The highly anticipated 16th season of Top Chef is set to premiere on March 26, 2025, and it promises to shake things up with notable new features. One of the biggest changes this year is the collaboration with the esteemed Michelin Guide, which will evaluate the ephemeral restaurant created by the winner of the competition. For the first time, the winning chef will have the opportunity to earn a Michelin star—an aspect sure to bring both excitement and tension to the show.
Since its inception, Top Chef has been known for pushing culinary boundaries, but this season, the stakes are higher than ever. The Michelin Guide’s inspectors, notorious for their rigorous standards, will assess the finalist’s restaurant, which adds another layer of complexity to the competition. This innovative partnership has stirred mixed reactions from the culinary community, with some celebrating the opportunity for greater recognition and others expressing skepticism about the pressure it places on contestants.
Alongside this collaboration, Top Chef will also see the return of the Hidden Brigade, which offers previously eliminated contestants another chance at victory. Originally launched under chef Hélène Darroze’s guidance, this twist was successful last year, with Danny Khezzar reaching the finals. Last season, top chef Pierre Gagnaire took over the reins and guided Clotaire Poirier to the final four. This year, the Hidden Brigade will be run by two highly acclaimed chefs: Éric Frechon and Fabien Ferré.
Éric Frechon, who boasts three Michelin stars from his time at l’Épicure at the Bristol, is no stranger to the world of high-stakes cooking competitions. He has been part of the Top Chef family since 2020 and has developed a reputation for his exacting standards and dedication to culinary excellence. Currently, he is chef at La Table du Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, located in Morocco, where he had taken up his position since October 2024. His deep experience with the competition will certainly play to his advantage as he mentors the eliminated contestants.
Joining Frechon is the talented 35-year-old chef Fabien Ferré, who made history by achieving three Michelin stars all at once for his establishment, La Table du Castellet, in 2024. This remarkable accomplishment made him the youngest chef three stars holders ever—a title previously held by Glenn Viel. Despite being new to Top Chef, Ferré’s impressive credentials and youthful energy are expected to produce exciting dynamics within the competition.
Both chefs will collaborate to offer eliminated contestants another chance to shine. The Hidden Brigade will add not only suspense but also strategic depth to the competition, as eliminated contestants attempt to demonstrate their skills and artistry for one more shot at the top.
This inter-season rivalry between Frechon and Ferré—both masters of their culinary craft—will undoubtedly add flavor to this year’s Top Chef narrative. With these two extraordinary chefs set to lead the Hidden Brigade, viewers can anticipate high-tension episodes filled with unique culinary challenges.
Looking back, the previous incarnations of the Hidden Brigade have been pivotal to the development of contestants, enabling some to reclaim their place and fight for the coveted title. The return of this feature, coupled with the Michelin collaboration, indicates Top Chef is not just keeping pace with the culinary world but rather redefining it.
Premiering on March 26, this season of Top Chef is already generating buzz across culinary circles and beyond. Fans of the show are eager to experience all the innovative changes and witness how the dual mentorship of Frechon and Ferré impacts the competition. M6 encourages its audience to tune on the premiere date for the first episode of what promises to be one of the most riveting seasons yet. With culinary battles heating up, the 2025 edition of Top Chef will surely deliver enriching encounters and unforgettable moments.