Top Chef makes its highly anticipated return on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for its 17th season, promising plenty of surprises along the way. While we eagerly await the unveiling of the new challenges in store for the contestants, take a look at the 16 contenders vying for the title this season. Who are they? Where do they come from? We have all the details...
Are you already bursting with excitement to experience the new season of Top Chef? Same here, especially since this 2026 season promises to be nothing like the others!
With the jury having been announced weeks ago and viewers familiar with the panel—featuring Philippe Etchebest, Glenn Viel, Paul Pairet, Hélène Darroze, and Stéphanie Le Quellec—it's now time to meet the talented contestants competing in season 17 of Top Chef.
Four female chefs and twelve top chefs — a total of 16 talented contenders hailing from across France. Meet these culinary stars!
The 16 Contestants of Top Chef 2026:
- Aboubakar Bamba, 31, Paris. Private chef, trained at David Toutain**
- Matteo Pioppi, 33, Paris. Sous-chef at Blanc**
- Nicolas Parage, 30, Paris. Head chef at Prévelle, with experience at the Plaza Athénée and Le Pressoir d'Argent
- Victor Kuntz, 27, Paris. Chef at Ida
- Dylan Bury, 27, Montreuil. Sous-chef at Maison Rostang**
- Louise Perrone, 30, Marseille. Head chef at Rouge, with stints at L'Arpège*** and Alleno in Courchevel
- Viviana Pisacane, 28, Lyon. Head chef at Bœuf d'Argent, with experience working with M. Guérard and Eric Fréchon
- Alexia Jolivet, 31, Arles. Head chef at Le Relais du Castelet in Fontvieille
- Léa Vautier Lecointre, 27, Lugos. Private chef with Crème & Pêche (Gironde)
- Alexy Algar-Denos, 27, Perpignan. Sous-chef at L’Almandin* in Saint-Cyprien, trained with Gilles Goujon and Anne-Sophie Pic
- Maël Paranthoen, 23, Lannion. Sous-chef at Saint-Samson Golf (Côtes-d’Armor), former of David Toutain
- Théo Chassé, 26, Saint-Malo. Private chef, with experience at Le Coquillage***
- Tom Paduano, 24, Manosque. Line cook at Le Couvent des Minimes*
- Sacha Boyadjian, 26, Aix-en-Provence. Former at Anne-Sophie Pic’s restaurant
- Antoine Garcia, 24, Annecy. Sous-chef at Le Clos des Sens***
- Lucas Renault, 25, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Sous-chef at a local restaurant *
This season is once again set to excite the palates of food enthusiasts, bringing together talented chefs from a variety of backgrounds, all driven by a shared passion for cuisine and a desire to stand out.
So, who will take over from Quentin Mauro and claim the title of Top Chef 2026, in your opinion?
