CHOPPED AND CHEWED: THE RETURN

BIGGER. BETTER. BRUNCHIER THAN EVER.

Chopped & Chewed: The Return

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Doors Open: 2:00 PM
Competition & Day Party: 3:00–6:00 PM

Venue at 8470
8470 Bellhaven Boulevard
Charlotte, NC

Early-Bird Tix: $60 (now until 8/15/2026)
General Admission Tix: $75 (starting 8/16/2026)

BOTH ticket includes Brunch + Mimosas.

This is a capped event. Absolutely no tickets will be sold at the door.

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Last year, Charlotte was introduced to a brunch experience unlike anything the Queen City had ever tasted.

The food was flowing.
The audience was LIVE & LIT.
The competition was serious.
And by the end of the day, Charlotte crowned its very first Chopped & Chewed Champion.

Now, we’re back for ROUND TWO.

Chopped & Chewed: The Return brings together four established culinary talents from across the Carolinas for an unforgettable afternoon of bold brunch creations, celebrity judges, audience voting, music, cocktails and high-energy Sunday day-party vibes created by DJ Heff! (@djheff_xoxo)

This year, the chefs are more established.
The competition is stronger.
The stakes are higher.
And the entire experience will be bigger, better and brunchier than ever.

Four chefs will enter.

Only one will leave with the title of:

2026 CHOPPED & CHEWED CHAMPION

And, of course…

WINNER TAKES $1,000 CASH!

WHAT IS CHOPPED & CHEWED?

Think cooking competition.

Think brunch festival.

Think day party.

Think chef-prepared tastings, celebrity judges, audience participation, cocktails, music and some of the most creative brunch dishes you’ve ever tasted, all under one roof!

Chopped & Chewed is a live brunch competition where guests will watch four chefs compete in four creative categories for a $1,000 cash grand prize.

Each chef will be judged on:

• Taste
• Creativity
• Presentation

This is not your average brunch!

This is a full culinary showdown where our LIVE & LIT audience gets to watch, taste, vote and help crown the next champion.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Your ticket gives you access to an interactive brunch competition and day-party experience featuring:

• Four established chefs from across the Carolinas
• Four creative brunch competition categories
• Chef-prepared tasting selections
• A $1,000 culinary showdown
• Celebrity judges
• Audience voting and participation
• Music and high-energy day-party vibes
• Wine, spirits and brunch experiences from our event sponsors
• A room full of food lovers, brunch enthusiasts and certified Big Backs

Come hungry.

Come ready to vote.

Come prepared to help us crown the next Chopped & Chewed Champion.

OFFICIAL EVENT SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Community Culinary School of Charlotte

OFFICIAL WINE & SPIRITS SPONSOR

Ebony Wine & Spirits along with Diaspora Vodka, An additional Brand of Ebony Wine & Sprits

EXCLUSIVE BRUNCH SPONSOR

The Wafflery

We are extremely proud to partner with organizations and businesses that believe in culinary excellence, entrepreneurship, community and creating opportunities for talented chefs!

MEET THE COMPETING CHEFS

CHEF YANA, Origin: Monroe, NC

Instagram: @ettas_kitchen_by_ayana

CHEF DAVION, Origin: Pageland, SC
Instagram: @imperiorcatering99

CHEF VIV, Origin: Fayetteville, NC
Instagram: @auntvivskitchen

CHEF DON, Origin: Wilkesboro, NC
Instagram: @donda_chef18

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MEET OUR CELEBRITY JUDGES

RON AHLERT

Executive Director
Community Culinary School of Charlotte

LARRY SWAYNE

Sauce Connoisseur and Founder/Owner Wingzza Mambo Sauce

BEE STEWART

Charlotte Foodie and Social Vibe Curator

SIR MALACHI SIMPKINS

2025 Chopped & Chewed Champion Executive Chef, Johnson

CARLOS GRAHAM

Charlotte Food Reviewer and Community-Driven Content Creator

TORI & GARLAND MILLER

Charlotte Experience and Food Influencers
The Miller Quest

CIARA KRETSCHMER

Owner and Founder
A Family Affair Catering

JADA JOHNSON

Owner and Founder
Jada Jo’s Kitchen Catering Company

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Our judging panel represents every side of the culinary, hospitality and social experience. From culinary education and professional catering to food reviewing, content creation and community influence.

And yes, our reigning champion is returning. But this time, he’ll be on the other side of the judging table!

Q&A

WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE?

Doors open at 2:00 PM.

The competition and day party will take place from 3:00–6:00 PM.

Please arrive early enough to check in, get settled and prepare for the competition before it begins.

WILL AUDIENCE MEMBERS GET TO TASTE THE FOOD?

OF COURSE! Members of our LIVE & LIT audience will have the opportunity to taste OVER 20 chef-prepared selections from the competing chefs.

Come hungry, because watching everybody else eat is not part of the Chopped & Chewed Experience.

DOES THE AUDIENCE GET TO VOTE?

Audience members will have the opportunity to show love to their favorite chef and cast their vote for the competitor who truly stood out.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?

Early-bird tickets are $60. Very very limited quantities

General-admission tickets are $75.

All available ticket options will be listed in the ticket section of Eventbrite.

WILL TICKETS BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR?

No. This is a capped event, and absolutely no tickets will be sold at the door.

Once tickets are gone, they are gone. Just like last year, the event WILL sell out!

BE A PART OF SOMETHING UNIQUE.

BE A PART OF SOMETHING FUN.

BE A PART OF SOMETHING DELICIOUS.

Charlotte, prepare to taste your way into crowning the next Chopped & Chewed Champion.

Who will win over the celebrity judges?

Who will earn the audience’s vote?

And who will take home the $1,000 cash grand prize?

There is only one way to find out.

We wouldn’t have it any other way!!

Chopped And Chewed: The Return! You don’t want to miss it!