Top Chef Season 18 Headshot Nelson German

Nelson German

HOMETOWN: New York City

CURRENT CITY OF RESIDENCE: Oakland, California

OCCUPATION/PROFESSION: Executive Chef/Owner, alaMar Kitchen and Sobre Mesa Afro-Latino cocktail lounge

A Dominican-American hailing from Washington Heights, NY, Chef Nelson German is the Executive Chef/Owner of alaMar Kitchen and Sobre Mesa Afro-Latino cocktail lounge, both located in Oakland. He received his culinary training at the NY Art Institute where he learned the foundation of Mediterranean-style cooking incorporating French techniques. He worked his way up from line cook to Executive Chef in New York staples like Gramercy Park Hotel, Jerry’s Café, Joseph’s and Citarella. He believes in letting his food tell the stories of his journey, derived from childhood memories, inspirational travels, food escapades and his own original ideas. After meeting the love of his life, Chef Nelson and his fiancée relocated to her hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area where he joined Supper Club SF and adopted a new-found appreciation for California cuisine. His unorthodox culinary style draws from his Dominican heritage, his African roots, his embrace of Mediterranean cuisine and Asian influence, coupled with his love of California ingredients that are local and sustainable.