Nick Elmi and His Food

With Top Chef in the rearview mirror, we look back at Nick Elmi’s career at Le Bec Fin, Rittenhouse Tavern and now at Laurel.

Check out some shots of Elmi through these past few years as well as some of his most notable dishes.

Elmi and Perrier

We first became familiar with Nick Elmi when he was named chef de cuisine and part owner of Le Bec-Fin, with Georges Perrier.

Elmi at Rittenhouse Tavern

After Le Bec 1.0 closed, Elmi landed at Rittenhouse Tavern, where he still had a boss, Ed Brown. | Photo by Jason Varney

Deviled Eggs at Rittenhouse Tavern

At RT, we saw the beauty of Elmi's plates, even in simple dishes like these deviled eggs. | Photo by Felicia Perretti

Rittenhouse Tavern

His Baby Beets Salad was a stunner. | Photo by Arthur Etchells

Garden Gazpaco

Elmi received early praise at Rittenhouse Tavern. | Photo by Courtney Apple

Dessert at Rittenhouse Tavern

Brown Butter Cake with Rhubarb at Rittenhouse Tavern | Photo by Jason Varney

Nick Elmi at Hop Chef

Before competing on Top Chef, Elmi was a contestant at Hop Chef. | Photo by HughE Dillon

Nick Elmi at Hop Chef

Hamachi crudo with sea urchin at Hop Chef | Photo by Yoni Nimrod

Hop Chef

At Hop Chef, Elmi finished second to George Sabatino.

Top Chef

While Elmi was looking to open his own restaurant, he was announced as a contestant on Top Chef New Orleans.

Laurel

In the break between the New Orleans and Hawaii filming segments, Elmi onpened Laurel on East Passyunk. | Photo by Alex Tewfik.

Laurel

Nick Elmi finally had a place to call his own. | Photo by Alex Tewfik.

Laurel

The BYOB opened in November, 2012 | Photo by Alex Tewfik.

Grilled Maitake at Laurel

The praise for Laurel has been universal. | Photography by Jason Varney

Daurade at Laurel

Never did this finely wrought food feel fussy. | Photo by Jason Varney

Top Chef Final

Create a dish using canoe crops.

Top Chef Finale

Hamachi and tuna with green apple wasabi, celery and Maui Meyer lemon.

Top Chef Finale

Sweet Shrimp Bisque with scallop and daikon noodles with Thai basil.

Top Chef Finale

Kombu Cured Duck Breast with Kabocha.

Top Chef Finale

Caramelized White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Almond Cocoa Crumble and Tropical Fruit

Top Chef Champion

Elmi gets a kiss from his wife after winning Top Chef.

Laurel [Foobooz]