Motivated students learn fast

Cultural News, 2010 June Issue

Andy Matsuda’s Sushi School /Cutting board talks

By Chef Andy Matsuda

In addition to offering sushi chef training classes everyday in Little Tokyo, I am putting a lot of efforts on lectures for culinary professionals, assisting with sushi chef job placements and providing restaurant business consultations.

In the middle of August, I will take two former students of our school to Japan and arrange their work experience in a really busy restaurant. One of these graduates is currently working at a resort hotel’s sushi bar in the Bahamas. Placing my students at such resort areas in the world is also my job. Usually these job assignments at resorts are seasonal assignments. Most people need permanent jobs, but some may opt for temporary or seasonal jobs. The chef in the Bahamas will wrap up his assignment in the middle of August and then travel to Japan.

Those who already have work experience at restaurant sushi bar are not unusual at our school. But Christopher Kochi from Hudson, Ohio, is an exceptionally fast learner. He is 27 years old now and has had 8 years of work experience at a 40-seat Japanese restaurant in Ohio. He was looking for a professional sushi chef training place for long time and finally found our school.

Like Christopher, those who have sushi bar experience and a high motivation for learning can quickly acquire the necessary skills of sushi preparation.

Here is my schedule of public programs for June and July.

June 26 (Saturday) 2:00 – 4:00 PM: Matsuri sushi (decorative) roll workshop at Sushi Chef Institute, 222 South Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 617-6825. Lecture and hands-on. $55 per person. Pre-registration required.

July 10 (Saturday) 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Sushi Demonstration at West Covina Public Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, CA 91790, (626) 962-3541. Free and open to public.

July 17 (Saturday) 2:00 – 3:00 PM: Sushi Demonstration at La Verne Library, 3640 D Street, La Verne, CA 91750, (909) 596-1934. Free and open to public.

July 31 (Saturday) 11:00 AM: Lifelong Learning series at the Japanese American National Museum – Sushi Chef Institute Presents: Make Your Own Sushi! A one-day sushi workshop so you can enjoy sushi at home including how to make sushi rice and basic rolls, plus a special tasting of your own creations. Fees are $40 for museum members, $50 for non-members, includes admission and supplies. The Japanese American National Museum is located at 100 North Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please call (213) 625-0414 for reservation.

Andy Matsuda is the founder and the chief instructor of Sushi Chef Institute in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.sushischool.net or Facebook/sushichefinstitute.