What Is a Sushi Chef and How to Become One
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What Is a Sushi Chef?
A sushi chef is a skilled culinary professional who specializes in the making of sushi and other Japanese food. As a sushi chef, your responsibilities and duties include preparation and creation of traditional Asian dishes, such as sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, rice, and sauces. You are responsible for preparing ingredients, maintaining cutlery and culinary tools, and meeting health code standards. Chefs often prepare sushi in front of the customer, so mindfulness of the overall experience and presentation is essential. After years of training and developing your expertise, you may be considered an “itamae,” which a Japanese term bestowed upon exceptional sushi chefs.
How to Become a Sushi Chef
To become a sushi chef, you likely need a high school diploma or equivalent. Though some jobs require employees to complete a culinary arts program, many sushi chef jobs provide apprenticeships and on-the-job training. In specialized Asian cuisine culinary programs, you study the basics of Japanese cooking and sushi to gain the skills and qualifications you need to fulfill your responsibilities in this career. Knowledge of fish, rolling techniques, knives, and safe food handling are essential.
What Do Sushi Chefs Wear?
Sushi chefs wear uniforms, often provided by their employer. These uniforms usually include components found in any typical restaurant kitchen including chef pants and a chef’s jacket. Traditionally a sushi chef wears a chef's hat. Some sushi restaurants have uniforms that incorporate traditional Japanese clothing motifs or designs or a particular color scheme. Some states require sushi chefs to wear gloves while handling food while others do not. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is a must since sushi chefs spend hours on their feet each day.
Sushi Chef Job Description Sample
With this Sushi Chef job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Sushi Chef role.
Job Summary
Our restaurant needs an experienced Sushi Chef to join our team. You will prepare sushi rolls and dishes from the sushi bar, taking orders from those seated at the sushi bar as well as from patrons in the restaurant. Our ideal candidate is comfortable with a variety of sushi rolling, plating, and related cooking techniques and has experience working in a busy sushi restaurant. Advanced knife cutting skills are a must. We expect our sushi chefs to be friendly and interact with customers, providing recommendations on different dishes when requested.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Greet customers as they sit down
- Prepare raw fish and other sushi ingredients
- Roll and plate dishes for customers, taking note of individual requests
- Maintain a clean and safe workspace
- Coordinate with wait staff to ensure an efficient flow of orders
- Regularly take kitchen inventory
Requirements and Qualifications
- Culinary arts education and training (preferred)
- Cooking and sushi-making experience
- Food handler's card
- Knife skills
- Communication, time-management, and organizational abilities
