ABSTRACT
One suspects legitimization and acknowledgement of the Japanese chef’s roles to be prime reasons for minimal academic inquiry on Japanese chefs, especially sushi chefs abroad. This chapter aims to address the deficiency as it is also a prolegomenon to research on the role of Japanese sushi chefs within the context of the global boom in Japanese cuisine. It considers the situation of Japanese sushi chefs abroad, and through specific examples discusses their roles in shaping Japanese food culture outside Japan. ‘Traditional’ training for sushi chefs in Japan can involve different approaches depending on factors such as the location of the training – in a big-city restaurant or in a small-town establishment, for example – as well as the personalities and attitudes of both trainer and trainee. The listings in Sushi Job are filled fast and are frequently updated, attesting to high overseas demand. Salaries are usually indicated, which are comparable to – sometimes higher than – levels at home.
