Jamaican chef vies for "Chopped" Champion title

Chef one step closer to "Chopped" Champion title

New York based chef Andre Fowles continues to make his homeland of Jamaica proud, after walking away the winner of last night's battle in season five of the Food Network's Chopped Champions Tournament.

Fowles, who made history earlier this year becoming the first Jamaican-born, as well as the youngest chef to compete in the tournament, went head to head against three other previous winners of the show.

In the appetizer round, the chef was given stone crab claws, butterfly leaves, vanilla frosting, peach-strawberry salsa, of which he whipped up a a flavorful curry with crab dumplings, which was a hit for judge Alex Guarnaschelli. In the entree round, Fowles spiced and pan-seared wild boar, which was served with kale that was prepared two different ways. In the final dessert round, Fowles used duck mousse, sea beans, saffron and honeycomb to come up with cake with a duck mouse cream, sea bean brittle and raspberry coulis.

Fowles during the dessert round of the competition

Currently a chef at Miss Lilly's restaurant in New York, Fowles in an interview in February with the National Weekly, said he still “has plenty experience to gain” before fulfilling his dream of becoming an executive chef, or opening his own restaurant. “I’m still in the learning curve. I want to continue learning from the best. When I emerge as a head chef I must be among the best.”

With last night's win, Fowles will compete next week Tuesday, April 26, in the finals for the Chopped Champion title in hopes of winning $50,000.