Dominican chef Paulette Tejada wins Food Network’s Chopped: Castaways

Dominican chef Paulette Tejada has claimed the top prize on Food Network’s Chopped: Castaways, winning US$100,000 after emerging victorious in the network’s demanding survival-themed cooking competition.

The New York City-based chef outperformed 11 other elite contestants in a unique format that challenged participants to leave the comfort of professional kitchens behind and compete on a remote island. Throughout the eight-episode season, chefs were required to create restaurant-quality dishes using limited resources while adapting to harsh outdoor conditions that tested their creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

Tejada, who has built a successful career as a private chef for celebrities, relied on her experience working under pressure to impress the judging panel, which included renowned chefs Maneet Chauhan, Marcus Samuelsson, and Gabe Bertaccini. The competition was hosted by Ted Allen.

Known for blending flavors and culinary techniques from around the world, Tejada excelled in a competition that demanded improvisation, adaptability, and the ability to cook outside of a traditional kitchen environment. Her victory highlights Dominican culinary talent on the international stage and further strengthens her reputation as one of the country’s leading chefs abroad.

Chopped: Castaways reimagines Food Network’s popular Chopped franchise by combining high-level cooking with survival challenges. During the competition, contestants cooked over open fires, built functional outdoor kitchens using basic materials, and competed in physically demanding challenges to earn exclusive ingredient baskets that provided strategic advantages.