Born in Japan and raised in Colombia. Grew up in a home
where there was an immense appreciation for international foods. This passion for food was imparted at an early age and Alex started cooking and experimenting with recipes at the age of 9. From then on love for food has been an ongoing, growing journey.
20 years in hospitality. Worked in
Los Angeles from 2009 – 2019. During that time focused on California-centric
foods & wines (mostly natural & biodynamic) and gained great knowledge
in the growing mixology, craft beers and coffee trends.
Throughout her career Alex J Nakamura worked with several progressive chefs in Los Angeles who greatly influenced her approach to food:
- Josef Centeno: Chef & owner of Bäco Mercat, Bar Amá, Orsa & Winston, Ledlow and P.Y.T. Named “baron of downtown dining” by Pulitzer-winner food writer Jonathan Gold.
- Ari Taymor: chef/owner of restaurant Alma & Little Prince in Los Angeles, CA. Voted Best Restaurant in America by Bon Appetit in 2013
- Stephen Kalt: Iron Chef America winner against Alex Guarnaschelli in 2013. Former co-owner of Fornelleto at Borgata Hotel & Casino with Geoffrey Zacharian & Bobby Flay. Owner of Spartina in Los Angeles, CA
- Flynn MacGarry: wunderkind featured in NY Times Magazine in2014. Known for his supper club Eureka. Chef & owner of restaurant Gem in NYC.
- Nyesha Arrington: Top Chef alum & winner of Food Network’s ‘Chef Hunter’. Owner of Leona restaurant in Venice, CA
- Evan Funke: formerly at Spago. His restaurant Bucato set a new standard for handmade pasta in Los Angeles. Chef & owner of Felix Trattoria in Venice, CA & Fingers Crossed in Hollywood
- Kyle Connaughton: formerly at Spago in Beverly Hills, The Fat Duck in England & Michel Bras TOYA Japan. Editor of Modernist Cuisine & author of Donabe: Traditional and Modern Japanese Claypot Cooking.
- Sahar Shomali: Executive Pastry Chef at Suzzane Goin’s Lucques, Tavern, a.o.c, Larder
- Isa Fabro: Pastry Chef at Unit 120. Rated No. 6 by Los Angeles Magazine’s Top Best New Restaurants of 2016
Alex has had the opportunity to participate in hosting events for top personalities & organizations:
- Show “Eastbound & Down” season premiere party 2011
- Show ‘Mad Men’ filming lunch catering 2012
- The Guild Of Music Supervisors, Grammys day brunch 2012
- Food writer, reality show star Kat O’dell ‘Eat, Drink, Love’ season premiere viewing party 2013
- Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Saving SPOT! Benefit 2013
- Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival kickoff party 2013 at the Beverly Hills Thompson Hotel
- Actors Michael C Hall (Dexter) & Daniel Radcliff (Harry Potter) movie premiere party for “Kill your Darlings” 2013
- Emmys host/actor Neil Patrick Harris post award ceremony party 2013
- Jimmy Kimmel birthday dinner 2013
- Writers for show ‘Homeland’ season finale screening 2013
- Show ‘The Office’ season finale party 2013
- Michelin starred chef Dominique Crenn’s birthday dinner 2014
- Zagat’s 30 under 30 Los Angeles party 2014
- L.A. Food & Wine Festival Co-Founder David Bernahl dinner 2014
- Comedian Natasha Leggero Christmas dinner 2014
- Kate Winslet celebration luncheon after receiving a star in Hollywood walk of fame 2014
- Nightly post-show cocktail hour for ‘Book of Mormon’ cast during their season in LA 2014
- Los Angeles City Ballet Company donor’s dinner 2015
Mixology training with Proprietors LLC’s David Kaplan, author of best seller ‘Death & Co’ (Los Angeles, CA 2014 – 2015)
Barista, coffee training and studies at Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Los Angeles, CA 2014 – 2015)
Sous Chef at 'Sur La Table' Cooking School (Boca Raton, FL 2015-2017)
