Two chefs who call Alexandria home head to 'Top Chef' season 23
Anthony Jones and Jonathan Dearden among 15 contestants competing for $250,000 prize
Two chefs listed as Alexandria residents will compete on “Top Chef” season 23, premiering March 9 on Bravo. They are the only contestants from the D.C. area.
Both bring television experience and notable credentials.
Anthony Jones
Jones serves as executive chef at Dirty Habit in D.C. A Sunderland, Maryland, native and Johnson & Wales graduate, he won an episode of Food Network’s “Chopped” and worked alongside Marcus Samuelsson at Red Rooster Overtown, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022.
In 2023, he joined the Diaspora Kitchen Tour in Cameroon with chefs Mashama Bailey and BJ Dennis.
Jonathan Dearden
Dearden is corporate chef for KNEAD Hospitality + Design. He grew up in Sterling, Virginia, and graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
In 2018, he won D.C.’s “Best Chef on the Block,” then took the East Coast championship on ABC’s “The Chew.” He has also appeared on “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” Past roles include executive chef at Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia, named the Caribbean’s top resort by Travel + Leisure during his tenure.
Dearden will face his identical twin brother Brandon, a James Beard semifinalist who owns Ember and Grano in Hamilton, Montana. It marks the first time twins have competed on the show.
“Top Chef” season 23 premieres Monday, March 9, at 9 p.m. on Bravo. Early access begins March 3 on Peacock.