crew members wore face masks.[4] Other production changes included curbside pickup at Whole Foods Market instead of in-store shopping; the exclusion of challenges involving large dinners, tasting events, and crowds; as well as a bigger kitchen set and judges' table to allow for more social distancing.[2][4] According to Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, nobody became ill during filming.[4]

The season sought to highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food industry. Due to the difficulty of bringing in guest judges and diners for individual episodes while observing pandemic safety protocols, in addition to series mainstays Colicchio, Simmons, and Padma Lakshmi, the season will feature a rotating judging and dining panel consisting of various Top Chef alumni, who were quarantined alongside the cast and crew.[2][5]