Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s first dream was to be a professional baseball catcher in Japan. After a career-ending shoulder injury, Morimoto began studying sushi in his hometown of Hiroshima. He quickly developed his own technique of bringing together art and food. At 24 years old he opened his first restaurant. Five years later, he moved to America where he would expand his culinary vision and explore a style of cuisine that would combine the best of both cultures.
“I had two dreams,” says chef Masaharu Morimoto. “The other was to become a professional sushi chef, and here I am.”
Morimoto remembers eating Sushi on his father’s monthly payday, “Our family would always go to a sushi restaurant. Sushi was expensive, so it was a once-a-month treat for our family. We would sit at the sushi counter where I would always be fascinated by the chef’s magical hands.”
The Iron Chef and Theatrical Restaurants
In 1988, Chef Morimoto first competed on the Japanese television show Iron Chef. Eleven years later, he became one of the stars of Food Network’s Iron Chef America. As an Iron Chef, Morimoto was able to demonstrate his impeccable techniques and awe inspiring style to a television audience of millions of Americans.
In 2001, Morimoto opened his first restaurant in Philadelphia, Morimoto. He was highly influenced by his desire to provide a unique dining experience and hired world-renowned designer Karim Rashid to delight the visual senses. The restaurant’s symmetrical design features geometric booths with glass dividers, large nebulous shapes and also a soft oval-shaped sculpture emerging from smooth white plaster walls. Dark brown bamboo covers the floors. Up to 125 people can dine at the colored glass tables with white leather benches.
Create Like Chef Masaharu Morimoto
Mortimoto has published two cookbooks. His first, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking, won two International Association of Culinary Professionals awards, including the Julia Child Award for Best First Book. In 2016, he released a second cookbook, Mastering The Art of Japanese Home Cooking. Looking through chef Masaharu Morimoto’s best selling cookbooks, you’ll find recipes and pictures that will inspire you in the kitchen. By embracing his style, you can bring his unique presentation to your very own entertaining table.
Culinary Tools
Masaharu’s mad knife skills earned him accolades in his career. He partnered with Zwilling J.A. Henckels to create a line of knives that blend authentic Japanese blade styles with western inspired ergonomics and materials. We know that holding one of his knives won’t turn you into an expert chef. We also know that having great tools in the kitchen can provide you the inspiration and precision necessary to attempt amazing cuts for your dish.
Sake and Beer by Chef Masaharu Morimoto
Of course, you can bring a little bit of Masaharu into your gathering with one of his beers or sakes. Chef Morimoto took great care when selecting a quality sake worthy enough for you that bares his name on a personally designed label. Easy Cup Sake by Chef Morimoto is made from premium grade Yamada Nishiki rice which has been polished to 70% and brewed with the famously refined “Fushimizu” water. This results in a sake that is dry on the palate with a balanced texture. It also has no preservatives, sulfates, or gluten, making it a pure sake from only the finest ingredients.
Additionally, chef Masaharu Morimoto launched The Signature Series of Rogue Ales in the Spring of 2003. The Morimoto Signature Series has won numerous awards. The collection consists of The Morimoto Soba Ale, Black Obi Soba Ale, and also the Morimoto Imperial Pilsner.
Grapeseed Finishing Oil
Adding a Morimoto grapeseed finishing oil to your table is another way to bring Morimoto’s expression of flavor to your gathering. In collaboration with Iron Chef Morimoto, Salute Santé! designed a one of a kind combination of Morimoto’s favorite Napa Valley red grape varietals into a cold pressed grapeseed oil. They are delicious drizzled over salads, fish and also vegetables. These cold pressed finishing oils are truly a Morimoto masterpiece with original Morimoto label artwork. This is truly an essential in the home chef’s kitchen.
So, if you are looking to embrace the style of chef Masaharu Morimoto, look no further than his cookbooks and other products. Want more information on celebrity chefs? Try our article on the New Kids on the Butcher Block: The Rising Stars of the Culinary World.
