The prestigious culinary competition Top Chef returns for its 23rd season with a notable contestant whose professional journey was shaped in the Caribbean. Jonathan Dearden, an accomplished American chef with significant Saint Lucian connections, enters the Bravo television series alongside his identical twin brother Brandon. The siblings compete for the grand prize of $250,000, a prestigious feature in Food & Wine magazine, and additional culinary accolades.
Dearden’s professional foundation was established during his tenure as Executive Chef at Jade Mountain, an award-winning resort in Soufrière, Saint Lucia, where he worked from 2008 to 2014. This period marked significant recognition for the resort, with Travel + Leisure Magazine naming it the Caribbean’s top resort and third-best globally during his leadership.
Karolin Troubetzkoy, executive director of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts, expressed enthusiastic support through social media: “We were thrilled to see Chef Jonathan Dearden, one of our early Executive Chefs at Jade Mountain, competing alongside his twin brother. Jonathan brought enormous creativity, passion, and energy to our kitchens during his time in Saint Lucia, helping shape the vibrant culinary spirit that continues to define our dining experiences.”
Dearden developed his signature farm-to-table “Jade Cuisine” philosophy during his Caribbean years, utilizing produce from the resort’s organic farm. His career includes notable achievements as a “Chopped” finalist and “Beat Bobby Flay” contestant. Since 2023, he has served as Corporate Chef at KNEAD Hospitality + Design in Washington, DC.
The chef acknowledges the profound impact of his Saint Lucian experience: “I moved to the Caribbean with the intention of being a Chef de Cuisine, but my promotion to Executive Chef of Jade Mountain catapulted my career. I maintained that position for 18 years before becoming a Corporate Chef.”
This season marks the second appearance of Saint Lucian culinary talent on Top Chef, following Nina Compton’s runner-up achievement in Season 11 (Top Chef: New Orleans) where she also earned the fan favorite distinction. Compton subsequently established two successful New Orleans restaurants: Compère Lapin (2015) and Bywater American Bistro (2018).
Top Chef Season 23, filmed across the Carolinas, premiered on March 9th and airs weekly on Mondays at 9:30 PM via Bravo network, with streaming availability through Bravo and Peacock platforms.