After exploring Toronto’s diverse food culture and other Canadian delicacies, Top Chef Season 22 is heading off to another celebrated food destination. The Top Chef Season 22 finale takes place in Milan, Italy.
When Top Chef heads to its finale location, it is more than just throwing a dart at the map and hoping for the best. In addition to the city or region being rich in food traditions, cultures, and history, it needs to be a spot where people will eagerly want to book a trip to visit.
The most recent Top Chef finale was a unique choice. Holding the competition on board Holland America Line’s Eurodam was first. While the Top Chef team stopped in Curacao, too, it was an opportunity to celebrate the sophisticated food option that have become a staple of HAL dining. In addition, it was a way to push the cheftestants in an unfamiliar environment.
During the World All Stars season, the finale was held in France. Pairing that event with the Paris Olympics was a smart cross-over for NBC Universal. Not only did it build excitement for the upcoming world event but it showcased with NBC Universal does well, connecting its brands across its many platforms.
For the Top Chef Season 22 finale, Milan is the perfect backdrop not only for food enthusiasts but also to build excitement for the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. During the two-part season finale, one of the challenges will feature Olympic athletes as well as have a challenge inspired by the Olympic spirit.
Even though the worldwide sporting event is several months away, this Top Chef moment showcases how food and culture are continually intertwined. It is more than just athletes fueling their performance. People want to have their own taste of the locale while cheering on the world’s best athletes. These moments are one of the ways that NBC Universal brings the experience off the screen and onto the plate.
In addition to celebrating Milan and its culture, the Top Chef Season 22 finale will feature numerous chefs. Former Top Chef winner Richard Blais, Gregory Gourdet, Claire Symth and several more will join judges Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons.
On June 12, one of the remaining cheftestants will hear the phrase they all want to hear, “You are Top Chef.” Top Chef Season 22 airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Peacock.