Chef Nana Araba Wilmot Reflects on Top Chef and the Judge She Found Hardest to Read

As fans devour every new Top Chef Season 23 episode and hunger to know which cheftestant returns from Last Chance Kitchen, Chef Nana Araba Wilmot reflects fondly on her experience. With some highs and lows in the competition, the talented chef believes that she showcased her culinary point of view.

This season has pushed chefs to adapt quickly under pressure, making self-confidence and clarity of vision just as important as technical skill.

While many of this season’s cheftestants have competed on other food television programs, everyone learned very quickly that Top Chef is quite different. There is no prep guide, cheat sheet, or boot camp that can prepare them for the pressures of the competition.

For Chef Nana, the clock and the pressure caused her to get frazzled. Being able to plate a complete dish is as dreaded an error as serving a poorly executed protein on the plate. Chef Nana learned the hard way that an incomplete dish is the kiss of death on Top Chef.

During a conversation with FlickDirect, Chef Nana reflected on her time in the competition, what the experience meant to her, and which judge was the hardest to please. Although she would not hear the phrase, “You are Top Chef,” she alluded to the fact that a big announcement would be coming soon.

Although Chef Nana admitted that Top Chef was not on her bucket list, she said that she could not turn down the opportunity. Even though she was slightly hesitant, she said that she knew that she had to say yes, especially when Season 23 focused on the Carolinas.

Chef Nana chooses to celebrate her Ghanaian heritage and the African diaspora from her culinary point of view. She said that this Top Chef season was “perfect” for her.

Discussing her self-discovery journey, “it started with finding the line that connects the African diaspora from West Africa to the Caribbean to the American South. I’ve been studying how it all ties together and how to bridge the African diaspora through food. It was thrilling to know that the Carolinas would have a moment to highlight that special space that is so near and dear to the foundation of American cooking.”

Although Chef Nana struggled with some of the challenges, she shone in Last Chance Kitchen. Specifically, Tom Colicchio commented that her first dish showcased bold, thoughtful flavors.

Explaining that dish, Chef Nana said that she cleared her mind and focused on Tom’s challenge. Instead of judging her dish against another competitor, she stayed true to her point of view.

She said, “I wanted to do these robust flavors that I know. I put together spices, Asian flavors, things from my past, French techniques, and Spanish Basque Country. It might not be what people think African flavors are, but this palette is large and immense. Afterwards, I thought why I was not doing this the whole time. I was really glad that I had an opportunity to show Tom that in the challenge.”

While she was able to impress Tom in Last Chance Kitchen, another judge was much harder to please. When asked her opinion on the most difficult judge to impress, Chef Nana said Gail Simmons.

She explained, “Gail is the one who is so hard to read, but she is so much fun. Gail was the judge where I questioned, what is it that you want?”

Even though Chef Nana’s time on Top Chef Season 23 was short, she is ready for a long, prosperous culinary career. From her supper club to her pop-up events, the future is bright for her.

One takeaway from her Top Chef experience is bigger than her culinary success. Specifically, Chef Nana said that it was quite a journey, but it helped her better understand who she is. She said, “I know who I am and how I want to express myself.” Instead of second-guessing herself, she believes in her path and the food that she puts on the plate.

Hungry for more Top Chef Season 23? New episodes air Monday nights at 9:30 p.m. on Bravo. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Peacock.