The Heartwarming Reason Shota Nakajima Went On Top Chef
Although "Top Chef" Season 18 finalist Shota Nakajima may not have taken home the top prize, he has still called being on the show "one of the best experiences I've ever had," in an interview with Bravo TV, adding, "I met the most amazing people, from the producers to the camera people. I made so many friends ... I've grown so much as a person. I've realized more about myself, my weaknesses, and my strengths. And I learned a lot about cooking on top of that."
The 31-year old chef began studying under the Michelin star-rated Chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto in Osaka, Japan after enrolling at Tsuji Culinary Arts School when he was just 18-years-old, according to Chicago Gourmet. After returning to the States, he opened his first restaurant, Naka Kaiseki and bar in 2015, when he was just 25-years-old. Soon, Naka was rebranded as Adana, a successful restaurant and bar, serving Japanese comfort and street food,. And in 2020, Nakajima followed that up by opening his latest restaurant, the Osakan kushikatsu restaurant Taku, per Eat In Seattle.
Nakajima joined Top Chef with a "nothing-to-lose mentality"
So by the time Nakajima appeared on "Top Chef" this summer, he certainly didn't have to prove anything to anyone when it came to his cooking skills. However, he had come to a bit of a career crossroads after his restaurants were sadly forced to close down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So when the opportunity came to join the show, Nakajima was excited to have the chance to get back in the kitchen with other master culinary talents.
"Honestly, I just missed cooking with people. And that's one of the big reasons I went on. How do I, like, sharpen myself up again? Get ready for what I need to, because I just wasn't working at the time," he recalled to Bravo TV. He says he went into the competition with a "nothing-to-lose mentality," and it certainly paid off. Nakajima was one of the top three finalists on Season 18, and was voted the Fan Favorite of the show, taking home the $10,000 winnings.
Look for him again on screen in "Top Chef Family Style" when show alums participate in a new cooking competition. It begins streaming on Peacock on September 9.