Chef Jonathan Dearden
Raised in Sterling, Va., Jonathan Dearden quickly found his passion for cooking alongside his identical twin brother and fellow Top Chef competitor, Brandon. Jonathan earned a bachelor’s degree in culinary management from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and trained under James Beard Award-winning chefs including Allen Susser and Edward Lee. He also cooked alongside José Andrés with World Central Kitchen. His cooking style melds classic French technique with the bold flavors of Latin, Central American, and Caribbean cuisines, honoring each ingredient’s origin while pushing creative boundaries. He has led major culinary programs at Kimpton Hotels and currently serves as Corporate Chef for KNEAD Hospitality + Design, a Washington, D.C.-based restaurant company overseeing a diverse portfolio of twelve restaurants ranging from Mexican and French concepts to a Southern concept with Korean influences.