Seattle-based chef Shota Nakajima talks about how he processes achievements, like making the Food Network Hotlist, and how he tends to take things one day at a time. Shota describes how the Pacific Northwest shaped his culinary perspective and how he enjoys being in nature to forage for ingredients and clear his mind. He shares how he fell in love with the hospitality industry by holding down two jobs at just fifteen years old and how that led to working in a Michelin star restaurant in Japan all before the age of twenty. Shota shares his thoughts on restaurant hierarchy and how he pivoted his operations to foster a more collaborative model with his employees. He describes his experiences on various food competition shows and how Tournament of Champions is a different beast. He reveals the touching way Guy Fieri supports the competitors and why he loves the blind judging before nerding out over his love of anime. 

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Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/shota-nakajima-on-sushi-rice-secrets-toc-cold-sweats

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