From ‘Chopped’ Champion to ‘Top Chef’ Contender: Anthony Jones

About this episode

Anthony Jones discusses his journey in competitive cooking and the evolution of his culinary style.

Anthony Jones is having a breakout moment. The James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist, Marcus DC executive chef, “Chopped” champion, and “Top Chef” season 23 contestant joins FSR editors for a candid conversation on competitive cooking, evolving kitchen culture, and cooking with purpose. Jones dives into his flavor-first philosophy, the evolution of Marcus DC’s Mel’s Crab Rice, and how global influences and fermentation are shaping his culinary voice. He also discusses leading today’s kitchen...

People in this episode

Host: FSR editors

Guest: Anthony Jones

Topics covered

• competitive cooking
• kitchen culture
• culinary philosophy
• global influences
• fermentation

Keywords

• Anthony Jones
• Chopped champion
• Top Chef
• Marcus DC
• culinary voice
• fermentation
• Mel's Crab Rice

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: James Beard, Marcus DC

Books & works: Chopped, Top Chef

More episodes of The Restaurant Innovator

• Why Cotton Patch Cafe Stopped Chasing Newness · June 10, 2026 · 36 min
• Why Chef Michael Campbell is Betting Big on Catering to Scale in California · June 3, 2026 · 39 min
• How Fiamma Turned Scarcity Into a Sellout Strategy (With Just 5 Burgers a Day) · May 20, 2026 · 33 min
• Chef Basil Dean’s Blueprint for Island Hospitality · May 13, 2026 · 49 min
• How Cracker Barrel Balances Nostalgia and Newness · May 6, 2026 · 34 min
• Disco Unicorns and Designing for the ‘Wow’ Factor · April 29, 2026 · 39 min