Chefs Tristen Epps and Chris Coleman know a thing or two about competing on national television. | Photos by Arturo Olmos and Built on Hospitality
Are you scoping out the nearest Whole Foods for a possible glimpse into Season 23 of Bravo’s “Top Chef?” The Emmy-nominated competition is filming in the Queen City this summer, and there’s plenty of excitement.
We sat down with “Top Chef” Season 22 winner Chef Tristen Epps, an alum of Uptown’s Johnson and Wales University, and Charlotte-native and local chef Chris Coleman, about their time competing on television.
For Epps, the road to the show started with discipline. “Johnson and Wales gave me a lot of structure,” Epps told CLTtoday. “It provided a way of filtering things from cooking into an organizational path in my head.” That mindset became essential when facing the fast-paced challenges of the show.
And Chef Coleman also knows a thing or two about competing under the pressure cooker, having won “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Chopped.” “You have to have a lot of innovation and thinking on your feet, and trying to tackle what’s in front of you.”
Which ingredient best represents Charlotte’s flavor?
A. Cheerwine — as smooth + iconic as our skyline B. Pimento cheese — a staple with local flair C. Bojangles’ seasoning — the seasoning we crave D. Other
Line Dancing Beginner Night | 6:30-9 p.m. | Hoppin’ Rock Hill, SC | Free+ | Prepare to jump in and learn a new dance with up to 50 other dancers.
Trivia Tuesday at Vaulted Oak Brewing | 7-9 p.m. | Vaulted Oak Brewing | Free+ | Compete for gift cards + pitchers of beer while showing off your trivia knowledge.
Mid-Day Reset Yoga | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Comporium Amphitheater at Dairy Barn Entrance, Fort Mill, SC | $14 | Bring your mat for a class designed for all skill levels.
The OG Boot Camp | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | Free+ | Make new friends while bonding over a fitness class and kombucha.
Thursday, Aug. 7
Spur Line Creative Ribbon Cutting | 8-10 a.m. | Spur Line Creative | Free | Celebrate the grand opening and tour this new coworking space.
Beverly Hills Cop II | 7-9 p.m. | Carolina Theatre | $16+ | Eddie Murphy delivers comedic gold in this ‘80s classic on the big screen.
Friday, Aug. 8
RallyFest | 5-10 p.m. | Rally | $15 | Celebrate National Pickleball Day with fun challenges, live music, and food and drinks.
Adrian Crutchfield and Ceelo Green | 7:30 p.m. | The Carolina Theatre | $34+ | The Charlotte-native and Grammy-winning singer will take the stage for an iconic night in Uptown.
Charlotte’s police departments and neighborhoods are welcoming residents to join National Night Out tonight at Victoria Yards. The event will have free food, games, and meet-and-greets with local law enforcement. Most of the events start after 5 p.m. and are free to attend.
Coming Soon
Get ready to watch a game at Crazy Legs, a new sports-centered spot coming to University City this fall. They’ll be serving grease-free dishes like wings, sliders, salads, and turkey legs + cocktails. An exact opening date remains TBA.
Announced
Blume Studios will host the North American premiere of “The Magicians Table,” a table-side, close-up magic experience, starting Wednesday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Sip cocktails and enjoy sleight-of-hand magic before the show delves into illusions and storytelling. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m.
Closing
Mattie’s Diner will serve its last meal on Sunday, Aug. 10. Matt King, the owner, is selling the business to focus on his other restaurant, The Wafflery. The diner along The Plaza reopened in 2022, after a seven-year closure. (WCNC)
Development
The former Fifth Third Center in Uptown will undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation, to be completed in 2027. The tower at 201 North Tryon Street will get a new facade, two patios, and restaurant space. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Edu
Rock Hill Schools are fully staffed with full-time bus drivers — the first time in years — and started the school year with 41 new buses. The district has ~16,500 students, which is the largest district in York County, SC. As for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, classes start Monday, Aug. 25. (WCNC)
Concert
Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii is coming to Charlotte. The “Anxiety” singer will bring her “Live from the Swamp Tour” to Bojangles Coliseum on Thursday, Oct. 23. Ticket presales begin tomorrow, Aug. 7 and general public tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 11. (WCNC)
Mailbag
Reader Henderson D. shared his memory about a special day at Eastland Mall — “One day we were going up the escalator with our 8-year-old nephew when he exclaimed, ‘hey, that’s Jim Bakker!’ Sure enough, Jim and Tammy Faye were going down the escalator.” Thank you for sharing, Henderson.
Trending
Imagine playing — and winning — a game of chess while blindfolded. That’s exactly why Charlottean Daniel Naroditsky is taking the internet by storm. The 29-year-old can be seen in this video, calling his moves and winning in less than 60 seconds. (WBTV)
Sports
How do training camp developments shape the Panthers’ upcoming season? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
20%. That’s how much you can save on our self-service ad portal thanks to our Countdown to Q4 special. Hurry — it only runs until the end of the month. Use code AUGUST20 at checkout to secure your discount.
An expansion project to build express lanes along I-77 South could cost up to $3.7 billion. | Photo via WCNC
Remember this story about rent prices around Charlotte? According to a recent Redfin study, prices in the Queen City decreased in the last year — thanks in part to a boom in apartment construction. The Uptown area alone added ~11,000 apartments over the last four years.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Charlotte stands at $1,663, according to RentCafe.
Reader Nancy S. wanted to know more about the cost to rent in a few additional neighborhoods, sowe did some digging.
Cornelius
Average apartment rent: ~$1,681
~5.5% higher than the average rent in CLT
Davidson
Average apartment rent: ~$1,677
~5.2% more than the average rent in CLT
Huntersville
Average apartment rent: ~$1,691
~6.1% more than the average rent in CLT
Did we cover your neighborhood? Which area should we analyze next? Let us know.
A go-to pair of running shorts to get you through hot summer workouts. This pair is under $20, has a built-in liner, and stays secure around hips thanks to a thick elastic waistband.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Did you see the news? Homer and Caroline, the mascots for the Charlotte Knights, tied the knot on Sunday! I am very happy to have attended their nuptials and wish them a long life of happiness as forever teammates.
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