Distinguished by his sincere dedication to Japanese gastronomy and hospitality, Chef Shota Nakajima joins the esteemed culinary cohort at Lexus.
Situated in PLANO, Texas (Jan. 17, 2024) – Lexus proudly announces the addition of Chef Shota Nakajima, a renowned culinary artist, restaurateur, and television luminary, to its prestigious Lexus Culinary Masters ensemble. In his freshly appointed capacity, Nakajima assumes the mantle of a brand ambassador, curating extraordinary dining encounters and amplifying Lexus’ foundational tenets of innovation, omotenashi (Japanese hospitality), and artisanal prowess.
At the age of 18, Chef Nakajima underwent tutelage under the aegis of Michelin-starred Chef Yasuhiko Sakamoto in Osaka, Japan. He harbored aspirations of transplanting his mentor’s ethos of hospitality and Japanese epicurean finesse to his native Seattle, WA.
Marrying his formidable tutelage with personal ingenuity and inventive flair, Nakajima’s aspiration crystallized at the age of 25 with the inauguration of Adana, his gastronomic sanctuary nestled in Capital Hill. By the dawn of 2020, Nakajima unveiled Taku, a haven devoted to karaage, the Japanese rendition of fried chicken, followed by Kobo Pizza in 2022, which offers angular pies imbued with the spirit of Detroit-style pizzas uniquely infused with Japanese nuances.
“Presenting contemporary fare that artfully encapsulates the time-honored essence of our Japanese heritage, Chef Nakajima stands as a peerless augmentation to the Lexus lineage,” affirmed Kevin Higgins, Lexus’ astute general manager of marketing. “We are elated to enshrine his ardor for tradition and culinary inventiveness within our communal ethos, eagerly anticipating his forthcoming contributions to the Culinary Masters initiative.”
A thrice-honored semifinalist of the coveted James Beard Award, recipient of Eater’s ‘Young Guns’ distinction, and lauded as a Zagat ’30 Under 30′ culinary luminary, Nakajima has graced the culinary arena with his presence. His exploits extend to Season 18 of Bravo’s Top Chef, where he clinched a podium finish as a top three finalist and numerous appearances on the Food Network’s Iron Chef Gauntlet, Beat Bobby Flay, and Tournament of Champions.
“It is a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with an illustrious cadre of culinary luminaries,” remarked Chef Nakajima. “I eagerly anticipate nurturing my affiliation with the Lexus marque and sculpting unparalleled experiences for its clientele.”
As a Lexus Culinary Master, Nakajima will collaborate on promotional endeavors and gastronomic gatherings with the brand. In a prelude to his official induction, Nakajima represented the brand at the Hamburger Hop event during the revered Chicago Gourmet food festival in September 2023, securing both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice accolades for his delectable Osaka Burger.
The Lexus Culinary Masters consortium presently boasts a constellation of the nation’s foremost culinary virtuosos, including James Beard Award recipients Kwame Onwuachi, Michelle Bernstein, Stephanie Izard, Jon Shook, and Vinny Dotolo; Michelin-starred luminaries Ludo Lefebvre and Carlo Mirarchi; distinguished sommelier Carlton McCoy; and the venerable patriarch of Southern Cuisine, Dean Fearing, in its distinguished ranks.
