Jeremy Ford
Executive Chef, Stubborn Seed
Known nationwide for his win on Bravo’s Top Chef, Chef Jeremy Ford (32) developed a love for cooking at a young age after reconnecting with his maternal grandmother who passed down a lifetime’s worth of knowledge on Italian cuisine. He began his professional culinary career in his hometown of Jacksonville, FL at the age of 16 cooking at Matthew’s, a four-diamond Mediterranean-style restaurant, before moving to Los Angeles a year later. On the West Coast, he first trained under renowned Chef Christophe Eme at L’Orangerie where he was introduced to French techniques. He then honed his seafood skills under Master Chef Joachim Splichal at Patina Restaurant, where he prepared over 100 lbs. of fish and 60 lobsters a day.
In 2008, Ford moved back to his home state where he secured a position with celebrated South Florida chef Dean Max, whom he credits with teaching him everything from dressing well and behaving with class, to planning a seasonal menu around local produce. After five years of working together, Ford rose through the ranks to serve as corporate chef of the company. Eager for his next challenge, he auditioned for executive chef of the hotly anticipated Matador Room by Michelin-star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at The Miami Beach EDITION. He clinched the coveted position and opened the restaurant to rave reviews in 2014. Shortly after, he went on to win Season 13 of Bravo’s Top Chef.
On the heels of his win, Ford partnered with Grove Bay Hospitality Group, a Miami-based boutique restaurant firm, to open his first restaurant – Stubborn Seed in Miami Beach, where he is currently the executive chef. Here, Ford received rave reviews from numerous local publications, including the Sun Sentinel and the first four-star review in over two years by the Miami Herald. Additionally, he was named Eater Miami’s 2018 Chef of the Year. Ford will open his second restaurant, also in partnership with Grove Bay Hospitality Group, in 2020.