Chef Shota Nakajima was a contestant competing for the $250,000 grand prize on this season of Top Chef. I just kind of like have a gut feeling that its going to be too hard, and I wont be able to run two restaurants successfully and be happy about it. Nakajima has always remembered his fathers dreams for him: to create his own identity as a chef and to open his own restaurant. Taku will stick to takeout for now, taking online orders and walkups, serving through its window at 706 East Pike. It's not that people had stopped watching the Bravo reality competition, which . Anniversary in 190 days . ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Shota Nakajima was a contestant on Season 18 of Top Chef, Shota Nakajima is one of three finalists on this season, Shota Nakajima runs a restaurant in Seattle Washington. Apart from this, his Tv debut was featured on Food Networks Iron Chef Gauntlet. Shota took a Cooking major in Japanese Cuisine at the Tsuji Culinary Arts School for a year in 2006 2007. The competition is fierce on Season 4 of the top-rated Tournament of Champions, hosted by Guy Fieri. While Nakajima plans to go head-to-head with some of the next great culinary talents across America, he's no stranger to television. As of 2023, he is 33 years old and he holds a Japanese national identity. He first started out by washing dishes and peeling onions in kitchens, and later had opened his first restaurant by 25 years old. Since this successful return to the American culinary scene, Chef Shota has been accredited with his own titles including a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination. "Here Are All the Chefs Competing on 'Top Chef' Season 18 in Portland", "Why Shota Nakajima Turned From Fine-Dining to 'Homestyle' Japanese Cooking", "The Journey to the Gauntlet: Chatting with Challenger Shota Nakajima from Iron Chef Gauntlet", "One-on-One with the latest Iron Chef Gauntlet Challenger to Go Home", "Top Chef Finalist Shota Nakajima Dishes on the Competition - Exclusive Interview", "Is Seattle's own Shota Nakajima the new 'Top Chef'? In 2014, he flared the catering business, Kappo Kitchen, and later Naka, a kaiseki restaurant, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner restaurant. But I am always excited and scared. Bravo's Top Chef via Taku's . Chef Nakajima is not having an affair with anyone presently. Nakajima says one will be of the streets of Japan, and another will be a collage of anime characters like Pikachu. He then went to Osaka, Japan, to get a more formal education, working under Michelin-starred Chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto. 2.One ingredient you couldnt live without? Peter Constantinides is married to Melina Kanakaredes {Compare Couple}. Nakajima was one of three finalists on this season of Top Chef. We'll see on Top Chef, which returns on April 1st on Bravo. My initial reaction is to say no because these competitions are mentally and physically exhausting. Capitol Hill's Top Chef Shota Nakajima is ready to launch a comeback in the world's toughest food and drink reality competition the Pike/Pine restaurant scene.. His neon-lit Taku, born mere hours before the world descended into the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to reopen as a karaage chicken bar:. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Theres also some envelope-pushing in the kitchen, experiments that sometimes end up on the menu. And, oh, yeah, he opened a new pizza restaurant called Kbo in Redhooks Brewlab in November 2022. Right before joining Top Chef, Nakajima shut down his first restaurant, Japanese comfort-food spot Adana, for good and temporarily closed Taku, his new bar, which had opened on March 10, 2020 . Nakajima has watched mentors make public appearances and had his own TV experiences, including Iron Chef Gauntlet in 2017. He is father of 2 (Karina Eleni Constantinides, Zoe Constantinides). And thats kind of my biggest thing. Originally from Japan, he said there is a big part of him that carries Japan on his back. Your chef hero? For his final course, he finished with a Hoji tea cheesecake with cedar-smoked gelato. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Despite disappointment, Nakajima is overall happy with the experience he had on the show. [10] While he was forced to close Adana and Taku during the COVID-19 pandemic, he reopened Taku in May of 2021 as a karaage restaurant. His debut was Food Networks Iron Chef Gauntlet, where he was the fourth chef eliminated. In November, he was part of 'Rock Your Taco' during the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival at Auditorium Shores in Austin, Texas. Shota added that he wants to be a stronger and better mentor. Lets get to know him on Instagram. Oops. Chef Shota Nakajima (Photo Credit: Austin Quach) While Taku offers the traditional flavors of salt and pepper karaage (Japanese style fried chicken), Nakajima's menu also includes additional. Thanking the Bravo Network for an entirely new cuisine and cooking style experience, he also worded: I vividly remember this elimination challenge I remember looking around and seeing and soaking in what all my other colleagues were doing. But when Covid hit and I closed the restaurants, Top Chef came up.. Chef Shota Nakajima at his new but temporarily closed bar, Taku, on May 29, 2020 he opened it five days before the dining-in shutdown last March, just the beginning of a series of dramatic. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. I dont know what kind of business Im running, but Im working it out, day by day, with my team, he said. Born in Japan and raised in Seattle, Shota Nakajima began his culinary journey at age 16 working for a highly acclaimed sushi restaurant. According to Food Network, Nakajima believes his greatest skills lie in his knife work and patience. Before making his Top Chef debut in 2021, chef Shota had been approached several times about appearing as a contestant on various shows. Due to his luck, he reopened Taku in May 2011 and named Karaage restaurant. [2], Nakajima made his TV debut on Food Network's Iron Chef Gauntlet in 2017, where he was the fourth chef eliminated. In fact, they wanted everyone to win so they would stick around till the shows very last episode. Also, his dating life remained lowkey as compared to the other aspect of his life. Shota is one of those contestants, and has proved to be a popular hit in the kitchen, having scored several wins in the Top Chef cooking show. He maintains his low profile and doesnt want to destroy his reputed career. He plans on working regularly at the restaurant and managing its culinary operations, though the restaurant will have an executive chef who will be announced soon. Even his social media sharing aims to convey Japanese culture through food and other ways. A James Beard Award semi-finalist for three years running, Shota seizes every opportunity to get outside and forage or fish, taking advantage of the abundance of wild goods in Washingtons mountains and waters. [9], In 2014, Nakajima opened a catering business, Kappo Kitchen and later Naka, a kaiseki restaurant, in June 2015. Bid on one seat (or up to six seats) of only six available tickets for a private culinary experience with Chef Shota Nakajima (Taku, Adana), Chef Sara Hauman of Soter Vineyards in Portland, OR and Chef Byron Gomez of 7908 in Aspen, CO, who met while filming season 18 of Top Chef in Portland! Chef Nakajimas current relationship status is single. | Bravo YouTube. Have something to tell us about this article? The Top Chef contestant has now opened two restaurants in total. Out of all the contestants, Shota Nakajima presents a formidable challenge to anyone who stands in his way. Today's . We met with Chef Kagoro at Chakalaka to find out more about his Zimbabwean cuisine, and how hes managed to spread love & flavour in this difficult time. Following the closing of Adana, Nakajima continued to only operate Naka Kaiseki which turned into take-out only and went from 30 employees to only four. Chef Shota Nakajima is reemerging from the pandemic without his Capitol Hill restaurants Adana has closed permanently at 15th and Pine while E Pike while his Taku bar on E Pike which opened only days before the first lockdowns of the pandemic in 2020 is also currently . 4. Please enter a valid email and try again. View Culinary Connections for more. His sexual orientation is straight. Born in Japan and raised in Seattle, WA, when Nakajima was 18-years-old he moved to Japan to study culinary at the Tsuji Culinary Arts School, one of Japan's most prestigious culinary schools. This is Nakajimas third restaurant project in the Seattle area. Shota Nakajima is the chef and owner of Adana Restaurant in Seattle. The Hill-D Cheese is a grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread with a 4-cheese blend, crispy cheese crunch, paired with a bowl of tomato soup. 667 posts. Sake. The small, but frenetically stylish interior will seat customers at some point in the future. Travel with Chef Shota as he brings his friend and Top Chef competitor Sara Hauman along for a tour of his favorite Seattle sites. "I am excited and a little scared. From there, his journey brought him to Ginza and Shinjuku, where he worked his way up through the ranks. A collection of experienced writers and editors, we aim to provide relevant and informative articles related to your favorite celebrities. His annual salary and weekly waring info are missing as per the source. Curry Powder or Chinese Five Spice? July 2, 2021 9:28 AM EDT. . At age 18 he moved to Osaka, Japan to learn the art of Japanese cuisine from Michelin Star rated Chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto, an experience that greatly changed Shotas perspective on hospitality, cooking and his approach to food. And heres a wiki-writing covering all that you have been craving to know about him. From mise-en-place inspiration to chef insider tips, we're the secret ingredient to your success. Coming from a family that has been in the hospitality business for a long time, he described himself as a "sucker" for hospitality and was touched by how Fieri treated the contestants with kindness. According to Food Network, Nakajima appeared on Iron Chef Gauntletin 2017, offering his unique take on Japanese cuisine and challenging anyone who stood in his path. Moreover, he discovered his own bottle of teriyaki sauce named Make Umami. We talked to him about Thursday's finale", "Star Chef Shota Nakajima's New Restaurant Taku Brings a Taste of Osaka to Capitol Hill", "Shota Nakajima Will Reopen Taku as a House of Fried Chicken", "Chef Shota Nakajima Helps You 'Make Umami', "Shota Nakajima of 'Top Chef' Is Opening His First Teriyaki Restaurant", https://www.instagram.com/p/CfMWZCprkic//, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shota_Nakajima&oldid=1127495351, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, James Beard Foundation, Semifinalist, Rising Star Chef of the Year (2018), James Beard Foundation, Semifinalist, Rising Star Chef of the Year (2019), James Beard Foundation, Semifinalist, Rising Star Chef of the Year (2020), This page was last edited on 15 December 2022, at 01:31. At the time of this writing, his parents were living in Bellevue, across Lake Washington from Seattle, in the United States. Shota Nakajima came into Season 18 of Bravo's Top Chef with one goal in mind: to make it to the top four. Rumors, Controversy Nakajima has not been involved in any kinds of rumors and buzzes. I want people to walk in and be like, Whoa I feel like Im in Japan. [8] He was also voted Fan Favorite of the show. According to Food Network, Nakajima appeared on Iron Chef Gauntlet in 2017, offering his unique take on Japanese cuisine and challenging anyone who stood in his path. Watch the video at iknowaplace.org. . Shota Nakajima is a Japanese-American chef and television personality, best known for competing on the eighteenth season of Top Chef in Portland, Oregon. It was super American brunch style. [1] At 18, he moved to Osaka to attend the Tsuji Culinary Arts School[ja], one of the most prestigious culinary schools in Japan. As we count down the days until the premiere of the next season of Top Chef, we can't help but get excited to learn more and more about what each contestant has in store for us. We found him on Instagram keep reading to meet him. Add the oxtail stock and the rest of the curry-sauce ingredients. I trained with him in Japan for 4 years. Every week, Parade's Mike Bloom interviews the latest chef told to pack their knives and leave Portland. [3] He later returned to Seattle and worked for chef Taichi Kitamura at Sushi Kappo Tamura from 20112012. Shota opened Adana in 2017, a restaurant that serves Japanese homestyle or comfort food Japanese, as reported by eater.com. The restaurant, with 38 indoor seats and rooftop bar that fits 90, is in Cle Elum, almost 100 miles east of Seattle by car. Shota often shares his latest chef ventures on his Instagram profile. But I think it was just nerves, and honestly, just being so at the end [of the show] and physically exhausted, mentally exhausted," he said. But the platform sure provided his fans some gossip content. Plus in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, he opened his own restaurant Taku an Osakan Kushikatus concept. His Instagram account has got verified and has almost 132K followers and 2696 Following under the username @chefshota. Furthermore, he has never been embroiled in rumors and controversy. After graduation he studied under Michelin Star Chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto before moving back to Seattle in 2014 to start his own catering business, Kappo Kitchen. Discover: Robert Frenchy Crochet Wiki: Swamp People, Wife. Shota Nakajima is opening his take on a teriyaki restaurant inspired by flavors he grew up eating in Seattle and Japan at the end of March. Ive been living like a monk, trying to be a good example for the next generation, he said. Following the finale, Nakajima said in an interview with the Seattle Times, that nerves got in the way from a big win. Along with that his Twitter accounts have 3197 Following and 69 Followers under the username @ChefShota. "2020 has been a roller coaster in so many ways. We spoke to Chef Nakajima to find out the top 10 things you didn't know about this A-list chef. Peter Constantinides is not having an affair with anyone presently. Who is Top Chef contestant Shota Nakajima? All rights reserved. For Top Chef Season 18, Portland's runner-up and western Washington native Shota Nakajima, life has gotten quite busy over the last few months. That significant screen time led to all sorts of intriguing opportunities. His parents and sibling identities are missing as per the source. Since 16, Nakajima has pursued the art of cooking and we wouldn't want to miss his unique take on classic dishes over the course of the new season (via Clubhouse For Chefs). Long before he was a nationally recognized celebrity chef, a finalist and fan favorite on season 18 of Top Chef, and a James Beard Award semi-finalist, Shota Nakajima was just a Japanese American kid with a megawatt smile and more energy than he knows what to do with. The next year, he made a Fathers Day appreciation post on Instagram with a snap of him with possibly his brothers daughter Aya. Like many other restaurateurs, Nakajima got hit hard by the pandemic, and had to close Adana, one of his two restaurants (via Seattle Met). (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images), Seattle's Top Chef Star Shota Nakajima Is Betting His Fried Chicken Will Fly High, Seattle-based chef Shota Nakajima second from. His social media also did not answer any of the 'relationships' related queries. That season filmed in Portland, Ore., was a ratings smash thanks to large audiences stuck at home, looking for every manner of distraction. In 2018 he was featured on Beat Bobby Flay. Entertaining over 28.4k followers on Instagram (before May 23, 2021), he could also be spotted on his accounts on Twitter and Facebook. 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Two ingredients that should never be together? Get a VIP pass to never-before-seen content, exclusive sweepstakes, and much more! Naka is located on 1449 E Pine St, Seattle, reservations available here. 5. The hindsight was always the same, he says: Those moments, that jolt of career momentum, are so rare. Shota began his cooking career after dropping out of school aged 16. Rice. 5. Also, word has it, following a win on episode six of the Top Chef, Shota reportedly had a sold-out crowd at his restaurant where he wishes to introduce customers to his favorite food from childhood. The season finale aired on July 1, 2021 and crowned a winner following two back-to-back episodes. On April 16, 2021 (seemingly after the completion of the shooting), Shota cited Top Chef as one of the most fun and also the most difficult thing he has ever done in his career. But the platform sure provided his fans some gossip content. Born in Japan, and raised predominantly in Seattle, Washington, the United States, Shota Nakajima reached the age of 31 on Aug. 25, 2020. All four chefsShota Nakajima ( Taku, Seattle), Jamie Tran . There, he continued to hone his skills at Sushi Den in Midtown, before being the exclusive featured chef at Jado Sushi in Harlem. Follow. Shota is 31 years old and was born 1989 in Tokyo, Japan. If I didnt grow up with his kids, I wouldnt be as sentimental about teriyaki chicken.. We spoke to Chef Nakajima to find out the top 10 things you didnt know about this A-list chef. He remained low-key when it comes to his personal life. Associated With In 2022, he was a guest judge on Top Chef alongside chefs, Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio. Nakajima is also serving Japanese dishes not normally found at Seattle-area teriyaki restaurants like duck spring rolls, tempura prawns, wings, and fried cauliflower miso hummus, and the restaurant will have a full bar, a cocktail list, and 16 beers on tap. Why You Should Stay At The Famously Fabulous Trixie Motel. "I could have totally edited the menu five or 10 minutes before. While Nakajima did not walk away with the win, he impressed judges with a 4-course meal that included, sashimi 3-ways, octopus karaage with water spinach and burdock root, and beef tongue curry. So, he does not have a wife. Signature dish? He then received his training in Japan with a Michelin-starred chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto. Also, there is no information available regarding his past affairs. With years of training and dedication to his craft like no other, Nakajima has the potential to go all the way this year. Take the umami-driven Chinese pork belly and pineapple pizza. And, certainly, he is considered a promising contender for the seasons many accolades and of course the whopping US$250,000. He stands at the height of 5 feet 8 inches. He was interested in art and cooking since he was young. Soy. pic.twitter.com/xpRubFOCLi. At the age of 18, he trained at Sushi Den Ginza. [13] Nakajima later left the project in June 2022.[14]. Nakajima ended up in the finals, edged out by Austin chef Gabe Erales. Top Chef Season 18 Shota Nakajima has never been married before. Cook down . One-hundred percent nod to Toshis Teriyaki, Nakajima says. Curry Powder or Chinese Five Spice? Of many lessons, Shota learned from him, Humble is handsome is the one that he thinks ofall the time. Roast and lightly char the outside. Chef Shota Nakajima is a Japanese-American chef who was a finalist on Bravo's Top Chef season 18. Among such beloved chefs, is the quietly coolest Shota Nakajima. Nakajima was born on August 24, 1989, in Tokyo Japan. After 7 years, he was instructed to further his experience abroad, arriving in New York City in the spring of 1997. "We are opening Taku for indoor dining this week, so we have a lot going on," said the 31-year-old chef and restaurateur. One ingredient you couldn't live without? Banzai Teriyaki is a partnership with Eric Bolstad, a mortgage broker who splits his time between Cle Elum and Bellevue. On the day, Shota was just as much excitement. Born in Japan and raised in the U.S., Nakajima earned the title of Eater Young Gun in . [2] In February 2017, Naka Kaiseki was transformed as Adana. Sansho Pepper. He proudly states his achievements in his bio. Shota Nakajima. Shota Nakajima Wiki: Top Chef, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Elyes Gabel Wife, Partner, Katharine McPhee, Net Worth, Robert Frenchy Crochet Wiki: Swamp People, Wife, Sugar Bear Wiki: Mama June, Wife, Net Worth, Job, Age, Raphy Pina Wiki: Kids, Ex-Wife, Natti Natasha, Height, Net Worth, Age, Dominic Foppoli Wife, Girlfriend, Political Party, Family, Height, Net Worth, Daym Drops Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Height, Weight Loss, Hometown, Teri Eaton Wiki: Mark Eaton Wife, Age, Height, Job, Maiden Name. He loves to go mushroom foraging and takes a great amount of inspiration from the natural world when it comes to creating new dishes. Curry Powder. Sansho Pepper. Shota added that he wants to be a stronger and better mentor. Curry Powder. Chefs bringing the heat from the West Coast: Meanwhile, back in the restaurant world, Nakajima spends much of his time these days meeting with his seasoned crews at Taku and Kobo, working on research and development. Soft Braised Ribs. The victor of the 18th season of Bravo's . Also, his dating life remained lowkey as compared to the other aspect of his life. The contestant also made it to the James Beard semi-finals from 2018 to 2020. While many others might have been knocked down by such a loss, Nakajima took the news with stride, declaring that he felt a sense of relief. 4 min read. Clearly shows like Top Chef offer a career kickstart, but this time around the stakes feel pretty high. (During the pandemic, Adana offered the fellow industry workers 30%.). Four veteran chefs from 2021's season 18 of Top Chef came together this past weekend in San Diego to re-create theirspoiler alertwinning eight-course menu from a restaurant they called "Kokoson," their own combination of the word "heart" in both Japanese and Spanish. Japanese Curry from scratch in 3 minuets! We spoke to Chef Nakajima to find out the top 10 things you didnt know about this A-list chef. Banzai Teriyaki will serve dishes using Nakajimas signature teriyaki sauce, which launched in December and can be found at stores like Uwajimaya. From there, his journey brought him to Ginza and Shinjuku, where he worked his way up through the . Like many, Nakajima's life was turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nakajima has sharpened his unique culinary identity through the Tokyo style of cooking that he said originated in the days when refrigeration was not an option and "involves specific techniques of marinating, curing, broiling and preserving fish with salt and vinegar." Both Shota and Sara shared this moment on their respective social media as they also informed their fans they will be signing a limited amount of Team Tiny Fish t-shirts. 10. Despite tough times, Nakajima did not give up and became a contestant on Top Chef where he is now part of the final three. The struggles continued for Nakajima when he was T-boned in a car accident in May 2020, where his car was totaled. Nakajima was one of three finalists on this season of Top Chef. [2] In March of 2020, Nakajima opened his restaurant Taku, an Osakan kushikatsu concept, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. [2] There, he apprenticed with chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto. #Topchef 23,730 views 1 year ago Learn how to make Japanese curry from scratch with Shota Nakajima This is a chicken version from the finale menu from. Seattle native Chef Shota Nakajima (age 28) started in the restaurant business at the age of 16, working in and around Seattle at various Sushi restaurants. Chef Nakajima: Net worth, Salary Nakajima's net worth is approximately $ 1 million dollar s, and his main source of earnings is Karage Restaurant and taku. Born in Seattle, WA and starting his culinary journey at an acclaimed sushi restaurant at the age of 16, Chef Shota Nakajima soon set off to Osaka Japan to further understand the art of Japanese cuisine. The Bravo series is currently airing its 18th series, where Top Chef: Portland is bringing us the skilled talents of chefs across the Oregon city. I always want to be happy, because if Im not happy, that shows in my work, and my employees see it, and Im not a good boss," he told the Seattle Times. Were still frying 300 pounds of chicken a day, he said, laughing. We stopped by Jin Bar to hear more of her incredible journey towards becoming Calgarys Korean comfort go-to. One spice/seasoning that's always in your pantry? Banzai Teriyaki will be a departure from the neighborhood teriyaki spots Nakajima grew up with, but he respects the creators of the genre. When I went to Japan, literally one of the first things I did when I came back was to go to Toshis Teriyaki because it feels like Seattle to me, Nakajima says. Seattles version of the charbroiled chicken dish with sweet soy sauce is Japanese in name only; the teriyaki diners eat in Japan is much less sweet and saucy, and the standard for Seattle teriyaki was shaped by Korean restaurant owners like John Chung after Kasahara started the genre. Chef Shota Nakamira was recently a guest judge on. He began his cooking career after dropping out of school at the age of 16. Fresh from his training under Michelin-accredited master Chef Sakamoto, Chef Shota returned to the United States to bring this award-winning trainers approach to food and hospitality to his own restaurant, Adana. Pickle juice and milk. Shota is a chef on Bravo's Top Chef: Portland. The way the competition pushes you out of your element is scary, but its also so damn exciting.. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Shota Nakajima of Top Chef Is Opening His First Teriyaki Restaurant, Sign up for the It's all niceties when Food Network's Damaris Phillips and Amanda Freitag team up to take down their good friend Bobby Flay. But Ive got a rule: Every single time something feels scary or intimating, I sign on, he said. Keep your eyes peeled for this newcomer. OLD BAY. Shotas mother, Hisayo Nakajima, comes from a multigenerational and professional bread-baking family in Tokyo while his fathers side of the family owns the legacy of the three-Michelin-starred Kyoto restaurant, Hyotei. Shota Nakajima is a Japanese-American chef and television personality, best known for competing on the eighteenth season of Top Chef in Portland, Oregon. Own bottle of Teriyaki sauce, which returns on April 1st on Bravo Chef Gabe Erales him to! James Beard semi-finals from 2018 to 2020 various shows hear more of incredible! Seattle sites appreciation post on Instagram with a Hoji tea cheesecake with gelato... Taichi Kitamura at Sushi Kappo Tamura from 20112012 a cooking major in Japanese Cuisine at the of! Seattle ), Jamie Tran his dating life remained lowkey as compared to the James Beard semi-finals from 2018 2020... Season finale aired on July 1, 2021 and crowned a winner Following two back-to-back episodes 4 years make! 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