koji

Koji | Sushi Chef

Nara

Years of Industry Service: 23

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Koji's entrée into the kitchen was as a dishwasher, but he had always wanted to be a chef. His grandmother was a chef. His father and aunt were chefs. And now his son wants to be a chef. "My grandmother taught me that I should always do something with my hands, a skill."

Koji was born in Los Angeles but raised in Japan by his grandparents, from the time he was eight-years-old until he turned eighteen.  He met his bartender wife, Nina, at Kabuki in Crown Center; they've been married for 18 years and have four children. At home, he cooks Japanese home food. His time off is spent sleeping, drinking, chasing the kids and watching movies.

Koji and the entire sushi staff at Nara have some of the most beautiful food presentation you will ever see. He says owner Casey Adams gives them the freedom to be artists. "He lets me do what I want to do, to be creative and he gives us the stage to perform. A lot of guys like to work here for that reason."

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