What's cooking with 'Next Level Chef' winner Darian Bryan? - FOX’s reality show champ talks what's next

"It felt surreal. There were so many emotions happening all at once," recounted Jamerican chef Darian Bryan of the freeze-framed moment right before he was announced the winner of 'Next Level Chef', the FOX reality cooking show he competed on over 16 episodes.

Triumphant tears sprang a leak when the TV series's chief judge and executive producer, Gordon Ramsay, called Bryan’s name.

"I thought about my journey, my family, Jamaica, Buffalo [where I live], every sacrifice, every challenge and every moment I had to keep believing in myself," the newly minted champ told Food a day after the moment was broadcast last Thursday night on North American television.

"I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was one of those times where your life flashes before your eyes and you realise all the hard work was worth it," said the chef, who migrated to the United States at age 20 and today owns and operates a dual-concept restaurant in The Big Apple.

Bryan's affinity for The Rock permeated throughout his four-month run on the reality show, where he was the last man standing against 15 competitors.

For the finale episode challenge alongside semi-finalists Cole Lawson and Connor Caine, Bryan integrated his island-inspired flavour into three separate plated courses.

Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth, famed for its pepper shrimp, served as the touchpoint for a pepper lobster appetiser, while traditional Jamaican Escoveitch fish inspired the fish course: sea bream escovitch. The seared duck breast with a tamarind and cherry sauce, the final menu item, was Bryan’s meat entrée. The dish proved so delectable that it left judge Richard Blais declaring, “It’s the best duck ever cooked on the show”. The series, which premiered in January 2022, has run for five seasons. Blais, Ramsay, and Nyesha Arrington were united in their vote, securing victory for Bryan.

While Bryan’s wife Jessica and his mother Althea Allen were on set for the culinary show’s finale episode, which was filmed last October in Ireland, the show winner said keeping it secret "was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do".

"As a chef and as a person, when you're excited about something, you naturally want to celebrate with everyone around you. But I had to remind myself that the journey would unfold when the time was right. There were definitely moments where I almost slipped, but I knew I had to protect the experience."

His five sisters and in-laws were the only people entrusted with the top secret.

For the show's last episode, Bryan's Buffalo community – where he runs his eatery Bratts Hill on Larkin Square —turned out in droves for viewing parties at two bars, Rec Room and Tap House. More than 800 townsfolk from the city, which is the second most populous in New York, watched intently and erupted into wild cheers when their hometown chef took the winning title.

WHAT’S NEXT

As for plans on his US$250,000 grand prize haul, the restaurateur said: "For me, this has always been bigger than money. I want to continue investing in my family, my businesses, and creating opportunities that have a lasting impact. I want to continue building experiences around food, growing the things we're creating and opening the doors, not just for myself but others as well."

To this end, later this year, Bryan is set to introduce two new restaurants. First out of the gate will be a steakhouse, which he's named Reserve by Darian, followed in short order by Back of House Burger.

Jamaica, of course, always lives and breathes within him. Bryan wants to fortify relationships on his island home, stemming from his recent high-profile achievement.

"I would love to collaborate with local chefs, farmers and restaurants and hotels to create culinary experiences that showcase Jamaican cuisine in new ways," said the executive chef, who came from humble beginnings in Clarendon 

"I also want to inspire young people and show them that where you come from doesn't limit where you can go," said Bryan, who dreams of becoming an ambassador for Grace Foods.

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