Sterling, Virginia natives Jonathan and Brandon Dearden are set to heat up the kitchen like never before as they compete head-to-head on Top Chef Season 23: Carolinas.

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The identical twins, who grew up cooking side by side, are among the 15 talented cheftestants vying for the top prize in the Bravo culinary competition, which premieres Monday, March 9, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (with early access to the premiere episode available starting March 3 on Peacock).

Raised in Sterling, the brothers share a lifelong passion for food that began in their grandmother’s kitchen and evolved through years of professional experience.

Jonathan Dearden, now based in Alexandria, Virginia, serves as Corporate Chef for KNEAD Hospitality + Design, overseeing a dozen restaurants with diverse concepts ranging from Mexican to Southern-Korean fusion.

His style blends classic French techniques with bold Latin, Central American, and Caribbean flavors, honed under mentors like James Beard Award-winners and even alongside José Andrés with World Central Kitchen.

Brandon Dearden, residing in Hamilton, Montana, is the executive chef and co-owner of Ember and Grano. Ember emphasizes live-fire cooking with hyper-local Montana ingredients, seasonal produce, and ranch-sourced beef, while Grano focuses on well-executed American-Italian dishes.

Brandon’s impressive resume includes stints at renowned spots like Alinea and Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group, and he was recently named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef in the Mountains.

The Deardens describe their dynamic as a friendly yet fiercely competitive sibling rivalry that has fueled their careers.

Now, for the first time since the famous Voltaggio brothers in Season 6, Top Chef features twins battling it out in the same competition. “We thrive under pressure,” Jonathan has said, while Brandon notes his ability to stay focused amid the chaos.

Filmed across Charlotte, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina, Season 23 spotlights Southern hospitality, regional agriculture, and bold flavors—starting with a high-energy premiere challenge at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The supersized 75-minute episodes promise intense drama as the brothers face off against each other and the rest of the field, including a historic pair of life partners who co-own a restaurant.

Fans can catch the early premiere on Peacock starting March 3, with the official Bravo airing on March 9. Will family ties lead to alliance or elimination? The Dearden twins are ready to find out—and viewers won’t want to miss the double dose of culinary talent.

Top Chef Season 23 airs Mondays on Bravo, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.