Above: Chef Nina Compton

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia-born Chef Nina Compton finished second in 11th season of Top Chef on Wednesday, following a nerve-wracking finale episode.

Compton, who is currently Chef de Cuisine at the Scarpetta restaurant at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Hotel, was aiming to be the first Caribbean-born chef to win the popular Bravo network television series.

Compton, who had become a fan favourite, was gracious following the victory by Chef Nicholas Elmi.

And, as it turned out, her food was spectacular, but not quite enough to merit a victory..

“This is the closest finale I’ve ever experienced,” host Padma Lakshmi said minutes before the final judgment.

“I’m a role model for people in St Lucia now,” Compton said. “You can come from a small island and make it to the finale in Top Chef.”

“This was by far the closest decision we ever had to make,” co-host Tom Colicchio said.

The St Lucia Tourist Board congratulated Compton on her finish.

“Although not emerging Top Chef, Nina’s performance is being celebrated not only by herself and her immediate family, but indeed all of Saint Lucia and particularly by the hospitality industry,” the SLTB said. “Over the years we have consistently extoled the awarding winning culinary delights of Saint Lucia, as exemplified in our indigenous recipes so masterfully brought to life by Nina, week after week, throughout her presence on the show.”