About this episode

Brandon Deaden discusses his elimination from Top Chef Season 23 and the challenges faced during Restaurant Wars.

The latest chef eliminated from Top Chef Season 23, Brandon Deaden, joins The Exclusive to break down the Restaurant Wars service that sent him home. Brandon reflects on taking the line cook role to help his team succeed, why he believes focusing too much on service hurt his individual dish, and the inconsistent rice pudding mistake that ultimately sealed his fate. He also opens up about the behind-the-scenes chaos viewers didn’t fully see, including communication breakdowns during service and why he believes timing and luck can play a huge role in Restaurant Wars. Plus, Brandon also discusses competing against his twin brother Jonathan, the sibling bickering and trash talk that didn’t fully make the edit, and why the two intentionally tried to “put on a show” whenever the cameras were rolling.

People in this episode

Host: Sharon Tharp

Guest: Brandon Deaden

Topics covered

• Top Chef
• Restaurant Wars
• cooking competition
• family dynamics
• elimination interview

Keywords

• Top Chef
• Brandon Deaden
• Restaurant Wars
• cooking
• elimination
• twin brothers
• competition

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Top Chef

More episodes of The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp

• 306: Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Anthony Jones Disagrees With Judges' Elimination Critique · May 29, 2026 · 13 min
• 305: Survivor 50 Finale Recap: Morgan Pope on Aubry’s Win, the Bitter Jury Debate & Jeff’s Big Slip-Up · May 23, 2026 · 1h 16m
• 303: Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Oscar Diaz Breaks Down the Mistakes That Sent Him Home · May 22, 2026 · 19 min
• 302: Survivor 50 Exit Interview: Tiffany Nicole Ervin Says She Would Have Won · May 21, 2026 · 15 min
• 301: Survivor 50 Exit Interview: Rizo Velovic on the Family Visit That Almost Happened · May 21, 2026 · 11 min
• 300: Survivor 50 Exit Interview: Joe Hunter Says the Jury 'Hated' Him · May 21, 2026 · 12 min

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