We can make this world better with healthy recipes

Cultural News, 2011 March Issue

Andy Matsuda’s Sushi School /Cutting board talk

Chef Andy Matsuda Sushi Chef Institute

Chef Andy Matsuda (Couetesy of Sushi Chef Institute)

By Andy Matsuda

Did you know that First Lady Michelle Obama is leading the “Let’s Move” nationwide campaign?  According to her video message, Michelle Obama was a busy mother who did not have enough time to cook for her children before Mr. Obama was elected President of the United States. They used to order pizza often to feed their children instead of cooking. Then Michelle received a warning from their pediatrician that their children’s health was at risk.

Michelle is advocating 1) making healthy choices; 2) offering healthier foods in schools; 3) having access to healthy and affordable food; and 4) doing physical exercise.

You might be surprised to hear that our mission at Sushi Chef Institute is similar to Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign. Needless to say, Japanese cuisine is full of healthy ingredients. Japanese cuisine is nutritionally well-balanced and has mainly seafood and vegetable recipes.

Promoting proper cooking skills of Japanese cuisine is spreading healthy choices in the world. In our two-month course, we teach advanced sushi cooking skills and at the same time students learn the basic knowledge of Japanese cooking. By teaching healthy recipes, we can make this world better.

My schedule of free sushi demonstrations at public libraries are as follows:

Mar 19 (Sat) 2:00 PM, Live Oak Library, 4153-55 East Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006, (626) 446-8803

Mar 26 (Sat) 1:00 PM, Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650, (562) 868-0775

April 2 (Sat) 1:00 PM South Whittier Library, 14433 Leffingwell Road, Whittier, CA 90604, (562) 946-4415

April 16 (Sat) 3:00 PM Inside stage at Monterey Park Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, Barnes Park beside the City Hall, 350 South McPherrin Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Apr 30 (Sat) 1:00 PM, San Gabriel Library, 500 South Del Mar Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91776, (626) 287-0761

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