Shota Nakajima is a chef, restaurateur, international TV personality, anda three-time James BeardFoundation Awardssemi-finalist. He was a top-three finalist onBravo’sTop Chef in 2021 and wasawarded Season 18 Fan Favorite as voted on by the public. In 2023 Shota placed in the top 8 inFoodNetwork’sTournament of Champions competition show.

He has received an Eater ‘Young Guns’ award, a Zagat ’30 Under 30’ chef designation and in 2021 hewas named one of ‘The Most Influential People in Seattle’ bySeattle Met Magazine. Shota has competedon Iron Chef Gauntlet, Beat Bobby Flay as well as appeared on countlessFood Networkcompetitionprograms as both a judge and competitor. He’s been a featured guest on CBS’sThe Talkand ABC’sGood Morning America.

Shota seizes every opportunity to get outside and forage or fish, alongside his border collie Dodger, taking advantage of the abundance of wild goods in Washington’s mountains and waters.