Darian Bryan is Next Level Chef Season 5 winner

Jamaican-bred, New York-based chef Darian Bryan has won North American culinary reality hit show 'Next Level Chef', which airs on FOX Television.

The 34-year-old Bryan grew up in Clarendon with his mother, cookshop entrepreneur Athea Allen, and five sisters before migrating to the United States in 2012. 

He won US$250,000 and a one-year mentorship with 'Next Level Chef' judges Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.

The Jamaican chef, who resides in Buffalo, New York, competed on Team Blais during the 16-episode run of the TV series.

In the show's season finale, broadcast earlier tonight, Bryan faced off against 30-year-old Connor Caine from Team Nyesha and 31-year-old Cole Lawson from Team Ramsay for bragging rights.

The three competitors were challenged to prepare an appetiser, fish course and meat entrée that won unanimous praise from the judging panel.

Bryan's trio of a pepper lobster appetiser, sea bass escovitch fish and seared duck breast secured him the winner's circle.

The 'Next Level Chef' champ told The Gleaner last week, "Being Jamaican influences every single thing I do in the kitchen. Jamaican cuisine is built on bold flavours, creativity, resourcefulness and heart. Growing up in Jamaica taught me how to cook with feeling, not just technique.

"Whether I’m cooking fine dining French cuisine, Italian dishes, Asian-inspired plates or modern American food, there’s always a piece of Jamaica in it somewhere," declared the perennially proud yardie. "Jamaicans know how to balance spice, sweetness, smoke, acid, herbs and soul in a way that’s hard to teach. That heritage allows me to approach food differently and confidently in competitive culinary spaces."

Bryan currently owns and operates the two-concept restaurant Bratts Hill — fast-casual dining by day and fine dining at night — alongside his wife, Jessica, who serves as director of operations.

The two are parents to son Darian Junior and daughter Nina.

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