When the new season of Hell’s Kitchen: Battle Of The States premieres next week, a Vineyard chef will be among the competitors looking to make his mark.

Chef Jayden Canady, who is representing Massachusetts in the reality television competition hosted by Gordon Ramsay, was born in Texas, grew up in Milwaukee and was trained at Le Cordon Blue in Paris. But he credits Martha’s Vineyard with molding him into the chef he is today. He worked at the Atlantic Fish & Chop House in Edgartown from 2019 to 2024.

Mr. Canady was hired at the Atlantic by Brandon Bell, the former executive sous chef at the restaurant.

“I hadn’t really worked at a restaurant that was so intense and had such a high intensity of environment as the Island offers,” he said in a recent phone interview with the Gazette. ”At that peak of the season, it’s balls to the wall. It’s like Hell’s Kitchen. I really want to give my flowers to The Atlantic, because they really are responsible for a lot of my success. They have instilled in me a lot of core values, skills and knowledge.”

What sets the Island’s cooking scene apart from other places he has cooked at is the accessibility to fresh seafood and local produce.

Chef Canady worked at the Atlantic Fish & Chop House in Edgartown from 2019 to 2024.

Ray Ewing

Chef Canady worked at the Atlantic Fish & Chop House in Edgartown from 2019 to 2024.

Ray Ewing

“If you want anything fresh, you want anything local, all you have to do is go down the street, and there’s so many different options, and it’s all going to be some of the best stuff you can get,” he said.

Cooking has been a part of Mr. Canady’s life since he was a child and he has fond memories of cooking alongside his grandfather.

“It was really more so family gatherings, Christmas, Thanksgiving, everybody getting together, and me just being right there next to them, making the whole spread with the collard greens, the fried chicken, the yams and the mac and cheese,” he said.

Representing Massachusetts means a lot to Mr. Canady.

“What really touches my heart when it comes to Massachusetts is how I can mix my Creole/Cajun background, with some of the seafood and the fresh seafood options that are on the Island,” he said.

This isn’t Mr. Canady’s first time competing on a reality cooking show. In 2022, he appeared on Chopped after a rigorous application process. For Hell’s Kitchen, someone reached out to him, and he felt the decision was obvious.

“Taking it as a stepping stone in my career, getting exposure, to be able to represent the Island that really doesn’t get a lot of attention, and to be able to represent Massachusetts, it was super exciting,” he said.

This season begins on Sept. 25 and how far Mr. Canady progresses is a tightly kept secret. The filming was completed last year and Mr. Canady said that Mr. Ramsay, who comes across as strict and tough in front of the camera, is a great mentor behind the scenes.

“The second those cameras are off, he’s the most genuine and just heartfelt and just amazing, soft spoken person,” he said. “He really takes the time to walk you through things and explain things and teach you.”

Mr. Canady is currently located in Los Angeles and recently opened his own restaurant, Idyllwild Tavern, earlier this summer. He credits his time on the Island for preparing him for this new challenge.

“I had some of the experience because of basically restarting for every season,” he said. “It’s not the same, but it’s similar to opening a restaurant.”

Mr. Canady said he is excited for everyone to watch the show.

“It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. I could die tomorrow and be happy with where I’m at in my career,” he said. “I’m super excited for everyone to watch it and just see me represent Massachusetts.”