Jamaican-Born Chef Darian Bryan Wins Next Level Chef and $250,000 Prize
Jamaican-born chef Darian Bryan is being celebrated across Jamaica and the Caribbean after winning Season 5 of the American television cooking competition Next Level Chef. Bryan secured the title on Thursday, May 21, 2026, after defeating finalists Connor Caine and Nicole “Cole” Lawson in the season finale.
The Buffalo based chef walked away with the US$250,000 grand prize and earned a year long mentorship with celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais.
Bryan competed in the professional chefs category and became one of the strongest contestants throughout the season. Week after week, he stood out by cooking dishes inspired by Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Jamaican Flavors Took Center Stage
Throughout the competition, Bryan leaned into the food and flavors he grew up around in Jamaica. His dishes regularly featured Caribbean influences and traditional cooking styles.
During the finale, Bryan impressed the judges with a three course lineup that included pepper lobster, sea bass escovitch, and seared duck breast. The pepper lobster dish drew inspiration from the pepper shrimp sold by roadside vendors in Jamaica.
His approach stayed consistent from the start of the competition. Rather than shifting away from his roots, Bryan used the platform to showcase Jamaican cooking to an international audience.
Before the finale, Bryan also gained attention during an international fusion challenge tied to the upcoming World Cup in North America. Contestants had to combine the cuisines of two countries into one dish. Bryan chose Argentina and Germany and delivered the winning plate of the challenge.
That victory earned him a Time Token advantage and a place on the Top Level kitchen heading into the semifinals. He later secured one of the best dishes in the semifinal round, which sent him directly into the finale.
Support Pours in From Jamaicans
Following the win, Jamaicans across social media celebrated Bryan’s achievement.
Rohan Marley congratulated the chef online, writing, “Major win my brother… Passion is everything.”
Dancehall artist Posh Morris also reacted to the victory with applause and fire emojis on social media.
Bryan thanked his family during his victory speech and also gave a shout out to Jamaica after being announced as the winner.
Built His Name in Buffalo’s Food Scene
Before appearing on Next Level Chef, Bryan had already built a strong reputation in Buffalo, New York’s culinary scene.
The 34 year old chef is known for Caribbean inspired dishes and for blending Jamaican flavors with modern cooking techniques. He also operates his culinary brand, Bratt’s Hill by Chef Darian, and has hosted private dining events and pop up experiences.
Throughout the season, Bryan often spoke about representing Caribbean culture through food and introducing more viewers to the dishes and flavors connected to his upbringing.
His performances on the show helped make him one of the breakout stars of Season 5.
Big Moment for Jamaican Cuisine
Bryan’s win adds another international moment for Jamaican cuisine and Caribbean food culture. Cooking competitions in the United States often feature chefs from different backgrounds, but Bryan made Jamaican flavors part of the conversation throughout the season.
From escovitch cooking to pepper seafood dishes, his menu brought familiar Caribbean flavors to national television.
The Next Level Chef Season 5 finale aired on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Photo – D Bryan