Shota Nakajima Just Revealed Why He Wants To Come Back To Top Chef

"Top Chef" fans will recognize Shota Nakajima for his impressive run on the show. Not only did the skilled chef make it all the way to the Season 18 finale, but he also won the $10,000 Fan Favorite award (via Bravo). According to Food and Wine, Shota is quite accomplished in the culinary department. Not only does he own a Japanese restaurant, Taku, that serves up Japanese comfort food (complete with beer and shot specials), but the chef has also been a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award on three occasions.

Even with his accolades, being on "Top Chef" wasn't a walk in the park for Nakajima. In addition to making it all the way to the final round of the cooking competition and ultimately coming in second, he had to face another trial on the show. Nakajima revealed to The Seattle Times that, while filming, it was a challenge to spend time away from one of his friends — a particular furry friend. Nakajima told the outlet he wasn't used to spending time away from his dog. "He's been such a big emotional support animal in my life, from 2020 when I spent time with him 24–7. So not having him all of a sudden — that was just weird." Nakajima's pet Dodger is a border collie who came into his life as a pandemic pet (via The Seattle Times). But, just staying home and playing with his pup isn't how Shota Nakajima's story ends.

If there is one secret ingredient Shota Nakajima cooks with, it might be persistence. As Vulture explained, the "Top Chef" contestant with the "infectious giggle" was a bright note after a challenging year for the restaurant industry. That year was especially tough on Nakajima, who shut down his first restaurant for good and temporarily closed his second restaurant, Taku. But, these roadblocks haven't stopped Nakajima, and it appears neither will his second-place finish that was due in part to a course he prepared consisting of octopus karaage with water spinach and burdock root that one judge found to be "a little staff-meal-y" (via The Seattle Times).

Nakajima told Vulture one of the first things he did after the show ended was recreate his finale four-course meal for his parents. He said he knew the mistakes he made and what he should have done. The tenacious chef told the outlet he wants to come back and compete. He revealed his inspiration comes from a popular anime series. As Nakajima told Vulture, "It's just like Dragon Ball Z: You get defeated, you become stronger. You realize stuff about yourself, and you love it." Sounds like Nakajima's power levels are increasing, and the fans are here for it.