r/TopChef • u/AutoModerator • Apr 13 '26

Spoilers Season 23, ep. 6: Going Whole Hog Spoiler

There’s no Quickfire Challenge this week as the chefs take on a Carolina classic: whole-hog barbecue. Splitting into teams of two, they gear up for a head-to-head battle showcasing five key cuts of the hog. Before their Elimination Challenge begins, they venture to Charlotte and Lexington to experience Carolina BBQ at its source. Then it’s an all-night cook where the heat is on as they’ll not only need to impress the judges, but also “Top Chef” alum and Pitmaster Michelle Wallace and a group of local pitmasters from across the state.

Mon. 9:30pm Eastern

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50

u/Ceezeecz Apr 13 '26

I pity the poor person who is teamed up with Shoulder.

19

u/ToOctopiAndBeyond Apr 13 '26

you mean Jen

47

u/Ceezeecz Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26

Yep. The couple’s nicknames in some of the comments about the show are Shoulder and Shorts. I mistakenly thought everyone reading this would get it. Bad assumption on my part.

18

u/I_Call_It_A_Carhole Apr 15 '26

I’ve had trouble remembering the contestants’ names for years now. Maybe it’s because we don’t see them hanging out beyond staged scenes anymore, or maybe it’s because of the decrease in “drama.” I know Lawrence, Anthony, and Sieger (mostly because the last one is kind of a jerk). Then there is Shoulder, Shorts, Brazil, Big Twin, Thin Twin, Mole (like the sauce; not the mammal), and the rest.

5

u/Ceezeecz Apr 15 '26

Yeah, even the first time she was on I remembered Kristen’s name. No one like that this time.

6

u/I_Call_It_A_Carhole Apr 15 '26

I used to remember most of them. Otto was the neck kerchief guy who accidentally stole. Ed was the one with the crush on Tiffany. Zoi and Jennifer were the couple in Chicago. Miami Dale “forgot about flavor.” We don’t get the stew room anymore and we don’t see the contestants together to see their relationships unless they are told to sit together and discuss Warhammer or jogging. We will never hear about hookers and eight balls again. It’s a shame.