Testimonials

I enrolled at the Sushi Chef Institute in May-June 2008 program for the purpose of refreshing and furthering my Japanese kitchen skills. The course and the knowledge I gained far exceeded my expectations. I am more than confident that I am ready and able to execute my newly acquired skills and knowledge at whatever job I secure. Sensei Andy Matsuda’s expertise in authentic and traditional Japanese cuisine, his desire to pass on his skills and knowledge is what makes his class unique and invaluable. I now have a better understanding behind the true meaning of Japanese cooking and Sushi. I am thankful that I was able to attend this class, it is one of the most positive and gratifying experiences I have had.

Hi, my name is Jun. I live in Vancouver, Canada, where there are more Japanese restaurants than any other kind. A friend of mine who works as a sushi chef said that it would be a waste of time and money for me to go to LA and do sushi study when I told him about my plan. “Why not work and make money and learn instead of paying?” I didn’t really need to argue because I knew this would make a huge difference between him and me.

Here is my simple question; what are the odds of being able to get a good sushi job and an opportunity to learn and do the right things at your work considering there seems to be a whole bunch of bastardized versions of “Japanese restaurants” here and there in the US and Canada? I had already known the answer and Chef Andy guided me through the world of DOING THE RIGHT THINGS for the entire eight weeks at school. Well, here is another simple question; have you ever been lucky enough to have a chance to talk to any more experienced and knowledgable sushi chef than Chef Andy? If you have, go ask them to train you. You probably haven’t. But you’re still lucky to be reading this!

SCI basically welcomes everyone. Even those that have no kitchen experience or don’t cook at home. Grown up in Japan, I must admit that I had some advantage in the Japanese cooking over non-Japanese students. However, this school enables us to pursue our own individual goals at quite different levels. In other words, if you are better than the others, there is always more to learn and do. If you are a little behind, there is always Chef Andy and Nick willing to help you. Remember they are watching your attitude and commitment rather than your skills. Plus, my biggest advice to the future students would be stay after school and keep on practicing every single day with your friends.

Lastly, I’d like to express my gratitude to every one of my classmates and, of course, Chef Andy. But more than anyone, thanks Nick for being helpful. I didn’t just get sushi skills for the money I spent but much more than that!

Hello people! My name is Edison Z. Diaz aka Edison Elektrik. I’m from Los Angeles. Before coming to Sushi Chef Institute, I was a dj/music artist for over a decade and also worked as a social worker. I was terrified coming to SCI at first because I absolutely had no kitchen experience. The only thing that pushed me from going is my passion for food. I dreamt to be a chef a long time ago but pursued music instead. Anyway, my SCI experience were AMAZING and I had so much FUN learning!

From day one, I learned how to cook traditional Japanese cuisine in a very precise way and with direct supervision by “in my opinion” one of the best Japanese chef in California, Master Chef Andy Matsuda.
Sensei will teach you everything you need to know about Japanese cuisine starting from the fundamentals and the history behind the dishes. Secret recipes and all! TAKE GOOD NOTES!

To be honest, I’ve done countless of technical schools in the past but this SCI experience is TOP-NOTCH!!! Hands-on training all the way! Traditional and (con)fusion dishes…. you name it! You will learn it as long as you put your heart in it! LISTEN WELL!

Sensei and his assistant, chef Nick will be on your side whenever you need guidance! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS! I am so grateful that Sensei and chef Nick takes so much pride in what they do that they will not allow anyone to learn the wrong way! By the way, chef Nick is absolutely a great addition to the SCI teaching team! Very knowledgeable and devotes extra time for the students after class…
THANKS FOR THIS!

Also, I’m most grateful that Sensei found a job for me 3 weeks before I graduated! He assisted me in every way! Even after I graduated, he called me right away… months after he came back from his Japan vacation just to see how I am. I really feel I gained a great mentor!
ARIGATO Andy-san!

Hi, my name is Mat. I am a musician and have been playing drums for 25 years.

I recently decided to make a change in my life and put down the drum sticks and exchange them for a sushi knife.
I have always loved to eat sushi and find the Japanese culture very beautiful, interesting and creative.
I recently got a job in a sushi bar and found it is very difficult to pick up skills and perform at a high level.
Since coming to Sushi Chef Institute, I have acquired many new skills, and can perform at much higher level.
Over all, I had a very challenging and great experience here at the Sushi Chef Institute.

Thank you Andy Sensei and Nick Senpai.

My 8 weeks I spent at The Sushi Chef Institute were one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. It is not very often you get to learn from a master in any art. Sensei Matsuda is just that… a true master unselfishly sharing his knowledge and secrets of 30+ years.

I learned about my own Japanese culture and the real traditions of Japanese cooking and the art of the true Sushi Chef. My foundation is now solid and I have the skills and knowledge that I need to venture out and begin my career as a great sushi chef.

I must mention all the extra time and help I received from Sensei’s incredible assistant Chef Nick and office wizard Yosuke Ouchi. They are both invaluable parts of this perfect team!

Make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Work hard, take notes and pictures and volunteer for all functions and you’ll definitely be one up on all the other aspiring chefs out there.

Domo arigato gozaimasu Sensei. I am eternally grateful.

Hi, My mane is yu-chao. I from Taiwan. My Eiglish is not so good. So….I writes with Chinese.
如上面所寫,我的英文不是很好,所以在全程都是英文的教學裡,我的理解力沒辦法比其他同學好 但是我相信,只要是想來這學習的人,一定都對料理充滿了熱情,有時這種熱情是能劃破語言的隔閡 我很謝謝老師對我細心的指導,雖然他一直叫我要開口說英文,不過就我所會的字彙中, 有時並沒辦法傳達我想表達的訊息,所以我多數選擇當一個聆聽著 也謝謝助教不厭其煩的在下課後為我解釋不懂的地方, 最後也謝謝我的同學,我們是人數比較小的班級,他們能包容我做事的速度並不是很快 對我來說,這八週的課程是愉快的, 當然,做不好的時候會沮喪,不過當你做出自己滿意的作品時,那種成就感又是難以言喻的 我很難想像我的破英文能完成這八週的課程,不只是完成,還得到超出我預期的收穫 我每天的學習心得都有寫在我的Blog裡,歡迎參觀(雖然是中文的)
漂泊料理師 之 美國流浪記

Just like what I said above, my English vocabulary is limited. I cannot comprehend as well as my classmate, but I am sure that people who come here to learn are filled with passion and their interest in cooking. I really appreciate the care and attention that my teacher has given me. He always wanted me to speak, but with my limited vocabulary, it is hard to fully express my feelings. So I choose to be a listener in class. Also, I really appreciate the assistant teacher. He explains everything in detail of what I did not comprehend in class. At last, I want to thank all my classmates, I am not quick enough when I do stuff, and my classmates didn’t mind. For me, these eight weeks are very enjoyable. Of course, when I didn’t get things done the right way, I get depressed, but when I made dishes I really liked, the feeling of accomplishment that I cannot describe with words. It is hard to imagine that with my poor English that I can finish the course. Not only I finished it, I learned a lot which exceeded what I expected. Everyday, I write the important things of what I learned in my blog. You are welcome to take a look. (even though it is in Chinese)
漂泊料理師 之 美國流浪記

この２ヶ月間は私の人生で初めてといえるほど密度の濃い毎日の連続でした。日本では寿司職人になるということは、下積みから初めてやっと一人前の職人といえるようになるためには何年もの修行が必要で、ましてや私のように中年の女性が寿司職人をめざす、というのはまったくの夢物語、不可能と思われています。それがこの２ヶ月間、毎日一つ一つ先生の見本通りにやってみては試行錯誤、練習の積み重ねでなんとか寿司職人の第一歩を踏み出せるようにまでなりました。以前は魚もフィッシュデパートメントの人にフィレにしてもらっていた私が大きいハマチや鯛を下ろし、まぐろやサーモンをサクに切ってにぎりや巻物を作れるまでになりました。そして毎晩、夜のひと時は何丁かある包丁を砥石で研ぐ静かな時間を楽しみながら、たった包丁一丁研ぐのがどんなに難しくまた奥が深いか、ということも学びました。学校から出かけたケータリングの大きなパーティーも実際にお客様がおいしいって喜んでくださったのを実感できて大変いい勉強にもなりました。これからはやはり手に職がないと生きていくのがより難しい時代かもしれません。それでお料理も食べることも大好きな私はこの寿司職人になる道を今さらながら選んでトライしてみて、本当によかったと思っています。これからはどんな方からも信頼される寿司職人と言われるようになるために引き続き学校で学んだ基本を忘れず、さらに仕事の場でいかして前へ進んでいけたらと思っています。学校では男女の区別無く、若い子も年を取ったかたも皆一つの目標に向かって励ましあって進んでこれて、今日皆で卒業でき、それぞれ寿司職人としての一歩を踏み出していけたことは、すべて忍耐強く教えてくださったアンディ先生とニック先生のおかげです。ほんとうにありがとうございました。

また紹介して頂いたレストランには、さっそく連絡を取ってその後をご報告させていただきます。重ねてありがとうございました。 この２ヶ月間はほんとうに毎日が楽しくあっという間に過ぎてしまって、もう月曜日から学校に行けないのが寂しいです
貴戸みどり

English translation comes soon.

My name is Dave. I just completed the eight-week professional course at Sushi Chef Institute. I just want to let you know that I had a great time. I walked into the course with no kitchen experience. I had been a teacher for the past twelve years and wanted a change. The way Sensei designed and structured the course eased my anxiety about changing careers. I learned about the culture of Japan and the history of traditional Japanese cuisine. I finished the course with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to pursue my new career as a sushi chef. Sensei is an excellent teacher and is truly a master chef. His assistant, chef Nick, devotes his time to help you during and after class. Sensei and chef Nick work well together and make a great team, providing you with a challenging, top-quality education in Japanese cuisine… focusing on sushi, of course.

Sushi and Japanese culture in general has always been amazingly fascinating to me. During college I worked at a sushi restaurant and was frustrated by all the corners that were being cut. So I wanted to learn traditional sushi making and how to make everything from scratch. At the Sushi Chef Institute I learned just that and a whole lot more. Master Chef Andy Matsuda has a stellar approach to teaching. His philosophy is that you are a representative of him when you graduate and it is his and your best interest to be as proficient and skilled as possible when you graduate. Chef Nick is also a great asset to the school he will always help you overcome your individual challenges for each technique while being funny and supportive along the way. The teaching at the school is strict and precise and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The precision and dedication they demand of you will make you a far better chef than you ever thought you could be. The education gained here is not purely your mechanical skill it is the knowledge of a wide range of ingredients, history, and culture. Let me tell you that now as a sushi chef working in the Bahamas (thanks to Chef Andy) your customers will ask you and enormous amount of questions and you will be prepared to answer with ease and confidence. Also your connection with the school does not end at graduation. They support you far and beyond what I expected in helping you prepare resumes, answering every little question you have, and providing you with real world opportunities to work at catering events. The Sushi Chef Institute has been invaluable in propelling me into an exciting and highly rewarding career.